Ancient
Questions for Modern Times
Job:
An Appreciation
By
David Kuhtenia
December 4, 2000
A
Familiar Story?
Perhaps
one of the most intense stories in the Bible is found in the book of Job.
Given that the readers of ninetyandnine.com
are an astute bunch, you’re probably familiar with the story of Job¾or
maybe not.
Consider
this¾the story of Job’s losses, including his
wife’s infamous “curse God and die” quote are found in Job chapters one
and two. The story of his regaining
what he lost (and then some) are found in Job chapter forty-two.
So then, what is contained in the thirty-nine chapters in between?
What is between chapters two and forty-two are some of the
most fascinating passages in the entire Bible. Keep in mind that most references assert that Job is the
oldest written book in the Bible. Sometimes
those of us living in the present with all of our technologies have the sense of
being smarter than those of past ages, especially those of ancient times.
Chapters three through forty-one of Job squash that notion.
Tragic Events
Take
a minute and think about the most tragic situation you have ever personally
dealt with, and understand that the events in the life of Job and his wife were
probably much worse. Job lost most
of his possessions and all of his 10 children on the same day.
This is so horrific that it almost seems ridiculous.
Most of us personally know families that have suffered great loss, even
losing more than one child due to accidents or illnesses.
The impact on those directly involved in these situations is severe, and
the effects actively linger for years.
If
you want to get a clue about Job’s situation, it was so tough that after he
was stricken with boils “from the soles
of his feet to the top of his head” (Job 2:7 NIV) his friends who came to
visit and console him just sat there staring at him without saying a word¾for
seven full days. Now that
is a grim situation.
The Big Questions
When tragic events occur, the obvious question that
immediately comes to mind is “Why?” What
purpose could God possibly have in letting someone suffer through the loss of
all 10 of their children? What
about when personal issues come up where we just simply do not understand
God’s direction or His requirements in our lives?
It is at tough times that we really get down to the fundamental issues
regarding basic relationships between God and man, and sometimes the questions
are not easy. So what do we do¾avoid
the questions and blissfully go about our business in a personal pretend world,
or do we really get down to the bare essence of the matter with God?
Consider These Things
The
discourse of Job chapters three through forty-one basically consists of Job and
his friends talking through many of the hard questions regarding God and man,
and why things can sometimes seem to get completely out of hand.
Job
begins the discussion by wishing that he had been stillborn at birth so that he
could be at peace rather than in his present situation.
In response, one of his friends basically says,
“It will be all right; God will not forsake you.”
This is little different from how most of us would respond to one of our
friends telling us this in a very rough time.
Job
gave a candid reply: "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How
painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? Do you mean to
correct what I say, and treat the
words of a despairing man as wind?” (Job
6:24-26 NIV) In other words, “Be
serious, you idiot, can’t you see I am in bad shape here?”
The
discourse continues. Job is in pain
and is not being shy about it when he says, “When
I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My
body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering …
Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,
I will complain in the bitterness of
my soul.” (Job 7:4-5, 11, NIV)
The
discourse goes on, exploring a variety of themes surrounding his situation and
where God fits in. Some of his
friends say that he must surely have secret sin in his life; therefore, he
deserves such treatment. Job says
that he longs to personally argue his case before God.
He laments that man is born unto trouble and then dies (bring to mind any
modern clichés?). His friends
accuse him of being wrong to question God.
Job tells his friends that they are “miserable comforters,” because
talk is cheap and he is the one living through all of this.
His friends say that surely these things can only happen to evil people.
Job says he has cried out to God, but has received no answer. He questions why some men die after having a full life, and
others die in bitterness of soul.
The
discourse continues. Job says good
person or bad, all eventually go to the grave.
He insists that he still trusts in God, that he has done his level best
to live right. Another friend
responds to Job’s words by telling him quite eloquently that not only is he
thinking wrong, but that he is rebellious to even question God’s motivations.
On
and on and back and forth the discussions go, with all of the participants
trying to figure out the role of God in this situation and the troubles of
mankind in general.
God Speaks
Then,
God answers Job: “Will
the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him
who accuses God answer him!" Job
answers the LORD, "I am unworthy--
how can I reply to you?" (Job 40:2-4, NIV)
After
this, God goes on to speak to Job, in a way that brought enlightenment to this
exhausted, faithful, desperate man. Perhaps
this is the key part of the story. God
listens to all of the discourse, the complaining and venting from Job, and the
ignorant opinions of Job’s friends. Then,
in His time and His way, God answers. While
God does not explain why He allowed all of these difficulties to occur in
Job’s life, the response was evidently what Job needed to hear to gain real
understanding. Job replies to God
and says “My ears had heard of you but
now my eyes have seen you. Therefore
I despise myself and repent in dust
and ashes." (Job 42:5-6, NIV)
What Should We Make of All of This?
In
the end, scripture states that “the LORD
made him prosperous again and gave him
twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, NIV)
If we focus only on this aspect of the story, perhaps we miss the bigger
picture.
In
response to his situation, Job openly and directly confronted his deepest
questions and the problems that he had with deity.
At times he seems to regret overdoing some of his complaints, but all in
all they seem to be an honest reaction of a good man to a very bad situation.
This
ought to give all of us a great deal of comfort.
God does not prohibit us from grappling with fundamental issues and being
completely honest with Him about our attitudes and questions.
When God does respond in His time, we have the assurance that our
understanding of Him will go beyond “hearing” to “seeing.”
The ultimate answer to our specific question or situation may never be
known, but in the end we can say with Job “blessed
be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21, KJV)
ninetyandnine.com
ã 2000, David Kuhtenia
--------
David Kuhtenia is the North American Coordinator for Campus Ministry International and
a consulting engineer to the nuclear power industry.
He and his wife, the fabulous Michelle Kuhtenia, are proud to report that
Jasmine the dog has taken the news of the upcoming arrival of a new playmate
quite well and has not shown the least bit of jealousy.
(Authors
Note: If you are interested in one of the tastiest musical treatments of Job’s
internal struggles, check out the Brent Bourgeois song “Blessed be the Name
(from Job)” on his Come Join the Living
World disc. Mighty good.)
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