Jan 27 (edited) • General discussion
My Eyes See You
In Job 42: 1-7 it says;
“Then [at last,] Iyov (Job) gave Adonai this answer: “I know that you can do everything, that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “[You asked,] ‘Who is this, hiding counsel, without having knowledge?’ Yes, I spoke, without understanding, of wonders far beyond me, which I didn’t know. “Please listen, and I will speak. [You said,] ‘I will ask questions; and you, give me answers’ — I had heard about you with my ears, but now my eye sees you; therefore I detest [myself] and repent in dust and ashes.””
Iyov (Job) 42:1-6 CJB
There is a principle in play here in the story of Job that is vital to fully understanding the outcome of Job’s story. Woven within the tapestry of Job’s story is pain, despair, devastating loss, grief, depression, and the unanswered questions of “why.”
It is this question of “why” that makes Job’s story relatable to us all. Even if we haven’t experienced exactly what Job had experienced, we all go through heartache in life that makes us question “why” did it happen. It is this question of “why,” the question Job asked God that we will look a little deeper into.
This biblical principle that is in play in Job’s story is one that few know or understand. It’s the principle of how asking questions plays a role within the Hebraic/Biblical context of redemption, revelation, grace, mercy, teaching and how it points to the heart of the Father.
Within Hebraic/ Jewish culture it has long been the practice of Rabbis when teaching to engage the student by asking questions. It is said that Judaism is a religion of questions. Asking questions has been the primary way in which the Rabbis have taught for millennium. This concept of teaching and learning is present within scripture in a profound way.
In the book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve fall from grace, we read that God, YeHoVaH, the father, speaks and says “Adam, where are you?” Obviously, God is omniscient and wasn’t wandering around trying to find Adam as if Adam was doing a great job of hiding. The question wasn’t one of
geographic location. Instead, the question was addressing Adam’s heart…”where are you, Adam?” The echo of this is in Isaiah 29:13, and Matthew 15:8-9, which says…”you honor me with your lips, but your heart is far from me.” It was in this moment of Adam’s failure that YeHoVaH asking him the question “where are you?” that He was teaching Adam, and guiding him as a father in Adam’s worst moment. YeHoVaH also asked the question “…who told you, that you were naked?” Not because YeHoVaH didn’t know, He did know. One could speculate as to what course of correction YeHoVaH was taking by asking this question. I believe Its safe to say that however painful, he was teaching Adam by asking him to look at his pain.
In many places in the gospels we see the Pharisees asking Jesus questions. Matthew 22:33-40 is one example when the Pharisees ask Jesus what the greatest commandment is. Jesus answers but also asks a question of his own. In other instances Jesus says to the Pharisees “I’ll answer your question if you can answer mine." You see, Jesus wasn’t being combative or cavalier. It was a power play by the Pharisees. They were saying “we’re the teachers here.” And by saying “I’ll answer your question if you can answer mine," Jesus was saying to them with out saying it, “I’m the teacher here, I’m the one asking the questions.”
That brings us to Job 42. But first, Job asks God a series of questions in chapters 30 and 31 that culminate with Job demanding an answer from God in Job 31:35. Job asks all the same kind of questions we would all ask. Have I not tried to live a good life? Did I not treat the poor with compassion? Was I not a good husband, father, and friend? Did I not do all that asked me to do? Because I did! So then why! Why did you allow this to happen to me? Job says "I can no longer endure this suffering! I demand you tell me why!"
In Job 38 the scripture says that YeHoVAH then finally answers Job.
“Then Adonai answered Iyov out of the storm: “Who is this, darkening my plans with his ignorant words? Stand up like a man, and brace yourself; I will ask questions; and you, give the answers!”
Iyov (Job) 38:1-3 CJB
Sound familiar? YeHoVaH answers Job by saying “I have some questions of my own, so stand up, because I demand answers!” WOW! Once again, we see YeHoVaH asking the questions to bring restoration, to show compassion, to be the father He is and heal.
So what was Job’s answer?
“Yes, I spoke, without understanding, of wonders far beyond me, which I didn’t know. “Please listen, and I will speak. [You said,] ‘I will ask questions; and you, give me answers’ — I had heard about you with my ears, but now my eye sees you; therefore I detest [myself] and repent in dust and ashes”. Meaning he dies to his self once again (to be born again) completely submitting and surrendering to God, forgetting and letting go of all earthly possessions/wants and God restores all things back to him once he finally not only recognizes but also trusts the nature of God.
Iyov (Job) 42:1-6 CJB
My whole life, I’ve heard about you. But now…I can see you! It’s amazing that this is what Job arrives at, seeing the character and love of the father. In Genesis 3:8, it says that Adam hid from the presence of YeHoVaH. The word presence here is the Hebrew word Paneh and it means “face.” So, Adam hid from the face of YeHoVaH. And all YeHoVaH wanted is for Adam to look into His face, into His eyes. Job did what God wanted Adam to do! Even though he was headstrong about it, YeHoVaH accepted it because he was trying to understand YeHoVaH but couldn’t cause of the heartache and Pain and HE is near to the broken hearted. Amazing! The very place our eyes need to be, on YeHoVaH, is the very thing we seem to hide from. And YeHoVaH begins to ask all the right questions so that we say, “I’ve heard about you, but now my eyes see you!” Ever since Eden, YeHoVaH has been asking us all “where are you?” So that through our pain, loss, grief, regret, tragedy and through our asking “why” it all happened, we will finally say,
I see you! I see you!
So many of us turn our face from him In shame or pride when all he wants is us to do is look at him, return to him and rest because he is our sabbath.
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My Eyes See You
