SCRIPTURE: Job 34
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked. For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God. [Job 34:36-37]
The book of Job presents two approaches to the struggle with evil and why suffering happens.
Job’s friends have everything figured out in their systematic theology; Job wrestles with God and accuses Him of cruelty and injustice.
The same happens today (with variations): some people develop ‘systems’ that explain it all; others wrestle with God and some even give up on God because of it.
For those who have it figured out, those who struggle with God are irreverent, arrogant and defying God.
History is filled with examples of times when established religion challenged and punished those that went against their systematic theologies.
But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven. ” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away. [Mark 14:61-65]
Jesus does not fit their theology, so He must die!
Like Elihu, they are indignant, and their aggressive response to Jesus (spitting, mocking, beating, jeering, slapping) reveals that something deeper than love for God and God’s love is driving them.
It seems to me that God is open to when His people a struggle with Him.
Look at the Psalms, look at how David wrestles with God and sometimes accuses Him of not caring, or of abandoning him.
God in His mercy stoops down to our level and allows Himself to be ‘man-handled’.
The bold claim of Jesus (I am the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One) reveals that God cares enough to come down to our level, to be with us in our struggle, our weakness.
Yes, it sounds like blasphemy – how can a holy God mix with unholy people?
But as the story of Job reveals, and as Jesus reveals, God wants to deal with us in love.
I take from all this that God is more interested in a personal relationship than in technically correct theology.
You can have the best systematic theology, the best doctrinal statements, but if you have not love, you are nothing!
PRAYER:
Lord, more and more I feel the limitations of my theological answers; more and more I find myself wrestling with You. Help me to experience You with me in my struggle, and not just feel condemnation for my struggles.
Discernement.
We need to discern what is right.
Job and his friends all had different opinions on their relationship to God. God punishes us for our sins here and now. If you associate with sinners, you too must be like one of them. You got problems? Must be your relationship with God. All this shows that man struggles with God just as Jacob did.
God desires that we love Him and He will help us along the way. That He has promised. But we still try and go our own way since we want to be king of our castle. We desire to be in charge, but we are not. Our vision and our thinking is cloudy, through a glass darkly, because we desire it our way and not His Way.
Open my eyes Lord that I may see You and hear Your voice to lead and guide me each day along the way.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain 1:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Refrain 2:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain 3:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!