Job’s plea for forgiveness

The story of Job is an interesting, yet, an unenviable story. He lost all he had had in a single day – his children and his livestock. He was covered in pain and he had to sit in the ashes.

Here, his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu came, not to console him, but to heap guilt upon him. Meanwhile, Job’s wife was also constantly nagging him. Therefore, Job curses the day he was born, refuted the accusations of his friends, and expressed anguish over what became of him. Even then, Job said, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10).

In the end, God spoke, showing his glory and might. Then, Job retracted, and said:

I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eye sees you;
 therefore I despise myself,
    and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

From what Job said here and what the world is currently going through, let us ponder upon the following:

1. Job expressed the glory of God. Yes, God can do all things. He could bring about disasters and terrible things. Looking at this from a different angle, we can understand that, the God who can bring about disasters can protect us from them too. Now, we are reeling under the onslaught of a virus. We do not know when it will dissipate. It is difficult to understand why these things happen. But let us remember that our God is still in control of things. He can protect and save us from it. Let us comfort ourselves knowing that we have a wonderful God.
2. Job also said that no purpose of God can be thwarted. Even if God may bring us to the nook and the cranny, what he does will come to fruition always. He knows the future. No, He holds the future.
3. Job said, “I have uttered what I did not understand.” When Job was in trouble and suffering, he blurted out so many things. Now, he feels sorry for what he had said. But as he saw the power and glory of God, he understood and felt sorry for speaking out things he did not understand. In our sorrows and hardships, what things have we also uttered? Let us be silent. Let us meditate on the power of the LORD and look at the wonders of His works.
4. Job pleaded to God, “Hear, and I will speak.” Before, he was haughty. In Job 31:35, we see Job saying, “Let the Almighty answer me!” Now, as he really understood the LORD, he humbled himself before the LORD and asked the LORD to let him speak.
5.  Job now despised himself as he understood the glory of the LORD. Those who regard themselves great in their own eyes tend to be far away from the LORD. Those who really understand God’s greatness tend to humble  and despise themselves.
6. Job now repents in dust and ashes. Repentance does not involve mere words, it involves real action.
7. Lastly, we see that Job never asked for punishment for his friends wo came to accost him. Spiritual men are not bothered by false accusations. In fact, they are more concerned with their own relationship with God.

Conclusion

Now, we are going through some difficult times. But let us remember that everything happens with the knowledge of God. We are the worshippers and followers and people of that God. Therefore, let us draw nearer to Him as we pass through these difficulties. Let us trust in Him.