約伯詛咒自己的生日(伯三)
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Job Curses The Day of His Birth (Job 3)
August 25, 2025
“Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul,” (Job 3:20 ESV)
Under Satan's attack, Job lost all his children and possessions, and his body was covered with poison sores, leaving him in extreme pain. In this chapter, he cursed his birth and even the days of his pregnancy, wishing he had never been born. How desperate he was to say those words!
In addition to Job, several characters in the Bible prayed to God for death due to extreme pressure and pain. One was Moses, because the Israelites constantly complained about not having meat to eat, Moses felt that the responsibility of guiding the people was too heavy and he could not bear it. He said to God: “If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” (Ref. Numbers 11:15 ESV) One is Elijah. After defeating the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he was pursued by Queen Jezebel. After walking a day's journey in the wilderness, he came to a broom tree. He lost faith and in his weakness, prayed to God for death: “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4 ESV) One was Jonah, who was displeased and even angry because God showed mercy to the Ninevites and did not destroy them. He said to God: “Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3 ESV) Later, God arranged a castor trees to provide shade for Jonah, but God sent a worm to kill the plant. Jonah, unable to bear the heat, once again prayed to God for death: ”And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”(Jonah 4:8 ESV)
“because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79 ESV)
In fact, when we are in deep pain or despair, we can openly come before God and pour out our sorrow, helplessness, loneliness, and even anger. God does not despise a sorrowful spirit; He will respond and lead us to the path of peace. When Elijah fled into the wilderness, exhausted and comparing himself to his ancestors, completely losing faith, God not only did not rebuke him, but instead strengthened him, sending angels to provide him with food and rest, allowing him to recover and regain strength. God guided him to Mount Horeb and gave him a new mission, commissioning him to anoint Hazael king of Aram, Nimshi's grandson Jehu king of Israel, and Elisha as his successor prophet.
God knew the great responsibility Moses shouldered. When Moses asked to die, God did not rebuke his weakness, but instead shared his burden. He commanded him to select 70 elders and imparted the same spirit to them to share in the people's care, no longer leaving him to shoulder the burden alone. He also miraculously provided abundant quail for the people to eat.
Jonah complained twice about God not destroying Nineveh, wishing death over life, and could not understand God's plans. But God did not rush to blame him. Instead, He patiently asked, "Is it right for you to be so angry?" This allowed Jonah to understand that the reason for not destroying Nineveh was out of love and mercy, because there were more than 120,000 young children in the city who could not tell their left hand from their right!
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;” (Job 42:5 ESV)
When Job was in great distress, God was silent at first and allowed Job to debate with his three friends. Finally, God emerged from a whirlwind and asked Job a series of questions: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4 ESV)This humbled Job because he recognizes God's greatness and omnipotence. Job replied, "I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you." In the end, God restored Job's health and wealth, granting him even more than before. God did not stand by Job's suffering indifferently. Ultimately, He appeared to Job personally, conversing with him and helping him understand His sovereignty and wisdom.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;” (Lamentations 3:22 ESV)
I recall the prophet Jeremiah, who was filled with anguish and weakness because Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians. But he later remembered God's lovingkindness and found hope in his heart. The prophet Jeremiah said: “they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23 ESV) When our lives are sinked into darkness and despair, we must reflect on God's lovingkindness. Nothing can separate us from His love. Our God is faithful and loving. He understands our pain and needs and will heal and comfort us in His own way. Our God is merciful and will not let us perish. He knows how much we can bear and will make a way for us amidst all kinds of trials. We must place our full trust in the Lord's lovingkindness and never lose hope in Him, trusting that He will personally guide and care for us.
In this chapter, Job asks: “Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul?” The answer is "God's love"!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35, 37 ESV)
By LingYuan Hsieh
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