He will yet fill you mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21 (Job 4-8)
Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew without doubt, that Jesus was the Son of God. With as much certainty as Mary understood Jesus’ virgin birth, Job knew his righteousness. His faith was in God, not the blessings God bestowed. So why?!
Job is depicted as a patient, all enduring man, but on closer inspection a vocal protester is found. He pours out his heart to God, but God doesn’t seem to be listening, so Job longs for death and an end to his misery. In his grief his friends come to comfort. In their efforts to console, they begin a feeble attempt to explain God’s behavior. In many ways they are correct. No one is blameless, God does judge and discipline. These thoughts turned into outright rebuke over Job’s apparent, secret, horrible sin. They suggest Job’s only hope is in repentance so restoration may occur. Here is where they go terribly wrong.
It is in seeking a reason and placing blame that Job’s friends deviate from correct counsel. For example, Job is suffering greatly, therefore his sin is tremendous. I am not suffering, therefore, God must be more tolerant of my foibles. Yeah for me! Bummer for him, just repent and be done with it! (Please insert mild sarcasm.)
We are designed to define, explain and perpetually seek answers, but there is a fine line where we must stop with the questions. Knowing why the earth takes 365 days to orbit the sun is much different that understanding why an innocent child suffers from cancer or abuse. One answer we are entitle to, the other…… But! This I know, in everything, just as Job will soon discover, God is waiting to reveal a greater, deeper understanding of His Sovereignty and boundless love. Where answers can’t be found, faith does its best work.
Love,
Gretchen