Failed Heroes: Job

God deliberately recorded the failures of numerous Bible characters who are typically viewed as heroes of the faith. The tendency to gloss over those failures and focus only on the successes robs Christians of the benefit God intended to provide through their stories. A mark of a true spiritual hero is how he responds to failure. For a fuller introduction to this series, please see the initial post.

JOB

How was Job a hero? The very first verse of Job identifies him as "blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil" (Job 1:1). Job was very concerned with the spiritual condition of his children and regularly interceded on their behalf (1:5). God Himself made the declaration, "There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil" (1:8). Under an intense attack from Satan, Job lost everything in the space of probably just a few hours - his wealth, investments, livelihood, servants, and all ten of his children. In this unimaginable trial, Job responded humbly, stating, " 'The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.' Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God" (1:21-22). God observed Job's response and noted that "he still holds fast his integrity" (2:3). Even when he was subsequently struck with a horrible illness and when his own wife turned against him, Job still maintained his integrity and "did not sin with his lips" (2:10). It is difficult to imagine such a godly, submissive response in the face of such staggering catastrophes.

How did Job fail? As his illness extended, Job's focus shifted and his soul wavered. He pronounced curses on the days of his birth and of his conception (3:3). He wished he had died at birth (3:11) and desired to die (3:21). He grieved over the poisonous arrows sent to him by God (6:4) and asked God to kill him (6:9). He freely complained of the bitterness of his soul (7:11). He stated that God had wronged him (19:6) and demanded an answer from Him (10:2). He found himself separated from God to the point that he was unaware of His presence (23:3,8). He defended himself as respectable and righteous (29:7-17). These types of statements and sentiments by Job were repeated throughout his speeches. Toward the end of the book, Job himself gave an evaluation of his words by admitting that he had spoken "without knowledge." He stated, "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand" (42:3). In essence, he had determined that he had valid ground for defending himself and challenging God.

What was Job's heart response? Job's heart is what allows him to emerge from his story as a true hero of faith. Although he struggled deeply, his statements of failure were mingled with moments of remembering truth. He periodically redirected himself to foundational statements of faith. Even in his anguish, he did not deny God's words (6:10). He acknowledged the unmatched power of God (9:10). He recognized God's sustaining throughout his life (10:12). He knew that God was in control of everything (12:9). He recalled God's great wisdom (12:13). He asserted his trust in God even to the point of death (13:15). He was confident in his Redeemer (19:25). He affirmed God's plan to work good for him (23:10). He resolved to speak what was right regarding God (27:4).  He acknowledged God as the only true source of wisdom (28:23). Job clearly had great moments of clarity and truth in the midst of his struggles.

For many chapters these statements of faith and stabilizing truth were merely temporary interludes among Job's expressions of deep struggle and doubt. In the end, however, he returned firmly and definitively to his anchor. He repented of his failures and waited upon God (42:6). This final breakthrough came when he realized that God did not have to give him the answer he was waiting for. Job put his hand on his mouth and ceased speaking his own foolishness and demands (40:3). He allowed God to have the answers without having to tell him. He was content to wait for the outcome God would give. Job's victory of faith came when he realized that all of his arguments, even if they were valid, were not enough to overturn the fact that God was sovereign - the ultimate in power and wisdom.

How did Job's story end? Job's story ends in victory regarding the circumstances of his life. Job's friends who had battered him with their words returned very humbly to him. God restored Job's health. His family came to comfort him, as well as to bring him gifts of wealth. God blessed Job financially and materially so that he ended up with twice as much as he had before. He even had ten more children, and he lived for many years to see his descendants and the blessings they enjoyed. Job's story ends in victory for himself spiritually. God responded to Job's confusion perhaps not by giving the answers Job wanted, but by teaching him very important truth about God's absolute greatness. Although this was in some ways a rebuke for Job, it was also a comfort, as God reassured Job of how mighty the One in control of his life was. With such a God as this, there was no reason for despair. Finally, Job's story ends in victory in terms of his reputation and legacy. His testimony still stands thousands of years later, and God Himself set Job as the standard of patience and endurance.

Application: Job's struggled primarily in two areas. First, he despaired in waiting for the end of the story. His trial was temporary, but he forgot to hope for the end that must surely come. Failure can come to believers when they are not content to wait for the outcome that God will give. God knows the end of the story. Humans don't know how or when the story will end; if their faith quits before they see the blessing or deliverance, they fail. Second, Job demanded understanding that God had reserved for Himself. As much as man seeks answers, he simply does not have the wisdom to understand but what God understands. God knows exactly what He is doing and why. When a believer refuses to allow God to be God, making decisions according to His wisdom, he fails. Success comes when the believer trusts God without understanding and is willing to wait for God's answer in God's time. God is good, and He can be trusted to do what is best within His plan 

"We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful." James 5:11 (NASB)