Theological Commentary: Click Here
I think this
is a beautiful chapter. What is it that
makes a beautiful chapter in the Bible?
It really depends, but from my perspective a beautiful chapter is one
that contains truth, contains an exposition on the human condition, and
contains a relatable circumstance. All
of these things happen in this chapter.
The
relatable circumstance is Job’s life in this chapter is his inability to see
God. I know how that feels. There are days that I would love nothing more
than to sit in God’s presence and ask him the questions that I ponder. There are days when I wish I could be in the
presence of a God who chases away the presence of evil, doubt, and hatred. There are days when I long to know – to truly
know – God’s plan for my life and the rest of the world. There are days when I long for the peace that
only He can bring.
I know how
Job feels. Job just wants to explain
himself to God. He just wants to hear
God’s rationale. He just wants the comfort
of knowing God’s presence.
What’s the truth
in this chapter? I think there are
multiple truths. First, human beings can’t
see God whenever they want it. We can’t
shake God’s hand. We can’t enter into
His physical courts. Second, the truth
is that God is the answer. God is
immutable. God completes what He
starts. God has a purpose to what He
does.
When we tie
these ideas together, we end up with a great perspective on the human
condition. If we long to see God when He
truly is the answer but we can’t see Him, why does that even happen? I think Job gives us the answer in the
closing stanza of the chapter. In verse
9 we hear Job confess that when He is at work on the left and the right it us
who do not perceive Him. The reality is
that it is our issue. We don’t see God
because our hearts aren’t ready. We don’t
see Him because we may not have learned how to look. We don’t see Him because we are focused on
the wrong thing. Whatever the reason, we
don’t see Him. That’s the condition that
Job mourns in this chapter.
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