by Pastor Steve Ellison
God’s questions are interesting and of ultimate significance. The book of Job begins with Satan and other angels reporting to God, not once but on two separate occasions. In both cases, God asked Satan the same question. The question was not asked of Job, nor was it asked in his presence. Job had no knowledge of the question or the reasons behind it. He had no clue what was coming. As far as we know, Job never found out about these events in heaven or the question asked about him on two separate times. Job 2:3 states, “The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” (NASU)
This question would forever change Job’s earthly circumstances in every way. Unimaginable misery and sorrow and pain would descend upon him, settle upon him, wrap itself around him, and squeeze every ounce of peace and health and happiness from him. He would never know why, at least in his earthly life. Maybe the worst part of Job’s trial was not knowing why these things happened to him. By all accounts, Job was a righteous man, more deserving than all others to have God’s immeasurable blessings poured out on him. Except for his wife, Job lost his whole family and she ridiculed him. He lost all his wealth and his health. His friends mocked him and accused him of being at fault.
Job bore up under this much better than I could ever hope to. He did, however, ask some pretty tough questions of his own. You might even say that Job was insolent toward God. God responded quickly, clearly, and very emphatically. The gist of God’s reply to Job was this: “I’m God and you are not!” Job responded appropriately. He quickly agreed with God. The ending of the book of Job makes it abundantly clear that God approved of Job. When it was clear that Job loved God rather than the gifts that God had given him, God restored the blessings on Job twice over. Even more telling, God only accepted Job’s misguided friends who had wrongly accused Job of sin, when Job prayed for them and personally offered the sacrifices they provided on their behalf. In spite of the pointed questions Job had asked all through the lengthy book, he is clearly in right relationship with God.
Life is hard. We live in a fallen world. Bad things happen to us personally. Tragedies occur in our lives and to others around us. If we are honest, often we can trace the cause back to our own actions, but not always. Naturally, we question why. I am glad that God does not annihilate us when we express our hurt and discouragement to Him. As I read His Holy Word which reveals Himself to us, it seems to me that He is perfectly comfortable with our honest questions of “Why?” He is certainly capable of fielding our questions. Do not be afraid to approach your Creator and Father with your sincere hurt and disappointments. He loves you and He wants you to know Him personally and intimately. God will answer your sincere questions like He did Job’s. He will declare His power, His mystery, His majesty, His faithfulness, and His love.
