Yes, A Rebuke Is Coming

“I cry out, ‘Help!’ but no one answers me. I protest, but there is no justice. God has blocked my way so I cannot move. He has plunged my path into darkness. He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. He has demolished me on every side, and I am finished. He has uprooted my hope like a fallen tree. His fury burns against me; he counts me as an enemy. His troops advance. They build up roads to attack me. They camp all around my tent. [Job 19.7-12]

We all know Job has a rebuke coming from God.

I think I understood something today about the story of Job that I have not really considered before. It is a question. We have all tried to consider what Job and his friends were trying to say. We have all tried to understand this story from the perspectives of each person involved. We have all tried to analyze the conversations for good or evil content - right or wrong words and attitudes. We have all looked at nearly every possible angle of perception of this story. But, in light of the words copied above quoting Job in 19.7-12, have we considered God's perspective?

If we consider the story of Job from its beginning, we will realize that God was bragging on Job. We will realize that God was pleased with Job. God saw Job as exemplary.

Now, fast forward to the statement recorded above by Job in 19.7-12. 

I wonder how that made God feel? The one person God spoke so highly of is the very person making the accusations found in Job 19.7-12! 

Yes, a rebuke is coming...

Father, I know I have thought some of the same thoughts Job articulated in the passage above. I have even been guilty of saying some of the same things. Please forgive me for such mindless selfishness. Forgive me for thinking that everything is about me.