Seeking God in Uncertainty and Doubt Like Job's Example
The biblical figure Job, whose name means "he that weeps or cries" [5], is often presented as an example of seeking God amidst profound uncertainty and doubt. The Book of Job itself has been the subject of much discussion regarding its authorship and historical accuracy, with some scholars suggesting it was written by Moses or during the time of David and Solomon, while others view it as a composition based on facts rather than a strictly historical account [6, 7].
Job's experience is characterized by immense suffering, leading him to question God's actions and his own understanding of divine justice. Despite his distress, Job expresses a desire to engage with God directly, stating, "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God" [4]. This reflects a deep yearning for understanding and vindication. Commentators note that Job wished to find God as a judge, seeking justice for his situation [10].
Even when feeling misunderstood and afflicted, Job maintained a core trust in God. One interpretation of Job 16:19 suggests that "Even now, when I am so greatly misunderstood on earth, God in heaven is sensible of my innocence" [11]. This indicates a belief in God's ultimate awareness and righteousness, despite his immediate inability to comprehend God's ways.
Job's friends, in their attempts to counsel him, also encouraged seeking God. Eliphaz advises, "But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God" [1]. This counsel is interpreted as seeking God through prayer for support, sanctification, and deliverance from affliction [8]. Similarly, Bildad encourages Job to "seek unto God betimes," emphasizing making it a primary concern [9].
However, the book also highlights the limits of human understanding concerning God. Zophar asks, "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?" [2]. This sentiment is echoed by commentators who assert that God cannot be fully comprehended through human searching, though His existence can be inferred from creation [12]. Job himself acknowledges this difficulty, lamenting his inability to understand God's providences: "I go forward, but he is not there" [13]. He felt God was elusive, making it difficult to "get acquainted with him" or discern His presence [13]. Despite this, Job is urged to "stand still and discern the wondrous works of God" [3].
Sources
- Job ““But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God, -- Job 5:8”
- Job ““Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? -- Job 11:7”
- Job “Job 37:14 (Darby) — Hearken unto this, Job; stand still and discern the wondrous works ofGod.”
- Job ““Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God. -- Job 13:3”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Job — he that weeps or cries”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Job, Book of — A great diversity of opinion exists as to the authorship of this book. From internal evidence, such as the similarity of sentiment and language to those in the Psalms and Proverbs (see Ps. 88 and 89), the prevalence of the idea of "wisdom," and the style and character of the composition, it is supposed by some to have been written in the time of David and Solomon. Others argue that it was written by Job himself, or by Elihu, or Isaiah, or perhaps more probably by Moses, who was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and mighty in words and deeds"”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Job, Book Of — This book has given rise to much discussion and criticism, some believing the book to be strictly historical; others a religious fiction; others a composition based upon facts. By some the authorship of the work was attributed to Moses, but it is very uncertain. Luther first suggested the theory which, in some form or other, is now most generally received. He says, "I look upon the book of Job as a true history, yet I do not believe that all took place just as it is written, but that an ingenious, pious and learned man brought it into its present form."”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 5:8: I would seek unto God,.... Or "truly" (e), "certainly, doubtless, I do seek unto God", verily I do so; for so the words are introduced in the original text, and express what Eliphaz had done when under afflictions himself; for he was not without them, though he had not them to such a degree as Job had; and when he was under them, this was the course he took; he sought unto God by prayer to support him under them, to sanctify them to him, and to deliver him out of them; and this he proposes for Job's imitation, and suggests, that if he was in his case, this would be the fi”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 23:2: O that I knew where I might find him,.... That is, God, who is understood, though not expressed, a relative without an antecedent, as in Psa 87:1; Jarchi supplies, and interprets it, "my Judge", from Job 23:7; and certain it is Job did desire to find God as a judge sitting on his throne, doing right, that he might have justice done to him: indeed he might be under the hidings of God's face, which added to his affliction, and made it the heavier; in which case, the people of God are at a loss to know where he is, and "how" to find him, as Mr. Broughton renders the words h”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 16:19: Also now--Even now, when I am so greatly misunderstood on earth, God in heaven is sensible of my innocence. record--Hebrew, "in the high places"; Hebrew, "my witness." Amidst all his impatience, Job still trusts in God.”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 11:7: Canst thou by searching find out God?.... God is not to be found out by human search; that there is a God may be found out by inquiring into the book of nature, by considering the creatures that are made, who all proclaim some first cause or maker of them, who is God; but then it cannot be found out what God is, his nature, being, and perfections: an Heathen philosopher (i), being asked by a certain king what God was, required a day to give in his answer; when that was up he desired a second, and still went on asking more; and being demanded the reason of his dilatorines”
- Job (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Job 23:8: Here, I. Job complains that he cannot understand the meaning of God's providences concerning him, but is quite at a loss about them (Job 23:8, Job 23:9): I go forward, but he is not there, etc. Eliphaz had bid him acquaint himself with God. "So I would, with all my heart," says Job, "If I knew how to get acquainted with him." He had himself a great desire to appear before God, and get a hearing of his case, but the Judge was not to be found. Look which way he would, he could see no sign of God's appearing for him to clear up his innocency. Job, no doubt, believed tha”