Sometimes the muse is silent, and other times inspiration comes in great rushes! Today our Covenant Bible Study tackled Job, probably one of the most depressing books in the Bible! How could we receive a word from God in the midst of such suffering?
Job was probably written very long ago by a group of wise men. They studied to try to find the meaning of life and apply God's revelations to everyday life. They wrote of Job, not a Jew, but possibly an Edomite. Job actually is "everyman" - a character stripped of national or racial distinctions, without political or religious distinction to distract us. Job stands entirely alone.
Why did God have a conversation with Satan in the first place? Why did God allow horrible things to happen to Job? Why are bad things allowed to happen to good people? Does God have a role in our suffering?
Job has a classic "dark night of the soul" but God doesn't give up on him. In spite of Job's friends' bad advice, God remains close at hand. Despite Job's insistence in his own righteousness, God still shows up and doesn't give up on Job.
In the midst of his anger and despair, Job dares question the infinite, eternal, and all-powerful God. In a shocking turn of events, God does not smite Job dead, but remains intimately interested in Job. After Job's anger runs its course, Job allows himself to acknowledge that he is face-to-face with God, and he his anger gives way to awe. This is the point where Job can truly begin to know God.
It was interesting to contemplate the role of chaos in human life. I usually try to avoid chaos - it sucks so much energy from the situation. In this study we learned that without chaos there can be no life. Job certainly experienced his share of chaos. Am I prepared to embrace chaos as an agent of change that I may need in my life?
Though Job was supposedly perfect, it may have been this perfection that created a barrier between Job and God. We often think that traveling through adversity will bring us out the other side stronger. Have we ever considered that we might emerge softer, gentler, and in closer communion with God? What doesn't kill us will only make us stronger? Maybe God has something else in mind.
The resolution of Job is not about resolution but about relationship. The relationship between God and Job continues. Grace is revealed as all-sufficient. As Job comes to realize that he is nothing without God, his reconciliation is complete. What was once viewed as a tragedy emerges as inspiration. God can find value in any situation. Don't remember the desolation of Job, but remember his redemption. Our God is always enough!
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