Man should “fear” God. God controls our eternal destinies and our lives in every aspect on this earth as well. He’s totally sovereign. We often feel as Job did, that God is out to get him. God is a policeman hiding behind a billboard waiting to catch us doing something wrong. God is a boss standing over our shoulder watching us every minute. He’s trying to get the best performance out of us that’s possible. He’s a judge, with a strict penal system, waiting to condemn us. He has all the evidence He needs.
In his discussion with God, Job asks God to give him a different view of Himself so they can have an open and honest relationship. He says, “withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.” I want to talk with you, job says, and I want you to talk to me, but I’m too afraid to say what I really think.
God acted to change man’s view of Himself, by sending His son Jesus. Instead of God inflicting judgment, he becomes the God who takes the judgment for us. Instead of the God who caused suffering, he became the “man of sorrows, well acquainted with suffering.” Instead of a condemning God, he’s a loving, healing, comforting and forgiving God. In Jesus, our sins are forgiven, our guilt absolved, and the alienation from God dissolved. We can now have an intimate relationship with God. We see him as he truly is in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man can come to the father except through me.”
Job prophesied this as he looked forward to a future in which “my transgression would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.”
Chuck
” Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (Job 2:10)