Lessons from Job

Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.  -Job 1:8

Satan doubts God’s appraisal of the man Job, contending that he is only blameless and upright because he has received abundant blessings, and God has “made a hedge about him” to protect him. God first give Satan permission to take away his material possessions, his relatives, and even his health. In what has to rank as one of - if not the - worst day ever, everything that Job holds dear is taken from him. Some of his servants are killed and his oxen and donkeys are stolen. “Fire from heaven” rains down on his herd of sheep, killing them and his shepherds, leaving him bereft of his sources of income. Then, his children all die in a freak accident when the wind blows down his son’s house wherein they were feasting together. In a final blow to his well being, he is stricken with a disease leaving him covered in sores.

Satan, given free reign to afflict God’s servant takes just about everything from him… and leaves his wife alone, right there at his side. How can this be?

Was the marriage of Job and his wife not a happy one? In the midst of material success and physical comfort was there still some bitterness or consternation? Despite their fruitfulness (seven sons and three daughters) was there marital strife between the two? Had they just become complacent, drifting apart as so many do in the later days of marriage? Did the devil not hear correctly when God said  “Only spare his LIFE”?

Or, did Satan simply know that when the chips were down and everything taken away that she would become a stumbling block to him? That when life went from “better” to “worse” that she in her anger and frustration would seek to turn her husband away from God, that she would push him to abandon his faith? When even Job’s health was stricken, and his heart remained steadfast for God, she asks derisively “Do you still maintain your integrity?” and spits her advice: “Just curse God, and die.”

Maybe we’re a little hard on Job’s wife. After all, she just lost her children too. And in a culture where women couldn’t just go out and earn a living, the loss of Job’s livelihood (his livestock) probably left her terrified for their future. But still, their relationship was such that Satan knew that Job did not hold her dear, that taking her from him would not increase his misery, but indeed that leaving her with him would be a further thorn in his side.

In our own marriages, we need to strive to be our spouse’s greatest blessing, each other’s most steadfast supporter and cheerleader. “Encourage one another, and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Speak of each other like Solomon and his wife do throughout the Song of Songs. “Him whom my soul loves” (1:7, 3:1-4) “Most beautiful among women” (1:8) “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, without blemish…” (4:7)

In magazines, blogs and other outlets, relationships experts trumpet millions of ideas on how to keep a marriage together, how to reignite the spark, how to increase passion. It’s actually pretty simple: are you seeking to be a blessing to your spouse? Are you seeking to be a treasure to them that would bereave them if you were taken away. Christ says in Luke 12;34

Where your heart is, there your treasure is also.

Strive to be a "treasure," precious in your spouse’s sight, and you will have their heart.