DEATH OF A LOVED ONE! Sakwa Buliba

“Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:20-22).

Death is an experience common to the human race since time immemorial. All of us have at one point or another lost a relative, a friend or any other acquaintance to death. Losing a loved one to death is a painful experience. If the deceased is a non-believer, then that is a double tragedy. Perhaps no other event in life brings us as close to the reality of eternity as death. One moment our loved one is here: breathing, smiling, chatting, eating; and the next moment he is gone. Even though the body remains, anyone who has been present at the moment of death knows quite well that the body is an empty shell and the person who once inhabited it has left. If the deceased was a Christian, it is the knowledge of his destination that gives us the hope that unbelievers simply cannot fathom.
In the narrative of Job, we encounter a devout man whom the Bible aptly describes as one who “was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1). Before long, Satan enters the scene with a long list of pestilences and sieges against Job’s person and integrity. His reasons? He wants Job to curse God (vv.9-11). The loss of thousands of herds of livestock is clearly recorded (vv. 14, 16, 17) but what strikes one to the core is the sudden deaths of his many servants (vv. 14, 16-17) and the devastating perishing of all his ten (10) children at once in a storm! (v. 18). These calamities did not occur over a period of a few years or a few months or even a few days, but the operative phrase sandwiched between each calamity was "while he was yet speaking," (vv. 16-18), which indicates that all of these things, all of these catastrophes, all of these troubles, all of these burdens of pain and mourning came crashing in on Job at once!

1. The Lord Gives! (v.21a)
Job tells us that nothing is originally ours. An old man who had the abundance of the things of this world knows better. Man, by birth, is destitute. When we are born we don’t even come on this earth with clothes to wear or water to drink. We came from dust and to dust we shall return. We came here with nothing, and we’re leaving with nothing. It does not matter what you‘ve been able to amass for yourself while you’re here. You may have been able to consult top notch doctors with a mastery of modern medicine and technology. You have had access to the best known nutritionist and have done your best to eat healthy and exercise well. You meticulously keep a clean environment and observe all the hygiene rules known to man. Yet one thing is clear: the Lord gives!
Job had nothing when he came into the world, and all that he had obtained had been by the good providence of God. As the Lord gave it, the Lord had a right to remove it. The Lord gave him a family; the Lord blessed the family with children. The family was bequeathed with enormous wealth together with many servants to take care of them. Such was the devotional feeling of Job, and such is the true language of submission for a Christian in sorrow. He who has a proper view of the human relations and possessions he has, will feel that it is all to be traced to God, and that God has a right to cut these things when He pleases. Job contrasts the heathen response that says, "My own hand hath gotten me this wealth (Deut. 8:17)." He acknowledges that it is God who gives. As he makes this pronouncement, he underscores the fact that God "gave" and inasmuch as God "gave" He also has the divine and sovereign right to withdraw at His pleasure.

All the happy families we have, all the enduring relatives, all the good friends, all the splendid health and household goods, all the outward enjoyments we have with our brethren, blood relations and social friends, all, are the Lord's, and at His disposal. These are the gifts of His providence to the sons of men. Your sons, your daughters, your parents, your spouses and every other relation you enjoy, are owing to the blessing of God. He gives these as talents which He puts into the lives of men to use for themselves and for others and for His service, and for which they are accountable to Him; and they are but stewards, with whom He will hereafter reckon, and therefore has a right to take away when He pleases.

2. The Lord Takes Away! (v.21b)
It is natural for all of us to experience a sense of indignation, even rage, at the loss of a loved one. This, I believe, is our heart’s normal response to the death of a loved one. We recognize deep within us that death is uncontrollable, and everything in us cries out for death to just stop its devastation. The problem is that most people are theologically ill- prepared for the onslaught of these emotions. People, who are smarting from the pangs of the fresh wounds of death, may be tempted to mistakenly direct their indignation at God. Their bitterness and anguish can at that time be misdirected.
When death strikes in an especially unexpected way, for example in a sudden accident like in the case of job, abrupt killings from robbers and sudden storms, there is always a sense that this was not meant to be. We are left reeling at the ambush of fate. This sensation of being caught off guard can sometimes lead us to feel as if God was also surprised. But the Bible assures us that God is absolutely sovereign over life and death. He is never caught off guard; He is never surprised at events. God ordains everything to the minutest detail. This is thetruth that brings peace and rest to a heart that is staggering under the dizzying sucker-punch of sudden loss. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”(Matthew 10:29-31).
It is indeed astounding how Job ascribes to God, not only the giving, but the taking away: he does not attribute his losses to second causes, to the Sabeans and Chaldeans, to the fire from heaven, and the wind from the desert, but to God, whose sovereign will and overruling hand were in all. Job acknowledges that these agents were but the instruments of Satan. He ascribes sovereignty where it belongs,... “And the Lord has taken away”. It is not by accident; it is not the result of haphazard reactions; it is not to be traced to storms and winds and the bad passions of people. It is not witchcraft or ancestral displeasure. It is the result of intelligent design, and irrespective of who had been the agent or instrument in it, it is to be placed at the door of the overruling providence of God.

Why did Job not vent out his wrath on the Sabeans? Why did he not blame the Chaldeans? Why did he not curse the tempest and the storm? Why did he not blame his sons for exposing themselves to bad weather? Why not suspect the malice of Satan? Why not suggest that the calamity was to be traced to bad fortune, to ill-luck, or to an evil administration of human affairs or state insecurity? None of these things occurred to Job. He traced the loss of his precious children and faithful servants at once to God, and found consolation in the belief that an intelligent and holy Sovereign presided over His affairs, and that He had removed only what He gave.

3. Praise be to His Name! (v.21c)
So we see that Job made a true statement; that the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” Even though Job experienced great pain and sorrow, he didn’t turn away from God. He continued to bless the name of the Lord. Even Job’s wife came to him and said, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). But Job said, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (v.10). The Bible says, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
This far, Job has sustained the shock of the calamity, and showed that he did not serve God on account of the benefits which he had received from Him. Stripped of all the family members, the workers, and all the wealth save for a nagging wife, Job remains steadfast in his endeavour to please the Lord. This is an exceedingly beautiful picture; and in the mouth of Job it was expressive of the most submissive devotion. It is not the language of complaint; as in him we see the deep feeling that the loss of his children and servants was to be traced to God, and that He had a right to do as He had done.
When David sorrowed, he prayed, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8). The touching image of God catching our tears is full of meaning. He sees our grief and does not disdain it. How many of us can say, like Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15). Do we love God just because of what He can do for us? Or do we love Him because He is God? Do we only worship Him when the sun’s shining down on us, and the world’s “all as it should be,” or do we still worship Him when we go through sickness, devastating deaths and mourning? I want to challenge you today with the truth from God’s Word that says the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and not accept adversity? Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Application

1. A Christian funeral should provide a glimpse into that brighter world, a world where all Christians will be reunited, where the bonds of fellowship shall be made stronger than they were on earth, never again to be broken. It is only this hope that can soothe the pains of grief at death. It is only when we can look forward to a better world, knowing we will see our loved ones again, love them again, and enjoy worshipping God with them forever that our tears are made dry. A Christian funeral should be a celebration of the joy of these glorious truths (Heb. 13:14).
   
2. We see Job’s grief, but we also see Job’s piety. Our text says he "worshipped." He praised God and acknowledged His sovereignty. He bowed submissively to God’s will and God’s dispensations. Instead of cursing God, Job adores His justice. He worships, and as he opens his mouth, everyone would stand at attention, and set their gaze, for words are about to spill forth from the lips of the one who, without his own knowledge or consent, is on trial. His mouth opens, and it is not as Satan expects! (Job 1:21).
   
3. This excellent text is speaking to a modern Christian who gets frustrated and cursing when the phone is ringing and the baby is crying and the children are hitting one another, and there’s food burning on the stove, while the spouse is sickly, writhing in pain, all at the same time. I’d like you to reflect for a moment, what you would do when the calamities that befell Job happened to you! As everything he loved came crashing down right before his eyes, in quick succession, it is then that JOB AROSE AND WORSHIPPED (Job 1:20)! 
   

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Imitating Christ’s Humility Sakwa Buliba

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a serv- ant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8).

If you asked parents what character traits they would like their children to display in life, you’ll certainly hear something like: “praised by others, aggres- sive, self-reliant, self-confident, having self-esteem and ability to manipulate others for personal profit.....” This pictures the nature of the society we  live in, particularly when we consider that Christians are no different in aspiring to be always on top of others, using others, receiv- ing praise and seeking self-exaltation more often at the expense of others with lesser means.

In His earthly life and specifically at the Cross; we meet our Lord Jesus manifesting godly humility in all His character. We see in Him poverty of spirit, meekness, pa- tience, lowliness of mind, soul-abasement, self-depreciation. In the Gospel of John, we have the inner life of Christ laid bare regarding His relation to the Father, the motives and power by which He acts: “The Son can do nothing of his own accord” (Jn. 5:19,30; 6:38; 8:28); “I do not seek my own glory” (Jn. 5:41; 8:50); “My teaching is not mine” (Jn. 7:16; 14:10, 24); “I have not come of my own accord” (Jn. 7:28; 8:42). This is the message Christ displayed before the disciples, who were preoccu- pied with debates of who should be greatest in the kingdom.

1. The very God becomes man

“...Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped....” (v. 6).

For the sake of His enemies, He leaves the realms of heaven to come and dwell on earth. He accepts to be born in an animal’s feeding trough, of a woman, breath- ing human oxygen, getting tempted (Heb. 4:15), feeling sorrowful (Matt. 26:37-39), mourning (Jn. 11:35), thirsting, becoming hungry, tired and sleepy (Lk 14:1; Matt. 8:24). Instead of holding onto His Godhead and evading human suffering, He vol- untarily chose to undergo all the pain and humiliation in order to secure the eternal welfare of His enemies: the sinners.

2. The very Master becomes a servant

....“but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant...” (v. 7)

Jesus cautioned His disciples against taking any place before God or man except that of a servant, clearly demonstrated by the Master washing their feet (Jn. 13:5, Lk. 22:27). Although He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, our gracious Savior delighted not in the praise of men. He pleased not Himself and made Himself of no reputation despite the glory that He had with the Father from the creation of the world. Christ would continually deny Himself in order to minister to others. He would be patient under venomous insults. He would think more of godly beggars than of worldly kings. With no home to call His own and getting His upkeep from alms, He mingled with beggars and rendered service to all as though He was not the Master (Lk. 9:58; Matt. 20:28; Lk. 22:27).

3. The giver of life succumbs to death

...“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (v. 8).

Think of how many cripples Jesus enabled to walk, how many blind whose eyes He opened, how many terminally ill he healed by word of His mouth, how many dead He called forth from death to life. Mockers and scoffers sarcastically urged Him to come down from the Cross, if indeed He was the Son of God. Others told Him to save Himself as He saved others. Yet He willingly gave up His spirit and died at the Cross for the sake of sinners, including those who nailed Him on the Cross.

4. Christians’ attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus......” (v. 5)

The question is often asked, “How can we count others better than ourselves when we can see that they are below us in knowledge, natural gifts, wisdom and in their walk with God?” The question itself is sufficient evidence that we indeed esteem ourselves above others. We should rather be wondering how Christ Jesus would count us, worth- less sinners as we are, better than Himself to the point of dying for us when He knew that we were but rebels, blind, deaf, lost, bound and dead in sin and trespasses! If a righteous Man can die for His tormentors and His enemies, who are we?

He taught, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). Jesus’ attitude was that of counting Himself the servant of men. He never for a moment thought of seeking His honor or exercising His enormous power to annihilate His enemies. He lived a life yielded to God to work through Him. He teaches us that our role is to yield to God in perfect resignation and dependence, in full consent to be and to do nothing of ourselves. Our gracious Lord urges us to learn of Him! Learning of Him implies an actual increasing conformity to the like- ness of Christ. It means a crucifying of self. He teaches a sinking every moment into deep humility and a rise every moment into recognition of Christ as our all in all.

A Christian needs to desire lowliness of mind, to esteem others more than himself. He will see more evil in his own heart than in any other person around him. He feels his utter unworthiness and sinfulness in the sight of God’s holiness every day. A Christian understands when Abraham says, “I am but dust and ashes”(Gen. 18:27), he is ready to say with Jacob, “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of stead- fast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant” (Gen. 32:10), he is willing to cry with David, “I am a worm” (Ps. 22:6), he would willingly confess with Job, “I am of small account” (Job 40:4), proclaim with Isaiah, “I am a man of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:5) and exclaim with Peter, “I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk. 5:8) and with Paul, “I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle”, “I am the foremost of sinners” (1 Cor. 15:9; I Tim. 1:15).