I’ve been preaching through the Old Testament book of Job for the past couple of months (not done yet!). It’s not quite like any other book in the Bible and I believe it’s been neglected a bit in our churches.
When was the last time you heard a sermon – or a series – from the book of Job? Sunday School?
I’m planning to do several posts exploring some of the themes and challenges from the book of Job over the next few weeks.
One application that I’ve been encouraging for our congregation is to think through what you believe (your theology). Most people don’t adequately think through the implications of their beliefs. This applies to many of us, whether we’d claim to believe in God or not.
You Get What You Deserve!
One belief that shows up often in many forms is the idea that you get what you deserve.
“What goes around, comes around”
“You reap what you sow”
t’s quite true that our words, actions and habits do have consequences – good and bad. This idea is supported through the Bible; you can see it clearly in the proverbs as well as scattered other passages throughout the Bible. It’s also just common sense and you don’t need much faith to see that it is true.
The problem comes when this idea is taken to a theological level. We can see it represented in Eastern thought in the form of Karma, a word that this used often.
In the context of the book of Job, the idea that was commonly held by both Job and his ‘friends’ was that if bad things are happening to you, you must have sinned someone to cause them. Some call this idea the Retribution Principle.
You get what you deserve.
In the midst of Job’s great suffering (lost his wealth, much of his family, and his health), his friends are often encouraging him to repent of his sin (assuming that he has sinned to deserve this.
“if you put away that sin that’s in your hand…then…” (11:13)
One of the boldest claims comes from one of the ‘friends’ named Bildad. If you aren’t familiar with the story, Job’s (grown) children are tragically killed.
Bildad says, “When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” (Job 8:4)
Ouch. Bildad assumes that because they tragically lost their lives, they must have sinned BIG.
Another friend, Eliphaz, asks, “Who, being innocent, has ever perished?” (4:7)
So…
Tragic car accident? Well, he must have really sinned.
Cancer? Yup, time to repent. You must have messed up.
Wow. It’s pretty scary that some people would think this way – even today.
The irony in the book of Job is that we – the readers – know something that neither Job nor any of his friends know.
We know how God feels about Job.
“Then the Lord said to the satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (1:8)
In the story, God is giving Job his highest regard. He’s the man!
That’s why so much of the theological assumption throughout the book is ironic.
Everybody thinks they have their theology nailed down.
And we know that they’re wrong.
Is it time for us to think more deeply through some of our beliefs?
Going Deeper 
It’s good to hear from you again. Great post. I particularly like the observations: “In the story, God is giving Job his highest regard. He’s the man! That’s why so much of the theological assumption throughout the book is ironic.”