Job – Page 8 – Be Still…

Job 11:1-20 – Zophar is Mean!

Read Job 11:1-20

Zophar is crude and rude, and I’m surprised Job didn’t send him packing. We want our friends to be truthful, but we hope our friends will try and sugar coat the hard stuff–just a bit. The hard stuff will still be difficult to deal with, such as hurt feelings, empty bank accounts, illness, death of loved ones, etc. There is a time for being blunt and a time to round off the edges, so to speak. Zophar missed that courtesy memo in his upbringing.

This so-called friend, Zophar, is impatient, too. He does not handle his friend’s delicate emotional state well. Some of the things Zophar says to Job are just downright hurtful. Especially when he uses the “what if” scenarios to seemingly “drive the knife in further” in terms of Job’s emotional state. Continue reading “Job 11:1-20 – Zophar is Mean!”

Job 10:1-22 – Why, God?

Read Job 10:1-22

Job’s plea to God continues to seek answers as well as deliverance. So far, God has been silent. In desperation, Job finds himself stuck in darkness. yet he never turns away from God.

Job asks some very direct questions. For instance, Job asks God, “What do you gain by oppressing me?” Despite his lament, Job has the capacity to think the purpose of his pain must benefit someone, maybe even God himself. That’s an interesting query, don’t you think? Continue reading “Job 10:1-22 – Why, God?”

Job 9:1-35 – Who Am I?

Read Job 9:1-35

Job keenly displays his humility and his fear of God. What a response! And by fear, it’s reverence and respect, just as much as it is terror that God’s punishment will strike again.

Job is still in a dark place. This time he speaks, Job asks the question, “Who Am I?” Once he is done speaking of God’s power and strength, Job turns inward. When we imagine that God, creator of the universe, cares for us, we can find ourselves asking the same question. How inadequate we can often feel, unworthy to receive such grace and mercy. Continue reading “Job 9:1-35 – Who Am I?”

Job 8:1-22 – Bildad Chimes In

Read Job 8:1-22

It’s Bildad’s turn to open his mouth. Overall, Bildad’s response promotes peace. Bildad is urging Job to hang on, continue maintaining his confidence in God’s justice. But what does the justice of God mean exactly? Again we come back to sinfulness and punishment. Interesting rhetorical question Bildad poses about God twisting justice.

Bildad’s approach to Job in this moment is different from the other friend, Eliphaz. It’s more reassuring, like Bildad is adding to what Eliphaz has already shared, emphasizing the doctrines. Neither friend condemns Job directly. Continue reading “Job 8:1-22 – Bildad Chimes In”

Job 7:6-21 – Cry Out to God!

Read Job 7:6-21

We finally hear the cry of Job’s heart calling out to God. These words have played over and over for Job, and he is still at a loss for what has happened to him. We sense Job’s misery, it’s palpable. My heart goes out to Job, and my maternal instincts want to take him in my arms and comfort him like only a mother can.

Job realizes that we as humans are so limited by space and time. Our lives are but a flash in the scheme of things. For Job to make such an observation shows he is able to tap into his great wisdom. He is certainly not telling God anything that God doesn’t already know. Continue reading “Job 7:6-21 – Cry Out to God!”