Target
Job 23:1-12
Where is God?
Photo by Tomas Martinez on Unsplash
Then Job answered: "Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. "If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth. - Job 23:1-12
Job is looking for God. He wants an audience with Him and he cannot find Him.
Now for most of us, Job is unusual. We would probably be cursing God for what has happened to us.
Like Job, we would blame God for what happened, but unlike Job, we don't think of God as the source of everything that happens.
In Job's day, if trouble fell upon you or if you received wealth, those were God's doing, no yours. We tend to attribute all the good that happens to us to ourselves and only blame God for the bad stuff.
Still, Job shows amazing restraint in his anguish and pain. He does not curse God, but asks for a meeting instead.
Please meet with me and talk to me, he says.
He hasn't lost his respect and adoration for God, despite what happened to him.
Many read the beginning of Job and get angry with God over how this scenario was set up. Remember, the angels came to God, including Satan. God asked Satan where he had come from, and Satan told God he had been roaming the earth, which is what he was cursed by God to do.
It is God who offers up Job.
"Have you considered my servant Job?" He says.
This is one of those readings that turns people off about God. Why would God put a target on Job's back like this?
If a believer or preacher were to retell this story today, they might skip over what started later, but they would still have to deal with the escalating suffering that Job encounters.
Yes, it is all Satan's doing, but God is letting it happen.
This is at the heart of our problem with God, isn't it? We want to know why God lets these things happen.
We are told it is because we have free will, but we only appreciate free will when we are making our own decisions, resulting in good things, not bad.
The important thing here is Job's reaction. He wants God to explain to his satisfaction why he is being punished. What did he do?
We know his only crime was being a good and faithful servant. Much later, Jesus will tell his apostles that they will be persecuted for following him.
Their lot in life is to be a faithful servant and, in doing so, become a target.
We really cannot blame people for opting out of that kind of life. Until they experience the joy and love that comes with having faith in God, they won't get it.
The story of Job is the story of all who believe in God. There is evil in the world, and by our good nature, it is attracted to us. Probably not more than to anyone else, but we react differently.
We know God is with us, even when we cannot see or hear Him.
If you don't believe, you won't know how strong that makes us.
More to come...