JOB RECEIVES AN ANSWER

Homily for October 3^rd, 2014: Job 38,1, 12-21; 40:3-5.

          For some days now our first readings have been taken from the book of Job. It is one of the great books of the Bible, and unlike any other. Like Jesus’ parables, Job is fiction – it’s a made-up story. But like many made-up stories – Shakespeare’s plays, for instance – it contains profound truth.

          The book introduces us to a devout and God-fearing man, Job, whom God has blessed with a large and wonderful family and earthly riches in abundance. Within the space of hours, he loses everything. Why? That is the central question throughout the book: why do bad things happen to good people?   

          Job’s so-called Comforters visit him to tell him, in various ways, that it all makes sense, if only he will think about it. Their pat and comfortable arguments are typical of the answers given throughout history, and still today, by the self-appointed Defenders of Faith who look out upon a black-and-white world, in which there are no mysteries. Job rejects all their arguments, and demands, again and again, a one-on-one confrontation with God, who has permitted, if not caused, all the tragedies which have befallen him.

          In today’s first reading Job finally receives what he has been demanding. God speaks to him directly. He gives Job, however, not what he has been has been asking for – an answer to what is called the Problem of Evil – but a series of challenging questions. ‘Where were you, Job, when I was creating the earth, the sea, and everything that is?’ God’s questions shock Job into realizing that he cannot dispute with God. God lives on an infinitely higher plane. “Behold, I am of little account,” Job acknowledges. “What can I answer you?” Tomorrow we shall hear more of Job’s response: “I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me to know. I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.”

          At the book’s end, God rebukes Job’s Comforters for denying life’s mysteries. And by restoring Job to good fortune he rewards him for acknowledging mystery. God gives us no answer to the Problem of Evil, why bad things happen to good people. He gives us instead something better: the strength to go on despite unmerited suffering and even the most terrible tragedy.