Week 5: A Look at the man Job

When the reading for last week and this week began, I was very hesitant. As I’ve shared with you, Job has never been a favorite book of mine. However, as I’ve studied over the past two weeks, it has become evident how much wisdom lies in this book. Job is undoubtedly a book about wisdom, not suffering. This book is a glimpse into the vast gulf between God’s wisdom and man’s. Further, we see that all too often, we as the created live with an arrogant notion that we have the things of God figured out. Job himself shows us the posture we should have towards God, Creator of all things. I have to say that my favorite words from Job are when he finally tells his friends to “shut up.” I’m glad he finally says what I had been thinking. What I appreciate most about Job is that he admitted his confusion about his circumstance but he absolutely did not waiver in what He knew to be true about God. His feelings did not override his faith. Job knew that he had an acceptable relationship with God and he did not allow the opinions of his friends to cause doubt in his mind. Think of how weak and frail he would have been. It is when we are at our weakest that Satan wears us out. Yet, Job shows us that remaining confident and steadfast is possible even in the worst of situations. This book began by describing this man as one with perfect integrity and he proves as much to be true. What we can learn from Job is that when our relationship is based simply upon our love for God Himself, and not based on the blessings of God, we will remain faithful. We will understand who we are and who He is, with the result being a humble heart that simply trusts. In the end, after God had spoken for Himself and shut the mouths of those who tried to speak for Him, Job simply says there were no words he could speak before God. This book is not a prescription for the why questions of suffering. This is a book showing us the difference between being religious and being righteous. This book should stir in our hearts a desire to have a heart and attitude like Job.