GOD SPEAKS TO HIS CHILDREN

 

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41.  Job demands an answer from God

 

Job was a devout man. He trusted God and despised evil. Job was a wealthy man. He had seven sons, three daughters and many sheep, as well as camels, oxen and she-asses. For Job it was not hard to be faithful to God, who had given him all these things.

 

But God put Job to the test. Bands of robbers fell upon his herds. They killed the shepherds and stole the beasts. Yet Job was not disconcerted. He trusted God. Soon, a second disaster befell him. As his sons and daughters were sitting together at table a whirlwind came and destroyed the house. Job’s sons and daughters were killed by the falling rubble. When Job heard of the tragedy he said: I was naked when I came into the world. I shall be naked when I die. The Lord gives and he takes. I praise him.

 

But still worse sufferings befell Job. He became a leper. His whole body was covered with sores. The rich man, Job, sat upon a heap of ashes. He scratched himself with a piece of broken pottery. Job’s wife came to her husband and said: See what your faith in God has done to you! Curse God and die. But Job replied: You are talking like someone who does not know God. If we accept the good things that he sends, must we not also accept the bad things from his hand?

 

 Job has three friends. When they heard of his misfortune they came to see him. They wanted to comfort him. But when they saw him in all his misery, they began to weep. They sat next to him – for seven days and seven nights. None of them said a single word, for they could see how great Job’s suffering was. Then Job began to talk with God and to dispute with him. He complained of his suffering and he complained to God for having sent him – an innocent man – so much misfortune.

 

Job’s friends were horrified. They wanted to defend God and said: How can you accuse God? Everyone knows that he is just. He rewards good and he punishes evil. He would not have sent you this suffering if you had not deserved such punishment. But Job was quite sure of his cause. He demanded that God should explain to him how he, a devout man, had come to deserve such suffering.

 

His friends held long speeches to convince Job that he must be wrong, because God could not be unjust. But Job would not give up. He wanted to understand why God was rewarding faithfulness with evil. Then God spoke to Job out of the whirlwind. He asked: Who are you to call me to account? Why do you speak of things which you cannot understand? Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Did you divide the land from the sea? Did you give the day and night their appointed times? Do you let the stars rise in the sky? Do you provide food for the animals of the earth? Job heard the questions, but he had no answer. And he realised that God is great beyond all understanding. So great that he can be trusted, even when his plans are not understood.

 

Job answered the Lord: Now I know that you can do all things. Whatever you plan, you can accomplish. Out of ignorance I demanded that you account for yourself. Your plans are wonderful. I cannot comprehend them. Until now I have only known you from hearsay. But now I have seen you with my own eyes. And so I take back all that I have said and put my trust in you.

 

(Job)

 

 

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