Based on the book of Job
A Time of Trouble – The Story of Job
'Raiders!' The sound of the man's desperate voice made Job turn and look. 'The Sabeans, they came and stole all your oxen and donkeys, and they've killed all your servants except me. (PAUSE) I'm the only one left alive!'
As he was speaking another man came running towards them. 'Oh my master! The fire of God! The fire of God! As I watched, it fell from the sky and burned up all your sheep and the shepherds. I'm the only one left alive ... '
'The Chaldeans, the Chaldeans!' The urgency in the voice made the three of them turn to see the man rushing towards them. 'Oh my master. The Chaldeans have stolen all your camels and killed everyone. I'm the only one left!' (PAUSE)
It seemed that in a moment everything Job owned had gone with only Job and his family left. Silently, he thanked God that at least they were safe. (PAUSE) But even as he prayed he saw the small figure running towards him.
As he came closer, Job recognised him as a servant who worked for his eldest son. His face was pale, almost expressionless, but as he came and stood before Job, Job noticed the trembling in his hands that hung limply by his side.
' My master,' he started. Then lowered his eyes to the ground. (SWALLOW) 'They're all dead my lord. There was nothing I could do. I left the house to fetch water, when a sudden violent and terrible wind rushed at the house. It struck the house on all sides at once. (PAUSE) They didn't stand a chance...’ (P)
At the news of the death of his children Job fell to the floor, a roar of grief tearing at his throat. (PAUSE) While Satan, the enemy of God, smiled and listened to the man's words. Surely now Job would curse God, and Satan would prove that no one really loved God, unless they had something to gain from it of course.
You see, Satan had stood before God only a short time before and God had pointed out Job as a man who insisted on doing what God wanted. God had blessed Job with great riches, with children, animals and servants, and so Satan challenged God. 'Take away Job's riches and he'll curse you.'
And now Satan listened, waiting to prove he was right with Job’s own words. (P)
The roar of grief died on Job's lips, and as he knelt in the dust he opened his mouth to speak. Satan listened carefully. (PAUSE) 'When I came into this world, I came naked and with nothing, and when I leave it I won't take anything with me. God, my Lord, has given me everything I have, and He has taken it away. But I will not stop telling how good my Lord is.'
'NO!' Satan screamed as he heard Job's words, this wasn't how it was supposed to be. And he ran away, working out how next time he'd make sure Job cursed God. (PAUSE)
Some time later Satan found himself, along with the Angels, once again standing in front of God. Last time he'd got it all wrong and looked such a fool. He'd been sure Job would curse God when he lost everything. But this time, if God mentioned Job, Satan thought he had a foolproof plan.
'Satan,' God was speaking to him. 'Do you see Job? He still fears me even though you persuaded me to let you harm him without cause.'
'Ha!' Satan replied. 'What do you expect, a man’ll do anything to save himself. He blesses you because you bless him. (PAUSE) And I can prove it, let me take away his health, and then he'll curse you!'
God looked at Satan. Satan couldn't look back. (PAUSE) 'OK,' said God. 'Do with him as you please, but DO NOT kill him!'
Satan hated being in God's presence. But he'd got what he wanted. Now he was going to make sure that Job cursed God. (PAUSE)
Satan planned his attack well, first he covered Job from head to foot with terrible and painful boils. All poor Job could do was sit on a heap of ashes, and scrape at the painful boils with a broken piece of pottery. Even his wife encouraged him to, 'curse God and let him kill you! Put an end to all this trouble.' But Job would not do it
