- The Explore the Bible lesson for June 13 focuses on Job 14:1-14.
An iconic scene from Star Wars always comes into my mind as I hear the word “hope.” Princess Leia sends a message to an aged Jedi in hiding via the beloved droids R2-D2 and C-3PO: “Help me Obi-WanKenobi. You’re my only hope.” These were the first few introductory scenes to a storyline that is still spawning streamed shows, movies and so much merchandise that Disney bought the franchise. Finding hope when facing the insurmountable Galactic Empire or another dark evil continues to be a theme in Star Wars. Hope often is elusive but always arrives just in time to save the Rebellion, the Resistance, or whomever is standing against evil.
Where are we to find hope when the challenges are not fiction? What defines hope for us today as we face insurmountable odds?
Job possessed a solid understanding of who God is and how he should relate to the Almighty. For chapters now, Job and his three friends have wrestled with what to make of all the calamity that has befallen him. His children are gone, his wealth has evaporated, and his health has failed him. As is often the case in our world today, there are well-meaning people who have advice and opinions on how we should respond to traumatic events. Job takes a more macro approach—commenting on the human condition based on what he has been experiencing. While we don’t know how old Job is, his opening statement shows his understanding that life is short, and there can be calamity at every turn. There are times that the flower of life blossoms and times that it withers. As the Old Testament scholar Carol A. Newsom observes, Job laments not only mortality but also the fleeting quality of life. And who can blame him?
Stages of life
In this, we can relate to Job in all stages of life. I remember while I was a student at Baylor University, Milton Cunningham served a chaplain and led our regular chapel meetings. He often would come out on the stage to address the throng of gathered college students with the simple message: “Students, life is hard. And God loves you.” Like Job, we all desired relief from the trials and tribulations of college life: tests, difficult relationships, uncertain futures, financial woes. However, the simple reminder from Dr. Cunningham brought such perspective and relief. Yes, times were hard. They are for all: “Man born of woman….” (Job 14:1). Nevertheless, there is nowhere we will go that is out of our heavenly Father’s reach or care. And most of all, God is a Father who loves and cares deeply for all of his creation.
In the midst of the fire, Job struggles to find this hope, but he knows where his hope should come from. Obviously, hope is an emotion only felt by human beings, but Job sees hope in the personification of the tree and water. Newsom continues that what “hope” will mean for Job is defined metaphorically by what is said about the tree. “Hope is concretely imagined in the growth of new shoots from a cut-off trunk (v. 7) and the green response of dry roots to water (v. 9). Hope is the power of regeneration.” (Italics added, Newsom, New Interpreters Bible Commentary, Vol. III, p. 115) Job already has demonstrated where true power in life is sourced—he has lived his life in a way that honors God in all things. Such that even the ultimate adversary, Satan, took notice!
Even in death, Job finds hope. While we are not certain of the time period of Job, there is consensus among scholars that Job would not have had a solid theology of resurrection. For Job, like the flower that withers (v. 2), death is permanent. Verse 12 is a statement of fact: “…till the heavens are no more…” means forever. Job longs for some relief, and even death might be that escape. In death, there will be relief, but no hope. So Job longs for Sheol—the place where everyone goes when they die. One does not just go there and leave there on their own; this is something only the Divine can do. So Job view Sheol like a “time out”—a place where the troubles of the living world will not touch, but where he can work off his debt before God if there is any, and ultimately God can restore. While the logic of this plan might elude a modern mind, the source and power of Job’s hope is found in what only God can do.
Hope in the midst of trials
Where do we look for hope in the midst of trials? What comforts us? Paul gives us a picture of hope in the midst of great struggle in Romans 5:3-5: “…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Paul knows about sufferings, just as Job did. Paul also understood that God was always with him and would never forsake his servants.
Job expresses his hope as he longs for his “…renewal to come.” Newsom concludes that this power for regeneration is found in the presents of one another, in fellowship. “No one can sustain hope in utter isolation.” (Newsom, p. 119) For Job, his relationship with God and his understanding of God’s provision for those who trusted in him gave Job hope even in the worst of times. Job continued in the assurance the Lord was still sovereign in all things.
Davey Gibson is associate pastor of education and discipleship at Sugar Land Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Texas.
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