Job 3 Commentary
What’s the point of life? That’s the title of this chapter in the Message Bible.
It’s an interesting title because Job’s statement is actually a complaint rather than a question. Yes, the question did come and Job answered it superbly. By paying very little attention to the loss of material possessions, and by scorning the threats on his life posed by a very serious incurable disease, Job in essence admitted that life wasn’t important. He showed us that there is something more important than the life we know.
So here we are with a man who has let go of ‘earthly things’ in preference for the higher calling. But what does he get in return? Hence the question: what is the point of life?
Instead of cursing God, as suggested by Job’s wife, Job curses the day he was born. He should not exist at all. Then this problem doesn’t also exist. He addresses himself to the Creator God. This should be very interesting. He hasn’t complained about the loss of possessions or even his health in the main but turns to his God for explanations. The saint can take important lessons from Job’s reaction.
Job wishes something failed during his formation. He laments the fact that none of the things that could fail failed. Consequently, and sadly, Job lived only to have this kind of trouble. It is an indirect admission that the LORD makes decisions at every stage of the saint’s life.
Job’s view of life is quite advanced. He sees himself as existing even before his physical form manifested.
Importantly, Job knows he is not his own man. God gives life. God takes life. The formula for giving life or taking it isn’t exactly square. Only God knows.
There can be godliness in the saint’s lamentations. Let the saint throw it back in the hands of the Creator God. The saint can also sin in the process of lamenting their fate, something to watch out for. The saint can lament in complete obedience. Keep rebellion far from your lips.
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