The book of Job is, without question, one of the most interesting and enlightening books in the Bible. It is, essentially, a handbook on trials and suffering. It gives both the background information on what happens when we are tempted and tried, and shows how to and how not to respond as both the tested and the friend of the tested. And, with the obvious exception of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, there is no other person in the Bible that provides a better character study on faith, struggles, temptations, etc., etc. than Job. As one commentator put it, the book of Job does the best job of describing the Devil as the “accuser of the brethren”. So, naturally, if you want to learn a few things about how to survive a fiery trial, Job is the first place to go.
Many things could be mentioned at this point, such as: the devil can’t do anything to you until he gets permission from God, God will not allow you to be tempted more than you can stand, you won’t ever, at any point in your life, know everything about your trial, and, if you are going through a trial, you might not want to tell your friends about it. But, what interests me most is not what Job said, or what his friends said. What interests me most about the story of Job was what was not said. It contains one of the most dramatic and intense rebukes from God ever recorded. In His rebuke to Job, God Almighty severely chastises Job for accusing Him of unfairness. He corrects his ignorance of God’s loving care in the midst of our trials. He asks Job in a most eloquent way to tell where he was when the earth was created and to describe the ways it is held together. But, the reasons for Job’s trial are not ever mentioned. They are not even alluded to. God does not indicate in any way that He ever planned on telling Job why he was tested in such a way. In fact at the end of the book, Job still has no idea why he went through that trial. The message seems to be, “I am God, you are not. I do what I want and I tell you what I want. The fact that you don’t understand everything does not stop me from expecting you to have faith and trust in me. I expect you to worship me in the good and in the bad. And, asking why isn’t going to get you ANYWHERE.”
So, since “Why me” is always the question of the hour, it might behoove us to change course in the midst of our trials. Look at past experience. How many people do you know that have been through trials? Many, no doubt. How many of those know the reasons why they went through their trial? Very few, no doubt. So how do we respond? The only way I know how to respond is to learn from the man himself, Job. Don’t be quick to accuse a sovereign God of unfairness. Don’t let your friends (or family) sway your emotions. Worship God, even when you are hurting. And, repeat these words as often as you need to: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him..”(Job 13:15), and “he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”(Job 23:10).
