Jump Start # 3769
Job 3:11 “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?”
Our verse today is the raw and honest feelings that come from a hurting man. The very mention of his name, “Job,” immediately brings the picture of a man that was suffering inside and out. About every possible way to hurt and ruin a person, happened to Job. All his children died in one day. He lost his livelihood. He lost his heath. His wife lost her faith. Alone and with more questions than answers, Job sits wondering why?
After his friends have gathered and sat for a week, Job breaks the silence. Four times in the third chapter Job asks, ‘Why’. We must understand that when a person is speaking from pain, grief and tragedy, what they say may not make a lot of sense. They may say things that are not logical, reasonable and even Biblical. They speak from the depth of pain.
The book of Job is a journey. It is a long journey. Job’s friends do not understand, nor do they seem to offer much compassion. And, one of the beneficial sidebars through the book of Job is a lesson for us in knowing how to help someone who hurts. Some are quick to give advice. Some hand out a Bible verse like candy, thinking that will solve all problems. The journey through pain can be long and those who lack patience, most times fumble and make matters worse.
Our verse today would upset us if someone said that to us on a Sunday morning. “Hi, how are you?” we greet one another. And, from a sad face comes the response, “I wish I died at birth.” And, immediately we go into rescue mode. “You don’t mean that,” we say. Yet, the person does mean that. “Things can’t be that bad,” we reply. Yet, they are that bad. “You need to count your blessings,” to which the person responds, “I’m out of blessings.” With that, we smile and quickly walk away to try to find a smiling face to talk to. It’s hard to know how to talk to a Job. The fixers among us must realize that there are some things that we simply cannot fix. The optimistic rainbow and sunshine people don’t know what to do when someone wants to cry. Then there will be those who insist on telling their own stories and trying to make their stories seem much worse.
Some thoughts for us:
First, mistakenly, it is easy for some to think that their life mirrors Job. “I’m living the Job life,” one guy told me. I met a man whose house burned to the ground. Days later, a grown son was killed in a car accident. He came to hear me preach. I had no words for such sorrow he felt.
But, in kindness, none of us live the Job life. The book of Job is one of the first, if not the first book of the Bible. There is no mention of Moses, the Law, Abraham, David, the tabernacle or the Messiah. Here’s the difference. None of us live as Job did. Yes, we may have the greatest tragedies in our lives, but we have things Job never did.
Job never had the book of Psalms that shows the comfort of God. Job never had the prophets that told of the coming Messiah, the promises of God and eternal kingdom of the Lord. Job never had the Gospels that showed us the grace of Jesus and how He was a suffering servant. Job never read about the suffering apostles and those first Christians that endured so much. Job didn’t have Revelation that tells the end of the story. He didn’t have resurrections in his tool box as we do. On top of that, Job didn’t have the book of Job, as we do. We know the outcome of Job. He was living it. The story wasn’t finished as he was going through those things.
So, when someone says, “I’m living Job’s life,” I kindly remind them, “No, you have Jesus and that makes all the difference.”
Second, when someone is hurting, listen. That’s important. As Job asks, “Why,” multiple times in the third chapter, a person isn’t seeking answers. They are venting. Be there. Show compassion by sitting with them. Show love by praying for them and with them. Show that you care by bringing food and doing things for them.
It’s hard for Bible students to admit that sometimes we simply do not know why things happen. Why are the good ones taken? Why are some taken in what seems to be their prime? Why are some taken when there are so many other wonderful things they could add to the kingdom? I just don’t know is about all that we can come up with.
Third, realize that once the wounds heal, there is an internal, emotional and spiritual pain that often lingers. Snapping back doesn’t happen just because we tell someone to. Check in on a person. See how they are doing. Some don’t want to talk about things, so respect that. Others do, so don’t try to switch the subject. Let the hurting soul take the lead. You follow.
All of this takes time, energy and the amount of faith that they have will direct the outcome and the recovery that follows.
Had Job died at birth, there would have been no book of Job. All the lessons and the valuable insights that we gain would have never been there for us. His pain has helped us. And, that may be a secret truth of the pain that we experience. It may not always be about us or for us. It may be for others.
Jesus suffered, leaving us an example to follow, Peter tells us. The light that we shine may just be for someone who is sitting in the darkness of pain. Seeing us, they find a way through that pain and they find a way to the Savior.
I wish I died at birth, Job said. I’m glad he didn’t. I needed him. He has helped me. One day, I hope to tell that to him.
Roger