JOB Blindsided
BLINDSIDED. In American football, this term is used most often for when the quarterback gets hit from behind while looking downfield as he’s trying to throw a pass—he never saw it coming. Often the team loses the ball, and sometimes the quarterback gets seriously injured. Being blindsided accurately describes the unexpected grief we experience in life. The awfulness of having one’s job taken without notice or reason, suffering the death of a loved one, or being given the diagnosis of cancer are only a few of the many ways we can get blindsided. In moments like these, we are apt to question the rules and The Referee of life.
Job probably wished for a referee to rule on the hit he took, but he didn’t find one (9:33). His wealth taken and children killed, Job had done nothing to deserve what he received. The first verse of the book of Job declares that Job was a good man who lived a good life. In fact, the first two chapters explain that the why? question could be answered only in heaven. Job often called out to God only to hear the echo of his own voice. His cry in chapter 3 was the cry of every human being: What did I do to deserve this?
Undeserved suffering is a principal reason why many reject belief in God
Undeserved suffering is a principal reason why many reject belief in God. However, if Job is the oldest book in the Bible (as many scholars contend), God addressed the problem early and head-on. Of course, the fact that God dealt with the issue up front is no solace to those experiencing suffering. Here, at the onset of grief, Job knew his theology well. But he still felt the hurt, suffering, groaning, wailing, moaning, and screams of overwhelming sorrow.
At our greatest point of need, can we agree with Job that God gives and takes away? Sure. We may even be able to describe in detail our doctrine of sovereignty. But can we also have a view of God that reveals our humility as well as our humanity? We can certainly cry out to God in our suffering, but we must also acknowledge that he does not answer to us.