Faith

…the Lord …who…heals all your diseases…

Ps. 103.1 - 3 NIV

The book of Job has always held a certain fascination, particularly as it is considered to be one of the oldest books of the Bible. It is alleged to have been transcribed from oral histories somewhere between 2000 - 1000 BC or during the second to sixth centuries CBE. Located in the Land of Uz, with a geographical background more Arabic than Hebrew, it begins with a heavenly mythology reminiscent of an African world view of the interaction between humanity and the spirit world. Pre dating Abraham and perhaps on the tip of the Iron Age, the Book raises some amazing questions about our knowledge of the universe. Reference is made to the constellations; the Bear, Orion and Pleiades and the ‘vast starry spaces of the south.’ How, within a Stone Age existence, did they acquire this knowledge of the heavens without the equivalent of modern day telescopes? I am reminded of the ancient Dogon tribe, a sub Saharan people whose legends and traditional religion included knowledge of the star system Sirius - the Dog Star. They even knew of the existence of an invisible white dwarf, Sirius B, centuries before it was “discovered” by Europeans in the 19 th century.

Usually the book of Job is seen as a debate on the rightful actions of God in dispensing justice. On the assumption that good works reap good rewards, it discusses the seeming contradiction when the Divine is seen to be unfair and therefore unjust in the allocation of these rewards and punishments. More importantly, it debates the cause and nature of human suffering and God’s culpability in allowing pain and permitting the righteous to suffer without an apparent cause. It raises questions, often ignored, of a seemingly immature Deity with over the top levels of arrogance and self obsession. Similarly is queries the expectation of automatic rewards for good deeds, suggesting profitability underpins goodness and that prosperity is always God-given.

In the first of two tests, despite the loss of his family and property, Job comes to terms with his misfortunes and maintains his faith in God’s benevolence. In the second chapter, God and Satan are again in conversation and again God is bragging about his servant, Job. The Divine says,

… “have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil and he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” - “skin for skin!” Satan replied. “a man will give all he has for his own life. but stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. Ch 2:3-7

We often hear about the patience of Job but by chapter 30 he has had enough!

I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me. Ch. 30:20

Personal affliction broke Job; it was bodily illness that potentially threatened his very life that shook his faith in Divine benevolence. Yet for me, this isn’t a story about God, but about how we, as people, may see the Divine. More specifically, it builds on the Old Testament view of an immature, vengeful and warlike God obsessed with curses, blessings and blood sacrifice. This is not the image I have nor is it the God of the New Testament and the God of Jesus.

Being faithful doesn’t always end in rewards, or punishments for that matter. For obeying God’s voice, John was exiled on Patmos, where he had a vision and wrote the book of Revelation. The prophet Jeremiah was thrown into the cistern pit and left to rot for passing on God’s pronouncements to King Zedekiah. He was eventually rescued through the intervention of a black official in the royal palace, Ebed-Melech. There are also accounts of so called bad actions bearing fruit. In the gospel of Luke we read of Christ’s anointing with expensive oils by a prostitute. The validity of her action was not tarnished by the reality that the oils were probably bought from money gained through her trade. Faithfulness is the key; in all circumstances and irrespective of the outcome.

And Jesus…said to them, Have faith in God constantly. Mk 11:22

May the Holy Spirit of God continue to make known the faithfulness of God to you.

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