“I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said and I sit in dust ashes to show my repentance.”
Job 42:5-6
JOB’s faith is the most admired by many, his stint in the furnace of life’s severe test made an icon of this man. Though Job’s faith is admirable, his struggle, his complaints, his pain, and his devasted faith must not be deleted in the review of the life of Job. Chapter 42 concludes the narrative of Job’s life, it ended with God giving Job in double portion the blessings that were taken away from him. His health, his wealth and his reputation and a chance to live a well-lived life. The exact description of it is recorded in Job 42:17, “Then he died an old man who had lived a long, full life”.
In between the happy ending of Job’s life chapter 42 connects the scattered fragments of the narrative by revealing how Job’s faith underwent an overhaul, how it was shattered and now redefined and fully awakened. Through this redefining process of Job’s faith, he ended well, handled all the blessings in grace. Enjoying these blessings and yet not losing focus on God, this is a story of God’s gracious gift of redefining faith.
Forged by fire is the closest description to the redefining of Job’s faith. His story started with the assumption that all is well, not until the storm hits hard. Throughout the ordeal, Job saw his pain, endured the misjudgments of his closest friends, cursed by his wife and many more. Bitterness overwhelmed his heart and it flows from his mouth. Faith now is successfully being wrecked by realities to heave for any soul to carry.
Job spewed all his venoms to God Himself momentarily forgetting that he is talking to the Almighty. Aside from his boils and the infected wounds of his skin, Job shows the anger and the litany of regrets that has burdened his heart. The process of redefining faith is unpleasant to see, a merciless purging of the heart is needed before it can function again.
The redefining of faith took its peak when Job finally met God, he thought he knew and the God he thought he can handle! When God answered all of Job’s inquiry the redefining of Job’s faith now shows its blessed features. Confronted with the Presence of God, Job finally came to his senses, Job repents! In humility and brokenness, he would like to take back all the words he said. He requires no explanation any more from God, sets no conditions for God. It is noteworthy that all the blessings Job received from God is not Job’s request, it was God’s choice!
Faith here shines brightly without the fuel of the material benefits, the glow of Job’s faith is firmly focused on God and not what God can do! He opted for silence and sincere repentance, no longer defiant or defensive, Job bows down! After seeing what COVID 19 can do to an unsuspecting world, daily hearing tons and tons of horrible news, what can be a possible option? The only option left is to bow down before God!