So, in the blink of an eye, all his possessions are gone - the herds are raided by nomadic tribes and servants are killed. Lighting strikes and kills the rest of his animals and servants. While this is happening, his children are all killed by a mighty wind (tornado?). All is wiped out. Can you imagine? (Reminded me of the tornadoes that ripped through the Sunnyside and Vaughn Communities and Missouri a few weeks ago. The destruction was devastating.) Not even his children were there to comfort him. Yet in all of this, Job fell to the ground in worship.
Chapter 2: Again Satan comes before God. Skin for skin says Satan - strike Job's health and he will curse you. God limits Satan - but you must spare his life. Job was afflicted with sores over his whole body. Still Job, even when confronted by his wife, does not turn against God. In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.
While we are able to see the scenes in heaven, remember that Job only knows what is happening in the here and now. He's not privy to the conversations between God and Satan. He's experiencing horrific losses and physical pain. I'm so thankful that I have never had to experience losses like these - a tornado ripping through my home, floods like New Orleans experienced, the loss of a child, a horrific automobile accident. Loss of job, sickness of family and friends, death of parents, disappointments, heartaches, yes - but nothing like described in these chapters.
Learning of Job's difficulties, three friends come from afar to comfort and sympathize with him. They sit with Job quietly for seven days and nights. (According to Jewish traditions, mourners rip their clothing over their hearts, observe a period of seven days of grief, and people who come to comfort them should not speak until the mourner speaks.) Maybe we should take a hint from these traditions. I've learned over the years that sometimes the best thing we can do for a grieving friend is to just "be there." You don't have to speak "comforting words" or say something "spiritual." You can bake a cake or fix a casserole. Bring ice or paper plates. Hugs speak volumes and just your mere presence expresses your great concern and care.
Chapter 3: Job finally opens his mouth and speaks. BUT he does not curse God - instead he curses the day he was born. He wonders why he was permitted to live and not die at birth. You can hear the anguish in his words and your hearts breaks for him. Often we wonder why. Why has God allowed something in our lives or something to happen to those we love, and we question Him and doubt his goodness - but we don't see the full picture. Maybe we never will here on earth. Has it sometimes been hard for you to trust God and you shout why too? Psalm 18:30 says as for God, His way is perfect. If God is perfect, then we CAN trust that whatever He allows in our lives is also perfect. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8.
Chapter 4: His friend, Eliphaz speaks now. First he compliments Job - telling him that over the years he has instructed and helped many. He has supported those who stumbled and strengthened faltering knees. Job must have been well known and well thought of throughout his community. Remember these men came from some distance away to comfort him. But now, here is the hint of an accusation - who being innocent, has ever perished? . . . those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. Eliphaz did not understand God's greater purpose in the trials of Job. Oftentimes we do not understand God's purpose for the trials we experience. In those trials, we must trust the hand of God and know that He knows our name. But, as David understood in II Samuel 24:14 - Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men."
Stay tuned for more on the age-old question - WHY???
