Job - He Didn't Sin - He Sinned

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. [Job 1.20-22]

Funny thing about this passage... on the surface there is stark contradiction!

Job SAID, "The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away."

The writer of Job then SAID, "In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."

If Job SAID God took it all away, then, somehow, that must differ from "blaming" God. If Job didn't blame God, then who took it all away?

If God is really God (and He really and truly IS), then there is simply no way God would inflict (or allow the infliction of) curses upon righteousness. The two do not go together! There is no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness! Unrighteousness does not exist in heaven and certainly not in God's presence.

So then, how could Satan be in God's presence for this story to happen in the first place?

Perhaps Satan was not "dethroned" until Jesus paid the price for the sin of mankind. Frankly, until Jesus "paid the price," Satan actually had every right to "justly" inflict every curse upon man. All Satan wants to see is blood - because blood (and its consequent death) is the only valid payment for sin.

But, back to the Garden - did Satan have the "right" to deceive man? Yes and no. By design, Satan would have been the entity to "test" Eve (just like we see in Job's story). Perhaps, deception is part of Satan's "bag of tools." Consider what Jesus Himself said in John 8.44:

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8.44]

So, in this sense, deception (in the Garden) would not necessarily disqualify Satan from coming into God's presence later in Job's time and space. He was created as a murderer (to carry out the shedding of blood necessary for sin) and a liar (which would actually serve quite well as the method of testing individuals for their devotion to God).

We must remember that "Jesus" was the plan from the very onset of creation! We will 'be like God' when we get to heaven, but eating a piece of fruit won't accomplish it! Only in the faith found in the shadow of the Cross of Christ is mankind redeemed. So, while we will be like God, it will only be in union with Jesus the Messiah!

So back to Job righteously "not" blaming God...

Regarding Job's misfortune, Job said, "God did it," and the author of the narrative said Job did not blame God. Can this be so? Yes, of course. Because God's just reward for sin is all manner of curses, it IS God's doing that curses come on sin. However, because man is the sinner, the just reward is not God's "fault" - He cannot be blamed for what He did in justice.

But why would God commission a test of Job when He already said Job was a righteous man? Because GOD was speaking both in terms of Satan's limited understanding (remember he is incapable of truth) AND in terms of what He, as God, knew lay ahead for Job - what would be revealed about him in the trials (that was not indiscernible by anyone else but God). And, sure enough, Job's indiscretion was eventually revealed and God then rebuked him for it.

So, Job did not sin by blaming God at the time and space of Job 1.20-22. But, as we see the story unfold, Job later begins to make some pretty ugly statements that lead to his being rebuked by God. And God does not rebuke righteousness! So, Job DID sin in running his mouth and making statements about stuff of which he had no knowledge. Yep, Job sinned.

Here is the beginning proof of it (in God's words):

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. [Job 38.1-3]

Then later, Job's confession for HIS SIN:

Then Job replied to the LORD, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” [Job 30.3-5]

Want further proof of Job's sin? How about his own words again?

I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” [Job 42.6]

So, yes, Job was indeed righteous at first. But, when tested, his indiscretion was revealed. No one could know Job's heart except God - so naturally, only God could expose it (as seen in the opening chapters of Job).

The book of Job is challenging. But there IS much to be learned if it is read in light of the entire Bible and God's character.

Father, I am grateful that You continue to challenge me through Job's story. Thank You that You challenge me to think - to think about all the story indicates as it relates to Your character and even the character of the enemy.