To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
~Friedrich Nietzsche
Neitzsche was born in 1844, the son of a Lutheran pastor. He was also a German philosopher, a prolific writer ... and a self-proclaimed atheist.
Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Interesting ... Job would have breathed in this quote from Nietzsche and breathed out a sigh of resonance ... I believe he would have cried out "Yes!" in the depths of his soul.
Suffering is universal. As such, I think there is something about suffering that transcends religion. Just as there is something about storytelling that transcends the human experience. We connect on a deeper level with one another when we share the truth of our selves in our stories, especially our stories of suffering. There is not one of us human beings, if we are truthful, that does not suffer!
The book of Job begins, "as an inquiry into the motives of human piety. Through the compelling speeches of Job it becomes an examination of the character of God. But God's response to Job once again re-frames the issues, challenging the whole set of assumptions that Job and his friends had made the bases of their argument and offering a radically different model of God, creation, and human existence."
Quote: Women's Bible Commentary
A Couple of Notes to Remember as you Read the Book of Job ...
- The book of Job reads like a fairy-tale. As a parable, in many ways it IS a fairy tale. It holds nuggets of truth disguised in a compelling story with a point. It is NOT meant to be taken as literal or historical although some persons insist on doing so which can serve to distort its message if one is not careful.
- "Satan" as a proper name and a construct of a "being" in which God (and we) do cosmic battle which emerged in later Judaism and early Christianity. At the time of this Job writing, "satan" should simply be read "accuser" whose is in God's Heavenly Realm This is why I chose The Voice Bible translation so that you will read it that way.
Breathe in … Eternal One (pause) Breath out … soothe my soul (pause)
and when you are ready to move deeper into the text ... Pray: Eternal One … You are God and I am not. I'm not sure I know what that really means. Help me always remember these words and pray to you from the center of my being. Lead me as I pray through this holy reading that I might come to know you more deeply. Amen.
Step 1: Lectio … Reading Read Job 1:1, 2:1-10 silently to yourself twice, slowly and reverently. Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention. Know that as you move through Lectio your focus might change and that is ok ... simply go where Spirit leads. Gently focus on the word or phrase that arises for you in any given reading. Repeat it several times and allow it to be sifted through your heart and mind all the way to your soul.
Job 1:1, 2:1-10
(The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice ™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society)Once there was a man from Uz by the name of Job. He was a very good man— his character spotless, his integrity unquestioned. In fact, he so believed in God that he sought to honor Him in all things. He deliberately avoided evil in all of his affairs. Now one day, it was time for the sons of God, God’s heavenly messengers, to present themselves to the Eternal One to give reports and receive instructions. The Accuser* was with them there again, also ready to present himself to Him. Eternal One (to the Accuser): Where have you been? The Accuser: Oh, roaming here and there, running about the earth and observing its inhabitants. Eternal One: Well, have you looked into the man, Job, My servant? He is unlike any other person on the whole earth— a very good man— his character spotless, his integrity unquestioned. In fact, he so believes in Me that he seeks, in all things, to honor Me and deliberately avoids evil in all of his affairs. And I have found him to be unswervingly committed, despite the fact that you provoked Me to wreck him for no particular reason, to take away My protection and his prosperity. The Accuser: Well, as they say, “Skin for skin!” It is easy to be so pious in the face of such health. Surely a man will give what he has for the sake of his own life, so now extend Your hand! Afflict him, both bone and body, and he will curse You, right to Your face. Eternal One: Well then, this is how it will be: he is now in your hand. One thing, though: you will not take his life. Job must not be killed. With that, the Accuser left the court and the Eternal’s presence, and he infected Job with a painful skin disease. From the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, his body was covered with boils. Job took a broken piece of pottery to scrape his wounds, and while he sat in the ashes just outside of town, his wife found him. Job’s Wife: Will you still not swerve in your commitments? Curse God and die! Job: You’re speaking nonsense like some depraved woman. Are we to accept the good that comes from God, but not accept the bad? Throughout all of this, Job did not sin with his mouth; he would not curse God as the Accuser predicted.
Step 2: Meditatio … Receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What images emerge in your imagination?
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you through this word.
Listen for God’s reply as you move through your day
Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer.
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention.
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires
Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow yourself to rest in the silence.
Allow your mind to settle into the silence.
When you feel the time to move on ...
Pray … Eternal One, soothe my soul … Amen
Cindy's Meditation ... There is something of the words of Job that remind me of Mother Teresa. Her absolute devotion to the suffering of people in the world is striking. I've always felt so but never more strongly as when I read the book of her own writings in which she talked of the darkness of walking without the felt presence of God. For her, this must have meant suffering in profound ways. She inspires me and gives me hope. Just the opposite of Nietzsche, Mother Teresa was completely devoted to God and never gave up hope in the face of profound suffering. And in the face of profound suffering she found the meaning that he must have searched for and never found ... or so we think.
“Pain and suffering have come into your life,
but remember pain, sorrow, suffering
are but the kiss of Jesus -
a sign that you have come so close to Him
that He can kiss you.”
~Mother Teresa
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