“Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “WHERE WERE YOU when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb…” (Job 38:1-8) In Job’s continual suffering and pain he began to question God’s faithfulness to him.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the story is that IT IS GOD, in the beginning, WHO SUGGESTS JOB TO SATAN. Job is a good man, and he knows it. It is only after everything that is important in his earthly life or what he thinks is important, is taken away from him that HE SEES GOD FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME FACE-TO-FACE. At that point job says “Forget all my doubts, my grumblings, and my questions. Seeing You face-to-face is the only thing that matters.” At that point Job’s life is twice as beautiful as it was before.
Job did not sin. The Book of Job is quite clear about that. But Job did question God, and he did complain. Much of the book is taken up with Job’s complaining about HOW GOD HAS TREATED HIM. Here are some examples:
“The arrows of the Almighty ARE IN ME, and my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.” (Job 6:4) “I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I WILL COMPLAIN in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11) “I will say to God…Let me know WHY YOU OPPOSE ME. Is it a pleasure for you to oppress, to spurn the work of your hands…even though you know that I am not wicked?” (Job 10:2,3,7)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham