Thursday 02 October 2008
- Bible Book:
- Job
"Then Job answered: '... but how can a mortal be just before God? ... who does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number?'" (v.1, 2, 10)
Background
In this passage the narrator describes Job's powerlessness, butalso recognises that God is watching him closely. Soon, Job beginsto realise that God is behind his pain and feels trapped as a 'testcase', longing to be left alone. So Job, in a 'courtroom setting',questions whether God's might is right and charges God with cosmicinjustice. He is looking for vindication from God and restorationof his sense of worth and recognition that he is righteous (farmore than the restoration of his health). Although this might seemaccusatory, it is much more of a lament than a reproach ofGod.
The narrative ends with a hymn-like section that talks of bothGod's creativity and destructive acts. Job places his suffering inthe wider cosmic order, acknowledging that he can neithercomprehend God's extraordinary power, nor hold it to account.
Many children in Africa are born with the HIV/AIDS virus. When theygrow up and understand their realities it is difficult to explainto them God's involvement in creation and in the formation of humanbeings in the womb. Yet the Christian hospitals and health carecentres in Africa bear silent witness by showing them the love andcare of God.
To Ponder
Is God behind every activity in the world?
When we see injustice in society is itappropriate to ask whether God is behind such problems? Would youfeel comfortable doing this?
How far can you bear witness to a God you cannotfully comprehend?