“I am disgusted with my life.
Let me complain freely.
My bitter soul must complain.
2 I will say to God, ‘Don’t simply condemn me—
tell me the charge you are bringing against me.
3 What do you gain by oppressing me?
Why do you reject me, the work of your own hands,
while smiling on the schemes of the wicked?
4 Are your eyes like those of a human?
Do you see things only as people see them?
5 Is your lifetime only as long as ours?
Is your life so short
6 that you must quickly probe for my guilt
and search for my sin?
7 Although you know I am not guilty,
no one can rescue me from your hands."
The New Living Translation (NLT) describes this chapter as
being Job’s framed plea to God Himself. It’s interesting to see some of the
questions that Job poses to God here in these seven verses. It’s clear to see
that the events and current situation that Job finds himself in doesn't fit the
characteristics of God that Job has believed and holds to. In his opinions,
something is amiss, and he asks these questions to God to figure out what it
is.
Verses 8-12:
yet now you completely destroy me.
9 Remember that you made me from dust—
will you turn me back to dust so soon?
10 You guided my conception
and formed me in the womb.
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,
and you knit my bones and sinews together.
12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.
My life was preserved by your care."
I love Job’s ‘testimony’ here of what God has done. Reading
his words gives me an even deeper appreciation for the role that God plays in
the development of a child within a woman prior to birth. We think about God
being at work and all, but I think it’s really cool to read a testimony about
God literally guiding certain processes and forming a child during his/her
development. Maybe this is just the ‘new-daddy’ in me talking? =)
Verses 13-17:
13 “‘Yet your real motive—
your true intent—14 was to watch me, and if I sinned,
you would not forgive my guilt.
15 If I am guilty, too bad for me;
and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high,
because I am filled with shame and misery.
16 And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion
and display your awesome power against me.
17 Again and again you witness against me.
You pour out your growing anger on me
and bring fresh armies against me."
The oppression that Job feels from his circumstance is great. Did you notice his descriptive language in here? No matter what the situation, Job feels that God is constantly watching his every step so that at the first, and smallest mishap, He can swoop in and punish/discipline Job. It's so crazy that this is exact how people who are going through difficult situations feel today. They feel and think that God is out to get them and is just waiting for them to mess up so He can really hurt them. While God is watching You, this opinion and feeling doesn't quite give an accurate picture of who God is and what He's doing. Much like Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God", I think that this mentality feeds unhealthy fear more so than healthy fear/reverence.
Verses 18-22:
Why didn’t you let me die at birth?
19 It would be as though I had never existed,
going directly from the womb to the grave.
20 I have only a few days left, so leave me alone,
that I may have a moment of comfort
21 before I leave—never to return—
for the land of darkness and utter gloom.
22 It is a land as dark as midnight,
a land of gloom and confusion,
where even the light is dark as midnight.’”
Once again, Job sounds a little too fond of death, but then again who could blame him? Think about his situation? I can't help but think about what I would say to him if I were one of his friends. I also can't help but think about all the people that I come into contact with today that may be experiencing the same kinds of misery and pain that Job went through, and then I think to myself how would I talk with them? How would I be able to comfort them in this midst of all of this and encourage them with God? One reason, like Justin alluded to earlier, that I'm thankful for this book, is that I get to see Job's situation and learn from it so that maybe I could help someone today in a similar situation. What about you guys? =)
"Father I pray that when we encounter people with problems and pain, You would give us wisdom and words to share with him/her that will help them be comforted and draw them closer to You. I pray that we would always look for opportunities to make a difference in this world, furthering Your kingdom. Thank You so much for loving us and for being with us every step of the way! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
I find it extremely difficult comforting someone when I don't know all the answers. I know things happen for a reason and God can turn all things to good but it's hard for me to convey that message to someone who is going through something tragic. I think this is difficult for everyone to deal with. Just like Job, no one wants to hear that the crappy stuff they're going through is part of God's plan. It takes some serious faith to be able to do that. But it only take a little bit of faith to do some good, a mustard seed. Once you figure this out though, things get a lot easier.
ReplyDeleteCatching up because I fell off the horse for a minute, I agree with both of you. Sometimes the most frustrating part of seeing someone in pain, is knowing that the only thing you can do is be there. My father always told me growing up, the hardest part of being a parent is being helpless to your kids. I guess that can apply backwards in application to our friends and other family members. My cousin is 19 years old and in the hospital because she somehow ended up with a twister colon(bowel.) The doctor said worst case scenario she would have a stoma(an exterior bag your poop goes into) and she's worried like her life is going to end. I didn't do my part in witnessing of gods power when we believe in him, but I prayed and continue to pray for her.
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