Week 33: Will You be among that Number?

The meeting convened on time. In the chair, the Lord. There were no absentees.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. (Job 1:6)

The way the above verse is segued in the narrative leads us to conclude that it was one of those periodic meetings. Nothing special about it. The presence of Satan among the sons of God seems to have raised no eyebrows.

In fact, all were dressed alike, suited and booted with a natty tie, Satan no exception. To tell the truth, sans the customary horns, black garb and fearsome eyes, you couldn’t tell him apart. Read 2 Cor.11:14: “ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

While the sons of God were chattering before the meeting was called to order, Satan kept to himself. The Lord noticed; He of course had no difficulty recognizing the devil, for howsoever well he was attired, the Lord could see the blackness of Satan’s heart in his face. As they say in Tamil ” அகத்தின் அழகு முகத்தில் தெரியும்”

Yet, from what follows, the Lord seems actually happy that Satan showed up at this meeting. If you read Revelations 12:10, you would be apprised of Satan’s business. It reads: “for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night“.  It appears the Lord was eager to showcase Job for he was described as being “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil“(Job1:1). Apparently, the Lord was proud of Job; He knew he was beyond reproach.

Not only was the guy perfect, he was constantly worried that his children might have displeased God in some way; for Job 1:5  says “ And it was so, when the days of their (the children’s) feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”

Will God be proud about you? Do you come anywhere near Job’s characteristics of perfection, uprightness, fear of God and abhorrence of evil? Are you worried that your children might have gone astray? Do you call them over, talk to them and make atonement for their transgressions of which they may be guilty in their merrymaking?

Satan adopts a strategy of silence, letting God speak first, knowing well that He is excited about this man Job.

And the Lord said unto Satan, whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (Job 1:7)

As we have already noted from the book of Revelations that Satan’s business was to find fault with the saints and accuse them.

This is confirmed by Peter as well (5:8): Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Watch out, you are being watched!

Job was so, so special in God’s eyes that He loses no time at all in bringing him up in the conversation.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth………..” (Job1:8)

Is the Lord excited about you, your faith, your love, your joy, your peace, your conduct, your gentleness, your meekness, your exemplary behaviour amidst the storms of life? Read Matthew 13:43: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Yes, are you good enough for the Lord to hold you up as a glittering trophy? Or are you fit only for the doghouse?

This isn’t something that you can achieve by your good works or acts of penance. I don’t know how Job managed it, but You and I need to be washed in the blood of the Lamb. Read Rev. 7:14: These (saints) are they which have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

You……there?