Surrendering Understanding

Job 19:16-27

Rev. Chris Harbin, Rocks Baptist Church—Pamplin, VA

08 February 2004

In times of grief, we are wont to search for reasons and purpose behind unwelcome circumstances. We seem to think that an understanding of adverse events will lessen our pain, or allow us to pretend that we do not suffer after all. Many would quote us explanations for why things happen. It may be tempting to heed false explanations for events beyond our comprehension.

Job was in a quandary. Life had taken a turn for the worse, and he could find no explanation for the suffering that engulfed him. The wisdom of the day indicated that only the wicked suffered and the good received blessing in accordance with their deeds. That explanation did not make any sense to Job. He knew he had done nothing to deserve the suffering and loss of family, wealth, status, friends, and health. All was gone, and there was no answer to his quest for a reason.

Job had been a prominent figure, both in wealth and in righteous action. He is described as making sacrifices to God for sins that had not even been committed, just to be sure that he was in proper relationship to God, and his children as well. We are privy to the knowledge that God indeed accepted Job as innocent and blameless. Even so, calamity set upon Job with no reason that he can see.

In the midst of this crisis of belief and understanding the vagaries of life, Job cries out his hope in God, a hope that lacks the confirmation of understanding. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He at last will stand upon the earth.” His hope is somewhat tenuous, though he maintains the assurance of God’s justice and mercy.

Job lost everything and surrendered it all into God’s hands. There was yet one thing he had not surrendered. He was holding out for an answer—a reason for why all this had come upon him. He wanted to know why. His friends all thought they knew the answer. They were positive that God only dealt with people on the basis of their deeds. Therefore, this was God’s punishment due to Job’s hidden sin.

God said, “No. Who is this who darkens counsel with foolish words?” God began to ask Job a series of questions to which Job had no answer. He then reminded Job that some things are beyond the understanding of finite humanity. We are charged with obedience and trusting God to be God. God called on Job to surrender the last thing he held dear—his understanding of how life worked. Only then had he surrendered all to God. It was in that surrender that his hope was reborn and came to bear once more. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He at last will stand upon the earth.” Florence made the same declaration as Job—not of understanding all, but of entrusting God with all. She trusted God with those things that are beyond our comprehension.

—©2004 Christopher B. Harbin

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