Lessons From the Book of Job: Part Two

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Job, the Complainant

Job wallows in self-pity and sorrow throughout the Book of Job. He lets loose a litany of complaints against God:

"Why would God punish the innocent? What have I done to deserve this?"

Job believes he is innocent and that what is happening is unfair. However, since God cannot be questioned by man, he desperately longs for a mediator to approach God on his behalf.

It is interesting that as Christians, we have a mediator - Jesus. We also have an advocate - the Holy Spirit. Aren't we fortunate?

Finally, Job rebukes his friends and asks that if they have nothing encouraging to say, they should be quiet. He asserts that God alone is responsible for his troubles.

"Whatever he wants to do, he does.

So he will do to me whatever he has planned.

He controls my destiny.

No wonder I am so terrified in his presence.

When I think of it, terror grips me.

God has made me sick at heart;

the Almighty has terrified me.

Darkness is all around me;

thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.

Job 23:13-17 NLT

Problem with Justice

In the narrative, you get a sense that though Job proclaims that God is just, he is conflicted by his unjust circumstances. For how can a righteous God harm an innocent man? Thus, he is drowning in his own moral quandary. Maybe our feelings about God and suffering are influenced by our beliefs about morality, and our thoughts on what we deserve.

Interestingly, Job makes little reference to the after-life or the possibility that whatever is happening now would finally be made right in the world to come. This made me think of Apostle Paul who believed that if this mortal existence were all there was to life, we would be most unfortunate.

"If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:19 AMP

Perhaps justice is not something that’s always granted in one's lifetime.

God Responds Definitively

The response from God is succinct and centers on two things - Sovereignty and Justice.

"Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?" Job 38:2 NLT

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much." Job 38:4 NLT

"Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?" Job 40:8 NLT

"Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine. Job 41:11 NLT

To Job's credit, when God speaks, he immediately submits to the Lord's ownership claim and superior wisdom, recognizing that man is a created being.

“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.

You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’

It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.

You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!

I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Job 42:2-6 NLT

Furthermore, God calls out Job's friends for misrepresenting him with their limited worldviews. He firmly puts them in their place as Job's subordinates.

“I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf." Job 42:7 - 8 NLT

What I Learnt From the Book of Job

From my reading, the central theses of the Book of Job are as follows:

1. God is Sovereign

Some are offended by the notion of God's sovereignty, which is surprising, since in our daily work, we accept the subordinate place of the things we create with our hands.

As much as we love our furry pets, and despite how intelligent they are, we do not regard them as equals. But, we balk at having our own place on the creation totem pole. This is prideful.

If you are Christian, then you accept that humans are created beings, with the privilege of befriending God. We must know our place.

2. God is Just

Justice is a cornerstone of God's nature, and it is difficult to love him if we consider him unjust.

"He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

You can't serve a God you do not believe to be fair. Things can be taken away suddenly, and statuses can change in an instant, but we must hold on to God's integrity.

3. Life is Full of Contradictions

Viewing the world as purely black and white or good and evil will create moral contradictions. Because by what measure are those determinations made, and in which cultural context? And, what determines the good you receive or the bad?

One of life’s tests is how you respond to things you cannot comprehend or that defy all explanation. Will you curse God or trust him?

Ultimately, belief in the after life may be mankind's principal hope. Having the knowledge that eternity is much longer than humanity. And, that whatever is wrong in this lifetime will finally be made right in the next, with much more time to enjoy it.

4. Sometimes, God is Silent

What do you do when God is silent? How do you cope? Job experienced this firsthand, so it can happen to anyone in a season of trial.

"I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold." Job 23:8-9

If God is the one testing or chastising you, then what can you do? You can only plead for mercy and leniency while waiting.

5. Happy Endings Exist

The story of Job has a bittersweet ending. His fortunes are exponentially restored by God, and he has more children. His sorrow turns to joy, but I daresay he still had to navigate the memory of what had been lost.

Scripture says, "The LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before. Job 42:10 NLT

"Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life." Job 42:16-17 NLT

In the closing verses of Job, we encounter the relativity of time. Testing lasts for a season, and when the tide turns, joy endures for much longer than the initial sorrow.

But, we do not know whether victory will be experienced in this life or the next, hence the need for hope and trust.

Thank you for reading.