I can hear the defeat in Job’s voice. Can you? Only it’s not a defeat, really. It’s more like a throw-your-hands-in-the-air-ok-God-I-give-up kind of admittance, you know? But even though it is a sign that Job might be done contemplating this mess he’s in and just accepts it for what it is, his every thought and message is directed at the Almighty One. We’ve been through several conversations now between Job and his friends, and we’ve seen this suffering man ask every question on Earth. He’s looked at every inch of his own heart. He’s pleaded with his friends to believe him. He is 100 percent, no doubt about it, convinced that he is innocent, … and in all this convincing, not one time ever does he curse God for it. And if you remember correctly, the beginning of this book started as a competition between God and Satan to see if Job would remain loyal. In all these speeches and doubts and questions, it sometimes seems that Job sort of gives up on God, but the truth is in the small details. Is he questioning God? Like the dickens. Is he angry? Yep. Are his feelings hurt? Like nothing he has ever experienced before. Job feels betrayed, destitute, you name it, Job has felt it, and we’re only halfway through the book, folks! This speech in particular, though, most definitely is another turning point in Job’s arriving at the truth. The tone is melancholy but not hopeless. In fact, in all his moaning and groaning and acceptance, Job continues the one thing he’s being doing all along – directing his questions and thoughts at God. He’s not trusting his friends. He’s not cursing God (well, he kind of does a little), but he never, ever once says, “No God of mine would do this. I don’t believe in God anymore.” He never goes to the Asherah pole. He never sacrifices … well, he doesn’t have anything to sacrifice except for himself, and he doesn’t do that. He never goes to Satan for advice. In fact, in all these questions and in all these lines, not one time does Satan ever even come up. He’s not even a part of the conversation. And I bet that was super humiliating as he and God were watching all this unravel from wherever they were. My point is … Job continues to direct every thought and question to God. To God and only God. ALL of his contemplating is ultimately directed at God. And that’s EXACTLY what God wants! That’s all He needs to win the battle that is underway. And Job doesn’t even realize it.
Writing prompt: truth in waiting
Have you ever had to wait for something? Write about what happened while you waited.
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