Job

     SO.. I love the book of Job. Almost everything about it. I am not a bible scholar, so this is MY interpretation. It may not be 100% correct but it is the way that I see it. I love the beginning when Job is introduced as a very, very rich and blessed man. I like that his family is a close family and enjoys being together. I love that Job offers sacrifices for his family, just in case they have sinned.
    I think it is interesting that the sons of God and Satan came to present themselves before the Lord. The Lord asked where they were and Satan replies 'From going to and fro on the earth and walking up and down on it'. I find it interesting that that Lord is SO pleased with Job that he points him out to Satan to show him, 'look, Job is such a great man. Do as you want to him and he will still worship me.' He allows Satan, not once, but twice, to take all he owns and his family first and then his own health! Job then, covered in painful boils, gets to deal with great loss- the loss of riches, the loss of his sons and daughters, the loss of his possessions, but also his wife to tell him to 'curse God and die'. He has three "friends" come in his time of need to counsel him and tell him there is obviously something that you have done to provoke the wrath of God! 
   What has really struck me is after Job has listened to his friends and defended God's righteousness throughout, in 29 he begins to defend himself. He starts with when God was watching over him and he talks about how others respected him because of his deeds. 

 Job 29:12-17- Because I delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know. I broke the fangs of the wicked, And I plucked the victim from his teeth.

  I do not know if Job financially supported or physically adopted the fatherless that he speaks of. I find it interesting that he twice in these verses states that he 'delivered the fatherless and the one that had no helper' and 'I was a father to the poor'. Supporting the fatherless has really been jumping out at me lately, since and before we have officially decided to adopt. I guess it is something I had not really noticed before in Job.

  Anyway, Job goes on to get frustrated with God. He knows he did not do anything to anger God, yet he feels baffled by God's silence through his trials. And again, I am not trying to pretend I understand all of the book of Job. This is my interpretation. And Job's friend jumps in again with the wrath of God on a self-righteous man. And then.. My favorite chapters in the bible. Although I would not want to be Job that God is talking to in the whirlwind, I cannot help but think that these verses have been aimed at me many times!
Have YOU ever wondered "why ME, or Why God, is this happening?

Job 38:3-"I will question (insert your name) and (insert your name) will answer GOD!"

Scary? My bible states on the side "the one that cannot answer these questions about the universe dare not correct the One who planned and maintains it". How true.

Job 38:4-11- Where were YOU when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if YOU have understanding. Who determined it's measurements? Surely YOU know! Or who stretched the line upon it? Or to what were it's foundations fastened? Or who laid it's cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for Joy? Or WHO shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; when I made the clouds it's garment, and the thick darkness it's swaddling band; When I fixed my limit for it, and set bars and doors; when I said 'This far you may come, but no further, and here your proud waves must stop!'
   
   I love the remaining chapters in Job! I stoped at verse 11 but I encourage you to read the remaining chapters to see the power of God. He speaks of walking in the treasury of hail and snow reserved for the time of troubles, and entering the springs of the sea or searching for the depths of the oceans. How amazing. The power and majesty of God is revealed but also His love for Job and us all. God gave Job the power to offer a sacrifice to ask forgiveness for his friends. He restored Job his losses and doubled all he had originally had. What a wonderful and loving God we serve!