"And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken."
(Mk. 13:25)
I imagine that most, if not all of us, have either heard or used the proverbial saying, “I feel like the sky is falling in on me.” In my reading of Job recently, I wondered if the old patriarch was not the originator of this adage. For in the very first chapter we find everything falling in on this precious saint, whom we are told, is to be our example in suffering.
The account goes something like this: In one twenty-four hour period we are told one messenger after another brought Job news of the sky falling in, so to speak. The first bearer of bad news told him the Sabeans “fell” upon his five-hundred yoke of oxen, his five-hundred she asses, and had taken them away, slaying also the servants. While he was delivering his distressing report, a second showed up telling of the fire that had “fallen” from heaven and burned up his seven-thousand sheep; consuming also the servants. But, can you believe a third shows up on his doorstep? This man informs him that the Chaldeans “fell” upon three-thousand camels, carrying them away, after killing his servants. And to add sorrow upon sorrow, the fourth and final dreaded news comes. A great wind came from the wilderness, and the house in which all of his children were feasting, “fell” upon them, killing the ten of them. It is mind-boggling, is it not, ten funerals in one day?
What in the world could be the purpose in all of this? I believe it is found in verse 20 of this first chapter. After hearing all the tragic and heartrending news, we are told, “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and “fell” down upon the ground, and worshipped.” O, dear child of God, if everything seems to be falling in on you, then fall to your knees and worship the One who gave, as well as the One who takes away. And remember, the end cannot begin to be compared to the beginning!
By An Old Disciple
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