10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10
In the midst of severe suffering, Job answered his wife’s foolish advice to “Curse God and die” with a rebuke and a wise question, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”. Long after Job asked this question, James gave instruction to the early church about receiving trials as good gifts.
Job is mentioned only once in the New Testament, and this is when James holds him up as an example of steadfastness under trial (James 5:11). Interestingly, James begins his letter having much to say about trials, wisdom and good gifts. Chapter 1 could almost be a commentary on Job’s question to his wife.
James writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
He goes on to say this about the need for wisdom in trials, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
Later he writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:16-18)
Whether James specifically had Job in mind when he wrote these divinely inspired words, I do not know. But, in these verses there is found a clear answer to Job’s question. When facing trials, the wise person joyfully endures, knowing even bad things are good gifts from the Creator God who does not change and who gave His people eternal life in Christ. And what of the Savior? He received the cup of God’s wrath as a good gift in order to found and perfect your faith. He endured the severest trial ever looking to the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
My mom was notorious for giving the most horribly wrapped gifts. For instance, she would give items in the shopping bags they came in or wads of cash wrapped in tissue paper and tied with an old piece of twine. As shabby as her gifts appeared, I never knew one single person to reject one of Mom’s gifts. That would have been foolish, because despite how they looked, they were good gifts given by someone who loved them and wanted the best for them. Your trials are like my mom’s gifts. The wrapping is ugly, but they are good gifts given by the God who loves you and works all things for your good (Romans 8:28). So, be wise and receive them.
In Christ,
Pastor Rich
*For a long time now, I’ve been fascinated with the questions found in the book of Job. I have determined to consider these questions one by one as I have the opportunity to write the weekly pastoral encouragements in the years ahead.
