"the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;"

Job 1:21, KJV 

 

We've all heard this quote before, but how many know the circumstances behind the quote?

 

The setting is this: Job, one of the wealthiest men in the world, had a very bad day. First, raiders came and took off all of his oxen and donkeys, and killed all of his servants who were tending to them. Next, lightning struck his sheep herds, killing all of his sheep and those who tended them. Then another group of raiders stole all his camels and killed all of the servants who cared for them.

 

In just one day Job's wealth was wiped out! But that was not the worst thing that happened to him that day.

 

How could losing all your wealth not be the worst thing that could happen to you? Well, Job had seven sons and three daughters, whom he loved. That same day they were feasting together when a large wind struck the tent they were in, killing them all. When Job heard this news, he tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground... in worship!

 

It was then he uttered those now famous words, "the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away", but he did not stop there! No, it was his next comment that set Job apart from the rest of men, for it was then that he said, "May the name of the LORD be praised".

 

I wonder, sometimes, how I would have reacted to such news. I can tell you that I have taken things far less well in far less serious circumstances. It often does not take much misfortune for me to feel that I have been badly treated - maybe you can relate. The question, when such times come, is will we praise the name of the Lord or will we hold Him to account for everything that goes wrong in our lives?

 

The reason it is important that we settle this in our minds is that the man who acknowledges and praises God in all circumstances is going to have a really, really good life in the end. And the man who whines every time things do not go his way? Well, we all probably know the answer to that question.

 

His wife said to him, "Are you still holding to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman, Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job 2:10, NIV

 

Today is the fourth day of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of wisdom, with Job 1-7 being the reading for today. You can see all the daily articles at commonsenseChristian.com or you can visit our new 30dayBiblechallenge.com website for all of the previous thirty day challenges. May God richly bless your efforts as you seek His will and continue to praise His holy name!