Job-Shocking News From His Servants

By Mary Vee
From Job 1

From the Notes of Job's Servant

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I am a servant.

Even though I am a servant, I consider myself a privileged man. I work in the land of Uz for a man named Job. Everyone around here knows and has seen that Job is a blameless and upright man. I've never seen a day when he hasn't shown his fear of God and shunned evil. I wish I could be more like him.

One day when my master's sons and daughters were enjoying a feast at the oldest brother's house I saw another servant running to our master's house. 

I called out to him because he looked very worried. "Do you need help?"

"No. I must hurry. The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby. All seemed well when suddenly, the Sabeans attacked us and carried all the animals away. They killed all the servants there with swords, and I am the only one who has escaped." He wiped sweat from his face. "I must hurry and tell our master."

This is such terrible news. We had no warning of an attack. The oxen and donkeys all taken? And the servants--killed? I bowed my head and wept for their families.

As he crossed over the hill another servant came running. He too had a very worried look on his face. "Do you need help?" I called.

"No, I must hurry. Fire came from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants. I am the only one who has escaped to tell our master. I really need to hurry."

The poor man smelled of smoke. How is it that the sheep have all been killed at once? And the servants--what a horrible way to die. Tears filled my eyes. All these men, dead. So much in one day. How will Job be able to endure all this news?

The servant crossed over the hill toward the main house. Just as he did yet another servant ran past. "Do you need help?" I called. Please don't let it be more bad news.

"No, I must hurry. The Caldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on the camels. They carried them away after killing all the servants with their swords. I am the only one who escaped."

Again? I didn't know what to do. Should I leave my post here with his children to help at the main house or stay? I wanted to speak with my master but chose to stay here and do my duty.

Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert. It was like a wall of sand pushing toward the oldest brother's house where all of Job's children sat feasting. I ran toward the house to warn them but didn't reach it in time. The wind struck all four corners of the house. It collapsed on them.

I ran to the wreckage and picked up pieces, calling out to each son and daughter of my master. No one answered. I kept pushing through the debris until I saw them, laying on the floor, dead.

I couldn't breathe. I called out, "Help!" There was no one alive to help. 

I ran to my master's house. "Please, let me through. I must speak to the master."

Job lay on the floor weeping. "Master."

"You have news?" His head shook and he wept some more. "Go ahead. Tell me."

"Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead. I am the only one who has escaped to tell you."

What my master did next caused me to weep horribly. He stood up and tore his robe. He shaved his head and fell to the ground in worship of the Almighty God and said,

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised."

In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God for any wrongdoing. Oh, if only I could be that strong.

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1. What did the first servant report?
2. What did the second servant report?
3. What did the third servant report?
4. What did the fourth servant report?
5. What did Job do when he heard this news?
6. What was said about Job's response?