Yay Finished Job!

Back in 10th grade English class I was supposed to read Job and give a report on it. I never read the whole book. I think I probably started and then found something on the internet. If I remember correctly, my report summarized the book and then gave a little lesson on faith even when we suffer and then I played some Jars of Clay song on my boom box!

Well I am proud to say that 11 years later, I finally finished Job! Learned a whole lot more this time by actually reading a using my ever so helpful NIV Personal Life Application study Bible from Ollies! It is burgundy with a hot pink cover from the Dollar Store and is the love of my life these days!

Let me just tell you that I am right there with good ole Job! Whenever I have gone through different trials (none as bad as Job mind you), I complain, lay around thinking "why poor ole me" and ask God lots of questions. Thankfully my friends are much kinder than Job's, but other people and acquaintances have given bad advice too!

When my parents separated, I couldn't listen to the bad advice, it sometimes would make my stomach hurt!!

Love Elihu, his advice was at least 50% right.

"But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you form the jaws of distress, to a spacious place free of restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." Job 36:15-16

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding."Job 37:5

When God answers in chapter 38, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. Wow, what a spanking!

Love Job's response: "I am unworthy- how can I reply to you..."

My Bible study notes say "Throughout his time of suffering, Job longed to have an opportunity to plead his innocence before God. Here God appeared to Job and gave him that opportunity. But Job decided to remain quiet because it was no longer necessary for him to speak. God had shown Job that, as a limited human being, he had neither the ability to judge the God who created the universe nor the right to ask why. God's actions do not depend on ours. He will do what he knows is best, regardless of what we think is fair."

Sometimes we really need to hear that, our society is all about self promotion and airing our opinions (even having blogs like this ha!) But oftentimes we need to be reminded of our smallness and God's greatness.

Job repents, tells God he is sorry for talking about things he knew nothing about. God restores Job above and beyond! Job's friends apologize, Job prays for them. ( I would want to slap them first but Job has a better heart..) All in all a good day Job died old and full of years!

I would love to interview Job years after he was "restored" and ask him about his life. I am pretty sure he didn't question God's plans anymore!!