Greetings everybody. I hope that by the end of this bulletin, you will have more questions about Job—specifically chapters 10 through 12—than you have answers, because that’s a good thing. Wrestling with God and having doubts is part of the faith journey; it’s not a bad thing.
Job is one of the earliest books ever written, predating Genesis by hundreds of years. It is a masterpiece poem in over 40 acts, tracking an intense level of affliction. Job lost his livestock, his servants were killed by fire from the sky and the Chaldeans, a mighty wind collapsed his house killing all 10 of his children, and severe, ugly, painful boils covered him from head to foot. He was left with deep psychological grief, scorn from his wife who urged him to curse God and die, insomnia, and terrifying dreams. He even experienced extreme weight loss, peeling skin, and terrible halitosis. It reminds me of my bearded dragon, HoneyLulu, who has had nonstop shedding since getting decent husbandry for the first time, peeling away layers of old, unshed skin.
### **The Arc of the Vent**
In chapter 10, Job declares he is about to vent. He asks pointed, accusatory questions: *”Do you have eyes? Does oppression please you? Will the hands that created me now destroy me?”* Yet, much like David’s writing in the Psalms, there is an arc. Job pauses to acknowledge that God gave him life and watched over him with fortuitous providence for years. But the anger still stirs. He laments ever being born and begs for just one moment of joy before he sinks into outer darkness—a place where even the light is like darkness. Lines like that are what make Job a brilliant poem, even while written in prose.
In chapter 11, his “miserable comforters” stop sitting in silence and begin to lay into him. His friend mocks him, claiming Job is hiding secret sins and foolishly trying to fathom the vast mysteries of God. He tells Job that if he just confesses, his darkness will be forgotten like the noon morning forgets the early dawn.
### **Worthless Physicians and the Ultimate Counsel**
Job takes the stand again in chapter 12. He mocks his judgmental friends for putting themselves above him. Job reminds them that even the animals know God is the sole owner of wisdom, power, counsel, and understanding. Hundreds of years later, Jesus would come to be called the Great Counselor. By chapter 13, Job fires a direct shot, calling his legalistic friends “worthless physicians.” He maintains his unwavering hope in God while begging for relief.
Remember, God does not speak out of the whirlwind until chapter 38. Many people read Job and miss the essential points entirely—I know I did for years. This book isn’t just a simple story about bad things happening to good people. It’s a poetic reprogramming of our brains away from worldly logic and into a godly way of thinking. Love you guys.
**PRAYER FOR WHOMSOEVERS**
Lord, we thank You that You welcome us to wrestle with You in our moments of deepest doubt and grief and allow even doubt to be part of the mechanisms of our faith. When the darkness feels heavy and our physical or psychological peace is stripped away, be our anchor. Keep us from becoming judgemental (for who are we to judge – judgement with wrath and vengeance are reserved for and by You), legalistic, “worthless physicians” to those who are suffering around us. Remind us that Your vast mysteries are beyond our human logic, and give us the grace to hold onto unwavering hope until You speak out of the whirlwind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
—
### 7 Short Corroborating Scripture Quotes
* **Job 10:1**
*”My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.”*
* **Job 11:7**
*”Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?”*
* **Job 12:10**
*”In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”*
* **Job 13:4**
*”But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.”*
* **Isaiah 9:6**
*”And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God…”*
* **John 1:5**
*”And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”*
* **Genesis 32:28**
*”And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”*
