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.
13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; Then I would have been at rest 14 With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built ruins for themselves, 15 Or with princes who had gold, Who filled their houses with silver; 16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, Like infants who never saw light? 17 There the wicked cease from troubling, And there the weary are at rest. Job 3:13-17 (NKJV)
JOB’S CONCEPT OF DEATH
Job here does give us some insight into what the early thoughts of death were. He speaks "For then I would have laid down in peace; I would be asleep. Then I would be at rest with the kings and counselors of the earth, who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver." Job 3:13-15 (HCSB) He speaks of peace, rest, and being asleep. There also seems to be equality in death. The wicked cease to make trouble (verse 17).
18 There the prisoners rest together; They do not hear the voice of the oppressor. 19 The small and great are there, And the servant is free from his master. 20 "Why is light given to him who is in misery, And life to the bitter of soul, 21 Who long for death, but it does not come, And search for it more than hidden treasures; 22 Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes before I eat, And my groanings pour out like water. 25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. 26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes." Job 3:18-26 (NKJV)
JOB’S PLACE OF THE DEAD – SHEOL
In verse 18 Job speaks of the captives. This is a theme that can be found throughout the Bible. (Also in my study on Sheol – see * below) It is Jesus who set the captives free. Free from where? Free from Sheol – the abode of the dead. It was the place where all who died went. The righteous and the unrighteous. It is spoken of in both a negative and positive way. Jesus gives the most graphic picture of it in Luke 16:19-31. This one place contained both the wicked and the righteous – but it was divided into two parts. But what we find in Job is that: The captives are completely at ease; they do not hear the voice of [their] oppressor. Job 3:18 (HCSB) Job – being a righteous man could speak of death in this way. How much different it is for a Christian to die then for a non-Christian. (See my sermon titled “What Does a Christian Gain When they Die?” Found at www.sermoncentral.com.)
Rest does not come to Job though – he is still alive. One thing you never find in the book of Job is any talk about suicide. There is depression in Job’s words and he seems to ask God to end his life – but at no time does he try to end his own life.
"Father as we go through the trials of life may we always turn our attention to You. May we seek Your face and in so doing may we become better instead of bitter. May we be granted the patience of Job."
