SCRIPTURE: JOB 3
JOB SPEAKS (vs. 1-26)
Job started to speak and curse about his conception and his birth. He asked the question “WHY” 5 times:
- Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? (v. 11)
- Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? (v. 12)
- Why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day? (v. 16)
- Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul? (v. 20)
- Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? (v. 23)
THOUGHTS:
Job wished he had never been born. He wished he would have been better off to have died at birth than to live and endure such grief. Job was perplexed. He did not know the purpose of God in this suffering.; He could not understand God’s justice because “How could a holy God permit such awful calamity?” Often times, we want also to question “Why?”. But God’s people live on promises not on explanations. So, when you became perplexed over the trials of life, remember that God is still in control.
GODLY MEN IN THE BIBLE WHO ALSO WISHED TO DIE:
- Moses asked God to take his life (Num. 11:10-15)
- Elijah prayed to die after his escape from Jezebel (1 Kings 19)
- Jonah also wanted to die (Jonah 4:3)
Job was experiencing extreme physical pain and grief over the loss of his family and possessions. That was why he wished he were dead. Job had only 2 choices: (1) Curse God and give up or (2) Trust God and draw strength from him to continue. When you face suffering, remember that God’s love cannot be measured or limited by how great or how little we may suffer. For nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Rom. 8:38-39)