Say the word “philosophy” in the presence of most people some and the response will be raised eyebrows, rolled eyes and an upward of the nose. You might hear: “It is not my cup of tea” or “I wouldn’t waste my time with that stuff!” Whether you like philosophy or not, you are a philosopher.
Every time you offer an explanation about life, you are doing philosophy. If you are a parent, reflect for a moment on the answers you give to the “Why?” questions or on your explanations for the nos or the personal rationalizations for those times when you say “Yes” to your child.
When you read the paper or listen to the news, monitor your thoughts. What is the framework that you use to organize your understanding of what you hear and see? You are doing philosophy.
Some of the philosophizing we do may be helpful, some of it may be dangerous to ourselves or to others. Job’s comforters were dangerous. Their easy and simplistic reasons for Job’s troubles pushed Job even deeper into despair. They were confident that they understood what was going on. But in spite of their confidence and religious talk, they were wrong.
The confidence of Job’s comforters contrasts with the confusion Job felt. Job could not make sense of what was happening. All the things he thought he knew, all the things he believed were not fitting together. What had appeared once crystal clear now seemed murky and muddy.
He was sure his friends were wrong but he did not have answers. He could refute their explanations but he could not offer explanation of his own.
Job looked for answers that could help him make sense of what was taking place. His search for an explanation exemplifies the original meaning of philosophy—the love of or search for wisdom.
We become more philosophical when life stops running smoothly. Throw in major losses or experience disruptions and even those who are not so inclined become more reflective. The first question may be, “What is going on here?” If we are Christian in our orientation, we end up having a number of questions for God. “God, I don’t understand this.” “God, you do not seem to be playing according to the rules. Give me an answer for what is going on.” We may even assertively say: “God, defend your actions.”
Job did not lose faith but he had plenty of questions for God. Listen to Job’s faith even as struggles with his situation. "As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, 3 as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, 4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit, (Job 27: 2-4)”
What an interesting combination of thoughts! “God, from my perspective, you are blowing it. You are really sticking it to me. But God, I will stick to you. I will continue to live a life that I know will be pleasing to you. My lips will not speak wickedness.”
What is our tendency when we feel God is letting us down? Give up? Withdraw? Quit? And what is it that we give up? Often it is our faith, reflected in the way we think, talk, and behave. We say, “Okay God, if you are going to let me down I will let you down. I am finished with you – you and I are going to take separate paths.”
It is this tendency within each of us – the tendency to write people off and to write God off – that helps us understand why Job is such a hero. In spite of how he is feeling, in spite of what has taken place in life (he lost everything including family), he will not walk away from God. He is determined to stick with God even if he feels God has stuck it to him.
But faith does not mean Job has no questions. Listen to what he says: "Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say, (Job 23: 2-5).”
Job’s extreme circumstances and questions along side of his friends’ failure to be of any help, leads to chapter 28. Chapter 28 is about wisdom. Job is looking for a wisdom that can encompass all of life. He desires a wisdom that can make sense of life in both the good and the bad.
The first 11 verses of chapter 28 celebrate the ability of humans to discover the earth’s natural resources. No matter where silver or gold or iron or sapphires are hidden, humans will find it and extract it.
The narrator writes: “That path (the way to the earth’s resources) no bird of prey knows, and the falcon’s eye has not seen it. The proud wild animals have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. "They put their hand to the flinty rock, and overturn mountains by the roots. They cut out channels in the rocks, and their eyes see every precious thing. The sources of the rivers they probe; hidden things they bring to light.”
In spite of human success at extracting hidden riches, the question is asked in verse 12: “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?” Centuries later when the exploits of humanity have increased even more, we still are asking the question. “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?”
The question of “where” leads to the question of value. Verses 17- 19 read: “Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. … it cannot be bought with pure gold.”
Humans cannot find wisdom nor is there sufficient wealth to purchase wisdom even if it could be found. So, according to Job, how does one discover wisdom? The answer is God. Verse 23 & 24 reads, “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”
Chapter 28 concludes with a definition of wisdom from God. “And he said to humankind, ‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding,’(Job 28: 28 NRSV)."
Job makes one more speech. Once again he expresses what he considers the unfairness of what has happened to him in light of his conduct and the despair that has resulted. (In chapter 31, Job examines his conduct. If you want to develop a personal code of conduct, allow Job’s outline be your guide.)
A young buck named Elihu then responds to the situation. He is younger than Job’s other friends. Elihu kept silent until this point in the story. He is enthused and is sure that he has the definitive answer. Everyone else has failed to fully understand, but he has seen what everyone else has missed. He, like the others, says some good things. But he also repeats the idea that Job was suffering because he had sinned. God’s goal is to discipline Job so that Job will repent and God can restore him. It is good theology but, unfortunately, it did not fit Job’s circumstances. Eight chapters later Elihu runs out of steam. He is silent. It is then that God speaks.
What Job wanted and was waiting for happened. God ended his silence. There is only one problem. God does not come to answer questions. He comes to ask questions. He begins by challenging Job. “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
Job knows God is addressing him. He quickly speaks up. “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.”
God is not yet finished with Job. “Job, you questioned me. You were sure you had a case against me. Well answer me this….” God proceeds to throw question after question at Job. The intention is clear. God wants to help Job see that there is a huge difference between God’s knowledge, understanding, and power and Job’s understanding and power. The two cannot be compared. God is God. Job is God’s creation. Creator and creation do not exist on the same level.
Think of the difference that exists between you and an ant. After you shrink the ant – and increase your own size by ten— we still do not even come close to understanding the greatness of God and our own puniness.
God has his desired effect on Job. Job says, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…. Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” And in Job 42: 5 & 6, “My ears had heard of you” but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
For years I found the ending of Job unsatisfactory. Deep within I thought that God abused his power and acted like a bully toward Job. Instead of attacking Job like a powerful kick boxer, why didn’t God explain his actions to Job? From my perspective, God’s response was unfair.
As I read through Job this time, I finally started to get it. The book of Job is not only about God’s justice but also about wisdom. Chapter 28 concludes with a definition of wisdom. “And he said to man, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
Job showed he would serve God for nothing. Even if he lost everything, he would continue to worship God his creator. In the last chapters, Job’s encounter with God so filled him with awe and respect that he exemplifies true wisdom. Job’s trust in God – his acceptance of God as God—
was so great, he was able to say without reservation, “I have no more questions. You are God – I am merely a human. I will respect you and live in submission to you no matter what happens. God I will trust you, I will respect you. I will accept whatever comes my way.”
Reread Job’s words: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
As I reflected on those worlds, a light came on. Job is the one who experienced all the trouble. He lost his wealth and all his children. He had wanted answers but after he heard from God, he was satisfied. He reflected true wisdom – the wisdom that fears God and shuns evil.
I, on the other hand, am only reading the story. Job’s losses are not my losses. I have answers that Job does not have, yet he is satisfied and I am not. Something is wrong. How is it that Job’s experience of God leaves him satisfied and I am still struggling? The author’s answer is clear. Job’s deep experience of God brought resolution. When you and I encounter God at a level which goes on beyond just hearing, the focus moves from our problems to the adoration of God. With that shift, worship replaces complaining. The desire for God becomes greater than my desire for answers about my circumstances.
I will be the first to confess that I am not there yet. When things go wrong I have lots of questions. I am ready to argue with God. But when things went wrong for Job, he was not there yet either. He exemplified wisdom only after many questions but also by holding on to God and his own integrity. Discouraged? Yes, even to the point of despair and no longer wanting to live! Questions? Yes! But Job never gave up. He never stopped sticking to God. Job exemplified wisdom!
How about you? What is going on in your life? Do you have questions? Are you frustrated with life’s circumstances? Hold on and allow God to bring you to an even greater place of commitment and love for him. Biblical wisdom is not having answers. Biblical wisdom is a respect and love for God so deep, one is able to trust him without answers.
It is also helpful to remember that the God who seemed so distant to Job made himself available to us through his Son, Jesus. Jesus came to bridge the gap between us, who have failed and sinned, and a holy God who cannot stand sin. Not only did God make himself accessible to us through his Son but he also sent his Holy Spirit to live within us. He adopts us into his family. He invites us to call him Father. Let us stick to God, our Father, who is worthy of all our praise. May he help us to see him for who he is.