In this chapter Job accuses God of persecuting His own creation (verse 3, 10). He continues to pour out the bitterness of his soul in a pathetic complaint. He says that God, being so much above man, having eyes that are not of flesh, and seeing not as man sees, ought to see that he is innocent (verse 3-7). At the conclusion of this speech, he asks that he could enter “the land of darkness and the shadow of death”, referring to the abode of the dead (verse 18-22).
As we read his complaints, we may remember those days in our lives when we uttered similar ones. When we are in the same situation as Job, we probably will also wonder is this the God we worship. We have been taught that God is love and He is merciful, but why are we suffering? Even if men do not know us and accuse us wrongly, surely, God, with His all-seeing eyes, should know better: “Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth? ” (Job 10:4).
Job pleads with God: “Do not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me” (Job 10:2, ESV). His words imply this: “If I am afflicted because of my sins, show me what that sin is.”
God knows Job is innocent. Job’s suffering is an example to us that personal righteousness will not protect us from trials and tribulations. Job walked with God but he suffered afflictions.
Job’s pain is multiplied by the fact that God will not answer his prayers nor explain to him why he is suffering so severely. I must confess that when my son was diagnosed with a rare form of illness which made his own body immune system fighting against itself resulting in severe loss of platelets count in his blood, I too, ask God why. I want to know why my son. I have been serving God well day and night and so why didn’t He protect my son. I didn’t charge God foolishly and I was thankful that it wasn’t a fatal disease. And, thanks be to God, he has recovered from it.
Can we accept God’s Sovereignty, but question His love? I submit to you that we can’t. It’s like saying you believe but at the same time doubt Him.
But Satan likes for us to think that submitting to the sovereignty of God while questioning His love isn’t that big of a deal. But eventually that whispered questioning of God’s love will lead to direct rebellion against the sovereignty of God and at the end, leads to denial of God. It’s just impossible to believe God is in complete control while questioning whether or not He is loving. Faith is lost once we doubt the love of God.
What is Faith? Hebrews 11:1 explains: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The author is saying that faith is the confident conviction that, like the foundation of a building, stands under and supports a life lived by faith in the invisible God.
Our drawing close to Him faces many challenges from this world. Satan wants us to question God, but to do so it is to question God’s sovereignty. The Creator does not need to answer to His creation: “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?” (Isaiah 45:9).
Faith is accepting and believing God in all circumstances. God answers prayer. But sometimes, God is silent. And this silence can be frustrating. But accepting God’s sovereignty also means actively trusting God, realizing He is in control and can be trusted. God is silent; but it doesn’t mean He doesn’t care: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.