“Who is it that questions my wisdom in such ignorant words?”
Observation
after listening to Job's complaints, the Lord now responds. Rather than replying to the specifics of Job's situation, the Lord asks him on rapid succession 64 rhetorical questions.
In the first group of questions, the Lord asks, “Were you there when I created and ordered the world?” The implication is clear- Job does not have a clue about how to run the planet and he should not complain about the way things are.
In the second group of questions, the focus turns to the power to influence creation. “Can you make it rain?” “Can you provide prey for the lioness?”
Application
God's answers to Job are not at all compassionate or empathetic. He does not pat Job on the head and say “There, there, poor munchkin.”
In fact, God gives Job a huge reality check- you can complain all you like, but where are your qualifications to criticise? Are you God or just a man?
The book of Job is does not seek to answer what modern people call the problem of suffering- the academic question of why is there so much suffering in the world. Rather it seeks to demonstrate the application of faith to suffering.
We may not understand what is happening to us or why things happen the way they do. We can get upset or angry, we can shake our fists at God, but that changes nothing.
As people of faith, when life throws us a tough time, all we can do is trust that God is in control. The God who brought the world into existence, who put the water into the right places, who sends rain and lightning, will surely look after us if we trust Him.
Prayer
Lord I confess that I find it hard to understand your ways. Help me to trust you even when life makes no sense to me. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment