The Testing of Job

For those who love God, those who are “the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), Bible biography teaches an even higher lesson of the ministry of sorrow. “You are My witnesses, says the Lord, that I am God” (Isaiah 43:12)—witnesses that He is good, and that goodness is supreme.TEd 92.3

Unselfishness, the principle of God’s kingdom, is the principle that Satan hates. He denies its very existence. From the beginning of the great controversy he has endeavored to prove God’s principles of action to be selfish, and he deals in the same way with all who serve God. It is the work of Christ and of all who bear His name to disprove Satan’s claim.TEd 92.4

It was to give an illustration of unselfishness in His own life that Jesus came in the form of humanity. All who accept this principle are to be workers together with Him in demonstrating it in practical life. To choose the right because it is right, to stand for truth at the cost of suffering and sacrifice—“this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17.TEd 92.5

Very early in the history of the world is given the life record of one over whom this controversy of Satan’s was waged.TEd 92.6

Of Job the testimony of the Searcher of hearts was, “There is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil.” Against this man Satan brought the scornful charge: “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, and around his household, and around all that he has on every side? ... But stretch out Your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”TEd 92.7

The Lord said unto Satan, “All that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” Job 1:9-12. “Behold he is in your hand, but spare his life.” Job 2:6.TEd 93.1

Thus permitted, Satan swept away all that Job possessed—flocks and herds, menservants and maidens, sons and daughters—and he “struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” Job 2:7.TEd 93.2

Still another element of bitterness was added to his cup. His friends, seeing in adversity only the retribution of sin, pressed on his bruised and burdened spirit their accusations of wrongdoing.TEd 93.3

Seemingly forsaken of heaven and earth, yet holding fast his faith in God and his consciousness of integrity, in anguish and perplexity he cried: “My soul loathes my life.” “O that You would hide me in the grave, that You would conceal me, until Your wrath is past, that You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!” Job 10:1; 14:13. “Even though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last upon the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19:25-27. See also Job 19:7-21; 23:3-10.TEd 93.4

“When He has tested me,” Job said, “I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10. According to his faith, so it came to pass. By his patient endurance he vindicated his own character and thus the character of Him whose representative he was. And “the Lord restored Job’s losses. ... Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. ... The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.” Job 42:10-12.TEd 93.5