Job loses all

Job 1:13-19 - One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"

Job barely had time to digest the first message by the time the fourth one was delivered. I wonder if it all even sank in until a fair amount of time had passed. I think his immediate actions were a reaction to the news about the deaths of his 10 children.

I wonder if the thought crossed his mind that these messengers might be pulling a prank. Perhaps they were hired by someone else? This couldn't really all be happening within the hour, could it?

Job was "the greatest man among all the people of the East." I wonder if anyone (besides the three friends we hear of later) came to his assistance when they heard of his losses. Surely everyone knew his name. And when this disaster happened, certainly the news of it would spread quickly.