Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – Job 19:13-19 (day five) “He has removed my brothers far from me, And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My relatives have failed, And my intimate friends have forgotten me.”

Part of the suffering that Job experiences is the absence of human relationships and fellowship.  The pain and torment of this facet of Job’s trials are quite real and profound.

“Job’s burning concern for God does not make him insensitive to human relationships. On the contrary, the two are inseparable in the life of any person who attains wholeness as a human being.”- Francis Anderson

Hopefully you have heard or will soon hear the words “Better Together” around FBCSA. We believe that human relationships and fellowship are part of God’s design for believers to grow and mature in their faith. And beginning in June, we will call our church to consider this important facet of personal faith and church-life (what it means to be Better Together). How might we be used to minister to those around us even now (inside and outside the church) who are suffering in the same kinds of ways as Job describes?  “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”

Re:Verse passage – Job 13:15-16; 14:1-2, 14-17 (day five) 

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”  Do you sense and see Job’s faith growing and stretching- ever so slightly. There is lament. There is sorrow. There is immense suffering. Yet woven into his heart and thoughts are little kernels of hope and trust. Which is easier, to trust God with praise or pain?  Which demands more determination, to recognize His silence or to believe that within His silence, He will hear our cries and pleas.  Job’s faith is still there. It is bludgeoned and bruised, it is its most minuscule, but Job’s faith continues to give rise to hope.  All that is needed according to Jesus is a mustard seed.

A Good Friday thought about Jesus’ suffering from Tim Keller: “Jesus lost all his glory so that we could be clothed in it. He was shut out so we could get access. He was bound, nailed, so that we could be free. He was cast out so we could approach. And Jesus took away the only kind of suffering that can really destroy you: that is being cast away from God.”

Re:Verse passage – Job 7:1-21 (day five)“Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins?”

One of the reasons I love the scriptures is they help us see that the people in these pages and stories are… just like us. When we feel like there is injustice (to us or others) we get angry, we question God.  That’s exactly what’s happening with Job. His experience has convinced him that his sacrifices have been sufficient to reflect his genuine repentance and faith. Except now. Or so he thinks (thanks in part to his friends). But what if in the midst of Job’s questions and anger, God is teaching a longer and larger lesson found in the revelation we have in the New Testament. What if even thousands of years before Christ came, God was showing that Job’s suffering was pointing to the redemptive suffering at the cross. And that in the midst of suffering, the Lord was giving us “language of lament”. First, Job’s words. Then, Jesus’ words. Now, our words.

Re:Verse passage – Job 2:11-13, 22:5-6, 9-11 (day five) “Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.”

At first glance, Job’s three friends come bringing comfort and kindness. Their motive was sincere- to help their friend. They sat with him- on the ground- and in silence. A closer look at the text might be very telling as to their ultimate effectiveness.  I think their initial presence and silence were both helpful and appropriate. But to sit in silence for seven days seems a bit “eerie” to me. And the text says they didn’t speak a word to him. Perhaps they spoke to each other- further isolating Job and causing even more pain. The friends came with kind intentions, able to sympathize to a point but perhaps were unable to bring real comfort to Job. Pain and suffering tend to bring about loneliness.

I have good news. The cross and resurrection of Jesus means that no believer should ever have to suffer to the same depth of loneliness Job did, because Jesus endured far more suffering and was far more alone- suffering into death – deserted by friends and ultimately His Father. We have a savior who knows and has experienced that kind of suffering. And Jesus sends us His Holy Spirit to be with us and in us always (we are never alone).  Not only that but the Holy Spirit speaks to us (not sitting beside in silence)- reminding us of God’s faithfulness, power, and promises- bringing comfort not isolation. See John 14:16, 26. We don’t have to suffer alone.  Isn’t that good news?!

Re:Verse passage – Job 2:1-10, 3:11, 20-26 (day five)

So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”

What we learn about the satan is becomes clearer in the second heavenly council. Satan really doesn’t want Job tested, he wants Job killed. And, he wants God to do it. Peter reminds us of satan’s ultimate goal. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Not just attacking. Not just harming. But devouring- killing.

God continues to exercise His sovereignty. He limits what satan can do to Job. He gives him permission and instruction in regards to Job. In this scenario of unbearable suffering and sickness, God is still in control. God gives permission- sets the boundaries. Satan can only operate within those. We now watch to see how Job reacts.

Re:Verse passage – Job 1:13-22 (day five)

“Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”  Job has just experienced unthinkable loss and tragedy. Everything to include his children- gone. Yet, the writer of Job tells us that he didn’t sin nor blame God in his reaction. Job’s reaction was both real and raw (tore robe, shaved head)- what we would do. Yet, no sin and no blaming- hopefully what we would do. How does that happen?  I believe verse 5 gives us insight. “Thus Job did continually.”

Regular and frequent times of confession and repentance have shaped his heart, and influenced even his real and raw reactions. Don’t underestimate the influence of spiritual disciplines on the human heart.

Re:Verse passage – Job 1:1-12 (day five) When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

Part of Job’s “Righteousness Resume” was his love and sense of spiritual accountability for his children. We are told that he frequently/regularly took the initiative (made arrangements) to consider and invest in their relationship with God.  As parents today, we are instructed by scripture to do the same thing. When children are younger, that means regularly/frequently taking the initiative of reading the scriptures and praying with them, as well as having spiritual conversations. When they are older (out on their own), same priority, same frequency of praying for them. I believe this also applies to grandparents as well.

As parents, scripture says we are the primary “disciplers” of our children. Maybe today and then regularly/frequently we could take initiative (like Job) to pray, read, and talk with them (younger) or for them (if older maybe send a text or email). It seems fitting that it ought to belong on our “Righteousness Resume”.