Read Job 3:1-26
Job is silent no more. What a series of laments! My heart just breaks for Job, doesn’t yours? Yet in all his woes, Job never curses God. Satan thought for sure that this catastrophic loss would be enough to push Job to blame and curse God. Job focuses more on himself and his own existence.
Job didn’t even think of taking his own life. Do you think it was because he saw himself as God’s creation? In this moment, he merely wishes he had never been born in the first place. If he didn’t exist, certainly, then there would be no pain.
There are many who read Job’s words and recognize they are not alone in feelings of despair. It may be helpful to see how Job is responding in his time of weakness. Rather than self-harm, Job starts by wishing the days of his birth and conception could be erased. If he had never been conceived, then he could not have been around to have experienced what he had.
Because Job’s rant is poetic in nature, it is bound to be full of word pictures. Calling out Leviathan is no exception. Many believe Leviathan represents an evil sea creature that was known to be feared whether real or legend. Rousing such evil by a curse would be some curse. Job was serious about not being around.
Since Job was very much alive, his focus shifts a bit to ask why he didn’t die at birth. As if he deserved to die, an innocent child. And yet his pain was so great, how could he wish such a future on that same innocent child? The war inside Job was great.
When Job stops asking why, he starts to reveal what is actually happening with him. He has no appetite. He has no peace. His worst nightmare has come true. Again, we are back to Job’s reality. Silence. Can you relate to Job? Whether now or in the past, we have all faced some loss for which we feel we’ll not overcome.
If only Job had these words from Psalm 139:13-16 for comfort.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Let’s pray. Thank you, God, for how you created me. Thank you that I am not in the same dark place as Job. I pray that his suffering and response to his situation will inspire me and others in their own times of struggle. May my faith and trust be as confident as Job’s. I know you are working in my life. I am feeling a new sense of enthusiasm and excitement for what each new day will bring. You have washed away my sins and brought me to this place of beauty. Empower me for service. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
