By Jeremy McMillan
"HASHEM said to Satan": " Did you set your heart [to take note of] My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth; a wholesome and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8).
Do we live such a life, dedicated to being wholesome and upright, fearing G-d and shunning evil?
Do we set such an example to those around us by living out the seven universal laws?
Do we show such faith and trust in the decisions G-d makes in the outcomes of our daily lives? " Did you set your heart [to take note of] My servant (insert your name)? Can you honestly insert your name in the place of Job's?
I can tell you that I personally have not always been a good servant and it would be hard for me to honestly say that I could put my name in the place of Job's in that phrase. However, if HASHEM granted you the return of your soul this morning, say your morning prayers and realize, today is a new day; a new beginning and another chance to be wholesome and upright, a person that fears G-d and shuns evil.
Upon repeatedly receiving horrific news, the loss of his live stock, the loss of his servants, and the loss of his children, Job ripped his clothes and pulled out his hair in such anguish. He said, "naked did I emerge from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. HASHEM has given, and HASHEM has taken away, blessed be the name of HASHEM" (Job 1:21). Job acknowledges the fact that all that he has, HASHEM has given him, and HASHEM has the authority to remove it; " blessed be the name of HASHEM." This does not negate the fact that Job is human and the decrees that he has received still hurt. None the less, Job set his heart to not curse G-d during this time of trial.
After several rounds of dialogue with his friend's, Job hears from G-d:
"Can one who contends with the Almighty be arrogant? One who argues with G-d must answer [His words]!" (Job 40:2).
Job then responded to HASHEM and said: "Behold, I am deficient; what can I answer you? I place my hand against my mouth! I spoke once and I will not speak up again; as for the second, I will say no more." (Job 40:3-5).
HASHEM then responded to Job from out of the whirlwind and said:
"Gird your loins like a warrior! I will ask, and you will answer me! Will you also discredit my judgement? Will you declare me wrong in order to make yourself right?! Do you have power like G-d; can you, like Him, produce a thunder clap?" (Job 40:7-9).
As HASHEM, Master of the universe, continues to ask Job questions only G-d would know concerning His creation, Job comes to a place of repentance.
"I knew that you can do everything, and that nothing can impede [your] purpose from you. Who is it that would deny [your] council without knowledge?"
(Job 42:2-3).
Even in the thick battle of trials in our lives, let us contemplate who has authorized these instances of anguish. Let us dwell on the words that Job heard from the whirlwind; G-d reminded Job of the power and authority that only resides with the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and everything in it.
"I am HASHEM and there is no other; other than Me there is no God; I will gird you, though you did not know me, in order that those from the east and the west would know that there is nothing besides Me; I am HASHEM, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:5-6).
By Jeremy McMillan
Jeremy McMillan is a writer for the Noahide Academy.
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