[Job's entire estate and family were destroyed in one day, and he was also struck with a terrible case of boils.] "Why didn't I die at birth? Why did the midwife let me live? Why did she nurse me at her breasts? For if only I had died at birth, then I would be quiet now, asleep and at rest, along with prime ministers and kings with all their pomp, and wealthy princes whose castles are full of rich treasures. Oh, to have been still-born! - to have never breathed or seen the light . . .

   "Oh, why should light and life be given to those in misery and bitterness, who long for death, and it won't come; who search for death as others search for food or money? What blessed relief when at last they die! Why is a man allowed to be born if God is only going to give Him a hopeless life of uselessness and frustration?

   "My complaint today is still a bitter one, and my punishment far more severe than my fault deserves. Oh, that I knew where to find God - that I could go to His throne and talk with Him there. I would tell Him all about my side of this argument, and listen to His reply, and understand what He wants. Would He merely overpower me with His greatness? No, He would listen with sympathy. Fair and honest men could reason with Him, and be acquitted by my Judge. But I search in vain. I seek Him here, I seek Him there, and cannot find Him."

   Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: "Why are you using your ignorance to deny My providence? Now get ready to fight, for I am going to demand some answers from you, and you must reply.

   "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined, and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone, as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? . . ."

   The Lord went on: "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? Or will you yield? Do you - God's critic - have the answers?"

   Then Job replied to God: "I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers? I lay my hand upon my mouth in silence. I have said too much already."

Taken from Job 3, 23, 38, 40, The Living Bible. For free Lifescope book,
write to Box 1575, Carlsbad, NM 88221. Please send $1.00 for postage and handling.