It is
interesting that you brought up the book of Job. Job was a very analytical person surrounded
by skeptical and analytical "friends." Interestingly enough, they all reached the
wrong conclusions about God and his character as they tried to interpret the
evidence at hand. I do not want to be condescending because I know that the
issues you have mentioned above are very objectionable to you. I also know that
nothing I say in the few sentences we can share can or will convince you to
change your perspective. However, I will offer the following for your
consideration and given your background I hope it will be a sincere and
prayerful consideration.
God
created man in his own image to serve a particular purpose and they were
considered to be good. God intended to have a personal relationship with man.
This relationship was not one where men were to consider God an equal or where
they had the right to pass judgment on him. Unfortunately, when Adam willfully
disobeyed, he broke that relationship with God. God never moved; mankind did.
Since all creation is connected in purpose, all creation suffered the
consequences of Adam's immoral decision. The context of Scripture defines life
as a vital connection with the creator and giver of life. Life does not exist
in an autonomous state of humanity. This statement should clarify the issue at
hand. The life experienced in this world is temporary and secondary in
importance to the eternal life that can only exist through our communion with
God. Having said this, I will add that all life, even the temporary life we
live on this earth is a gift and continues to serve a purpose. Man is still
created in the image of God although that image is maligned and corrupted by
the violence sin has done against all of creation. It is this sin that has
introduced whatever lack of stability there may be in nature and whatever
cruelty there is in the world. Job understood that the suffering he experienced
was limited by God so that Job would learn more about God. Again, we reach a
paradox. I personally think that we experience these paradoxical issues because
of the consequences of sin committed by both our federal head and by ourselves
personally. Understanding this should
result in the realization that we as humans are not equipped to perceive the
value of spiritual truths without help. People may know the facts and
propositional statements contained in Scripture. But they will never discern
the value of these until they come to terms with the fact that they are to
humble themselves and trust God to inform them of the truth, its value, and its
consequences.
The
fact that there is any goodness in this world is often overlooked by those who
contend with God because of the tragedy in the world. Job chose to trust God
through his times of suffering. His anguish is seldom paralleled in human
experience. God chose to reveal himself to Job as the creator of all things
including those creatures against which man is powerless against. This
soliloquy is essentially a polemic against human pride. Job's response is the
right response.
(Job 42:1-6)
1 Then Job answered the LORD and said:
2 "I know that you can do
all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 'Who is this that hides
counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 'Hear, and I will speak; I
will question you, and you make it known to me.'
5 I had heard of you by the
hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust
and ashes."
God restored
Job's wealth, relationships with family and friends, and health. Most
importantly, Job grew in the knowledge and grace of God. He was able to
perceive God through the seeing of his "eye" (this is an exegetically
important observation). This type of understanding came only after Job had
committed himself to nurturing a relationship with God through the limited
knowledge that was revealed in that day. Today we have the Scriptures. This
Holy Bible is the very word of God. If you really want to know God you must
commit yourself to nurturing a relationship with him. He is good and morally
upright, majestic in glory and limitless in strength and power. We are the ones
who go astray. Use the gifts God has given you to know and serve him. Jesus
answered Phillip's skepticism and has passed the test of others more critical
and analytical than ourselves. The real
issue is not intellectual it is moral. Are you willing to trust God, the
creator and life giver, rather than yourself? If so, accept the facts and
propositional truths of Scripture for what they claim to be.
I will pray
for you today and as often as the Lord brings you to my mind.
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