132 is quite a large number. No, it is not the number of cups of coffee I drank today or even this week. It is not the number of oreos I can eat in one sitting (although I have never tested that). It is, however, the number of questions Job asked or reiterated in the Bible.

Job was a good man; he was a devout man according to Job 1. He feared God (not afraid, but respect) all his days. But trouble came his way. His servants died, his animals died, his 10 children died, he caught a bad case of boils and he did not know why. We have the luxury of having the answer before Job and his friends start talking. It’s like the teacher gave us the answer key before the test. When Job and his friends start questioning Job’s condition, I just want to say “hey, go back and read chapter 1 and 2 of Job; we already have the answer!” But they did not have the scriptures yet and they did what every other person would do who never opens the scriptures; they started to figure things out for themselves.

Job knew he did not do anything sinful to bring on such suffering. He contends that throughout the whole book of Job. However, his friends believe that is the only reason for his suffering. They believe that if he would just confess and repent then all would be well again. They wanted their friend to be the person of high esteem that he used to be, not the man who was scraping his boils with a piece of clay or the man who is now a byword and the subject of a taunting song (Job 17:6; 30:9). They thought they were being good, caring, and know it all friends.

Job had lots of questions and rightfully so. It is not every day that everything you have and love is taken away in the matter of moments. When things happen to us, we start wondering “why”. I think it is a good thing that God has given us curiosity. If any of you have ever spent any time with a talking toddler you understand this. “Why” is their favorite question; it is part of how they learn. Job and his friends learned a lot from the questions they asked when God started asking the questions! God takes 4 chapters in Job (38-41) and lets them have it, so to speak. God did not say “hmm, excuse me fellows, May I say something?” He came to them in a whirlwind and said “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man: for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” (Job 38:2-3) Job and his friends learned that they did not have all of the answers. They need knowledge with their counsel (Job 42:3). Job also learned that he needed to see God and not just hear Him (Job 42:5).

When the “why’s” come in our life we need to remember to seek God’s counsel first and not lean on our own understanding. Our understanding may not really be true understanding.

“My son ,forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour andgood understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:1-8

By: Kristina Odom