The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away? 2-27-26

Many people have used this statement that comes from the book of Job. It is also one  of the scriptures used in the Ministers’ manual for conducting all types of funeral services. It is specifically used in the processional part of the service as family and others are entering the sanctuary to be seated.

After being taught that the scripture was in error and it was not appropriate to be used, I scratched that part out my manual. The scripture is misunderstood. Everything in the Word of God is true; but can be misunderstood like this scripture is. Whoever is quoting that scripture is not fully connecting it. They took Job’s statement and ran with it.

All the pieces of the puzzle must be put together and a piece cannot be forced into a place where it doesn’t belong. If the chapter is read in it’s entirety, it is easy to see that Job did not understand.  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” (Job 1:21).

This was not a true statement when Job said,

“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord”

Why?

Job was not in the presence of God and Satan, and he did not hear or know that the Lord was permitting Satan to take from him.  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.  

And the Lord said to Satan,

“From where do you come?”

So, Satan answered the Lord and said,

“From going to and from on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

STOP!

God asked Adam a similar question. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him,

“Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).

Since the Lord God is Almighty, All Knowing and All Powerful, why would He ask the question to Adam or the Satan? Although God knows everything, He just wanted them to answer Him. Example: One day I snuck and ate a piece  of chocolate. My mother knew I ate it; she just wanted me to say (confess) it.

Then the Lord said to Satan,

“Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil."  

So, Satan answered the Lord and said,

“Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

And the Lord said to Satan,

“Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person" (Job 1:6-12). God gave Satan the power to do all those horrible things to Job and his family. But he could not take Job’s life.

God never takes anything away from us, yet He allows things to be taken from us; it works out for our good and God is glorified (Romans 8:28). Additionally, Satan cannot do anything to us without the Lord’s permission.  

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). In other words, whatever the Lord gives, He does cannot take back because God does not lie and He doesn’t change (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8).

Please search the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15); misquoting the Word of God has no effect and God is not pleased. Therefore, many prayers are not answered because people are not praying according to the Word of God. Listen to what the Lord is saying to the church (His people).

Take away- yesterday’s message is also proof that God cannot and He will not take back what He gives.

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org