Family reunions? (Job 17-19)

If a family reunion means going six feet under,
and the only family that shows up is worms,
Do you call that hope?
Who on earth could find any hope in that?
No. If hope and I are to be buried together,
I suppose you'll all come to the double funeral! Job 17:14-16

I remember the conversation clearly. If I could have taken the words back, I would have.

Mom was 76 or 77 or so. The youngest child in her family, she had already lost all of her siblings. Neither parent had lived past the age of 78 (and half of them had died in their 50s. At 58, I feel like I've passed the first genetic hurdle.) Not only her siblings had died, but her husband.

And sadly, at the age 76, her granddaughter had died.

I said something along the lines of, "They've gone ahead of you to heaven."

She said, "Don't say that."

Within two years she had joined them. Leaving me the one behind, waiting for that reunion.

Job had lost all ten children. No wonder he said, "a family reunion means going six feet under."

I'm sure their images burned through his dreams at night. Waking or sleeping, he couldn't get away from them. And if for just a second he could get away from the loss of his family, he had to think of all the other losses. Family servants--some of them as close as family--had died. Animals he had raised from babes had died. Food he had grown from seed, gone.

His last lifeline--his wife--said something about as sensitive as my comment of "they've all gone ahead to heaven."

They're there. I'm not.

No wonder that Job cried, Do you call that hope?

Bart Millard of Mercy Me wrote "I Can Only Imagine" before he wrote "Homesick." Both of them speak of heaven, and death.

"I Can Only Imagine" expresses in music that incredible glory and hope of heaven. I cry every time I hear it.

"Homesick" expresses the other side of heaven. That even though our loved ones have gone to heaven, those of us left behind miss them. I wish I could quote the whole song, but since that is illegal, I'll settle for these two lines: "But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry, is how long must I wait to be with you."

That is the pain, the loss, the grief, the loss of hope that Job talks about here. Sooner or later, most of us experience it at least once in our lifetime.

Job knew that pain--ten times over.

But Job doesn't stay there. The same man who cried out in pain, sounding hopeless in the face of death, spoke with longing of the day he would see God:

Still, I know that God lives--the One who gives me back my lfe--
and eventually he'll take his stand on earth.
And I'll see him--even though I get skinned alive!--
see God myself, with my very own eyes.
Oh, how I long for that day! Job 19:23-27

When someone is in grief, your reassurance that they are in a better place may not give the comfort you mean to convey.

If you are there right now, know that Job was there before you. As I and thousands, probably, millions and billions of others, have been.

If you are there right now, know that the day will again come when the thought of heaven once again brings hope and longing and comfort.



If a family reunion means going six feet under,
and the only family that shows up is worms,
Do you call that hope?
Who on earth could find any hope in that?
No. If hope and I are to be buried together,
I suppose you’ll all come to the double funeral!” 17:14-16

Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life—
and eventually he’ll take his stand on earth.
And I’ll see him—even though I get skinned alive!—
see God myself, with my very own eyes.
Oh, how I long for that day! 19:23-27

HOMESICK? (Job 14)

Is there life after death? The question that continues to bug us today. He speaks with great longing for what he considers his "final change."

Consider these verses:

If we humans die, will we live again? That's my question.
All through these difficult days I keep hoping,
waiting for the final change--for resurrection!
Homesick with longing for the creature you made,
you'll call--and I'll answer!
You'll watch over every step I take,
but you won't keep track of my missteps.
My sins will be stuffed in a sack
And thrown into the sea--sunk in deep ocean. (Job 14:18-21)

Oh, Job, you make my heart sing. These words ring with words of love and longing, of faith that believed God loved him as much as he loved God. In spite of all the evidence to the contrary. In the days before the doctrine of resurrection was fully revealed, he dared to hope for a "final change," for resurrection. That he would indeed live again.

"Homesick" is a word I associate with a Christian's longing for heaven. Job turns the term on its head. God is homesick for us, the creatures He made. The God who walked with Adam and Eve in the garden longs to do so again. He made us so that we can love him, out of choice. And that makes God homesick, for us!

Like in Eden, like Christ standing at the door in Revelation, God will call my name. And I get to answer! Come in, let's visit.

Like a parent with a child, God watches over every step I take. Like that parent, He's proud of me when I succeed. My missteps? My sins? Confessed, forgiven, sunk in the deepest part of the ocean. (Micah repeated this imagery when he said, thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.)But those stepped we get right? Pasted to his refrigerator door, picture in his wallet, video on His phone--whatever image works for you--God proudly shares our success. Cheers us on.

Let me focus on those cheers from the heavenly grandstand.

RUNNING TO DADDY (Job 10-12)

Today Job lays out his two requests before God. But first, let's look at the heart of Zophar's argument.

God is far higher than you can imagine,
far deeper tha you can understand. (Job 10:8, MSG)

So true. He writes about ten lines of theology that express God's "otherness" in words worthy of a praise song. Then again, he takes his theology to the next step . . . one step further than God does. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. (Job 10:17 MSG)The syrupy sweetness makes me want to gag.

Job called him on it. I felt like clapping when he said, Why do you always take his [God's] side? Do you think he needs a lawyer to defend himself? (Job 11:20, MSG)

Have you ever heard a preacher urge you not to take God's side? Of course, the next line explains it further. God doesn't need us to "dumb down" the truth, to simplify it, to make it black-and-white in defense of God.

God is too "other" to fit into our boxes.

Job told God he had two requests:

Lay off the afflictions; the terror is too much for me.

Address me directly so I can answer you, or let me speak and then you answer me. (Job 12:20-22, MSG)

His reason for his requests? "so I'll know I matter with you."

After what happened, no wonder he felt abandoned by God. And he trusted God enough to rush forward, demand to speak to Daddy, and present his argument.

God answered both requests. First, he addressed Job in those awesome, climactic chapters at the end (which I am looking forward to!) and we'll discuss what God had to say at that time. (except here's a hint: God never does explain why.)

After that, God not only laid off the afflictions, He restored everything that had been stripped from Job.

Our requests to God may cover different questions. But the heart of them is the same: Run to Daddy like a child with a boo boo, and throw your questions at Him. We don't even have to demand an audience. As Christians, we have instant access to God at any time of any day.

MILK OR MEAT? (Job 10)

You gave me life itself, and incredible love.
You watched and guarded every breath I took.
But you never told me about this part.
(Job 10:12-13, MSG)

Do you remember the one fault Christ found with the church at Ephesus, in Revelation? "You have left your first love."

I don't remember that "first love" phase of my faith--I was only a child--but I have seen it in others, my mother, my children. Sheer joy, a desire to tell everyone the good news. It's like a honeymoon period. A new Christian is so in love with God, so amazed that God loves her, that she can't stop thinking and talking about it.

In time, that first love matures into a deeper understanding of God. Christians grow.

Job knew that "first love" experience, God's gift of life, love, and watchful protection.

Now years have passed. Perhaps his faith had faced various bumps over the years. He still felt loved and protected by God, but it had settled in a deep spot in his heart, a foundation for his life.

After a lifetime of experiencing God's evident blessing, assuring him of God's love, he lost everything: possessions, servants, wealth, animals, children.

Hebrews says, In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12, NIV)

Picture the heavenly scene with chapter one with this dialogue:

God: Have you considered my servant Job?
Satan: You've been feeding him milk all these years. You've given him everything he wants and needs. Change his diet to the solid food of hard times, and he'll get sick of you soon enough.

God gave Satan permission to test Job. He knew Job's heart, how he would survive the test. God wanted Satan to see Job's faithfulness, but perhaps He also wanted Job to know Him better. He wanted to change his diet. After this trial, Job could never again say "You didn't tell me about this part!"

God doesn't give us a test until He believes we're ready for the material. Consider. your test as a sign of your growth in Christ.

NEW DREAMS (Job 6)

Where's the strength to keep my hopes up?
What future do I have to keep me going?
Do you think I have nerves of steel?
Do you think I'm made of iron?
Do you think I can pull myself up by my bootstraps?
Why, I don't even have any boots!
(Ezra 6:8-13, MSG)

These days while going through Job may be difficult. I found a lot I could agree with in Eliphaz' first speech. How about "he gives firm footing to those sinking in grief?" When he said, "so the poor continue to hope," I felt like shouting amen! And I wondered briefly why God (and Job) got upset with his answer. A bit Romans 8:28-ish (I hate it when people quote that verse to me when I'm feeling down), but true, none the less.

But then Eliphaz listed all the good things happen to the righteous. They sounded like nothing bad ever happened to good people. Neither famine, war, gossip, loss of children--and on from there. He basically said, if Job was righteous, he wouldn't have suffered so severely. My heart screamed when I read, "You'll see your children grow up."

Job didn't like it either. His words that I quoted above put my feelings of deep sadness into words.

Before my daughter's death, the thing that saddened me the most was the removal of my son from my home when he was 15. When it became clear he would never again live with me, I felt such deep despair that I didn't know how I could survive it. Life didn't feel much worth living, but I knew I had an inner core of steel that kept me going. Of faith, of God, call it what you will. But I refused to give up on life. I lived in hope of the day that once I would have hope.

I bet we all have times in our lives when we ask, "what future do I have to keep me going?" I came name several such points in my life, which made me question the direction I had headed in. I had no future, at least not the future I had expected.

I lost the career I expected when I was kicked out of the master of music program at Southwestern Seminary. I went into Christian education instead, which was good. And God wasn't done with me and music, but in different ways.

I lost my dream of serving as an overseas missionary when my husband was kicked out of our last church. God instead has brought the world to me, and put in plenty of situations to share my faith.

I lost my dreams of parenting both my children to successful adulthood. With my son's arrest, I threw myself into writing. With Jolene's death, my writing career exploded.


I have questioned my ability to write with my continued health problems. So far, God keeps sending me the same vision: Yes, continue writing. But do it sensibly. Make smarter writing choices.

Each of those episodes sent into emotional whirlpools that dragged me under for awhile. Perhaps you're in a Job-like place right now, when you feel you have lost your hope for the future.

How about you? How have lost dreams led to a different future for you?

DEPTHS OF DEPRESSION (Job 3)

The worst of my fears has come true, what I've dreaded most has happened. My repose is shattered, my peace destroyed. No rest for me, ever--death has invaded life. (Job 3:25-26)

This is another tough one, about the fact that believers may When I read Job's complaint in chapter 3, I recognized the depths of his despair. They echoed what I experienced after my daughter's suicide. He had lost all ten of his children, at once, in a vicious attack--one that God had permitted, although Job didn't know of the conversation between God and Satan.

(Hmm, that brings up a question: How did the writer of Job know the story? Interesting question, but I'm not going to address it here.)

As they say about paranoia--sometimes the things they fear actually do happen. For those of us with children blessed with
good health, the death of our children remains an intangible, unreasonable fear. For those children who have deathly illnesses, for those children with severe mental illness, like my Jolene, death is a very real fear. My very worst fear, as Job expressed it.

I talked with a mother just today, who said her 21-year-old daughter is a schizophrenic who refuses to get help. Her fear that she might someday get a phone call like the one I received over five years ago was palpable.

You may have a different worst fear. But if it has ever happened to you, you know how Job was feeling.

His peace was destroyed. No rest. In many ways I have healed from Jolene's death, perhaps in most ways. But I can also trace a line of physical weakness beginning with that event. One symptom is difficulty sleeping on many nights.

Job wished he had never been born. I know that feeling.

This journey through Job will not be so much about finding an answer to the question, why does a good God allow evil? but an exploration of how to survive. The things that well-meaning friends will say. A few amazing statements of Job's faith. God's answer when it at last comes.

It won't be easy.

But it is part of God's word. Not only that, it's part of our lives, at least for many of us.

I'm looking forward to new insights into surviving our worst fears.Perhaps for me, it will bring a deeper level of healing. I pray it is so for others of us who have been there, or who are ministering to those in the depths.

ANCIENT WISDOM (Job 1)

One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them. God singled out Satan and said, "What have you been up to?" (Job 1:6-7)

Before we begin our discussion of Job, I wish to bid a fond adieu to the books of history. With Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, we reached the end of the biblical record of the Jewish people before the birth of Christ. I have enjoyed the lively story telling skills of the unknown scribes who recorded the stories for our benefit, rediscovered some of my favorite heroes and made a few new favorites as well.

Because I enjoy stories more than sermons, I find the books of history more accessible than wisdom poetry and prophecies that complete the Old Testament. Like so many of us, I do revel in the beautiful language and images of the Psalms. And I know men especially seem to take to Proverbs, to the short, pithy advice found on its pages. And I'm not sure what I'm going to find for public consumption when we get to the love story in the Song of Solomon.

But we start with Job, and Job begins with a heavenly scene. I suspect that this has happened more than once, and God brought different believers to Satan's attention. Of course, it's mind-blowing that Satan has access to God at all.

Have you watched the TV reality show about inner beauty? Contestants are judged on physical attributes while at the same time they are presented with tests gauging their inner qualities of honesty, compassion, and the like. The winner has the best combination, inside and out.

Job's story reminds me of that show. God holds Job as an example of true faith, and Satan says, let me test him. All of heaven watched the competition taking place on earth.

But the verse I chose for today discusses Satan's role in the affair.

Satan reported to God. You mean to say, the angel who rebelled against God still reports to Him? Does he walk into heaven with a smell of smoke and sulfur clinging to his robes? The scene blows my mind.

The Message adds the phrase "the Designated Accuser" to the word Satan. Other translations tell us the word used is "adversary." The dictionary defines "adversary" as "one who contends with, opposes, or resists; enemy."

The wording reminds me of Romans 8:33-34. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Satan has never won the battle, and he never will. But he keeps trying.

May we, like Job, be shining examples of faith when we are paraded before heaven.

"Have you ever considered my servant Darlene?"

Oh, Lord. Make me worthy of Your trust.

TIME TO CELEBRATE (Esther 9)

 Because of all that they had been through, the Jews agreed to continue. It became a tradition for them, their children, and all future converts to remember these two days every year on the specified dates set down in the letter. These days are to be remembered and kept by every generation, every last family, every province and city. These days of Purim must never be neglected among the Jews; the memory of them must never die out among their descendants. (Esther 9:26-28)

Call this a rant against my son.  He only celebrates Jewish holidays, including Purim and Hannukah. He says that he only celebrates Biblical  holidays. I question, than why Hannukah? That's not in the Old Testament. "Jesus celebrated it," he says. (Yes, he believes Jesus is his Savior.)

Well, I accept it. I don't want him doing something against his conscience. I do miss celebrating Christmas with my only living child and grandchildren.

I bring my son up only because his opinion comes into play here. In reading chapter nine of Esther, I wondered if the whole book had been written to justify the celebration of Purim by Jews, since it wasn't included in "The Revelation to Moses," the first five books of the Bible.

God's deliverance deserved a celebration, and they made it an annual holiday. They said the memory of what happened must never die out ever among the Jews, their children, and even their converts. Doesn't that sound like what we do at Christmas, Resurrection Day, the Lord's Supper/Communion, baptism? Whatever trappings have been added over the years, however we may differ on how we preserve and relive the memories, what happened deserves an annual celebration: Jesus's birth, death, resurrection. Our rebirth into new life. The basics of our faith.
Some churches celebrate other events throughout the year. We as individuals celebrate important days: birthdays, wedding anniversaries. I even celebrate the memories of my mother and daughter on the anniversaries of their deaths. Organizations--such as churches and writing groups--celebrate the anniversary of their formation. In fact, today is a celebration at my other blog: 500 posts since I started. I'm hosting a book giveaway, if anyone wants to go and check it out. :) darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com And those are all valid and good reasons to celebrate. As long as with the celebration, we recall the reason why we started.