Chapter One: The Story of Job
The story of Job is perhaps one of the most widely known stories in the Bible. Even non believers are familiar with it. It is a story of great suffering. It tells of a righteous man who became the target of a dispute between God and Satan.
The Book of Job is full of surprises, not the least of which is the opening chapter in which Satan visits God. Somehow I had never pictured God and Satan ever talking directly after the fall. Yet, not only does Satan visit God, there is no indication that this is an unusual event. They strike up a conversation in which God tells Satan that Job is the most righteous man on earth. It is important to note, for reasons that will be made clear later, that God brings up the subject of Job, not Satan. Satan claims that Job is righteous only because God protects Him. God counters that Job is righteous by nature and to prove it, He allows Satan to have (almost) free reign against Job. The rest of the story is about the resulting suffering and eventual redemption of Job.
To be honest with you, I have always had my misgivings about this story. It seemed to portray God as a kind of heartless Supreme Being who was willing to subject one of the most righteous men on earth to unheard of tortures just to win an argument with Satan. This was far from my conception of God and did not seem to match the descriptions of God in the other books of the Bible. After all, the God I knew was a God of mercy, love and grace. What happened to Job did not seem to reflect the love of God. There was no mercy in the suffering of Job. The God I knew was a God of justice. Yet, Job's suffering did not seem to be just. Job appeared to be caught up in some dispute between God and Satan and did not deserve the pain and loss that was inflected upon him. As a result, I tended to stay away from this book because it bothered me, when what I should have done all along was to sit down and read it over and over again until I could understand its message. What I would have discovered is that the book of Job is hard to accept precisely because it displays the mysterious nature of God.
It took me years to reach that point. It wasn't until I was looking for a topic to teach in my adult Sunday school class one summer that I decided that if I was ever to tackle Job, I could learn more by being forced to teach it to someone else. So I decided to teach Job, the one book of the Bible that had always bothered me the most in the hope that I could finally understand what God was doing to poor Job. Preparing for the class wasn't easy but as I struggled through Job, praying for God's help with each lesson, I began to see that my initial conception of the subject of this book was wrong. Job is not a book about a wager between God and Satan in which Job is just a pawn. Rather, Job is a story about a man who had lost his sense of wonder about God and the lengths that God went to in order to restore Job's awe. I came out of the study with a whole new perspective on God and the Book of Job. It went from being the book that I avoided the most to one of my favorite texts in the Bible. I guess there is a lesson to be learned here. Do not run from or avoid difficult passages in the Bible. Instead, with prayer and study, let the difficult passages draw you into a deeper understanding of God. In my case, this book is the result of my turning to Job and trying to understand it rather than running from it.
I know that old conceptions of the meaning of the Word of God are hard to give up, as they should be. It is not wise to be willing to change your view of a passage in the Word as easily as you change your mind about what you want to order at a restaurant. You need to test what you are being told against the Word. A new view or interpretation of a passage must always be consistent with the rest of the Word of God. So, don't just accept my word that the Book of Job is more than the story of a bet between God and Satan. Examine it, pray about it, and carefully consider the issues raised in this chapter. After all, it took a lot of work for me to come around to a new understanding of Job. Yet the effort I put into understanding this difficult text paid off with a fresh view of God and a conviction that I need to change how I interacted with God.
The goal of this chapter is to take you on the same journey through Job that I took that summer in church. Perhaps, you will find the same message I did – that Job is God's lesson to us about the importance of awe in our spiritual life.
The clues about Job
The message about awe is not hidden deep down in some complex text in the middle of the Book of Job. You don't have to read the original Hebrew text. You don't have to look up the original words and study their meaning. You don't have to be a religious scholar in order to discover the meaning of Job. Once I began to approach the book in the right way I found that there are several clues that point to the issue of awe as the focus of this book. What surprised me as I started my study of Job is just how obvious are the clues that God provides. I now wonder why I ever had such a misconception about Job. Any one clue by itself could be dismissed as incidental but taken all together they clearly point to a picture of a man who needed to discover a sense of wonder in God.
The story of Job can be broken down into four parts. Within each part there are many clues to the real issue in Job. The six most important clues will be phased as questions. The answers to these six questions change the depiction of God from one of a supreme being who manipulates us for His pleasure to a loving and concerned God who will go to great lengths to instruct His children.
Clue One: How does Job pray?
The first clue as to the problem in Job's life comes early in the book (by the way, I encourage you to read the relevant passages of Job along with this book). In the first few verses of the first chapter, Job is portrayed as a blameless, upright, God fearing man who turned away from evil. What a powerful description of a believer. Who would not want to be described in God's Word in this way? Job is clearly a righteous man, certainly the type of person we all aspire to be. But, just a few verses later (verse 5 of chapter 1 to be exact), Job is described doing something rather unusual. To be honest with you, I did not find this verse unusual until I came across some of the later clues to Job's problem. However, looking at it in light of Job's lack of awe towards God (something that will be documented in later clues), it says something very powerful about Job and how he chose to deal with God. Verse 5 of chapter 1 reads:
And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.
Do you see something unusual in Job's behavior, in the nature of his prayer? Clearly, Job was concerned about the spiritual health of his sons – that's good; we all should be concerned about our children. Like Job every parent should be as concerned about the state of their children's spiritual health as they are about their physical health. As the verse describes, Job would offer sacrifices in their name – that's good. While we no longer practice burnt offerings, we do pray and we all should be praying about our children. The problem is not what Job did; the problem is Job's attitude. What is most revealing about Job and hints at a deeper problem is Job's motivation – the reason why he would ". . . rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings . . ." Look carefully at Job's reasoning. Maybe, Job thought, his sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This may not seem like a big deal but it is the only description of Job's motivation; of his heart that God provides. It must be significant. Now, stop and think about Job's approach for a moment. Of course Job did not know for sure that his sons had cursed God in their hearts since he couldn't really see their hearts as God could. In fact, he admits that he did not know ("perhaps they . . ."). He might have had some suspicions based on their behavior, but he didn't know their hearts. Yet, he is making daily offerings to God for a condition in his children o which he has no knowledge. I can understand making offerings and praying for things that you know are going on in the life of your children but why concentrate on prayers for things that may not have happened? What does that even mean? It is clear that Job was trying to cover all the bases. He didn't want to leave anything to chance. But in the end, what real substance is there to a prayer that says "God, if my children have done anything bad forgive them." Imagine going up to a friend and saying if I have hurt you in any way, I am sorry please forgive me. What does that mean to the friend? How could your friend offer you forgiveness when you don't even know what it is you might have done? It appears that you are simply trying to have your cake and eat it too. That is, you are trying to gain forgiveness without having to face what you might have done. It is an empty, worthless expression of sorrow.
Apparently, Job was trying to do the same thing on behalf of his sons. Which, since it comes second hand (it is Job that is asking for forgiveness not his sons), makes it even more worthless. It seems that Job, in this case, lived by a simple rule. If his sons had cursed God in their hearts but Job offered a sacrifice on their behalf then God would be appeased and would forgive his sons. It didn't make any difference if Job knew whether or not his sons had sinned, or even if his sons had actually ". . . cursed God in their hearts . . .", just in case they did, Job would see to it that they were covered. If this worked then couldn't believers pray, as Job, "God, if anyone in the world has sinned in any way then forgive them." This is a meaningless, worthless prayer. This is a prayer without content designed only to manipulate God. If you didn't already know it, as you continue this study of awe you will discover that God refuses to be manipulated.
This isn't the only if-then rule that Job lived by as evident by his response to his suffering which is the core of the second clue. Before going on to the second clue, however, it is worthwhile to consider the issue of if-then rules in dealing with God. For Job, one rule was IF someone (like Job) prays for another's sin even when they don't know the nature of the individual's sin THEN God will forgive that sin. You may not believe Job's rule but you may knowingly or unknowingly have some of your own. For example, a lot of people (even non-believers) seem to live by the rule IF I am a "good" person THEN God will bless me. Some churches even teach IF-THEN rules. For example, the rule IF I give money to a ministry THEN God will give me back more money (or something else that I want) seems to be the focus of those churches that preach the prosperity gospel. The problem is that most IF-THEN rules transfer control of our lives from God to man. A rule such as IF I do A THEN God will respond with B, allows me to control God. If I want B, I can always get it from God by choosing to do A. If I know all the rules, then I can always get God to do my bidding. Job certainly felt that way. He believed that in order to get God to forgive his sons all he had to do was to be sure to pray for every sin they might commit even ones of which he is unaware. In a universe of IF-THEN rules, God becomes a servant not a master. In a way, it is no different than the rule IF I pay my neighbor's son $10 THEN he will mow my lawn. Who's in control of my lawn – my neighbor's son or me?
Now, I acknowledge that there are some cases where IF-THEN rules are clearly stated in the Bible. For example, Zech 3:7 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here." Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:14 "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed."
However, the difference between the IF-THEN rules found in God's Word and those constructed by man usually can be found in the IF part. God's IF parts tend to be broad commands that describe general behavior while man's IF parts are usually simpler and make fewer demands on man. But the primary difference is the intent. God's rules are designed to emphasize the IF part, that is the requirements on man's behavior. Man's rules are designed to emphasize the THEN part, that is the positive response of God. God's rules are designed to change our behavior. Our rules are designed to get something from God and we want to get it with as little effort and pain as possible.
It seems to me that living by IF-THEN rules where the emphases is on the THEN part reflects a lack of awe towards God. It's saying that somehow we can control God's behavior by following the rules. Yet the truth is that when directly confronted by God, man clearly loses any sense of control. When Isaiah saw God, he fell on his face. He didn't stop to consider any possible rules by which his actions could cause God to have mercy on him.
Clue Two: What is Job's response tohis suffering?
The second clue I found to the mystery behind the cause of Job's suffering is Job's response to God. If you read through the entire book of Job and just concentrate on those passages in which Job describes his suffering and defends his position, there are several things you might notice about Job. You will certainly see the depth of his pain and the sorrow of his loss. To an extent you will see a man who remains strong in his faith. In fact, for the most part, he does much better than I would or I believe most people would under the circumstances. For example, he never turns on God to curse Him. Nevertheless, there is something out of sorts about Job's response. It is best expressed in Job's own words. In Job 13:3, Job is responding to the challenges of one of his three "friends", Zophar, when he declares "...but I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God."
Now, on the surface, Job's response that he would like to argue his case before God seems reasonable but at its heart it reveals something else important about Job. It seems that Job feels that his suffering is some sort of horrible error on the part of God. If only God would listen to him, then Job could set him straight. Only a serious lack of awe could lead anyone to believe that they have a case they can argue before God. This attitude of Job's is considerably different from crying out to God for mercy, deliverance, or understanding. As you read through Job's comments, you can watch this attitude that God has abandoned him unjustly grow until Job in his final defense in Chapters 29 to 31 reveals his true feelings. These three chapters can be summed up as Job saying to God – look at all I've done, if you think any of it is unrighteous then show me. Clearly the attitude that God has made some sort of mistake and that Job could set him straight revels a lack of awe towards God.
Clue Three: Where is Satan?
It is interesting to trace the role of Satan throughout the book of Job. When you do, you will notice something important: Satan drops out of the picture. True, Satan approaches God but it is not Satan who brings up the issue of Job and his righteousness. God is the one who initiates the discussion of Job with His comment to Satan found in Job 1:8 "...Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" Satan takes up the bait and challenges God's view of Job. God responds by giving Satan power over all that Job has except for his life. On the surface it appears that Job's troubles are the result of a bet between God and Satan and have little to do with Job. He is just a pawn in a struggle of words between two powerful forces. In fact, that is the way I saw the book of Job before I really dug into it. This view paints of picture of God that just didn't seem right. Yet, while it may appear that way at the beginning it is certainly not the way the story plays itself out by the end of the book.
Satan does go after Job. We see the initial attack of Satan as all that Job possesses is lost, but after that Satan is never heard from again. God certainly never mentions Satan to Job when He explains what He wanted from Job at the end of the book. By the time it is all over, Job no longer feels that God was unjust in His actions. In fact, Job finds meaning in his suffering. All this seems to indicate that the real pawn in this story is Satan not Job. God used Satan to teach Job a valuable lesson about awe. The fact that God used Satan in this way is the third clue that the meaning of Job lies not in the issue of Job's suffering but in the nature of the lesson Job must learn. What started out as an apparent disagreement between God and Satan, ends without any reference to Satan or the issue of Job's righteous at all.
Clue Four: What is Elihu's Charge?
The fourth clue is found in the answer to the question, what does Elihu have to say to Job? Now, most of the book of Job is taken up by the conversations between Job and his three friends Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. The goal of these three friends is to try and help Job but most of the time they simply argue with him. All three feel that Job's suffering is the result of some hidden sin. If he would only come clean, admit to his sin and seek forgiveness then God would restore Job. Of course Job feels that he has always been faithful to God and has no hidden sin, so he does not take kindly to the suggestions of his friends. We know that these friends were wrong in their assumption about Job's suffering because in the last chapter of Job God tells us that they "...have not spoken of me what is right."
But there was a fourth person who talked to Job, Elihu. What he had to say to Job was considerably different from the statements of Job's friends. Since God does not attack Elihu, evidently, Elihu correctly identified the meaning of Job's suffering. So the fourth clue to the real purpose of the book of Job lies in the content of Elihu's statement.
Elihu's statement takes up the bulk of chapters 32 to 37 but it can be summed up in his initial challenge to Job found in Job 33:9-12:
You say, 'I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. Behold, He finds occasions against me, He counts me as his enemy; He puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths.' Behold, in this you are not right, I will answer you. God is greater than man.
In one simple sentence, Elihu nails the meaning of the book of Job and Job's problem. God is greater than man and therefore deserving of our awe. If this is the message of Elihu, then this is the message of God to Job and to us. We must always remember that God is greater than man.
Clue Five: What does God have to say?
The fifth clue to the meaning of Job is found in the answer to the question, what does God have to say to Job? Clearly, the approach that God takes to Job is the clearest indicator of what the book of Job is all about. When God takes over from Elihu, He continues and expands on everything Elihu had to say. Elihu finishes his comments at the end of chapter 37 with the observation that "...the Almighty – we cannot find Him; He is great in power and justice, and abundant righteousness." God starts from there in Chapter 38 with "...Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me." God then launches into a long set of questions related to the creation of life and the universe. What God does not say to Job is that Job's troubles are the result of a challenge by Satan. Satan has no role to play in what God wants Job to learn.
The lesson for Job is that God is powerful. He is more powerful than Job could ever understand. God alone created the universe. God alone created life and God alone sustains that life. How could Job, who has no idea of the full extent of God's power and wisdom, question God's actions? The whole point that God drives home for Job is that Job should be in awe of God.
Clue Six: What does Job learn?
The final clue to the meaning of Job can be found in the lesson that Job learns from his experience. It has nothing to do with Job's initial feelings of unfairness. It has nothing to do with any contest between God and Satan. It has nothing to do with Job's righteousness. It does have everything to do with the way in which Job saw God. Job finally responds to God with a changed heart at the beginning of chapter 42. Job's statement tells God and us what he learned through his suffering:
... I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things to wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me. I had heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees Thee; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
In his summary, Job answers the two questions first posed by God in Chapter 38. To the question about his lack of knowledge, Job answers that he really didn't understand God. Now, however, Job realizes that there are wonderful qualities of God that he never knew. After all the suffering that Job experienced, after feeling abandoned and rejected by God, it is amazing that Job would characterize God as "wonderful". But that is exactly the nature of the lesson God had planned for Job. To make His point, to get Job's attention, God first stripped Job of everything. That brought to the surface Job's fundamental problem, his lack of awe. Then God through Elihu and His own Word, filled Job with awe. As a result, in spite of his suffering, Job was ready to see God in a new light.
In fact, that is just the way Job puts it to God. He tells God something very interesting. This man, who was described by God as the most righteous man on earth, tells God that he didn't know Him, he had only heard of Him. What a comment on the nature of righteousness. You could be doing all the right things, saying all the right words, serving God with all your heart, like Job. Yet, without a sense of awe towards God, you would not really know Him. Job's new sense of wonder about God took him from just hearing of God to seeing God. Just like the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, when he finally sees God, he is in awe of God. And like those prophets who fell on their faces with awe before God, Job announces that "...I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
This is the most persuasive of all six clues because Job directly tells us the meaning of his ordeal. From his suffering came a new sense of wonder and awe towards God. And with that revelation, God restored Job.
After considering these six clues that summer when I first taught out of the book of Job, I came to the conclusion that the real message of Job is that we all need to approach God with a sense of awe. The fact that God gave us the entire book of Job in order to impress us with the importance of awe means that we should take it very seriously. No matter how righteous we may think we are, we still need to cultivate and develop that sense of awe. Hence, the remaining chapters of this book will follow the arguments of Elihu and God that brought a new sense of wonder to Job in the hopes that we can learn what Job learned without experiencing what Job had to experience.