Day 6 – Job 11-14

I must admit, the reading plan did not make much sense for me, in the way it split the readings in Job. So yesterday I actually read through chap 10 and today I read through chapter 14. I just don’t understand stopping in the middle of Job’s replies.
In chapters 9-10, Job again continued his insistence that he did not deserve such punishment and resumed his complaint against God. Now Zophar speaks up against Job, rebuking him for his complaint against God and insisting there must be a reason he encountered such calamity. Zophar says Job must have sinned against God and that he only a fool would address God as Job has. Job’s response actually seems very appropriate. In response to Zophar he says these friends are useless; they bring no comfort and are no wiser than he. They offer nothing to help and nothing he has not already thought of.
I appreciate this lesson found throughout the story of Job – he continues to express to God his dismay and his complaint. In the face of all his pain, he teaches us that trouble comes to anyone and everyone, the righteous and evil alike. Even more, he asserts and demonstrates that it is not wrong to express our confusion, hurt and anger to God. Job understands that when we face such anguish, it is understandable to complain to God, and it is acceptable. When we hurt, we can take it to God, even when we feel angry at God for what has happened. He welcomes our words and wants us to express our feelings, and he is ready to listen. Just keep in mind, that He is still God and should be addressed with respect, and He has the right to respond to our accusation. Job will learn this later in his story.