Job 42

Summary: God's questioning of Job is finished. Job confesses he cannot stand up to God's challenges. God forgives Job in a roundabout way; He tells his friends to make sacrifices through Job for blasphemy, but Job doesn't have to do the same. 

So God gives Job his life back. Friends and family come to console him; he gains back his financial standing; and he gets his legacy back, with seven sons and three beautiful daughters. So Job's life on earth ends, full and content. 

Response: I'll admit, it felt a bit abrupt, but good for Job that his suffering lasted no longer than that. As an ancient book and epic poem, it did fine. It's pretty easy to tell that Elihu got grafted on by someone who really wanted to "set things right," as he didn't have to do the sacrifices like the other friends (but also doesn't get mentioned again).

I mean, we also don't hear from Satan again in the story after he sets the plot along. We don't hear about Job's wife and her restoration (along with bearing ten more children, wow). There's no shortage of loose ends, but I guess it can be expected from such an old tale. I'm also sure the rabbinic tradition is full of answers for little questions like mine. 

Alright, but what of the spiritual element of this book? It is in the Bible, after all. Well, I'm glad to have read it and have it shine a mirror on some bad theology. No, God is not the cop behind the billboard just waiting for you to mess up. Yes, God is big enough to take a few questions during suffering. No, not all suffering is punishment for sin. Yes, there is evil in the world, even evil that thrives in the world, due to the unfortunate fallen nature of man and their free will. The world is a messy place; as those that follow God, we are called to navigate it with generosity, forgiveness, and love, especially to those in the middle of suffering. 

Job 41

Summary: God, still speaking to Job, talks about the Leviathan, a giant impenetrable sea creature that He crafted and tamed, saying Job to do the same. 

Response: An entire chapter devoted to this fishy and you can't get me to care about it. What about the relationship between Job and God? I will say that verse 11 pauses the description and God gets a word in edgewise about Himself: "Oh and by the way, who has ever asked me for something like I owe them anything? It's all mine anyway." Lord, help me to trust that what You have for me is worthwhile. Keep me going in the face of adversity. 

Job 40

Summary: God is finished with His first speech to Job. Job responds, more or less that he could not possibly give a good answer. But God then continues, sarcastically inviting Job to His seat of power to dole out justice as he sees fit. He also, again, has Job marvel at His creation.

Response: Okay, the hippo part is neat but it doesn't fit with the main thrust here. The point is pretty clear: there's no way Job (or any person) could take over for God. Lord, keep me humble and help me to praise You for Your greatness. 

Job 39

Summary: God continues to speak, grilling Job on all the intricacies of creation.

Response: It's hard to put myself in Job's shoes here, if not just for ignorantly standing on the shoulders of many scientists who have done this observation. But they (and I) don't make these things happen; it's not by our design that any animal has its behavior. We just get to discover the plan that's already there. 

Lord, my children and my students have a plan from You. Help me to have eyes and ears open to Your plan for them. Help me to know my part in that plan. And help me to be ready to be a part of it. Thank You for the many faithful who were (and are) part of Your plan for me. 

Job 38

Summary: All human speeches finished, God shows up. He immediately asks Job a series of questions about controlling nature, questions for which Job is hopelessly unqualified. 

Response: It is a bit odd to hear God be sarcastic. I'm extremely familiar with the concept that God has a sense of humor, but I guess Job would have seen this as a tool and not a weapon. Lord, help me to know who I speak to so that my words help further Your kingdom. 

Job 37

Summary: Elihu (still speaking to Job) appeals to God's power. He claims that, since we cannot hope to understand or control the natural world like he can, we also cannot hope to speak with God and be spoken to like equals. 

Response: Sidebars on man-made climate crisis aside, grace is what tears this argument down. We are not God's equals, it's true! But He comes down to our level to hear us. And He listens! Lord, thank You for Your amazing gift. 

Job 36

Summary: Job's friend Elihu continues his speeches. In this one, his tact is that God gives out bad things to teach lessons to people and give them a chance to turn their life around from bad choices. Elihu tells Job to accept the punishment and turn away from whatever bad thing he's obviously done. 

Response: Far be it from me to be the "OnLy GoD cAn JuDgE mE" crowd, but it's not like we get a chance to really know everything about a person to be able to condemn properly, right? Okay, a different angle. Teachers work with their students in building relational capacity, basically a fancy name for a rapport. If you know me and I know you and you know I care about you, we can do more together. That's why it's so comforting that God knows you well. It's also why it's so off-putting that Elihu literally steps in and starts judging. Like, c'mon man!

Job 35

Summary: Elihu next goes after Job's claim that God is choosing not to hear his case. Elihu thinks God will not listen to those who turn from Him, especially those who complain about Him. 

Response: Again, I'm not sure I agree! And there definitely is theology that, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Like, it was okay that we were bad; God still listened and acted for our good. Lord, thank You for Your mercy. 

Job 34

Summary: Elihu continues his speeches against Job. He builds God up as a righteous and impartial ruler. Elihu then accuses Job of denying God those attributes (i.e. Job thinks God is unrighteous and unfair).

Response: I'm... not sure I like Elihu? Not just because he can't seem to shut up, but because he's not being very friendly. Reading ahead, this is apparently "correct" enough that he doesn't get rebuked for what he's saying or how he's saying it, at least not in print. How many have followed his example, rushing in late and landing heavy blows? At least the three friends sat with Job in his suffering before giving bad advice. Lord, help me to invest in lives, that I might be a gentle hand for Your kingdom and not a harsh tool of judgement. 

Job 33

Summary: young new friend Elihu says that he's going to speak now, and speak he does. His main point is that Job can't say that God doesn't answer him because God sends messages in all sorts of ways. He then, again, tells Job he's going to talk more. 

Response: I can see why we don't always go straight through Job. The book is put together in a very old fashioned way! "I am new character, I talk now."

That said, I love Elihu's idea of God just coming back and trying new ways to reach people, to reach me. Lord, help me to listen. 

Job 32

Summary: Job's three friends can't find any more to argue about with him, so they give up. But! Another, younger man, Elihu, has been listening all along and pounces on the chance to speak his mind.

Response: Not unlike Don Quixote, I feel like this chapter gets us going in the direction of the plot but ever so slowly. This guy might be talking for a dozen chapters. "Full of words" indeed. Not to mention a very last minute character addition. 

But! I pray I find wisdom from it anyway. I pray I can gain wisdom from my elders and youngers alike.

Job 31

Summary: [hey buddy!] Our good friend Job finishes his argument by exhausting examples he has in his head of things he could've done wrong. He wracks his brain and lists out sins and consequences. He turns back on his own words frantically as he can't find one that fits this punishment. And, he stops speaking. 

Response: What I think sets Job apart in his questioning of God is that he seems always ready to accept the answer given to him. It isn't "tell me my charge, and I'll fight it tooth and nail;" it's "tell me my charge, so You can make me better." As my wise wife recently told me, "I am not the enemy!" God is not our enemy. We are a team. We work together for a common good. Lord, help me to get with Your program, to seek You and to find You.