Responding To Pain - Job Chapter Three Series

Jewels From Job

Job – Chapter #3

1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job spoke, and said: 3 "May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, ’A male child is conceived. Job 3:1-3 (NKJV)

JOB’S CURSE

After losing his possessions, children, and heath Job opens his mouth to speak. Some might say that Job is not really a very patient person since he had so much to say about his affiction. But the meaning of patience is often misunderstood. It does not mean that one does not complain. What it means is that one will endure. Patience is perseverance.

Job never turns his back on God. He does not curse God but he does curse the day he was born. In fact Job takes his complaints to God over and over again. By doing this he is even drawn closer to God. “May the day I was born perish” Job 3:3 (HCSB) This will be his theme throughout this chapter.

If I have bitterness let me take it to the Boss.

Job’s logic goes something like this: If I had never been born – I would not have to suffer like this. He also takes it further in that if he had died the day he was born – he would not have to suffer either.

This is not an argument for abortion – but some have made it one. Who wants to bring a child into the world that is unwanted? Who wants to bring a child into the world who must live in poverty or will be uneducated? Who should bring a child into the world that is already overpopulated? Who wants to bring a child into the world when there is so much pain and suffering? Regardless of one’s lot in life we must always remember that all children are: “fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalms 139:14 (NKJV)

I taught through the book Purpose Driven Life a couple years ago and after teaching chapter two and older lady came up to me and told the impact the study had on her life. The chapter is titled “You Are Not An Accident” and it deals with the importance of human life. She informed me that she was given up for adoption when she was born. Even though she was raised in a loving home – she held it in her mind that she was unwanted. This could not be farther from the truth. God has created no accidents. By understand what God thinks of her she came to realize how really wanted she is.

Job I know your life is rough right now – but God has a plan and purpose for your life.

How would we have learned of the patience of Job if he had never been born?

4 May that day be darkness; May God above not seek it, Nor the light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not rejoice among the days of the year, May it not come into the number of the months. 7 Oh, may that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it!

JOB’S DARK DAY

Darkness is the theme in verses 4-7.

Some days are darker then others. Some days are better and some days are worse. It has been said, “It is darkest before the dawn.” But it could be hours before the dawn. How would we know the light unless we have experienced the darkness?

8 May those curse it who curse the day, Those who are ready to arouse Leviathan. 9 May the stars of its morning be dark; May it look for light, but have none, And not see the dawning of the day; 10 Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hide sorrow from my eyes. 11 "Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? Job 3:8-12 (NKJV)

JOB’S SEA MONSTER – LEVIATHAN

Leviathan is mentioned in verse 8 and will be spoken about again by God in chapter 41. God goes into great detail about the power of the creature. What Leviathan is exactly we do not know – but the description of it is that it is fierce and powerful. It is a creature that man should fear. But remember it is still a created being – fear Him who made the fiercest of all creatures – the Creator.