Job Says He Longs For God

A story is told of a cowboy who goes to buy some life insurance. The broker asked him if he had any accidents in the past year, to which the cowboy replied “No. But I was kicked by a horse, chased by a raging bull and bitten by a snake - that laid me up for a while.&qu … More

Sovereignty

Instead of arguing with his friends, or compromising his integrity by giving in to Eliphaz’s appeal, Job ignores them completely and speaks to the Lord. Job has already made it clear that his dispute was not with man, but with God. Job has two complaints against the Lord:

  1. God is hiding from me (vv. 1-12). Of course, God is present everywhere (Psa. 139:7-12); but Job wanted a personal meeting with God. He had some questions to ask and arguments to present. God knew where Job was - in the furnace (v. 10). This was a furnace of God’s appointment and not because of Job’s sin. God would use this situation to purify him and  make him a better man. When God puts his own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much. Some people go into the furnace of affliction, and it burns them; others go in, and the experience purifies them. The difference is their attitude toward the Word of God and the will of God.
  2. God is frightening me (vv. 13-17). God runs the universe by decree, and not by democratic vote. His thoughts and ways are far above ours, and because He knows what is best, we need to accept His will and rejoice in it (Isa. 55:8-11). There is no attribute of God that should be more comforting to His children than the doctrine of divine sovereignty, but there is no doctrine more hated by people out of God’s will. This is because the human heart is proud and does not want to submit to Almighty God. People want to “do their own thing” and “do it their way,” rather than finding delight in doing the will of God. Job was frightened because he suffered so much, and wondered what Almighty God would send him next.

Application

Job did not understand or did he correctly interpret the Word of God. Some of the lessons in the Word of God cannot be learned by experience. Many of God’s truths must be taught to us as we progress on our journey through life. Lord, help me to have a proper attitude toward the Word of God and the will of God each day.

Job 23:1-17 (English Standard Version)


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