One of my favorite genres in movies and TV is drama based on historical events, especially those that reveal previously untold details about what went on behind the scenes. As we study Job, something has been revealed to us as readers that those who we are reading about don’t realize. Job and his friends, it is clear, think that it is God who has brought all the difficulties upon him. His friends (and, as they say, with friends like these who needs enemies) are convinced that Job is hiding some grievous sins and God is punishing him. Job declares his innocence, but doesn’t understand why God is treating him this way. We can relate to him in all the pain and frustration, since there have been times when we question, “Why, Lord?”
From the beginning of the book, however, it is revealed to us that Job’s troubles are not from God, but from the Devil, who is trying to get him to turn against God. How many of the struggles and painful experiences of our lives are like that? I once heard author Edith Shaeffer say it was her belief that all of us who follow Jesus are on display before the spirits who are at work behind the scenes, in much the same way as Job was, to see if we will remain faithful when attacked.
Certainly, there are times when God is disciplining his people, and there are times when pain comes upon us as a result of our own poor choices, but there are also times when, like Job, we are simply being attacked by the one who goes around like a lion seeking who he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). It is important that we remember that there is a battle going on behind the scenes for the hearts of human beings. May we remain faithful when under attack, even when we can’t see what God sees behind the curtain, and may we keep trusting him.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Pet. 5:10 NIV).
Jim Jensen
