2008 April 01 «

I am reading the Wisdom Books of the old testament right now. I am SO intrigued by Job and his position. Today it struck me that Job was a man of wisdom. He was the guy everyone would come to for advice, to be encouraged, to seek wisdom. Job was wealthy and all that but beyond that, he was a thinker. Job could create strategy. Based on the abilities he had, and the fact so many people came to him to learn or have him help solve problems, you can see how Job would be a creative thinker.

Then BAM…out of nowhere he is brought to his knees. It is interesting that of all the people who could have come to see Job, 3 of Job’s friends took the time to travel and speak to him. I am working my way through and studying their conversations. All of the men hurt for Job when they saw his condition. They became bothered by what they saw. Then Eliphaz speaks out and basically tells Job to repent for his sin and move forward with life. A lot of what Eliphaz says is amazing. “I’d throw myself on the mercy of God. After all, he’s famous fo great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises….He raises up the down and out and gives firm footing to those sinking in grief.” This is the stuff that great preaches dream of finding in the scriptures to encourage and exhort those needing help.

But Job had not sinned. Job had not brought this on himself. Eliphaz had not asked the right questions or taken the time to survey the situation. This was not a matter of right and wrong. Job’s reply indicates how far off Eliphaz was and how bad he missed the mark. Job was suffering yet still he held true to what he knew. Another interesting thing was that Job did not just sit back and except his situation. He argued with God. He screamed out. He was not afraid of a conflict. At the same time, he never turned his back on God. He was willing to wrestle but not willing to let go.

JOB: “I’m laying it all out on the table. my complaining to high heaven is bitter, but honest.” More to come….