Big Themes from Job

Chagall - Job

I have a good friend from seminary.  His name is Clyde Taber and he is the director of Visual Story Network.  Clyde is a dear brother who loves the Lord and the Word of God.  Recently, I saw an email where Clyde made some high level observations from the book of Job.  I found many of his insights compelling.

Chances are good that either you are in a dark period of life or you know someone who is.  I have people all around me who are walking paths that they never imagined.  And it is for moments like these that the book of Job means so much to us.  Enjoy Clyde’s observations below:

• Be careful in judging.  I could be on the wrong side of God.  My theology does matter greatly.
• God is big enough to handle our emotions (ch 6).
• Be persistent when you know you are right (but hold this carefully)
• When you have walked with God (vs. the casual scoffer), you can take issue with God’s workings.
• Watch out for the mistake of Job’s friends that teach God is too distant and impersonal to enjoy me and for me to enjoy Him (ch 22).
• We get a wide space for our faith to wax and wane.
• God may allow sudden and dramatic reversals (ch 29-30).
• God is never in question (He is assumed), but how he works is.
• Compassion toward those who are weak and in need is a sign of righteousness.
• God may be silent for a while, but he speaks eventually, and he gets the last word.
• He has his own talking points and is not obligated to answer what I ask.
• The fact that God is, and He speaks, should delight and humble me.  He is enough.

And here’s two more of my observations

• We may never know the whole story about why certain things have happened in our lives (ch 1-2)
• After going through trials, we will never see life the same way!

I pray that this is encouraging for you today as you walk in uncertain times that seem muddy to our common aspirations.