When we ask a question, some of the assumptions are that we are wise enough to understand the answers and upright enough to seek and acknowledge the truth (even if it hurts). We saw in yesterday's reading that suffering is not always associated with sin. Today, we'll see the suffering of Job, someone whom God Himself certifies as righteous. When Job undergoes extreme suffering, unable to bear, He questions God! Let us read about it.
Job 7:17-21 “What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”
God replies after listening to a long rant by Job. Here are some glimpses of His reply.
God declares His Wisdom: Job 38: 2,18 He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
God declares His Eternality: Job 38: 20,21 Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!
God declares His Sovereignty: Job 38:12,35 “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
God declares His Divine Providence: Job 38:41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?
God declares that He creates the diversity of life: Job 39: 13, 17, 18 “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork. for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider.
God declares His moral authority: Job 40:2,8 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
God declares His right as the Creator: Job 40:15, 19, 41:11 “Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword. Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
God declares His power: Job 41: “Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope? No one is fierce enough to rouse it. Who then is able to stand against me?
In short, God came and said, 'I am God!', and for Job that was sufficient. The guy who was asking 'why' so much, said 'I know that You can do all things' (Job 42:2), though what He came to know was that he spoke of things too wonderful for him to understand. Of course, it wasn't that Job didn't understand anything from God's answer. Job understood the folly of accusing God and justifying himself, and he repents of that.
I guess, when his posture towards God changed, with the Psalmist, in worship, he could have said, 'What is mankind that you are mindful of them'. Truly, why does this awesome God even bother to target us?
Link to the previous article: Is this suffering because of sin?
Link to the next article: How long, Lord, how long?
Comments