I have been thinking about Job for a week. Last week I was talking about this book with a couple of other people and several things struck me. So I decided to read it again. The first interesting thought about Job was that he wanted answers from God not opinions from his friends. He demanded God answer him, not content with anything less.
The second thing that struck me as I re-read Job was how I remember thinking his friends were not really giving him bad advice. God does punish us for our sins and reward us based on our good deeds. How could Job say he was innocent? Nobody is innocent. Today, I realized that I have had a very distorted view of God. I saw him in black and white. Do good and He is happy, but mess up and He is ready to strike. There was no mercy in my view.
I love Job 16:18-22. "O Earth do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend." We do have an advocate. The Message uses the words, My Champion and my Friend. God in His mercy sent Jesus. Such mercy that I have missed seeing so much.
Still it is a confusing book. Is it ok for Job to rant at God? Accuse Him? Demand answers? Why is this in scripture? God is such a mystery. Chapter 38 says that God answered Job out of a storm. Was this referring to His anger at Job? I was reminded of the book, The Shack, and the chapter when Mack meets the judge. She accuses Mack of judging others and God for not doing things the way Mack wanted. Mack was guilty of making his judgement higher than Gods. Job seems to be doing the same thing. He tells Job "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you and you shall answer me." God sets Job straight on things and I love Job's answer.
Chapter42:1-6 The Message - "I'm convinced. You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans. You asked, "Who is muddying this water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second guessing my purposes?" I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head. You told me, " Listen and let me do the talking. Let me ask the questions. you give the answers" I admit once I lived by rumors of you, now I have it all firsthand - from my own eyes and ears."
I have muddied the waters, ignorantly confused things, second guessed God and not listened many times. So it is such a wonder to me to read the end, where God chews out Job's friends and commends Job for speaking what is right. He doubly blesses Job.
I must admit I still don't understand much of Job but I can see things that are comforting.
- It is ok to rant sometimes
- God likes truthfulness and honesty not foolish words
- shut up and listen to God not just your firends
- I have a merciful Daddy, which is hard to grasp
- Jesus is my champion and my friend
1 comment:
I think one of the beauties of God is the fact that we CAN speak out to Him in our anger and frustration. We can boldly challenge Him and get nasty. We have that freedom.
It's what happens after we're done with those interactions that I think we experience God's tenderness. Or maybe finally even hear Him.
I love the picture of Jesus as our Champion. That fills me with pride (the good kind) and also a great sense of comfort.
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