Thoughts for the Day

Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends,
for the hand of God has touched me!
Why do you, like God, pursue me,
never satisfied with my flesh?

‘O that my words were written down!
O that they were inscribed in a book!
O that with an iron pen and with lead
they were engraved on a rock for ever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
then in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see on my side,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In the intervening chapters Job continues his discussion with his friends, Eliphaz Bildad, and Zophar. The latter, shows no compassion for his situation or for his hurt confusion at God's actions. In the second round of speeches the friends becomes more critical of Job's impatience with God, and Bildad begins to warn him in very descriptive terms of the fate of the wicked, of their short-lived happiness, and their ultimate fate. He uses the light and dark theme again: ‘Surely the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of their fire does not shine.' In all of this he is inferring that Job's argument, that he is innocent, is mistaken.

Today in our reading, Job responds to his friend's arguments. It is here that we see his faith reach its climax. He is in despair, not just because of the actions of God and his sense of being forsaken by Him, but also because of the criticism from his friends. What also becomes obvious is that Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar speak of disaster at second-hand - they don't try to understand what it must be like to suffer such things at first-hand - and they look at the whole subject as one of a moral problem.

Job's perspective is different, he cannot understand why God is acting out of character and why he has lost his friendship with Him. Ultimately, though it is the silence from God that upsets him. He appeals to his friends for pity and to God for justice. But at the end of the passage we see that his confidence in God is not lost (ie 'I know that my Redeemer lives,') for the 'Redeemer' is God Himself, who will speak for him, and defend him. The hope of resurrection is very much at the heart of Job's faith.

As Christians we know that the 'Redeemer' is Jesus Christ, who speaks for us at the throne of God, when we confess our unworthiness to be His children. This is the hope that keeps our faith alive!

Almighty God,
as Your servant Job kept faith with You,
despite his trials,
seeking understanding from You,
but ultimately believing that You would
rescue him from his torments,
so may we have hope for ourselves,
and for our world.
We ask Your forgiveness for sins past
and commend ourselves and all those who suffer
to Your unfailing goodness.
We ask this through out Redeemer,
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.