WISDOM FROM JOB – GOD AND JOB

Job’s ordeal is not normal nor natural. It is unprecedented, and it is extremely painful. Job’s wife and his friends seem to take a contrary view, and are not a great source of encouragement and support. Rather, they criticise and question Job. Yet, Job conducts himself dignifiedly.

A study of the book of Job tells us that, Job was deeply anguished at the suffering he was going through, and asks the question of “Why” more than 25 times. Job was disturbed and was in anguish at God’s silence. We can also observe that, God in His response, doesn’t seem to answer any of Job’s questions.

To be honest and fair – God is not obligated to answer us. However, this doesn’t mean that God is unconcerned about us, and that He is not compassionate towards us. On the contrary, if there ever is someone, who truly cares about us, and our welfare, it is God our Creator. There are no two thoughts on this.

The declaration of Job in Job 19:25-27, despite his pain and anguish, and the obvious silence of God, reveals to us about Job’s unflinching faith in God – “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself,  and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” – Job 19:25-27

May the LORD help us stand strong and tall like Job. In the midst of all our sufferings, storms, and the silence of God, may we always trust God like Job. The LORD never abandons His people, nor will He allow us to fend for ourselves. May this truth comfort and guide us through our journey.