Job 3
We now read of Job's real thoughts of what has happened to him. He speaks out of deep bitterness bemoaning the day he was born, wishing the day could have been prevented from existing.
He now asks questions - 'Why didn't I die when I was born? Why wasn't I stillborn?' - claiming that if he hadn't have lived he would now be peacefully at rest in a grave.
He asks why death isn't now given to one that longs for it more than someone digging for hidden treasure - one that 'is in misery' and 'bitter in soul'.
And finally he tells us that the thing which he had greatly feared had happened to him.
Up until now, Job has displayed a very submissive spirit. He hasn't demanded to know 'why God has done these dreadful things to him or let them happen'? But now out of his deep grief he is asking questions. Two things seem to stand out to me -
Longing for death
Job is not alone in his longing for death. We also read of Jonah twice wishing 'in himself to die' saying 'It is better for me to die than to live' (Jonah 4:3,8); and Elijah who 'requested for himself that he might die' saying, 'It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers' (1 Kings 19: 4).
What did these three men have in common?
They were all overwhelmed by their circumstances:
- Job was overwhelmed by grief and suffering, bereaved of nearly all his family, possessions and health;
- Jonah was overwhelmed with a bitter anger and suffering from the heat and wind;
- Elijah was overwhelmed with having to run for his life, of feeling alone, and physical exhaustion in a wilderness without food and drink.
All of these men were at the extremes of their feelings. They all felt that they could not continue and wanted the escape of death.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your circumstances and longed for death?
I remember two occasions in my life feeling like this. On one occasion I was overwhelmed with grief and on another I felt my life was of no use to me or anyone because my fatigue prevented me doing anything.
What are God's thoughts towards us when we feel like this? Does he order us to get up and get on with life, telling us we are ungrateful, that there are people far worse off in the world?
It seems to me that he deals with each of his children differently - just as his great wisdom knows what we need. How wonderful that our great Heavenly Father knows each heart, each circumstance and the exact way to deal with it!
We will see how he deals with Job in forthcoming chapters God Willing, but in Jonah's case he showed compassion in causing a plant to grow up give him shade from the heat. But then in loving chastisement he caused a worm to destroy it, the wind to blow and the sun to beat down on him to show Jonah about his wrong spirit of anger.
In Elijah's case God sent angels with food and drink - twice - and then asked him what he was doing there in the wilderness before showing him his power and instructing him.
I have just noticed how God questioned both these men just like Jesus said to the two on the Emmaus Road, 'What things?' God encourages us to tell him all that is troubling us in our lives, our innermost thoughts, even though he knows all about it!
Does't this show God's compassion and care towards his people?
How can we be encouraged by this today? We are surrounded by the terrible conflicts and deaths of war, people who have been bereft of everything. Rumours of food shortages, further coronovirus variants and escalation of the costs of living. Perhaps you are worried about what the future holds and how you will cope, or are already in great difficulty. Do you feel that it is all too much to bear and you want to be relieved of your misery and suffering by death?
What did David do - and what do we need to do when we feel like this?
In Psalm 61 we read, 'Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings' and then the Psalm finishes with praise!
We are reminded that whatever our circumstances, God is greater than them! Whatever our fears, troubles and situation God is a refuge, a rock - a place of safety, so secure that it is as if we are standing on a solid immovable rock.
We may not be able to see the future getting any better or see anyway of being able to get through it. We may feel hopeless, useless, anxious, despairing and unable to endure what we are going through anymore.
BUT Jesus says, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' (Matthew 11:28)
Does not your heavenly Father know 'that ye have need of all these things?' (Clothes, food etc) (Matthew 6: 32).
Listen...'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?' (Jeremiah 32:27).
In this circumstance he is teaching you to go to him, to depend on him, to trust in him that he will not fail you. Think of the meanings of his name - he is Jehovah-Jireh - the God who will provide; Jehovah-Rohi - the God who is a Shepherd;Jehovah-Rophe - the God who heals, and so much more, and be encouraged.
May the Lord apply these thoughts in comfort to your soul today.
To be continued...
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