Oct. 12, 2014

Background Scripture: Job 19:1-7, 23-29

I confess I quite disagree with the ecumenical committee that decided to use the “smorgasbord” approach – “a little bit here, a little bit there” – in studying the Book of Job.

It is an acceptable approach to the books of Psalms, Proverbs and perhaps a few other books of the Bible. But Job’s is a book that is best understood when read as it was designed: A long poem (3:2-42:6) preceded by a prose prologue (1:1-3:1) and ending with a prose epilogue (42:7-17).

In the early 1960s I was pursuing my graduate studies at Union Seminary in New York, and saw “JB” by Archibald McLeish, a Broadway play based on the Book of Job. It made a lasting impression on me. Job is universally regarded as one of the finest wisdom works in the Bible.

Professor Lisa Davison says: “No other biblical text addresses the question of divine justice … in such a confrontational and artistic way. It is a story that speaks to every generation and to every individual who has known undeserved suffering.”

Job is a work to be wrestled with, for this is what the unknown writer is doing. He is wrestling with some of the most difficult problems that confront those who believe or want to believe in God: “Why does evil prosper?” “Why do the good suffer?” “What does God promise us?” “Why be good?” “Why doesn’t God explain these things to us?” “Is God really just?”

It took the writer of Job 42 chapters to deal with these questions. Three sessions is hardly enough to pursue sturdy answers to these questions. I strongly advise you to read the whole book – but if not, at least chapters 1-5, 9, 11, 14-15, 18-19, 23-24, 38, 40 and 42. The questions raised by Job, his “friends” and God are for your sake as well as Job’s.

Earthly rewards

Keep in mind that the views of Job are presented by the author as a rebuttal to some of the teachings of various wise men, like those in the Book of Proverbs. In order to encourage readers to be righteous, the wise men offered earthly rewards: long life, prosperity, many progeny and general good fortune.

If you experienced earthly rewards, it was reckoned these were the result of personal righteousness. But if you failed to receive these rewards, it was assumed there was something wrong you had done or were doing. In order to tackle this head-on, the writer chose as an example an imaginary man, Job, the most righteous man imaginable – in fact, maybe he is to us unimaginable.

This drama occurs on three levels. First, there is the heavenly level: Job 1:1-12. Playfully, God asks Satan what he thinks of His servant Job. Satan replies that, of course, Job is obedient to God – but look at all God has given him and done for him!

Satan’s reply sets the ball rolling: “Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? ... But stretch out your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to his face.”

God accepts the challenge: “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!” (1:9-12). The writer goes on to tell of four servants, one after another, who deliver devastating news about Job’s family. But the writer tells us: “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing” (1:22).

When God meets Satan again, he proudly reminds Satan of Job’s loyalty. But Satan counters with a request for God to let him harm Job’s person and, once again, trusting in Job, God agrees (2:1-6) and Job is Inflicted with “loathsome sores” by Satan and sat among the ashes while his wife snarls: ”Do you still persist in your integrity. Curse God, and die” (2:9,10).

But Job still refuses to complain to God until three friends come to console and comfort him. At first they console, but then they begin to attack his protestation of faith in God – until Job cries out at them: “How long will you torment me, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times you have cast reproach against me; are you not ashamed to wrong me?” (19:1,2).

‘Friends’

His three “friends” are simply mouthing the prevailing thoughts of their time, and probably ours: “Good will be rewarded; evil will be punished.” Therefore, if you are rewarded, you must be in God’s sight “good.” And if you are being “punished” it is because of what you are or have done.

How many times have “friends” and/or family broken you “in pieces with words?” Who ever came up with the ditty, “Sticks and stones may break my bones/But names will never hurt me?” Words can hurt more and longer than even sticks and stones.

Although Job is afflicted on all sides – Satan has done his “thing” with great skill – Job will not give up his trust, even if he cannot understand it: “Oh, that my words were written down! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! ... For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see my God” (19:23-26).

It is wonderful when we experience justification in this life, but that is not the foundation of our faith. Instead it is the shaken but still immovable conviction that is strong enough to keep us going in this life – and that ultimately, in God’s own time, He will prevail.