Day 37-38: Job

So begins the poetry section of the Bible and I'm not a real big fan of poetry.  Although, I think I appreciate the parallelism of the Bible to the iambic pentameter.

I will try to be precise, but the problem is simply: I understand Job and I do not understand Job.  I understand Job's feeling, of cursing the day you were born and waiting, begging to die.  I know those feelings; I know them well.  However, I cannot say that I can call myself upright like Job.  I know I've faltered and sinned and blackened this beautiful creation that God has made time and time again.  I have been humbled beyond measure.  No, I cannot call myself righteous.

I despise Job's friends, for they really are no friends at all.  I hope and pray that I will never heap sorrow upon sorrow as they do for Job.  Job is suffering, his family gone, his flesh is being eaten away and his friends simply say to him again and again, "You must have sinned!  God punishes the wicked.  You must repent for your sin and God will bless you again."  My response would be, "Thanks guys.  Can you go now because you're not helping me."  It would have been better for these "do-gooders" to sit in silence with Job and simply grieve with him.

There is is one friend, Elihu, with him I also identify.  He is tactful in his rebuke, nonetheless it is a rebuke.  It is also born out of truth and that truth which the Spirit compels us to speak.  I understand Elihu, for I have stood in his place; not often, but I have been there.

Then comes the word of God and these are powerful, sarcastic, awesome words.  And I mean awesome in its truest sense.  There is something that strikes a little fear into you here.  If anyone tells you that sarcasm is not Christian, tell them to read Job, particularly Job 38:19-21:

¹⁹ "What is the way to the abode of light?
       And where does darkness reside?

 ²⁰ Can you take them to their places?
       Do you know the paths to their dwellings?

 ²¹ Surely you know, for you were already born!
       You have lived so many years!

Ah, I love vindication.  I love these last few chapters of Job and if ever I need humbling, which I often do, or if I need to remember who God is, I come here.  Job's response is appropriate and filled with humility, ⁴ "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. ⁵ I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more."  God gives him a little more and then Job responds again, ¹ Then Job replied to the LORD :

 ² "I know that you can do all things;
       no plan of yours can be thwarted.

 ³ You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
       Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
       things too wonderful for me to know.

 ⁴ "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
       I will question you,
       and you shall answer me.'

 ⁵ My ears had heard of you
       but now my eyes have seen you.

 ⁶ Therefore I despise myself
       and repent in dust and ashes."

It's hard to measure my measly complaints against such an Almighty God.  The thing is though, he does see and hear me.  He is not always harsh in his reply, sometimes it is as gentle as a guiding wind, or a warm touch from a friend.  Job needed a good shaking up.  We might wonder at God since he so haphazardly allowed Satan to inflict him.  God did allow Satan, but maybe it was like the plagues in Egypt, so he could show how great he truly is.  I know that sounds conceited, but it's God, the creator of the universe; he deserves some props.

God, I see and hear you and I know that you see and hear me, in my brightest and darkest times.  Forgive me for my lack of faith.  I repent in dust and ashes and pray that I may hold fast evermore to you.