This year I am reading through the Bible. I am often reading a whole book in the Bible in a few days, or in the case of the book of Job, in a single day. Reading the Bible like a novel rather than a Bible Study. Focusing on bigger picture items and themes instead of the details.
As I shared some of my reflections verbally with several people, I decided to record them in written format. I welcome comments if my reflections are accurate and helpful.
The 1st item which stood out to me is how strongly Job defended himself against the accusations of his friends. Apparently, there was a belief at the time, as many have today, of God blessing those who do good and cursing (or judging) those who do evil.
Job’s three friends were adamant in sharing with Job, “you must have done something grievous” (my words for their long-winded dissertations).
Every time Job defended himself stating, “I have not.” In fact, “I wish God would judge me so I could prove my innocence.” Job never wavered in acknowledging God as his One True and living God.
So, the stage is set. Job does not understand why he is suffering so extremely. Though he wishes he was never born, he never blames God nor turns from God.
This communicates to me how much greater God is than we are. How many times it is helpful to remember God’s ways are not man’s ways. And we should never put God in a box in our trying to understand who God is.
It highlights how we so focus on how life circumstances impact us personally. Thus, interpreting the meaning of life by how “blessed” we are. “Blessed” being in the context of having what we consider necessities of life (food, clothing, shelter), and what gives meaning to our personal lives (family, accumulation of assets, pleasurable activities).
When Job and his friends are finished with their verbal exchanges, Elihu, a much younger man than the four contending with one another, who was present the whole time, speaks up after the older men (who should have more wisdom) are finished speaking.
Elihu rebukes Job’s friends by acknowledging Job has lived well. Job has ministered to the poor, and continually done good for others, and refrained from evil deeds.
Elihu then acknowledges God as supreme. Noting God does not answer to men, nor does He need to.
Elihu’s silence at the beginning demonstrates how we should respect our elders, and how we should gain wisdom as we age. It provides us a great example: youth at times have more wisdom than the aged.
The book ends with God asking Job question after question for Job to understand clearly, he had so little understanding of what God is about. At the end of God’s questioning Job, Job was humbled and acknowledged: God as creator, is far superior to mankind and has no need to give an answer to mankind for what He does, nor how He it does it.
And while God chose to restore the blessings of life Job had previously enjoyed, there is no requirement for Him to do so.
The message for us. It is very difficult for us to see life from God’s perspective. We need to continually remind ourselves, “God is God, I am not.” And blessings in this life should not be a determining factor in our giving God glory in all circumstances.
