Two Men in the Bible

The One Who Lost Everything

The book of Job talks about a man whose livelihood was taken away, his crops were destroyed, his animals killed and all his children died.

His friends gave no comfort and Job cried out to God from his misery, asking why God would allow him to suffer like this. Finally, God answers … by asking hundreds of questions Himself – seeing if Job knows about the great mysteries of creation and the way God works in relation to humans. Job doesn’t! Instead, he says these words (in Job chapter 42):

1 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
2 “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ (God’s earlier question)
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’(Another earlier question)
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

And God restores to Job his livelihood and gives him more children. Job saw that in view of God’s holiness and otherness (that He is far greater than us and beyond our understanding), all he could do was to cry out to God in repentance.

The One Who Had Everything

King Solomon was the richest king Israel ever had. He had everything he wanted, he tried everything that interested him: science, business, women, drink and parties. Yet none of it satisfied him. He (or perhaps some other great leader of Israel) said in the book Ecclesiastes chapter 2 verse 11:

"Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."

So, Solomon had basically lost any sense of purpose in life. But as he wrestles with the issues and problems of life, eventually he sees why God put him on the planet. In chapter 12 verse 13 & 14 he says,

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

Thinking about the final judgment of God changes our direction in life. We realize that we are to follow Christ who delivers us from condemnation and death and gives meaning to life – a life of relationship with our Creator God. He tells you that, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is real life!!