Year 8, Day 95: Job 1

Theological Commentary: Click Here

I love the book of Job.  Don’t get me wrong.  Somewhere in the middle I’ll tire a little of the constant debate.  The book is a little on the long side.  That’s no reason to not like the book, though.  The book is an incredible perspective in human fallibility.  It is also a great perspective on how human beings can convince themselves that anything can make sense.

First, take Job.  He is clearly a righteous man.  God even acknowledges Job’s righteousness as he brings Satan’s attention to Job.  Job certainly cares about worshipping the Lord.  Job cares so much about relationship with God that he even worships and offers sacrifices on behalf of those he loves just in case it might do some good.  Job is a man who takes his faith seriously.

In that light, notice that it is God who brings Satan’s attention to Job.  God specifically asks Satan if he’s noticed Job.  Satan affirms that he has and also affirms that he is powerless to do something about Job because God has placed a hedge around Job.  Don’t overlook the subtle point in this passage!  Satan is clearly acknowledging that his power is inferior to that of God.  Satan can only do that which God does not explicitly prohibit him from doing.

All of this leads us to the major point that people rush to get out of this chapter.  God removes his hedge of protection around Job and Satan leaps at the chance to afflict Job.  His wealth is stripped from him.  His children are killed.  Job’s life crumbles at his feet.

What is Job’s response?  Job’s a realist.  That’s why I love him.  His perspective is harsh, but honest.  He came into the world with nothing; should he go out of the world with nothing he still has done no worse than break even!  Why should he expect that if he came into the world with nothing that he should leave the world with anything?

In that brutal honesty, Job worships.  He doesn’t mourn.  He doesn’t throw a pity party.  Job worships. Job acknowledges his reality in the presence of God and proclaims the greatness of God.  That’s humbleness and maturity right there.  That’s one of the most respectable responses to loss I have ever seen.

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