Job 1:16

The second stroke follows at once. It falls on the sheep — the source of his food and clothing — and on the servants who kept them. This time the agent was "the fire of God" from heaven. It is not called lightning, though some think that is what it was. Others have thought it was like the fire that destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Whatever it was, it was "an act of God," as men say, when destruction comes without any human hand involved.

Psalm 78:48, recounting the plagues of Egypt, says the flocks were consumed by hot thunderbolts. The word there is resheph. It is also translated "coals," "burning coals," "burning heat." No doubt lightning is meant, as when the "fire of God" fell from heaven and burned up Job's sheep.

It was of course Satan who had the power to bring this fire, whatever its source may have been, but the servant called it "the fire of God."

We also learn that, God allowing it, Satan can control fire, wind and the actions of men to carry out his wicked plans. In Job's case, fire came down from heaven; a great wind struck the house where Job's sons and daughters were feasting; Job himself was struck with boils.

Not a finger of Satan appears; yet his hand was in everything. These are earthly events, carried out by ordinary means and falling with extraordinary speed. That speed was no small part of the trial... The enemy arranged it with great skill. These disasters would look like judgments sent by God — unsparing judgments — and yet they came by outward, earthly means... In each case one man escaped — just far enough to tell the dismal news. As the lone survivor he made it all the more painful. If no one had escaped, the news could never have reached Job in that way. If Satan's hand was hidden under these crushing strokes, God's hand was above Satan. How sure and great the comfort!

Again and again things work this way. Long ago it was so with Job. The agents of his sorrows were plain for anyone to see — the Sabeans, the Chaldeans, the fire, the whirlwind. But behind these lay the sinister power of Satan, thrusting hard at him. And behind even this lay the chastening hand of God. Job's faith and patience showed itself in this, that he did not look at the third cause, or even at the second. He looked straight through to God, and accepted it all from His hand. It is just the same for us now. When trouble sweeps in on us, we are distracted and often angry if we look to second or third causes. If we bow under the hand of God, we are greatly blessed.

So the blows fall in quick succession, with no chance for even partial recovery. They come with terrible suddenness, in the middle of prosperity, happiness and godliness. They were incurable, cumulative, stunning. In one short hour Job is stripped of everything.

It was Satan who brought the Sabeans to invade Job. He is a murderer from the beginning. Then came word that the fire of God had fallen from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants. Strange as it may seem, Satan will use this very same power again. "It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people" (Revelation 13:13).