I listened as someone voiced their frustration and disappointment regarding God and their relationship with God. Questioning both the existence of God and especially God’s care for them. They mentioned they do not see eye to eye with God and expressed their anger at God. They indicated how hard they have tried to seek God through prayer and reading the Bible and doing “everything right” and yet God is silent. They are not happy with their situation and God does not seem available to help or give them a new or better situation.
Another person agreed and said how they cuss God out. “People say it’s wrong”, he said, “but I do it anyway.” Most everyone else was there to quickly lend support. “It’s okay, God can take it”, I heard one man say. “Think about David, and the Psalms, he complained to God.” The question I’m asking, is not whether or not “God can take it” the question is, how should we respond?
This is part of the topic and the question I raised in my previous post, “How To Comfort?” The struggle is real, the questions or doubts are real, and the pain is real. However, I am uncomfortable with the notion that we can and should talk to God how ever we want. Sure, God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. (Exodus 33:19) Yet I still question if that kind of advise should be given?
It reminds me of the advise Job’s wife gave, “Curse God and Die” and the story of Job in general. In the context of the story she was literally telling him to give up. The original challenge Satan gave was, “Does Job fear God for nothing?”. Satan’s challenge was that if he was allowed to afflict Job, first by taking away his children and his possessions and then by taking his health, Job would curse God to his face. (Job 1:11; 2:5) Some make the assertion that Job’s wife was encouraging suicide, which may be true, but in the context of the story the important part was what Job did and did not say.
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
When Job’s three friends came along, the best thing they did in the bulk of the story was mourn and sit with him for seven days and seven nights without saying anything to him. (Job 2:13) I have heard that was a cultural sign of respect to not speak to Job until after Job had spoken to them to in effect ask for comfort. Such a custom would not guarantee a correct response, as is evident in the story, but it would prevent a hasty response. The rest of the book of Job, and the Bible for that matter, gives a great deal of importance to the words spoken. Particularly when we put ourselves in the position of having the answer, or purporting to speak for God.
I therefore contend that the Bible would clearly admonish us to take heed, be careful of the words we use in trying to comfort others and in how we speak to, and about God.
For More on Job and the Phrase "Curse God and Die"
Curse God and Die — Rev. Ed Hird, Rector, St. Simon’s Anglican Church
Homily: Curse God and Die — Mark Rainey
Job's Wife - Bitter, Angry, and Wrong
