Job 3 Job’s First Speech
“At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. He said: “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived. Let that day be turned to darkness. Let it be lost even to God on high, and let no light shine on it. Let the darkness and utter gloom claim that day for its own. Let a black cloud overshadow it, and let the darkness terrify it. Let that night be blotted off the calendar, never again to be counted among the days of the year, never again to appear among the months.
Let that night be childless. Let it have no joy. Let those who are experts at cursing—whose cursing could rouse Leviathan—curse that day. Let its morning stars remain dark. Let it hope for light, but in vain; may it never see the morning light. Curse that day for failing to shut my mother’s womb, for letting me be born to see all this trouble. “Why wasn’t I born dead? Why didn’t I die as I came from the womb? Why was I laid on my mother’s lap? Why did she nurse me at her breasts?
Had I died at birth, I would now be at peace. I would be asleep and at rest. I would rest with the world’s kings and prime ministers, whose great buildings now lie in ruins. I would rest with princes, rich in gold, whose palaces were filled with silver. Why wasn’t I buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light? For in death the wicked cause no trouble, and the weary are at rest. Even captives are at ease in death, with no guards to curse them. Rich and poor are both there, and the slave is free from his master.
“Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter? They long for death, and it won’t come. They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure. They’re filled with joy when they finally die, and rejoice when they find the grave.
Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties? I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water. What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.”
Nobody can blame Job for wishing for relief from this suffering; the poor guy is miserable. Now Job is wishing that he had never been born or that he would have died at birth. Again, Job’s losses are so staggering that his grief is understandable. But what is most interesting is Job’s final statement. “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.” All this time, even though Job has been enjoying a wealthy lifestyle, he has been living in fear, but fear of what? Evidently, Job has feared losing everything, including his family, his wealth, and his standing in the community. Yes, Job is a man of faith; however, he has also been making those sacrifices in hopes of protecting his children and his way of life.
Notice something: Even though Job wishes he had never been born, he is not threatening to kill himself. Job is committed to continuing to live, even though he is miserable. Job is a man in search of the God who has been leading him and keeping him all his life. Even though Job is in despair, he isn’t giving up.
We have friends who for the last eight months have endured sufferings rivaling those of Job. When Pastor Rus led a small group on a short-term mission to Guatemala, he expected to be there a few weeks at the most and then to return to the small town where he pastors a church. But while in a remote mountain village, Rus suddenly developed severe pancreatitis and had to be carried down the mountain and then sent to a big city hospital where he remained for several weeks. Thousands of people were praying for our friend, for there were times when his life was at risk due to repeated infections. Eventually, Rus was transferred to an excellent hospital in his home area; however, he continued to suffer repeated infections and all kinds of other problems for several more months. There were undoubtedly times when Rus might have wished that the misery and pain would simply stop. Rus’s wife was forced to become his advocate, arguing with health care workers and reporting problems as they became evident.
Blessedly, Pastor Rus’s story has a very glorious ending, for Rus has made a miraculous recovery. Not only has Rus returned home but he is also gradually returning to ministry a little at a time. Both Rus and his wife give all glory to God for answering the prayers of those who continued to storm heaven, refusing to give up.
Throughout the world there are millions of people suffering from chronic diseases that make them miserable. How can we help such people? First, Pray! Pray! Pray! God can give relief or the courage to continue to move forward. Second, ask God to show small things you can do to help-doing shopping, doing laundry, running kids to activities, cleaning house, driving the sufferer to medical appointments-the list of possibilities is virtually endless. And don’t overlook the value of simple text messages or short encouraging phone calls.
May God help us to be sensitive to the needs of others and to help and not hinder.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, inspire us so that we will find new ways to help those around us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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