The Book of Job

 

When I read the book of Job, I can't believe how many different emotions are stirred in my own life as I explore Job's responses to his circumstances. Just this morning as I read the first eight chapters of this amazing account of the testing of this man's faith, once again I am overwhelmed of the reactions I feel in my own heart to this man and his response to these trying times, wondering all along how I might react to such times.

The first thing I notice as I read these chapters is Job's initial response, that is to tear his clothes and covers himself with dust. Whilst many of us know this  to be a typical Judaic response to dilemma it still is fascinating to see and understand the motivation behind it. We all know that from the dust we came and to the dust we shall return from Genesis 3:19 and understandably the Jewish people by this action of throwing dust over them reminds them, or at least the physical part of them, shall one day return to the dust and that what is now happening is in the hands of the Father. In addition, most of us would understand the term "Keriah" which is the jewish act of tearing one's clothes as a sign of remorse for the loss of a loved one. Hence Job in these first few chapters is responding typically of how someone would react to the death of a loved one, and in this case Job not only lost the source of all his income but all of his offspring that would continue his name. Hence Job saw these circumstances literally as the beginning of the end. Yet he refused to curse God and as a result die!

This obviously annoyed his wife who instructed him to do such a thing and finish it all. Yet Job in his ability to see God's hand at work throughout his life refused and responded by simply saying in chapter 2:10 "But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips."

Job saw his circumstances as part and parcel of life, not accepting that life will always be a bed of roses but will at times throw us some amazing curve balls. Yet as Christians of the 21st Century we often think this to be true and that in the midst of these curve balls God has forsaken us. This of cause is not true and the illustration as seen in the poem "footsteps in the sand" is a stark reminder of this as quoted below:-



Yet I cannot finish without shedding some disappointment with Job's first response to his friends that had come to comfort him, for in his words he is happy to simply go down to the grave or even worse as he describes, wishes that he had never been born. How many of us have said the same thing when confronted with a great travesty. Yet as scripture indicates "it is God who give and God who takes away". Making Him the author not only of our entry but also our exit in this life.

I am yet to finish reading this account of Job's life, only starting yesterday but I am sure will have other thoughts as I progress.