Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Poor Job. Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard that he has had quite a time of it. If you only read what the lectionary serves up to us on Sundays, you might not be aware of how REALLY bad a time he has had! It’s not enough that he got sick with a horrid disease, or that part of his family were killed. Even his animals, the source of much of his wealth, were stolen or died. In addition, his “friends” and even his wife tried to get him to “curse God and die”. And that was after they accused him repeatedly to having offended God and was reaping what he had earned from his wickedness.
But Job knew that he was a righteous man. He had avoided many opportunities to sin. At some point, though, even a faithful and patient man would get fed up. In chapter 31, Job asked for the Almighty to hear him in his justification and give him an answer. In today’s reading, we have God’s response.
Some people think that the Holy One is taking Job down a peg, a sort of, “Who are YOU, little man, to question ME?” And some people think, no, this is God quietly and gently bringing Job back to reality by reminding him that God is the source of wisdom and creation. God does not accuse Job of sin, despite what Job’s harsh “friends” say. But instead….wait, I don’t want to give any spoilers away. Be sure you come next week to find out the end of the story.
The book of Job is a painful one to read. But so very important for us. Almost no one has gotten through life free from suffering and sorrow. And most of us, at one time or another, feel like saying to God, as Job did, “I am a pretty good person. Why is this happening to me?” When I was little, I was taught that I should NEVER question God. As I learned more, I realized that to question God is part of our relationship with God, and helps us grow in faith. So I take encouragement from Job’s model, although I can never be as steadfast as he was. Wait till you see how God responds to the situation!
More to come!
Peace,
Mo. Laura