Job 1:20-21

Job 1:20-21

I began a new Bible study this week on Job. I have read Job many times, but haven't delved deep into the scripture within the context of a study guide and someone who can discuss this with me. While preparing for the study, I was struck with a new perspective of Job. Maybe this is because I am looking at Job with new eyes. Perhaps my perspective has changed because I am in a different place within my life. Possibly, I am considering the scripture differently because my relationship with the Lord has changed. Or, and more likely, it is all of the above.  Whatever the case may be, I began to put aside my human feelings of how I felt for Job in this circumstance, and what the Lord wants me to understand about Him through this scripture. I can see now how my eyes were clouded with empathy for Job in His struggles. Now, don’t get me wrong, I hurt for Job in his loss. I don’t understand why “Bad things happen to good people.” However, my outlook is focused on what God wants me to learn through this study? 

Now if you know me, you know that I am an educator and lifelong learner.  Therefore, the first thing I began to do was make an outline of the guide with scripture readings. The first question I wrote was “In times of trouble, do I humbly bow my head?”  You see, Job was faced with unimaginable tragedy.  He didn’t do anything wrong.  God knew His heart.  In fact, in Job 1:1, the book opens with “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”  Was Job perfect? No, we know that there wasn’t a perfect man to walk the Earth except the fully-God, fully-man, Jesus.  But we know Job was to the point that God knew Satan could not break him.  

During this study, the first page and first chapter,  I was immediately faced with the realization that my misconception was like most people, “What did Job do?” and “What was God trying to teach Job?”. As I read the Chapter 1, constructing an outline and reading my study guide as I went, I immediately wrote the question, “In times of trouble, do I humbly bow my head?” Job did. Job faced the loss all at once of 7 sons and 3 daughters. In one instance, they were taken from him.  Instead of railing at God for the tragic loss of his children, Job tore his clothes and bowed to worship. Job 1:20-21, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship, and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”" 

Job did something that I only wish I could do. Job realized that everything is God’s, and He blesses us with everything, but in the end, it is up to God what we are given. It is also up to God when those things are taken from us. People are taken from us.  We don’t understand the loss of loved ones because we can’t see the whole picture. 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  God knows me fully.  He knew Job. I long for the faith of Job. I long for the trust Job had.  I can’t wait to delve deeper into this study and see what God has for me within those scriptures.