Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Job 1-2

My husband and I want to read through the whole Bible together in 2007. Today's reading is Job chapter 1-2.

The book of Job probably one of the books of the Bible that generates most questions. The premise is basically about this righteous man Job, and Satan tempted him by destroying everything he had, even his children, and inflicted horrible diseases on him. Yet Job remained godly and never said a bad word about God, even as his wife said to him, "curse God and die!" Wow.

The questions/debates for this book generally involves God's versus Satan's part in human suffering. Though I read Job before, I look forward to read it again and see what God wants to teach/show me this time.

The verse that stands out to me today is what Job said after he learnt that he lost all his processions and children:

And he said, "I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 (English Standard Version)

I think one of the most useful things to know in life is that God's the giver of all good things, and the God of the universe has every right to take away whatever he has given to us, for whatever His purpose is. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28 (ESV) It doesn't make losses easier, nor lessen the suffering. It does, however, gives us hope and peace to carry on.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is one of the hardest things to grasp especially if it is a child. I think that it is important to live with an eternal perspective and to remember that everything belongs to God and that we are just stewards.