Hello, meet Old Testament Poetry and a Very Upset Job

Job 2:11-3:26 

Congratulations, we've made it through the most depressing parts of Job, chapters 1 and 2. The stage has been set, the characters introduced, the conflict laid out. Now we're leaving the narrative part of the story and getting into the poetic part, which mostly consists of Job's dialogue with his "friends" and in some ways his monologue against God. Job's going to lament about his struggles and question why God allowed all of these things to happen to him. His friends are going to tell him that he's gotten what he deserved because good people don't suffer, just evil sinners. Therefore, (they think), Job is a sinner who needs to repent so God can bless him again. Have you ever heard such thinking before, i.e. Bad things happen to bad people, what goes around comes around, etc? Well you're about to hear it here.

Random question: In what movie was Job 3:14 verse quoted? I'll give you the answer later in the blog. If you win you get a fortune cookie.

The good news is that we're going to jump through large portions of the text now that the scene has been set and the language has switched to a more poetic form. But before we begin, here are some pointers about reading through Biblical poetry:
1. You'll notice it doesn't necessarily rhyme. That's okay, Hebrew poetry is different than English poetry.
2. In Old Testament poetry, (see also the Psalms), the writer will say one line and the next line will either support, confirm, or contrast the previous thought. For example:

Dr. Seuss = genius.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," (Psalm 119:105). The first line is supported or further explained by the second. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me," (Psalm 23:4). Same thing, the first line/idea is supported or expounded by the second.

The poetic lines don't always support one another. Sometimes the second line is a contrast with the first or vice versa. This is an oversimplification of Hebrew poetry, but I just wanted you to get a general idea of how it's different than English or American poetry. Unfortunately, Hebrew poetry does not compare with the greatest of all poets, Dr. Seuss. Then again, it's hard to compete with such literary classics as Green Eggs and Ham.

So what happens in the text? In verses 2:11-13 Job's friends show up. They sit there with Job in silence, which was the smartest thing they did throughout the whole book. Then they open their mouths and it all goes wrong. We'll get to that later. In chapter 3:1, Job begins his opening monologue, which is how the rest of the book is going to go from here. Job will monologue, then one of his friends will monologue. Everybody waits their turn to speak and no one interrupts. It's much nicer than say, watching Face the Nation. I would encourage you as we go through this to actually read the chapters as I talk about it. That way you can actually see for yourself what I'm describing. That being said, I can't make you. Or can I?

This represents the Three Stooges AND political talk shows, ho!

Let's look at what Job says, (although verse 1 pretty much sums it up). "After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth."

Verses 2-10 - Job wishes he had never been born. He wished he had been a stillborn child. It's hard to blame the guy for feeling this way. He lost his children, his possessions, and his health all in rather violent means. He is left with nothing; not even his wife is supportive of him. He has retained his faith and reverence of God, but that's all he has left. At this point he would rather he had not been born at all. He is basically cursing himself in rather dramatic fashion.

Verses 11-19 - Job prefers death because in death there is rest. Why does Job wish he had died at birth? Because he would be at rest. In the grave the young and old, rich and poor, the righteous and unrighteous all find rest from the weariness of life. They escape the trouble and sorrow that comes with living in this world. Job would prefer to escape the pain and suffering he has experienced. He would rather die and find rest than continue on through his pain and loss.

Verses 20-26 - Job questions God's plan. Here begins Job's questions towards and about the workings of the Almighty. "Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?" Why does God allow men to suffer? Why does God allow men to live in such a miserable condition? Why do men live in such a brutal world where men get sick and suffer with cancer? Why are men's lives prolonged who have to endure wicked and corrupt rulers? Why do children have to suffer and live with abusive parents who make their lives miserable? Why doesn't God just let them die and escape such horrible circumstances? What is God doing? Why does he act this way?
Verse 23 reflects Job's feelings towards the Almighty. He is not cursing God, as Satan desired, but he does feel that God has hidden his way from him and hedged him in. He feels God has blocked him off, that God has concealed the way and himself from Job. Ouch.

"For my sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. For the thing that I fear comes upon me and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes," (24-26).
Instead of food and water Job is fed and nourished with pain and loss. What a dramatic statement! He has no rest, no relief from his torment. Thus in dramatic fashion, we end Job's first soliloquy. Much of what was said was repeated or described in excruciating terms. Through this third chapter we see the pain, agony, and loss Job feels. We also see the initial bit of Job's questions towards God.

By the way Job 3:14 is used the movie Mission Impossible, (the first one). I highly recommend it.

So what does this all mean for you and me?
- Hold your horses/Relate to Job. Remember, Job is like a long story. The resolution comes at the end. There are going to be some sad times in the rest of the book. Hang in there. Although it's sad and depressing we get to see a man verbalize the struggles of living with God. Job is going to ask the questions we've all asked God at one time or another. He is going to express what we've all expressed. We can all related to Job, (maybe not with the part about oozing sores), in his struggle with pain, inequity, and God.

- God included this book in the Bible for a reason. Is it because God's a jerk? Does God just want to show he's some sort of Godfather like figure who holds us like puppets on a string? No and no. But life is difficult. Life with God is sometimes hard. Sometimes things happen we don't understand. Sometimes righteous people suffer and evil people win the lottery, get the girl, and don't get busted for using 11 items in the 10 items or less line, (don't get me started). People are going to have to live in a world where good guys don't always win and sometimes good guys get screwed, sick, or mistreated. Job was included to show man how to deal with the deep questions of life. God is acting in kindness and compassion to include this difficult subject and story in the Bible.
- Men are not alone in the struggle and pain. Other righteous men and women have suffered while living in a broken world. We are not alone.

I feel like I should apologize for such a downer of a chapter, but it's the Bible and it is what it is. Again, hold on. It'll get better, eventually.

Alright, good stuff. Next time we get to hear the Stooges, (Job's friends), speak. Wisdom will abound to all...or not.

Courtesy Job's friends.