Year 1, Week 2, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Job 10-13.

Today’s reading starts with Job’s concluding words in response to Bildad. Job 10 continues Job’s reply to Bildad, which was the content of Job 8. Eliphaz, Bildad, and now Zophar in chapter 11 of today’s reading, all strike a common theme in their words. They are convinced that Job has personally sinned against God. Bildad confronted Job with his need to repent: “If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation.” (Job 8:5-6). Zohar agrees: “If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.” (Job 11:13-15). Of course, we know that neither admonitions aimed at Job are relevant in this case.

Job’s reply has an edge to it: “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you” (Job 12:2). But even more, Job’s reply reflects a brokenness and humiliation: “I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.” (Job 12:4). Job has lost most everything precious to him, and where a measure of human comfort might be helpful, there is verbal torment. Just when a gentle, “God will see you through this,” seems appropriate, a gruff, “God demands that you repent,” is used instead. Their words would perhaps be fitting words some other time, some other place, with someone else; but not here, not now, and not with Job.

I was struck by what this ongoing interchange between Job and his friends reveals about the work of God in our lives. God will eventually reign Job’s friends in, but we are still a long way off from that. God is sometimes pleased to test us by permitting us to be broken and humiliated before others. It is not beyond the possibilities that God’s loving plan for our lives would include becoming an innocent laughingstock. Coupled with that possibility, God may desire to place before our eyes the elevation of the wicked: “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” (Psalm 73:2-5). Both the humiliation of the godly, and the elevation of the wicked, are within the methods that God uses to test our hearts. The Psalmist nearly failed the examine: “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped…But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” (Psalm 73:2,16-17).

But I promise you that the very God who tests us, preserves us. The Lord’s testings are not punitive but purifying: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Why would God let Job’s friends talk to him that way? Because Job is being tested. When did God stop loving and caring for Job? Never, for God’s testing stems, not from hatred, but Fatherly love: "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrew 12:6).

Perhaps the surest evidence of God’s saving grace in our lives is seen as we are broken by the troubles of life; and yet, we continue looking to the Lord:  “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.” (Job 13:15-16). Testing refines and clarifies who or what we most want: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26).

For if it is Jesus whom we want—even when we are afflicted, it is God’s grace enabling us to see as lovely, Him who was made a laughingstock: “And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27:30-31).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe

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