The Contemporary English Version titles this chapter as “Job Complains to God.”
Yeah. Job complains. To God. Basically his speech can be summed up, “I haven’t done anything wrong, God. Why are You so against me; why are You so set on destroying me?”
But–again–there are some lessons here.
Lesson #1:
Job says to God:
Don’t just condemn me! Point out my sin.
Job 10:2 (CEV)
“Show me where I’ve gone wrong. Don’t just condemn me and punish me for sin–point out what I need to take care of, what I need to repent of.”
Is that our prayer? That God would show us where we’ve sinned? It’s not an easy prayer, not a comfortable one–God will show us our sin; He’ll show us the things we need to get right. So no, it’s not comfortable or easy. But it’s oh so necessary.
Lesson #2:
Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about… Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.
Job 10:8, 11 (KJV)
God made us. He put us together, fashioned us, created our personality, decided how we would look and what abilities (and disabilities) we would have.
So when we complain about our looks, when we think we’re not “good enough”–we’re telling God He messed up. Looking down on His masterpiece. How do you think that makes Him feel?
Lesson #3:
Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
Job 10:12 (KJV)
God grants us life. The only reason we’re alive is because He allows it. He puts the breath in our lungs, makes our hearts beat, gives us the ability to move and think.
And He grants us favor. Think about that! God favors us!
And His “visitation” preserves our spirits. He’s present–He’s with us–and that preserves us. That keeps us alive, keeps us going. And I also thought about Jesus’ coming to earth; that was definitely a visitation from God that preserves our spirits.😊
