God very much appreciate man obey his commands!
A. Man was created in his image for his glory!
1. And God said: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. Gen. Gen.1:26
3. Isaiah 43:6-7--> I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back:
bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
B. From this conversation with Satan we can see and feel how much God appreciates man’s obedience!
1. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence come thou?
Satan answered the LORD: From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:6-7
***2. Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth,
a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? Job 1:8
3. Then Satan answered the Lord: Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house,
and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:9-11
4. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:12
C. Satan out to make Job become a disgrace to God! Job 1:13-21
1. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 1:13-15
2. While he was yet speaking, there came another: The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them;
and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:16
3. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said,
The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away,
yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:17
4. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said:
Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men,
and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:18-19
*** Job did not become a disappointment to God! Job 1:20-22
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
E. Conclusion: Now we know why this happened! Lev.10:1-3
1. Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.
So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:
"`Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.'" Aaron remained silent.
2. This is Jesus advise: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt.5:16
3. These was apostle Paul’s warnings!
a. If they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Heb.6:6
b. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him,
but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
c. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that hey might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thes.2:10-12
May the Lord Bless you and keep you always! Written on August 11, 2013.
Video: English Cantonese – Recorded 8/18/13
Part 1