The Individual Task

We are all composed of individual traits which affect our actions. We all have different faces for different problems and people. We are a mixture of ourselves and others and what and where we have lived and because of this we have trouble when deciding something in our lives. When we are going to decide what to do in the future each part is pulling to it’s side. This is what I find interesting about this passage of Job’s life. Each of his friends had something to say and each one made Job think about why he was punished, maybe it wasn’t so much of a punishment for the ‘great sin’ he had committed, maybe it was his turn to suffer, or maybe it was his own children’s sins which made them face the final consequence. Finally, Job arrives at the conclusion that he has to remain being faithful, ignoring all of his friend or individual trait decide for him. “But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” -13:4 Job starts asking himself how could he be able to understand God’s strange punishments if no man can, because he is not God. He asks himself what can he do to please God but doesn’t find any answer and asks for a mediator to give his word to God.

At this point Elihu enters the conversation and he brings him to a conclusion. Elihu is sort of a mediator between all of Job’s thoughts. In a way I think he is the representation of our heart. That who unites all of our thoughts into one deep voice of understanding. Elihu accepts what God has done and finds a meaning that he isn’t really punishing Job but forgiving him for his actions and that in a final point, God is the only one who really understands his actions which are truthful and just. “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.” -37:23 The message that I extract from this is that we should seek this final point of view which understands God’s power and accepts it for what it is and is not trying to change it for the individual’s small ego’s benefit. Usually, when that truth or real knowledge is reached one becomes calm, centered and whole.