As I mentioned a week or so ago, every time I revisit the book of Job, something new jumps out at me. Sometimes the "new" thing that jumps out at me is a section of Scripture with which I am already familiar, and this is one of those times.
I finally wrapped up this book, in which the majority of it focuses on Job and his three "friends" (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) arguing with each other. Moreso than almost the entire rest of the Bible, this book also shows a glimpse of God's wrath -- focused at Job -- and for some people, that alone has been enough to turn people off from Christianity completely.
This time around, though, I believe what the Bible reveals about the Lord's anger at Job is that it is relational and reveals God's passion and desire for Job. This is not hatred, but rather calling out Job for how, even with the extremely challenging circumstances (losing all his possessions and sources of income, losing his children, losing his health up until the point of death, and lastly, contending with three evil "friends"), he could let his faith in his Lord and Savior waver:
Book of Job 40:7-14
““Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you.”
Job 40:7-14 NKJV
After all, Job was a righteous man, which God Himself had declared:
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
What is important to note in God's rebuttal to Job is that not once did He ever say that He was giving up on Job and casting him into hell. Not once. This is what I believe people miss about God (myself included on past occasions) -- that just because He gets angry when anger is warranted, that it automatically means He hates us. This is absolutely not true. He is passionate, and He is relational, and righteous anger will sometimes be part of that.
He hates sin:
These six things the Lord hates,Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:A proud look,A lying tongue,Hands that shed innocent blood,A heart that devises wicked plans,Feet that are swift in running to evil,A false witness who speaks lies,And one who sows discord among brethren.
But He loves us:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
And He is merciful:
Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,For they are from of old.Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;According to Your mercy remember me,For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.
For me personally, that's what I need to remember perhaps more than any other thing. He is merciful. But, He is also a big God:
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?”
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
As such, our proper posture and heart-attitude needs to be one of awe and wonder because of how big and powerful He is:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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