Saturday, April 2, 2011

Trusting Even The Troubling Bible Books

Yesterday, I finished reading the book of Job after almost two weeks of working my way through it.  I must admit I really dread reading Job and when I saw it on my daily Bible reading list I seriously thought about just skipping it.

The book of Job troubles me.  I wish it didn't, but it does.  I'm troubled when I read Satan travels back and forth across the earth because it makes me wonder if he's passing my way now and again, but of course I'm unaware because he's operating at the spiritual level and I'm in the temporal.  The thought is just creepy. 

Then, I'm troubled by the fact that God let Satan come to Him.  I know God is in charge of the universe and all created beings and things, and Satan was created.  Still, we read time and again how no one can look upon God because He is holy.  And, God cannot look upon the unholy.  But, there in Job Satan is right there in heaven talking to God. 

Next, I'm troubled because God let Satan torment Job in such a tremendous way.  I know He knew Job would be true and faithful no matter what, but I can't fathom God telling Satan to go do what you will with Job just don't kill him.  It bothers me that Satan might decide he wanted to see just how faithful I would be if he could have his way with me.  And then, I tell myself not to worry, God knows I'm not even close to being on the same level as Job, which is also troubling since I would like to be as righteous as Job.

Finally, I'm troubled because like Job when things go wrong I want to know why, but God says to Job and to me, "You don't have to know why I do the things I do.  I am God and I created you."  We humans want explanations and many times when God makes decisions we don't agree with, we demand to know why.  Job just reminds me God doesn't have to explain Himself to me even though I act like He should.  I act like He owes me an explanation for everything that affects me.  I act like I'm the creator instead of the created.

Of course, Job ends well.  He has more than he had at the end than he did at the beginning of the book.  And, if I am faithful I can have more at the end than I've ever had on earth.  And until that time, I need to let God be God, and remember I am created to praise and honor Him through good and bad trusting always the end will be better than the beginning.

1 comment:

  1. I read Job last fall. Found some encouragment from it believe it or not. My bible commentary said: remember that there is a purpose for everything that happens - nothing happens in a vacuum. It will take time to understand why some things took place- in the end it will all be worth while.

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