Read
Job's First Speech
Blot Out the Day of My Birth
1 Finally, Job cursed the day
of his birth
2by saying to God:
3Blot out the day of my birth
and the night when my parents
created a son.
4Forget about that day,
cover it with darkness,
5and send thick, gloomy shadows
to fill it with dread.
6Erase that night from the calendar
and conceal it with darkness.
7Don't let children be created
or joyful shouts be heard
ever again in that night.
8Let those with magic powers
place a curse on that day.
9Darken its morning stars
and remove all hope of light,
10because it let me be born
into a world of trouble.
Why Didn't I Die at Birth?
11Why didn't I die at birth?
12Why was I accepted
and allowed to nurse
at my mother's breast?
13Now I would be at peace
in the silent world below
14with kings and their advisors
whose palaces lie in ruins,
15and with rulers once rich
with silver and gold.
16I wish I had been born dead
and then buried, never to see
the light of day.
17In the world of the dead,
the wicked and the weary rest
without a worry.
* 18Everyone is there—
19where captives and slaves
are free at last.
Why Does God Let Me Live?
20Why does God let me live
when life is miserable
and so bitter?
21 I keep longing for death
more than I would seek
a valuable treasure.
22Nothing could make me happier
than to be in the grave.
23Why do I go on living
when God has me surrounded,
and I can't see the road?
24Moaning and groaning
are my food and drink,
25and my worst fears
have all come true.
26I have no peace or rest—
only troubles and worries.
Reflect
When Job finally breaks the silence, it’s with a cry of anguish directed at God, his creator. Why was I born? Why can’t I die?
Job has lost his peace. He accepted the loss of all his possessions and even his family with an amazing calmness but now he lashes out. His passionate outburst is common to those who suffer deeply—whether physical, emotional or spiritual.
We have no idea how long Job had been suffering before his friends arrive, but after a week of sitting with them in silence, he begins to vent his emotions; however, even his intense suffering doesn’t cause him to curse God. What he does want is a curse put upon the day he was born. He challenges the creator God to “un-create” him by blotting out that day. And if not that, then let him die.
We learn through Job’s experience that when life falls apart, an honest expression of our thoughts and feelings is better than a pretense. Job doesn’t pretend. He shows us how to be real with himself, his friends and especially with God.
When life is difficult, we need to give voice to our deepest pain. Finding our true voice is the first step on the journey to a deeper relationship with God. We need to uncover the hopeless places—the places in our lives that steal our peace!
When have you been there? It’s comforting to know that God can handle whatever we are feeling at any time, in any circumstance.
When we are in pain let us be encouraged by Job’s honesty. And if someone we know is suffering our first role is to listen, allow them to vent their feelings, share their pain. Job needed to be heard. So do we.
Respond
Lord, you are the master listener. Help me to listen with your ears—to hear even the whispered voice of those who need to be heard. Help me to encourage them to be real, honest, truthful. May I help them to know that you hear the deepest cry of their hearts. Amen
Lynn Smith
Lynn served Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto as Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Development where leadership development became the focus of her involvement with students. After retiring, she co-founded NextLEVEL Leadership, an International organization focused on encouraging Christian women to develop in their leadership roles in the marketplace, profession or ministry. Her passion for seeing others grow in their leadership confidence has inspired her to teach and mentor wherever God calls. Publications: Gender or Giftedness: a Challenge to rethink the basis for leadership within the Faith Community; Mentoring: Leaving a Legacy; Fred's Not Here - Living with Alzheimer Disease takes Courage