Job’s summing up

The next three chapters – Job 29 to 31 – are entitled Job’s final discourse. This is his summing up, his conclusion, his way of stating his case in its entirety. So let’s have a go at paraphrasing it and picking out the relevant points that can help us as we face trials and sufferings in our own lives.

Job: How I wish things were like they used to be. When I sensed God watching over me. When I walked in His light. When it felt like God was on my side. When all was well with the world. When I could count my many blessings. When I had plenty. When I had my children around me.

Back in the day, people used to respect me. Everyone thought highly of me back then. Everyone had a good opinion of me. No one had a bad word to say. I was known for helping those in need. For always doing the right thing. I stood up for victims.

I thought everything was sorted. That I would die happy. End my days well. That nothing could go wrong. Everyone listened to what I had to say. My opinion counted for something. People felt better for having been in my presence. I had an important role to play.

But wow! Look at me now! How times have changed!

Now they mock me. Everyone makes fun of me. Even the weak and needy. Even the exiles. Everyone knows what has happened to me. Everyone’s talking about it. Now everyone keeps their distance. They laugh at me and spit in my face. Now it looks like God has abandoned me, I’m fair game. Because they think no one can help me, they don’t hesitate to attack.

It’s terrifying. Truly terrifying. All my dignity has been stripped away. I’m not safe anywhere any more.

And now my life is slipping through my fingers. It’s nearly over, I think. I’m gripped by suffering. The pain never ends.

And God is allowing this. I call out to Him and He doesn’t answer. It feels like He is attacking me. Ignoring my cries for help. Piling on the trials.

I’ve cried for the pain of others in my time. Been with them in their suffering. But that hasn’t helped me in my own time of meed.

The churning inside me never stops;
days of suffering confront me.  Job 30:27

I cry out but no one helps.

My skin grows black and peels;
my body burns with fever.  Job 30:30

The only music I can make is the sound of mourning and wailing.

I’ve always tried to do the right thing. Always. I feared God’s punishment. He knows. He’s been watching my every step. I haven’t ever turned away from Him. I swear on all that I have left. I’ve never treated anyone badly. I’ve never ignored the needs of those around me. I’ve always shared all that I have. I’ve never put my trust in my earthly possessions. I’ve never worshipped anything or anyone other than the one true God. I’ve never been secretly pleased when my enemies have suffered. I’ve never cursed anyone. My door has always been open. I’ve always been hospitable.

I have a clear conscience.

That’s why none of this makes any sense. My words, not Job’s. Because Job did everything right. So why pick on Job to suffer like this? What kind of bad PR is this? What kind of witness is it that someone who has tried so hard all his life to live a godly life should be rewarded like this? How is that an encouragement to any of us?

The words of Job are ended.  Job 30:31

That’s all Job has to say. He’s stated his case. He’s said it like it is. He’s lived a good life. The best. And it has come to this. And he has no answers, no explanations, no solutions.

I’m guessing if we were in Job’s shoes, we wouldn’t be able to speak with such conviction. If we look through all that he has got right, we are sure to be convicted about areas that we have got wrong. It’s a kind of checklist for godly living.

• I’ve always tried to do the right thing.
• I haven’t ever turned away from Him.
• I’ve never treated anyone badly.
• I’ve never ignored the needs of those around me.
• I’ve always shared all that I have.
• I’ve never put my trust in my earthly possessions.
• I’ve never worshipped anything or anyone other than the one true God.
• I’ve never been secretly pleased when my enemies have suffered.
• I’ve never cursed anyone.
• My door has always been open.
• I’ve always been hospitable.

Which one of these is a particular challenge to you today? Anything you can do about it?