The Book of Job:

“The Question of the Ages—Why?”

Lesson 4c: When Tragedy Strikes, How Should We Respond?

Job 1:20-22 (NIV) – [20] At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship [21] and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” [22] In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

1. Job grieves.

2. Job worships.

3. Job surrenders.

a. Job believes God caused his loss.

b. And yet he worships the very one he believes took everything away. Wow!

c. Job’s falling down in worship is a sign of surrender and acceptance to the sovereign will of God.

d. Job acknowledged that he came into this world empty-handed and will leave it the same way.

1 Timothy 6:7 (NIV) – [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

e. It is true that the Lord gives, for ALL the good in our lives come from Him.

James 1:17 (NIV) – [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

f. God even shows kindness to the wicked.

Matthew 5:45 (NIV) – [45] He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

g. While Job’s acceptance of the will of God is commendable, he is mistaken as to the identity of the one who has taken away these things from him.

Romans 11:29 (AMP) – [29] For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]

Hosea 6:1 (NIV) – [1] “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”

Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV) – [5] And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

h. In this case, God is the one who gave, but Satan is the one who took away.

i. Satan is a liar and a thief.

John 8:44 (NIV) – [44] “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

John 10:10 (NIV) – [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV) – [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

j. God did not cause Job’s loss, but He did allow it.

k. God has the right to give, and God has the right to take away.