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I belong to a Christian women’s leadership group that meets each Wednesday. This group is intentionally designed to not be a typical women’s Bible study, but rather a group that challenges us and develops us further as missional leaders in our community.
Each week, Cindy Patterson, the executive pastor of the group, always has a question for us to answer that not only helps others in the group get to know you better and understand where you’re at in your spiritual walk—but it also forces you to articulate what you believe.
In the early weeks of the group, the questions were easier. For example, one question was: “What is your favorite book in the Bible and why?” When it was my turn to respond, I blurted out “Job!” One of the ladies in the group and one of my most favorite people on the planet, Kathy Johns, just about gasped in disbelief. “Job? Are you serious? WHY?!” Everyone laughed, but Kathy—not so much. She was seriously curious about my odd selection. So Kathy, this post’s for you!
Listed in no particular order and assuming you’ve read the book, here are some—perhaps atypical—reasons Job is at the top of my list:
We’re let in on a conversation between God and Satan. We have the luxury of knowing what was going on behind the scenes in Job’s life. Job didn’t have this information nor did anyone else on the planet. If this conversation had been left out, would our response to the book and what was going on be different?
God did not hesitate to offer up Job for the challenge. God was not confused about Job’s heart. God knew Job’s heart better than Job. The same holds true for me: God is not confused about my heart and he knows it better than I do. Would God have hesitated to offer me up for the challenge? I think he would have. I would have.
I have (had) well-intentioned, Christian friends like Job’s friends. It hurts to be on the receiving end of so-called wisdom when you know the truth.
I have responded like Job’s friends. And as a result, I have hurt others with my misguided and ignorant understanding of God and his ways. Good intentions are no substitute or excuse for the truth.
The young guy reminds me of today’s Millenials. In our postmodern culture, the younger generation does not hesitate to share “their truth” with their elders. It’s curious that Job, Job’s friends, and even God fail to respond to this young man’s comments.
I love a good court case. Whereas Job painfully spells out why he feels he has the right to face God in the courtroom, Job is instantly speechless when God arrives on the scene and responds to Job. God’s response is awesome…”Job, do you REALLY want to take me on? ‘Cuz, dude, I’m not sure you’ve got a case.”
Job holds steadfast to the truth he knows. Job was pretty much alone through this entire challenge. He didn’t have the support of his wife, friends or community, yet he never swayed from his belief that he was not guilty of any wrongdoing. He knew he was good with God. And God confirmed that.
Job is vindicated by God. God announces that Job is the most righteous man on the planet. He chastises Job’s friends and makes them pay. And Job is blessed with far more than what he had before. The story cleans up nicely and Job lives happily ever after…and as a product of the American culture, this suits me just fine.
In summary, the lessons in Job are very relevant in my life and apply to today’s culture. BTW, Kathy, my most favorite passage in the Bible is the Sermon on the Mount. Is that easier to swallow? 
Day 27 of my 28-Day Blogging Challenge completed. Over and out.
