I continue my reflections on Job.
Synopsis
After Bildad's simplification of God's justice in Job 8, Job expressed his understanding that it is impossible to show your innocence in the light of God's power and wisdom.
Then Job replied:
“Indeed, I know that this is true.
But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
Though they wished to dispute with him,
they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?" - Job 9:1-4
Yet Job maintains his innocence.
“Although I am blameless,
I have no concern for myself;
I despise my own life." - Job 9: 21
In addition, there is no point repenting because he has already been deemed guilty and he has no way of addressing his charges.
"If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,
I will change my expression, and smile,’
I still dread all my sufferings,
for I know you will not hold me innocent.
Since I am already found guilty,
why should I struggle in vain?" - Job 9:27-29
“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him,
that we might confront each other in court.
If only there were someone to mediate between us,
someone to bring us together,
someone to remove God’s rod from me,
so that his terror would frighten me no more" - Job 9: 32-35
Job therefore chooses to complain. He questions God, on why Job was born and then made to suffer.
“I loathe my very life;
therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
and speak out in the bitterness of my soul." - Job 10:1
“Your hands shaped me and made me.
Will you now turn and destroy me?
Remember that you molded me like clay.
Will you now turn me to dust again?" - Job 10: 8-9
Job also demands an answer to whether he is guilty or innocent. He also recognsied that there is no apparent difference between his fate whether he had sinned or not.
"If I am guilty—woe to me!
Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head,
for I am full of shame
and drowned in my affliction." - Job 10: 15
Reflections
What strikes me is that Job did not take the easy way out and just agree with his friends. To Him, God is a living all-powerful entity. He did not want to pay lip-service to God and suffer in silence over his innocence.
He also brings up an important message - what is the point of being innocent or guilty if the result is the same? Yet Job rightly points out that he has no entitlements; God does not have to answer his demand for a mediation.
Thus in a way, Job respects God's demand for authenticity (by being honest) and respect (by recognizing his status with God).
It would be easier if you were just a thought in my head
Simply something that I once read
A belief needing my defense
And it would be easier if you were something I once knew
A hope just to hold on to
But you're holding out your hands -- Tenth Avenue North (from the song The Truth Is Who You Are)
