The Wisest of the Wise

If your children sinned against him, he delivered them into the power of their transgression.

Job 8. 4

The book of Job exposes the great dangers of well-meaning friends who don't know what to say in the face of tragedy. Eight chapters in to the story of destruction of all that Job owns, loves and is, Bildad the Shuhite suggests above that Job's children are getting their just due. Job's other "friends" have suggested equally foolish reasons for Job's suffering including accusing Job of committing the sins that brought the plight on, and the other saying he deserves it. These voices enrage Job and push him to berate God for God's disproportionate wrath against him. In his outrage, Job demands an answer from God, and he gets it!

The author of the last part of the book depicts God speaking from a whirlwind with divine wisdom and omnipotence, demanding,

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (my favorite line of scripture!!!)

leading Job to confess God's power and Job's own lack of knowledge.

Written around the 6th century BC, this story is for me the wisest of all wisdom literature. It depicts God in God's omnipotence beautifully. It teaches humans not to doubt, distrust, or deny God or God's wisdom, reminding us of how much we do not know or understand of the magnificence of God and God's sovereignty over nature.

Now that is wise!

ps. There is much more to be said about this extraordinary book. Stay tuned!

Job's Tormentors from William Blake's Illustrations for the Book of Job