The Job Precipice

This summer I have been mulling over the last few chapters of the book of Job.  I have always loved the questions that God poses, as it displays his power.  Lately, though, I realized, it's to Job that God is speaking, not the friends who make a mess of things.

Job, the man who had all of his wealth and family (save a wife who complained) stripped from him. The man who had sores so bad he was scraping himself with broken pottery.  The man  whose friends decided it was HIS fault that all these things descended upon him.  Seriously, Job was in a messed up situation.

The thing is, in all of it, Job remained righteous, so why does God tell Job to 'dress for action like a man?' and 'I will question you, and you will make it known to me' ?  Not just once, but twice, once after Job realizes his mistake and literally puts his hand over his mouth!

It's amazing. At first, it made me feel that God was not being kind, but being a belligerent oaf who kicks Job when he's already down.....but that's not God. He is kind, He is love, He is slow to anger.  The picture in my head just didn't jive. What WAS going on? I had to look further.

It's not about Job. That's what's going on. The book of Job is not about Job. It is about God and his glory. God was showing Satan how good He is - that even when all of Job's life crumbles around him, Job will remain faithful. God IS that good.

I think that God is reminding Job at the end of this book that Job was right to do as he did - remain faithful to such a great and awe-filling God. Not only that, God reveals MORE of himself to Job - so much so that  righteous Job realizes the tininess of himself and repents in the presence of so much glory. This opportunity is so amazing, so astounding....it leaves me breathless.

God didn't talk to Job to comfort him in human terms whatsoever. (Though, God does restore Job's fortune, health and family later) He makes himself more fully known, and that is enough to shake Job into fearful praise."I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" - wow.  WOW.  Being able to say that after what Job went through?! It means that he got it. He understood it wasn't about him. That is a gift.

People generally quote Job's initial response to the disaster  - naked he came, naked he'll go....but that's not the sentiment I want to take away this time. I want to have God's power seared into my heart, to have the knowledge that GOD can do ALL things and no purpose of His can be thwarted branded into my mind.

If it is a part of me, then I will not fear whatever might come next.
If it is a part of me, then I have opportunity to take the next step.
If it is a part of me, then praise becomes my native tongue.

I'm standing on Job's precipice, and I think I'm going to dive off....heart first.
Join me?

XO,

J


Soli Deo Gloria