Job’s Painful Need

Synopsis     Job 12:18-14:3     6/2/2021 

In responding to Zophar, Job claimed that there is no necessary connection between virtuous behavior and outcomes. In other words, even though he had not sinned, he still suffered. Neither his sin nor his lack of sin caused his suffering. Instead, the cause was God and it was not a matter of justice.  

At this point, Job pointedly criticized his friends. All three had argued that God only rewards virtue. Furthermore, they claimed that God never allows righteous people to experience suffering.  

Job’s friends failed to convince him. So much so, that he questioned their motives. Specifically, he asked them why they glossed over the fact that evil people very often have comfortable lives. Accordingly, he questioned whether they thought they were doing God a favor by defending his justness.  

And then, Job addressed God with his lament. He asked God the reason that he felt cut off and abandoned.  

Job’s Pain 

Job was a man in pain. As such, he was looking for real answers that could help him cope.  

My Pain 

People say, “Necessity is the mother of invention”. When nothing is on the line, then we are all free to speculate. And one answer is, more or less, as good as another.  

However, when my need is so acute and so painful that I can’t cope, speculation is meaningless. At this point of need, I look for something proven to fix my problem.  

Interestingly, just today the Holy Father encouraged Catholics to recite the “Jesus Prayer” throughout the day as a means of devotion.  

So, here goes: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” 

“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” Acts 4:12