Job Pt 11 – Your Arms Are Too Short to Box With God

Way back in the day when we were taught and believed it was a sin to go to the movies I went to see “Your Arms Are Too Short to Box With God” starring Patti LaBelle at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco.  I justified attending my first live performance because it wasn't actually a movie, besides, how could anything with the words “God” in the title be wrong?  Well, I didn't get struck down by lightning; I've had ups and downs but that's a part of the life process but since I’m a walking in success I guess God didn't mind at all.  He probably fell back on his thrown and shook his head wondering what in the world was wrong with his well-intended children and their misconceptions, rules and regulations that they defined as sin.  At any rate, the point is that this memory popped in my head as I wrote this declaration last night while reading about Zophar’s misconception of God.  You know what yawl, sometimes we have God all wrong with all of the rules and regulations about stuff he probably could care less about unless, now hear me well, unless you idolize that thing, it is harmful to you and/or others.

In Chapters 12-14 Job let his friends have it and it was all Zophar could take but by the time Job had finished, Zophar was as hot as fish grease.  He was so mad that he looked like he turned deep purple.  He stood up and paced back and forth as he stared at Job as if he was wondering whether he should punch him or spit on him.  Bildad and Eliphaz got a little nervous when they saw the veins in his neck pulsating.  They looked at each other and whispered that this was not going the way they had planned and Zophar looks like he’s gonna lose it any minute.  Just then Zophar opened his mouth and said:  “I’ve had enough dog gone it!  Maybe I’m missing something.  Perhaps sir, you are a complete imposter because our dear and wise friend would not speak so foolishly.  Are you Job from Uz?”  Job gave him the ‘blank stare, are you an absolute idiot stare’ but never opened his mouth.  When Job wouldn’t acknowledge his question Zophar continued:  “Since you won’t answer me, I will take your silence as an affirmative that you are indeed Job.  My dear friend I must tell you that I have respected you for all these years as a wise, fair and godly man but the more I listen to you the more I realize what a complete idiot you are!!  I don’t know if it’s the “Old Man’s disease”; if those sores are also in your head; if that gook oozing out of your body is actually liquid brain matter or what, but you have completely lost it.  How dare you trivialize our wise counsel and dismiss our visit with you as if it is nothing.

All you have done since we got here is whine and complain.  My words haven’t passed judgment over you.  Your guilty words have condemned and incriminated you because of the sins so heinous that God had no choice but to pour out his wrath and judgment to make you an example. 

There are countless elders that have been around longer than you, but you talk as if you’ve been around as long as the mountains and that you were in on God’s brainstorming sessions when he planned all of this.  You don’t know any more than we do and your insight is no greater than ours.

You’ve allowed your emotions to get the best of you, up today, down tomorrow like an untamed woman who is having her season, lashing out and spitting fire in whatever direction that suits you.  Do you realize you are pitting yourself against God with the words that are running out of your mouth like a river overrun by a bursting dam?  You cannot possibly believe that a mere mortal can be sinless before God who doesn’t trust anyone, not even his holy angels.  God sees the flaws in the very heavens themselves so how much more will he see the faults of smelly and foul human beings?” 

Job was about to interrupt when Zophar put his hand up and said:  “I’m not finished so sit down and

shut up!!  You need to know my thoughts on this whole matter.  It’s what wise men and women have always taught, holding nothing back from the wisdom they learned from their parents which was: those who live by their own rules and not God’s can expect nothing but trouble, and the longer they live the more they can expect.  The wrong eats away at them like the sores on your body.  Every little sound terrifies them.  They have no peace, afraid of their own shadow so they take extra precautions by offering sacrifices all the time, even for their own children whom they have trained to live wicked lives just like them.  Just when they think they have it made, disaster strikes and it strikes with a vengeance leaving them hopeless of things ever getting better so they wander around like nomads without direction, not knowing what to do, where to go and begging for help from anyone that comes their way.  They live in constant terror with their backs up against the wall in constant crises mode with no end in sight like a woman when birth calls and the pains are so great that they are on top of each other.  Why?  Why God they cry out seemingly innocent when they know exactly why they are in this state.  It is because they insist on shaking their fists at God, defying El Shaddai to his face. Always and ever at odds with God, always on the defensive as they try to box with God.

It doesn’t matter if they are trim, fit and healthy with youth on their side they will end up living worse than junkyard dogs with no place to call home.  They will never get ahead, never amount to a hill of beans.  They’ll end up like shriveled up weeds brought down by one puff of God’s breath.  What is my point?  Whoever invests in lies gets lies for interest, paid in full before the due date.  Talk about a return on investment!!  The godless are fruitless—a barren crew; a life built on bribes goes up in smoke.  They have sex with sin and give birth to evil.  Their lives are wombs for breeding deceit.”

Chapter 16:  Well that did it for Job, he was done with them and he told them so when he said:  “I’ve had all I can take from yawl, you’re nothing more than a bund of windbags blowing hot air.  What a miserable group of comforters.  What is your problem that you go on and on and on like a nagging bitter woman.  You would think I did something personal against the three of you!  If you were in my shoes I could talk from a place of logic and accusation, but I would never do that, I would console and comfort to make things better.  Neither speaking nor silence makes me feel any better.  I’m tired, man!  I’m tired; I’m tired….

Job then fell to the ground and grimaced in pain as the sores on his knees and back of his legs re-opened but he completely dismissed them as he cried out to God in utter anguish that surfaced from deep within his soul:  “God, the lives of my family and mines were a total waste.  I’m like a dried up prune. Your anger tears at me, your teeth rip me to shreds, your eyes burn holes in me—God, my enemy!  People take one look at me and gasp.  Contemptuous, they slap me around and gang up against me and God just stands there and lets wicked people do what they want with me.  I was contentedly minding my business when God beat me up. He grabbed me by the neck and threw me around. O Earth, don’t cover up the wrong done to me!  Don’t muffle my cry! There must be someone in heaven who knows the truth about me, in highest heaven, some Attorney who can clear my name—My Champion, my Friend, while I’m weeping my eyes out before God.  I appeal to the One who represents mortals before God as a neighbor stands up for a neighbor.”

I’m out of time, we’ll have to pick it later.

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya  

Job Pt 10 – If It Doesn’t Fit, You Must Acquit Cont’d

I believe Zophar’s monologue is a classic representation of a traditional religious person who morphs into the prosecution, jury and judge over a fellow Believer without all of the facts.  It is embarrassing to admit that I’m actually guilty of some of this behavior because my: second, third or even sixth handed information came from a reliable source, a leader.  Rather than saying “thanks but no thanks” and turning a deaf ear, I listened and then viewed the allegedly “accused” as guilty.  Shame on me but I have repented, asked God to forgive me but it’s my responsibility to be alert of the enemy’s sly tricks to draw me back into that role.

Another epiphany that I had as a result of yesterday’s declaration was that part of the challenge is that we put way too much expectation on ministries. Every ministry is not set up to handle every life situation from a natural standpoint.  Each ministry is set up and blessed with certain “graces”.  For example: some ministries specialize in helping new converts but they can’t hold seasoned ones; others have excellent music and arts ministries but the preaching/teaching is much to be desired and there are also ministries that have good follow up and counseling service, yet others have amazing outreach programs, but unless it’s a mega church like a Saddleback, TD Jakes, IV Hilliard, etc. you’re not going to find the complete package from A-Z at most local ministries, especially a storefront type ministry with 50 members or less.  Every Pastor/Leader is not set up to handle every life challenge, especially those Pastors that still work a full time job and that’s OK.  It’s important to know your ministry’s capacity and if the expert help that you need is not at your local ministry you need to find it.  You can start by asking your Pastoral leadership if they have referrals and if they don’t, use google, your personal network but don’t just sit down in the middle of the floor and give up.

Job Chapter 12 through my sanctified imagination I imagine the following conversation with Job and his Amigo:   “You know what Zee (Zophar), you ‘da man, my brother.  No one’s wisdom can compare to yours, as a matter of fact, when you die, all wisdom will die with you.  And to think, I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in your company for the past few weeks as you spout off your rhetoric, I’m sorry I mean accusations.  Oh my goodness what am I saying, I mean ‘wisdom’.  The devil is a lie!!!!  I have just as much understanding, if not, more than you given that I have always had more property, servants, livestock and money than all of you put together.  You don’t acquire as much as I have from being stupid.  No, no, no, my bad.  That’s not what you said, I believe you compared me to an “empty-headed man, who will be wise as soon as wild donkeys start giving birth to human beings”.   

Job then stood as he grimaced in pain from the sores on the back of his legs that just opened up again

and oozed with gook.  He then looked each of the Three Amigos in the eye one by one and continued:  “Is there no end to your absurdly foolish babble?  Your attempt to sound like scholarly professors as you spouted off elementary theological principles that are common to most people is not impressive and certainly isn’t an indication of your wisdom.

You are my friends yet you have done nothing but ridicule me since you opened your mouths, mocking me because I have told you that I have conversations with God.  You have taken my words out of context hatin’ on me by sarcastically saying:  ‘Look at the man who never did wrong!’  I never said that ‘I didn’t do anything wrong’ I said I was an upright man before God, offering sacrifices to God on behalf of my sins and even the sins of my children.’  As you sit before me not even trying to understand my position or offer any sympathy I can imagine it’s easy for you to point your fingers in blame as you look down in scorn at people like me that are struggling just to make it through to the next day.”

Job paused, dropped his head and the tears began to fall to the ground as he reflected on the days when he went to the city gates and people marveled at his wisdom, his children when they were young and how they sat around after their evening meals sharing stories or playing games.  He then remembered how he used to call on God and receive an answer, and in those bright days he didn't feel like he needed a lamp, because his life was at ease. Now it was all different: cold, lonely and darker than it had ever been especially since those he had considered his friends only mocked and misunderstood him.  Everything about Job’s life and prior understanding currently felt like someone pulled the rug from under him causing him to fall hard on his backside. Before, everything seemed to make sense, the righteous seemed to be blessed and the wicked seemed to be afflicted.   But this right here, this right here, this was so big it changed the game and no one bothered to tell him what the new rules were, in particular, God who had been unusually silent for quite some time now.  Job was wise enough to know that friends come and go, that wasn’t his big issue, his primary issue was God’s silence.

Job took a deep breath and laid into the Three Amigos with some cold game as he looked them square in the eye and said:  "If you want to know the ways of the Lord just look around you. You can theologize all you want, but if your theories do not mesh with the nature of things as they are, then what good are such theories? Even a dog has more knowledge of God than you do!”  God’s power; majesty; wisdom; strength; wise counsel; understanding, etc. are matchless.  Do you understand that if God breaks something it can never be repaired; if he binds someone they can never get loose; that the deceived and deceiver are His.  He can take away the understanding of any leader in authority, causing them to grope in the dark without light, wandering in the pathless wilderness or stagger like a drunken man.  What you know, I know, but you want to question my wisdom about God, especially you Zophar with your unnecessary sarcasm and accusations of my intellect and sincerity for God!  If I had the opportunity I would plead my case before God and ask why he allowed me to suffer like this.”

In Job Chapter 13 Job starts to get a little off course.  Though he says he would plead his case to God, the example of questions that he would ask are very accusatory in nature.  And Job 14 are more of the same except in my opinion he seems to be ranting. 

I’m out of time, we’ll have to pick it up tomorrow.

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya  

Job 9 – If It Doesn’t fit, You Must Acquit

September 28, 1995, an attorney by the name of Johnny L. Cochran defended OJ Simpson in the trial

of the Century for the murder of OJ’s wife, Nicole.  Mr. Cochran’s statement: “If it (an alleged leather glove used during the murder) doesn’t fit; you must acquit” blew everybody away and it was a crushing blow to the prosecution.  Tried as they did, Marsha and Chris were unsuccessful in reaching the guilty verdict they so desperately desired.  It reminds me just a little about the desperation of the Three Amigos (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar). 

But before we proceed, let’s re-cap some of the truths discovered yesterday.  For years I have heard people preach, teach and/or talk about Job as the perfect person who suffered a lot of persecution without blowing it like the rest of us humans.  I am so glad that I know how to read, comprehend and regurgitate what I read because there is nothing more powerful than the truth.  Not that those people I heard preach about Job lied, that’s not what I am insinuating, it’s just that many of them omitted the parts of his life story which reflect that he had some issues, which are all understandable at least when we view Job through compassionate lenses:  1) he allowed self to be on display from time to time and indulged in pity parties, however, he indulged so much, so often that it became a norm; 2) the pity parties attracted blame, primarily of God; 3) he allowed himself to be courted by bitterness which just about had her full hooks in him; 4) the first three allowed him to spiral into deep depression.  The good news is that he was surrounded by friends who I believe were genuinely concerned about Job but because they came with their own agenda they didn’t bother to listen to him or ask if he had sinned, they just assumed.  Let me warn you about assuming things, you should never do it.  What I believe happened is that they combined all of the stories they heard, decided that at least some of the gossip, I mean information, must true.  Why else would their dear old friend be the subject of God’s wrath if he hadn’t sinned?  They developed an agenda that was full of piety and self-righteousness laced with off.  What?  Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean, those jokers was off, plain and simple.  Their agenda was far more important than their friend or the truth.

In Job Chapter 11, Zophar, the third Amigo finally speaks but he is the most arrogant, unsympathetic, judgmental and confrontational of them all.  Mind you, they came to “comfort” Job, however, they go from the passive aggressive Elihpaz who got a “word” from an evil spirit; to Bildad accusing Job of being a liar and now Zophar has the unmitigated gall to accuse Job of being a hypocrite!!  But wait, it gets worse.

(Webster): a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.  A person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

What I believe happened is that Zophar had enough of Job's protests to innocence and all three friends were losing patience with him. But let’s moonwalk back to Job 2:13 when they all sat with him for seven silent days which was the most unselfish thing they did in their entire visit.  They only spoke in response to Job's agonizing responses for the sole purpose of helping Job to “see” that it must be some sin on his part that had caused this great calamity in his life, but Job refused to see it.   The more they insisted, the more Job stubbornly denied it, the more frustrated they became.  This bottled up frustration was a direct result of their hidden agenda.  It is evident that by the time Zophar speaks things are heating up.   Zophar's is described as callous, unsympathetic, etc., but his disposition may also have been due to the standoff they had reached and out of desperation they level direct accusations at Job.  Job's bewilderment and his outbursts are natural.  You know full well if it had been one of us we would have probably acted far worse than Job, let’s be real.  I personally am thankful for the outbursts because we see his humanity and our own.

Tania Not Tanya Moment:  If more “church” leaders would be transparent about how they deal with every day real life situations (not to the extent of full blown meltdowns on Sunday mornings) but when appropriate – e.g. sermon, one-on-one, bible class to identify with a character of the bible).  Can you imagine what that would do for our ministries?  In my mind I believe it may reduce the amount of self-imposed stress on both sides of the fence?   1) The naïve Christians may not be so quick to put their leaders on the “make believe” perfect pedestal they created which assumes those leaders are perfect and never make mistakes, suffer or have challenges; 2) The Leaders may not feel the need to maintain an image created by the groupies who idolize them (with or without cause) as opposed to God.  I realize this statement may sound very anti-leader/anti-church, however, it is not.  First of all I am not talking about every leader because every leader doesn’t get caught up in the hype.   I have seen countless people in the body of Christ who practically worship their leadership and those leaders who appear to enjoy it are the ones I’m talking about.  You know the ones I mean, the ones that drink their own red Kool-Aid with a touch of lemon juice and lots of ice.  While we should not be men-pleasers or idolize another man or woman it happens and then when that leader falls (and eventually they will) the idolizer is crushed, loses their “shallow” faith and turns their back on God (as if it was God’s fault), leave the “church” and/or they become bitter.  Now granted, the idolizer may have been looking for an excuse to leave the “church” because if you really really love God, you’ll get past the “church” hurt and find another home or become a believer in exile until God leads you to your next home. Some would argue that the people would lose respect for the leaders because they would see their vulnerability and view their challenges as weaknesses.  In my personal opinion, that’s a bunch of dung.  Ya heard me -- C ara A P.  Done in good form and from the heart, I know personally how much more your members will connect with you.

Zophar takes Job’s comments out of context when Job said:  "My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes": Zophar misrepresented Job's words here because Job didn’t claim to be “pure and clean”, as if he were sinless and perfect; but in fairness to Zophar, we must say that Job claimed to be in the right and this was virtually a claim to be pure and clean in this matter.  It was one of those damned if you do, damned if you don’t statements and at this point it didn’t matter.  Job knew there was no special or specific sin on his part behind the loss of his children, his health, his servants, and his material wealth.  However, Job knew that he was a sinner in a general sense and could not be considered righteous compared to God.  So Job’s claim that he was blameless referred to the above fact that he had not sinned.

I want to make one more point about Zophar’s monologue before concluding when he associated Job

with the “empty-headed man, who will be wise as soon as wild donkeys start giving birth to human beings”.   In essence Zophar called Job stupid.  Dude, are you serious right now?  It seems to me that Zophar was analytical, there were no gray areas.  In his mind there was no mystery in Job's situation at all. God was sovereign, God was just, Job was a sinner, and therefore he should be thankful that he wasn't worse off because wherever there is suffering, there is sin, real and tangible sin, proportioned to that suffering. Zophar also believed that God governs the world by rewards and punishments, and those rewards and punishments are befitting Job as far as Zophar is concerned and that’s all that matters in his “off” thinking.  That said, it makes sense that this seeming Saint (Job) is really a man full of heinous sin, which by the way neither of the Three Amigos could prove.

Tania Not Tanya moment:  Today, September 8, 2014 while writing this declaration, I had an “aha” moment which allowed me to empathize further with Job (even though he’s a man that lived thousands of years ago and I’m “every” woman).  To look for answers, the truth, support and resolution but instead to be steamrolled over by someone’s agenda, their insatiable need to be right and to be in control of everything in their world is one of the most hurtful things that one can experience especially, when it comes from someone you respect and admire.  It is impossible to understand because there is no understanding for it.  It is sad beyond words, frustrating and insulting to say the least because there is nothing you can do except to become bitter or better.  I am better as a result of my Job experience because bitterness was not an option.

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya  

Job 8 - Why Me?

In our last declaration we learned that Job was in a deep state of depression and that other well-known men of God also had at least one bout of depression: Prophets Elijah (1 Kings 19) from the hit placed on him by Jezebel and Jonah (Jonah 1) who ran from his responsibilities of admonishing the people of Nineveh to repent.  Though their circumstances were different their suffering was quite similar and included pity parties also known as feeling sorry for themselves to the point of wishing they had never been born.   The Three Amigos (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) added proverbial salt to Job’s already wounded spirit but he handled himself with dignity and answered with amazing wisdom until he started to spiral downward and began his pity party.  He invited the Amigos, but they would have no parts of it because they were convinced he was a guilty hypocrite suffering from self-inflicted wounds – sin – though they couldn’t tell him what his sin actually was.  Was Job justified in hosting his pity parties which ultimately led to the full blown depression he created?  From a natural standpoint I want to say yes, he is human, we are human, stuff happens.  But from a spiritual standpoint I would say no.  But how could he have avoided it especially since he didn’t have the tools in place that we do in the 21^st Century; he didn’t know anything about grace because grace had not yet been introduced to mankind; there was no model to follow to say if he could make I can too and he was surrounded by condemning friends?  It’s one thing to point people to the bible; tell them to: “shake it off; just believe God; it will get better”, etc. all of which are true, but if they are so far down the black hole of depression that they can’t see their hands in front of their face, they aren’t going to hear that.  What do you say, how do you encourage them?  Sometimes physical silence and inward prayer are the best medicine.  What is physical silence?  Showing up where they are; letting them know it’s not necessary to talk, you just came to sit with them, cry with them or whatever they need and respect the process.  But in your silence you can pray for Jehovah Shalom to cover them with his peace.

Tania Not Tanya nugget:  They may not be able to pray but you can.  It’s called intercessory prayer – praying for someone other than yourself.  Pray for God’s wisdom as to what, when and how you should help.  By all means, don’t tell them you know how they feel because you don’t even if your experience was similar it’s not the same.  Don’t try to analyze the person and/or condemn them as the Three Amigos did to Job, that’s not our place.  Our place is to extend an ear, shoulder, and/or hand by way of support which will speak volumes to them in most cases.  Everyone is different so there is no cookie cutter approach. 

In Chapter 10 Job ends his comments to Bildad by stating that if he could argue his case before God one of the first questions he would ask is “why”?  No different than many of us do when we are faced with situations that are out of our control.  If you ask why long enough eventually the why may turn to blame no matter whether it’s our employer, family, friend(s) or things and when we run out of things and people to blame we will include God in the blame game.  God you made this happen, you made me lose my job, husband, child, money, home, etc.  You know why most of us do that?  Because we know that if God wanted to he could make all of it (the suffering) go away in a millisecond but if he doesn’t he’s mean, unjust, and unkind in our eyes because we don’t want to experience any discomfort.  The irony is that growth occurs in some form of pain or discomfort whether it’s the pain of retraining our muscles from exercising, the awkwardness of learning a new skill, or a baby cutting their back molars.  Why God, why, why, why?  Notice Job has not asked God to heal him one single time though he was in agony.  It seems he was more interested in satisfying his conscience about the “why” than he was anything else because he knew without a shadow of a doubt he lived a righteous life.  So the “why” is more from a place of understanding than whining because he didn’t want to suffer. 

Job believes he is at a point where he can’t take anymore but God loves us too much to allow us to enter into a test that will cause us to fail or be too much for us.  1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) says: No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.  God never haphazardly allows us to suffer needlessly.  There is a plan and purpose for every part of our life: And we know that God causes everything to work together^[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  Romans 8:28 (NLT).  I realize Job didn’t have this text to rely on but he still didn’t give up.  When you face your tests and trials, you can use Job’s journey as a point of reference and encouragement as well as scriptures like those above.  Job was completely out of line for insinuating he was suffering needlessly and for blaming God and even though he wasn’t thinking clearly due to his circumstances, it doesn’t excuse him.  He knew God loved him and cared about him, this was his “flesh” on full display, the spiritual man was too weak to fight. 

Another question Job says he would ask is for God not to condemn him but to show him his error.  The irony is that all of them, Job and his friends believe Job is being punished, except the friends believe he is being punished for good cause and Job believes he is being punished unjustly but they are all wrong. 

Job’s pity parties have led him down the highway of blame he then crossed over to Depression Street and was ready to move into bitterness, which is a human choice.  Bitterness doesn’t just happen, it’s a process.  He had one too many parties in which he flip flopped between whether God knew what was going on or he didn’t; whether God had abandoned him or not; that God was good or bad, just or unfair, etc.   While he may not have been fully moved into bitterness he was right at the cusp because he was convinced he had gotten a raw deal.  Granted, it may seem like he is within his right to be bitter because he didn’t “deserve” to lose his children, property and the support of his wife, but it was the wrong choice nonetheless. 

I’m out of time, but it is imperative to understand that our trials come to make us better, not bitter.

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya 

Job 7 – A Distinguished Gentlemen!

In our last declaration we discovered that Bildad who is described as the “traditionalist” of the

group by most commentators pretty much picked up where Eliphaz left off except his tone was a bit more aggressive to me.  He insinuates that Job’s hypocritical lifestyle has caused his own calamity and that his children were killed because they too lived ungodly lives.

Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you were innocent (not necessarily of a crime, per se’) but the more you tried to explain or defend your position the worse it appeared to get?  I have and it is utterly frustrating especially if your accuser already has it out for you and/or they are set in their ways.  I don’t know about you but when I’m not feeling well I don’t have the grace to put up with a lot of foolishness or rhetoric especially if it is something that is not favorable.  It’s best to talk to me when I’m feeling like myself.  Can you imagine Job’s level of frustration?

In Chapter 9 Job response to Bildad is far more courteous and gentlemanly than his “traditionally religious” friend Bildad whose monologue was in my opinion harsh and disrespectful no matter how well intended.  The bottom line is that Bildad was rude and I believe arrogant at least in this instance because his message was not delivered with love and humility.  How can a person accept “truth” from a rude messenger? 

Job first starts off by talking about the wisdom of God, a point that none of them could argue and then he agreed with the general premise of Bildad’s message, that God rewards the righteous and corrects (or judges) sinners.  Not only was it true, it was a smooth move on Job’s part because it disarmed the Three Amigos (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) and stroked Bildad’s ego all at the same time.  Whether or not that was Job’s intention is not clear but it doesn’t change the dynamic.  Job obviously suffered more than normal; yet no one could rightly accuse him of sinning more than normal. If Job was not righteous before God, then how could any man be?    

Because we are dealing with the Patriarchal era it is important for me to reiterate righteousness in two senses as I have done previously:

1.     A “relative sense” as both Noah (Genesis 7:1 -- Next God said to Noah, “Now board the ship, you and all your family—out of everyone in this generation, you’re the righteous one.) and Job (Job 1:1 -- Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion.) were so considered.

2.     A “forensic sense” declared and considered righteous by God through faith (Romans 5:18-19 -- Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.

Job knew far better than the Three Amigos that he was committed to the commitment.  He walked the walk and talked the talk.  People didn’t have to wonder if he was a man of God (and I don’t mean a preacher either).  He lived out loud as an upright man before God.  He was the priest of his home, he taught his children to reverence and respect God, he interceded for his children, loved his wife and though it was acceptable in his culture he had a monogamous relationship with MJ (Mrs. Job).  That lifestyle carried over into his business as a fair employer.  He gave wise counsel to countless people, helped where he could and gave of himself.  He wasn’t about to allow his friends steal his testimony or guilt him into thinking he was not what he knew he was, a righteous man of God.  The bigger question to the Three was:  “I don’t mean no harm fella’s but if I’m not righteous before God then who is?”  Don’t be offended by that statement because it’s not arrogance, its assurance.  Job understood that no one could debate with God and though we can ask questions of God, we cannot ever demand answers.   Consider Job’s statements;

·       Job praised the might of God and all of his splendor, creation – the sun, moon, stars, heavens, mountains, etc. but that was no comfort to him because when he considered the vastness of God’s creation it made him feel even more insignificant and more distant than ever.

·       Job agreed with a second premise of Bildad that one is never blessed by hardening one's self against God. Yet Job did not think that this principle applied to himself in this situation, because he knew in his heart that he had not hardened himself against God. 

·       Job was well aware of the great works of God in the universe, there was no arguing the majesty and power of God but the greatness and might of God didn’t comfort Job; it made him feel that God was too great to either notice or care.  Mind you, Job’s perception of God was not the truth, it was merely his state of thinking during these “discussions”. 

It almost seems like Job is crying out to his friends:  “Why is God so hard to figure out?”  But as far as they were concerned, God wasn’t hard to figure out.  The problem was simple to them, Job had sinned in some bad and unusual way, therefore all this disaster came upon him. Unfortunately for Job, he didn’t have Job 1:1-2 as a point of reference like we do so he had to rely on his own heart and integrity and he knew that God was not so simple to figure out.

I’m out of time, we’ll have to pick up tomorrow but I want to close on this.  Job was in a deep state of depression no different than the Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19) from the hit placed on him by Jezebel and Jonah (Jonah 1) from warning the people of Nineveh to repent.  The difference in the circumstances was that they were both running from something.  Job wasn’t running but he was depressed no less and was in the midst of a full blown pity party on the edge of bitterness, so clearly his friends counsel wasn’t working.  Lastly Job knew God as the creator, not for his tender mercies nor did he have the advantage of knowing the Messiah (God wrapped in flesh) as the Redeemer the New Testament, the great High Priest or the Comforter, thus the loneliness was magnified by one million.

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya 

Job 6 - Who’s Blaming Who?

Yesterday we heard what may have appeared to be unjustified complaining from Job about the catastrophic events that had occurred in his life over the past several months.  I do not believe Job’s intent was to complain, as most of us would have.   Notice his complaint was not accusatory (e.g. You killed all of my children for no reason, you have made me lose all of my property, etc.).  Job's very earnest passionate plea was for God to at least speak to him to let him know whether or not he was in error.  In his heart of hearts I believe that Job had already done a self-check but to be sure he lamented in the presence of his friends after trying to defend himself from their accusations.  I do not believe he was trying to impress them or gain pity but to help them hear his heart, see his sincerity and empathize with his pain from one man to another in regards to his:

• his physical state -- what we believe to have been boils that covered his body and had become infected, produced maggots and I am sure a horrific odor; 
• the isolation of being afflicted;
• the loss of all his property, livestock, and the lifestyle he and his family were accustomed to within a matter of minutes; 
• the unwarranted and unfair rumors and gossip that spread across the country; and
• far worse than losing any of the above was the loss of children and the support of his wife, MJ (Mrs. Job), who I believe checked out mentally.  

But his friends didn't get it because they believed they were right though a better term would be:  they were "self-righteous".

Tania Not Tanya moment:  How many times have you heard someone say:  "I want people around me that will tell me the truth"? Would you rather have friends that never said anything and allowed you to go down a proverbial black hole of mistakes and/or worse, sin; or would you rather your friends at least attempt to start the dialogue about their perception?  I ask because very often, in fact more often than not, when we hear the truth it can sting.  Actually it can feel like someone sucker punched or knocked the wind out of you in some cases, especially when you believe you are 100% right but they show you your error which can be especially hurtful if the truth is not delivered delicately.  It takes a mature person to listen to constructive criticism, meditate on the truth and then make necessary changes.  It's a lot easier to say rather than to do.

Tried as he desperately did, Job was not able to convince his friends of his innocence but the three amigos were hell bent on this self-proclaimed intervention of their dear friend and brother and so they went for Round 2 which is where we will pick up today.

Job Chapter 8:  Bildad spoke next:

I want to believe that Bildad meant well by his counsel to his friend, Job, but the first words out of his mouth must have cut like jagged razors and they were the epitome of sanctimonious accusation and misinterpretation.  The first few sentences of chapter 8 burned like hot grease popping and burning my arm while frying chicken because the fire was too high and it stung and made me jump.  It was mean and disrespectful.  The whole conversation went downhill from there as far as I am concerned.  Listen to this:

“How can you keep on talking like this? You’re talking nonsense, and noisy nonsense at that. Does God mess up? Does God Almighty ever get things backward? It’s plain that your children sinned against him— otherwise, why would God have punished them? Here’s what you must do—and don’t put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty. If you’re as innocent and upright as you say, it’s not too late—he’ll come running; he’ll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes. Even though you’re not much right now, you’ll end up better than ever. (Job 8:1-7 MSG)

Bildad is the second friend to have a monologue about Job's circumstances without once asking him what happened.  In all of their wise counsel no one asked if he was in error they assumed he was.  I don't mean any harm, but this is a classic case of a religious person on "ten" demanding that Job repent, not now, but right now as if he is speaking directly for and from God.  But to disrespect his friend Job's children and accuse them of sinning against God just really did it for me.  I was done with Bildad after that.  I can only imagine how Job felt.

Sometimes our over zealousness can cause more harm than good and we can come off as being judgmental, inconsiderate, self-righteous religious fanatics if we don't temper our words with grace.  It does not mean compromising the gospel, excepting sin and wickedness wholesale, but you have to catch a fish before you can scale it.  It is our responsibility to create an environment that is inviting and to live a life that people will want what we have, not to chase them away with our opinions.  A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NKJV)

The more I study the life of Job and based on my own personal experiences, the more I see how important for me not to "assume" anything about anyone; not to get caught up in the temptation of allowing people to dump their "garbage" aka gossip on me and to avoid the temptation of wanting to heart the juicy details about someone else's life or misfortune.  I have enough on my plate to keep myself in check than to be worried about someone else's drama.  That doesn't mean that I won't be available to lend a kind word, offer support, etc. I'm just cool off judging people especially when I don't have all the facts. I am clear that we can judge a righteous judgment according to the scriptures, those are two different types of judgment, they are like apples and oranges, two different things.

I’m out of time, we’ll have to pick up tomorrow

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya

Job 5 - Who's Blaming Who

Before continuing with the story of Job’s life let’s re-cap the previous blog:  Job’s friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar make a decision to visit their dear friend, they are horrified by Job’s disfigurement to the point that for seven days and nights they are speechless until Job breaks the silence.  The lamenting that he does as a fully depressed man of God is completely shocking to them: Wishing he had not been born or that he was at least a still born birth but then again they had never witnessed this type of devastation in Job’s life either.  Job and his friends lived during the Patriarchal era prior to the Mosaic Law, however, they had religions practices, customs and beliefs.  One such belief was that a person’s tragedy was a direct result of their disobedience, similar to many well-meaning Christian folk today.  Galatians 6:8 says: Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.  I realize you may have thought all this time it was Karma, bad luck, etc. but “payback” is for real.  However, this, was not that.  In fact, Job set a precedent with his circumstances, this was a paradigm shift.  We know from Job 1:1-3 and 2:1-2 that God allowed the accuser to bring the calamity to prove that Job was righteous and that he would not curse God no matter what happened.  Job was right with God because he made the choice to obey Him in all things.  Today, we are made right with God because of the blood Jesus shed on Calvary over 2000 years ago, however, we are still required to obey God.  The debt was paid in advance, all we have to do is collect and keep goin.

I believe it was the friend’s plan for Eliphaz to speak first because he more than likely told them he had a “Word” for Job.  The challenge with that “word” is that it “terrified” Eliphaz and it was “muffled”, in other words it was unclear because it came from a fallen angel with just enough truth to grasp Eliphaz’ attention so it made the lies unnoticeable.  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.  John 8:44 (NLT).  New Ageism and cults have similar traits as they believe “some of the bible” sprinkled with a little “this and that”, those things “that” they agree with.  No matter how popular a man made “religion” is and who participates, it does not mute the point that as BABs (Born Again Believers) we believe Jesus is the son of God, crucified for our sins and resurrected on the third day.  Therefore, when we confess and believe we are saved through faith by the power of God through his son, Jesus and there is no other way to God but by his Son.

Job’s well meaning friend clearly relayed a fake “Word”.  Just as fake as synthetic hair that a well-seasoned stylist can spot a mile away.  No offense but if Eliphaz was as authentic as Job, he would have recognized that “spiritual” experience as fake or he would have at least asked like Joshua did when he wasn't sure.  When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”  Joshua 5:13-14 (NLT)

Chapter 6:  Job listened to his off but well meaning friend’s monologue without once interrupting him but now that he had the floor he intended to be heard.  This is how I see the conversation through my sanctified imagination:  “Hey man, check this out, you have no idea what it feels like to be crushed to the point of whining like a cat in heat.  It feels like God shot me with poisoned arrows which runs rampant through my entire body.  Even animals moan when they are uncomfortable, why do you think I shouldn't? Do you understand what has happened to me?  I have lost everything, man! Look at me, I am so repulsive that I turn my own stomach!  Do you think I have nerves of steel?  Do you think I can pull myself up by my own sandal straps?  Bruh, I don’t even have any more sandals?  Do you understand that I’m human and that right now I’m hurting emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially! 

I would think that as my friend you would at least have my back like I've had yours countless times, but instead, you stand in judgment of me like everybody else. I hear very well and what I hear right now is what you haven’t asked, instead you’re dodging what you believe is the real issue by disguising it with a bunch of rhetoric.  You pretend to tell me about my life but you dismiss my words like hot air.  Show me where I have gone wrong!  Show me my sin!  Show me man! Can you do that?!!  Look me in my eyes, don’t you think I would confess by now if there was sin in my life?  What would be the point of lying now!!  What sense would that make, I have nothing else to lose.  Life has become laborious with nothing to look forward to.  I've been suffering for months.  I toss and turn all night rarely finding a comfortable position.  My body is covered with maggots and scabs, my skin is hard, scaly and full of pus and there is no end in sight. 

God, please don’t forget about me.  I know I’m nothing more than a puff of air to you.  I’m laying it all out on the table.  I know I’m complaining right now but I would rather do that than to shut down and not talk to you at all.  I hate my life right now, I hate what it represents, who needs this kind of suffering?  There’s nothing to my life anymore.  What is man anyway that you should even trouble yourself with us?  You see us every morning and test us every moment.  Why won’t you leave me alone at least long enough so I can catch my breath?  If I have sinned what have I done?  Why am I your target?  Am I a burden to you?  Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt?”  Job chapter 7 (The Message).

Job goes from reading Eliphaz’ mail to complaining and questioning God.  Some may condemn his method of prayer but I give him props because at least he wasn't so depressed he shut down.  Granted its borderline blasphemous and he is not justified, but he is also not thinking rationally, he is hurting, frustrated and he is being judged by the people visiting him.    

I’m out of time, we’ll have to pick up tomorrow

In His New Excellence,

Tania Not Tanya