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| <~~~BACK went through some of the Scriptures�I pointed out to her that God had given her the privilege of bearing difficulty and trial, given her an opportunity to demonstrate that his strength and his love and his grace will continue, despite all the outward circumstances, even the worst of things that life can throw at us. As we talked together, a new look came on her face. She said to me, 'I see what you mean.' We prayed together and I left her. Later, I heard that her life was such a radiant testimony throughout all that time of struggle that hundreds of people were touched and saw their own sufferings in a different light as a result." Another lesson to be learned from Job? When God responds to Job and his friends, it becomes instantly clear that their ideas about God are too small. God is way too big to be put in a tight, neat, little box. We may think we know God, but he is greater than our theology. The Bible gives us an accurate picture of God, but he can't be neatly classified by a few thousand words. Yet another thing to learn from Job is something we discussed in one of the very first issues of Share Agape: The idea that we humans tend to think we're owed something. "For Job has said, 'I am innocent, and God has taken away my right.'" (Job 34:5) We think: I've done nothing wrong; I deserve better than this! This sort of insistence upon personal rights is directly opposed to what God wants most from us: Unconditional (agape) love for him and for others. Unfortunately, this insistence upon personal rights is a powerful tool in Satan's arsenal, as Job shows us. I have only highlighted a few of the many messages to be found in this ancient book of the Bible: spiritual warfare, giving Satan a foothold, understanding why God allows suffering, prayer, not putting God in a box, not insisting upon personal rights, and proving Satan wrong. By the end of the book, Job has learned that he can't lean on his own understanding. He can lean only on God. And what are Job's blessings after this trying period of his life? God restores all to him�doubles what he had, in fact. Have you ever wondered why the names of Job's daughters--but not his sons--are included in the last chapter of Job? Well, I think I know why. One daughter was named Jemimah, which means "dove." Throughout the Bible, and even today, the dove is the symbol of peace. The next daughter was Keziah, which is another spelling of the word cassia, a type of fragrance. Finally, there was Keren-happuch, which means "the horn of adornment," or beauty. Peace, fragrance, and beauty were what God gave Job after his period of pain. Since human imagination has given us some ideas about Satan that may be inaccurate, this week's recommendation looks at exactly what the Bible says about him. It offers Bible verses and short summaries; you'll find it at: http://cspar181.uah.edu/RbS/JOB/ss02.html Questions Q: "Job wasn't a real person�was he?" A: Actually, yes, he was a real person. Take a look at Ezek. 14:14 & 20, which lists Job as a righteous person, along with Daniel and Noah. Ja. 5:11 also mentions Job as a real, live person (not a fictional character). There is no evidence to suggest that Job was anything but a real human being. GOT A QUESTION? I invite you to ask it. What stumps you? I'll do my best to find an answer! To ask a question, email me at [email protected]. (c) 2003 by Kristina Seleshanko |
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