I just finished Job and if I am totally honest it left me with a headache! I now fully understand why people say it is a difficult book to read. I read it from my Apologetics Study Bible. I can't image reading it from a KJV. More power to those who were able to. That being said, my twisted little brain has somehow worked out an odd connection between the book of Job and my recent pursuit of the truth on pre-destination. Stay with me. This could get bumpy.
Throughout Job, you will find statements of Job testifying his goodness and righteousness. He displays lack of understanding and pleads to argue his case before the Lord.
Throughout Job, you will find statements of Job testifying his goodness and righteousness. He displays lack of understanding and pleads to argue his case before the Lord.
"Teach me and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong." Job 6:24
"I will say to God: Do not declare me guilty! Let me know why You prosecute me. Is it good for You to oppress, to reject the work of Your hands, and favor the plans of the wicked?" Job 10:2-3
"Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God." Job 13:3
"If only I knew how to find Him so that I could go to His throne. I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments" Job 23:3
"I will say to God: Do not declare me guilty! Let me know why You prosecute me. Is it good for You to oppress, to reject the work of Your hands, and favor the plans of the wicked?" Job 10:2-3
"Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God." Job 13:3
"If only I knew how to find Him so that I could go to His throne. I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments" Job 23:3
This theme continues through out the book of Job. Job pleading his case. Telling of his righteousness. Expressing the unfairness or lack of justice that the wicked go on living and prospering while he suffers. This, for me, became my struggle with pre-destination. How could a just Lord predestinate some to heaven and some to hell? How could a loving and merciful God do that? My small heart couldn't understand. Much like Jobs heart couldn't understand why a just God would allow a "good" man to suffer.
But hear God's words.
But hear God's words.
"Who is this who obscures [My] counsel with ignorant words?" Job 38:2
"Where were you when I established the earth? Tell [Me], if you have understanding?" Job 38:4
"Where is the road to the home of light? [Do you know] where darkness lives, so you can lead it back to its border? Are you familiar with the paths to its home? Job 38:19-20.
"Who put wisdom in the heart or gave the mind understanding? Job 38:36
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct [Him]? Let him who argues with God give an answer." Job 40:2
"Where were you when I established the earth? Tell [Me], if you have understanding?" Job 38:4
"Where is the road to the home of light? [Do you know] where darkness lives, so you can lead it back to its border? Are you familiar with the paths to its home? Job 38:19-20.
"Who put wisdom in the heart or gave the mind understanding? Job 38:36
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct [Him]? Let him who argues with God give an answer." Job 40:2
And directly after Job 40, that's where Job (and myself) finally get it. It clicks. Job speaks, "I am so insignificant. How can I answer You?" Job 40:4. My trouble with understanding predestination was rooted in the fact that I thought to highly of myself. Of humanity. I knew I needed saving when I called on the Lord but in the depths of my heart I didn't grasp how undeserving I was of that saving. I have a compassionate heart that longs to see the "good" in people. But scripture tells us there is no good in us. "As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God." Romans 3:10-11. To understand predestination I am fully convinced that one must first come to the understanding that we are all wicked and selfish. Even the "good" people. No one deserves heaven. No one deserves salvation. This must be the foundation you begin your search on. It took many years, lots of reading, and painful wrestling of the heart for me to come to this foundational truth. And in many ways I still wrestle with it. The flesh seeks after what it wants, which is the opposite of truth.
If any of that made sense to you, in the way that it did me; then you are a lucky person to understand my mind. Hopefully it was as enlightening to you as it was to my heart.
Peace, Love, and Coping!
If any of that made sense to you, in the way that it did me; then you are a lucky person to understand my mind. Hopefully it was as enlightening to you as it was to my heart.
Peace, Love, and Coping!