Sermon 8, Job 2:1-6
God really is in charge and we should definitely trust him. Calvin revisits his observation that Job knows immediately that God is the originator of all that has happened to him and does not complain against the men who took his livestock, etc.
Calvin drew my attention to a change in God’s description of Job to Satan.
From the NIV, God first says:
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8.
But, next God says:
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” Job 2:3
Calvin notes that the additional descriptor of Job, namely that he maintains his integrity, or as Calvin puts it, is “steadfast”, has come only following the experience of the four tragedies. I think this is very insightful. God took an already very good man, and via a tightly leashed satan and four terrible tragedies, was able to produce an even better man. It is likely that the four tragedies were so extreme because Job was already a very good man, such that Job was like the big workshop Calvin speaks of in Sermon 6. I note that Job’s newly demonstrated maintenance of integrity is used by God to amplify God’s own stature before Satan. It’s likely irreverent of me, but it’s a bit like God says to Satan “You tried buddy, but ‘good-man-Job’ is even more devoted and interested in me now. Not that I needed you, but you have made me look better, more powerful, and more needed.”
Calvin talks again at length about the dangers that we are in regarding sin and how we must flee sin. This is a clear and actionable directive that I am going to think about.
“So we have here an excellent passage to show us how God guides and governs the world by his providence.”
“…we are surrounded by enemies and are like sheep in the mouths of wolves…”
“God has no need of our lies to maintain his truths and righteousness.”
“So let us note that when the wicked run wild and seek only to inflict destruction, God is still over them, guiding and controlling events so that nothing happens without his providence and final disposition.”
“…let us walk in singleness of mind, content with what God tells us about himself.”
“Therefore, although we do not see the devils around us, or the angels, we must nonetheless be convinced that God sends them both… to sustain and afflict us.”
“The confidence we have in God does not make us stupid.” (Awesome!)
“Therefore, we must employ ourselves in the service of our neighbors without forgetting God.” (With Gods help I have to be better at this)