Job 3:21-25: What is Job trying to tell us about his suffering?

Sincerely,
Jobaphobe

Dear Jobaphobe,

Considering the other two questions we have recently received at the site (see “The Blessings Of Death” and “Job’s Lament”), we must commend some studious AYP reader for their diligent interest in the book of Job.  Nothing makes us happier than to see someone committing themselves to reading and understanding God’s Word.  We are happy to continue to aid you in your study, but we might ask that you include your e-mail address in the future, so that we can respond privately if needed since we sometimes have large sudden influxes of other questions that need posting.

In Job 3:21-25, Job is venting his frustration that God won’t let him die.  Job’s greatest desire is to die and have his suffering ended, and yet, God won’t let Job die.  Job feels hedged in by life (Job 3:23).  His pain is ever before him, and his agony is constant (Job 3:24).  The grave would bring him joy, and he longs for death (Job 3:21-22).  Every day is full of terror, pain, and trouble for Job (Job 3:25).

What Job didn’t understand (and neither do we when we suffer) is that God had a greater plan for him.  Job’s suffering would eventually end, and his blessing would exceed his sorrow (Job 42:12-13).  The Lord works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28).  When our suffering is deep, we often forget that.

I need to know what the difference is between the Nicene Creed and the creeds of Christendom, and why were the creeds of Christendom created?  Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
Noting The Nicene

Dear Noting The Nicene,

The difference between the Nicene Creed and all other creeds found throughout various denominations is that the Nicene Creed is older.  A creed is simply a statement of beliefs that unifies one group together under a common belief system.  The Nicene Creed is one of the very first, if not the first, creed written as an addendum to Christianity.  The Nicene Creed, written in the 4^th century A.D., was an attempt to unify all churches under emperor Constantine.  It was the beginning of Catholicism.  All creeds, by very nature, start a new religious movement.

And that is the problem with creeds… they modify Christianity and create a new and different religious movement.  God clearly states that we should never add or subtract from His Word (Rev 22:18-19, Deu 4:2, Deu 12:32, Josh 23:6).  The Bible is supposed to be our only belief system; any creed alters what God intended.  Any message (even if it claims it is christian) that isn’t the Bible is a perversion (Gal 1:6-9).  All creeds are human inventions that create new religions instead of bringing unity.  God intends for there to be one pattern for the church – the pattern found in the Scriptures (Eph 4:4-6).

What does the Bible have to say about arranged marriages?  Are they scripturally sound if the people have not chosen each other and are not in love?

Sincerely,
Rearranging The Arrangement

Dear Rearranging The Arrangement,

The Bible neither condemns nor commends arranged marriages.  In the Old Testament, it was very common for marriages to be arranged by the parents, and God made specific laws addressing the parents’ right to refuse or endorse a marriage (one example of this is Ex. 22:17).  However, the Song of Solomon deals with romantic love and tells young couples to “not awake love” prematurely (Songs 3:5), which implies that it is appropriate for young men and women to have a say in who they marry.

There is nothing unscriptural about an arranged marriage.  A husband can behave in a loving and selfless way to his wife even if they haven’t had the opportunity to become romantically attached (Eph 5:25).  Likewise, a wife can respect and honor her husband that she hasn’t had the time to become close to (Eph 5:24).  Of course, it becomes easier to fulfill these commands as time goes on, but it is not unscriptural to be married to someone through an arranged marriage.  Biblical love and respect are choices, not merely feelings.

Does Job 3:18-19 mean that that the prisoners are all dead and resting peacefully where they do not have to hear the voice of evil any more, and the rich and poor are together where they are free from their master?

Sincerely,
Say What?

Dear Say What,

Yes, Job 3:18-19 is a continuation of Job’s theme for that chapter.  Job is extolling how much he wishes he had never been born (Job 3:3).  He is in such complete physical agony that he welcomes the thought of death (Job 2:7-8).  Furthermore, Job has also lost his wealth and his children (Job 1:14-19).  In Job 3:17-19, he is explaining the comfort that is found in death.  Wicked people no longer can harm us once we die, and we have rest from the toil of this life (Job 3:17).  Slaves are no longer burdened by the commands of their earthly masters – they are free (Job 3:18).  All is equal in death; the rich and the poor, the small and the great, in death, are judged by who they are, not by how much they have.

Should women become pastors?

 

Sincerely,
No Girls Allowed?

Dear No Girls Allowed,

Pastors, also known as overseers, elders, and bishops (Tit 1:7, Jas 5:14), guide the local church.  The qualifications for pastors are laid out in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Tit 1:5-9.  It is made very clear in those verses that only men are supposed to be pastors.

This is a great example of how important it is for a church to consult the Scriptures in all of its decisions.  The church is supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:15).  Everything the church does needs to have Scriptural backing.  The leadership structure of the church is no exception.