Tag: Proverbs

How Long Did Job Suffer?

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It has been my observation that when the Bible speaks on a topic, the Bible speaks absolute truth. Furthermore, I find no path available (within the confines of absolute truth) to yield on this point and remain faithful to scripture (God’s message). But sometimes, we observe that scripture leaves gaps in the information presented.

What do we do? What should we do? The focus of this essay is one of those gaps. Let us explore the duration (timeline) for the troubles of Job. Scripture does not comment on the complete timeline, but I have attempted to form a reasonable estimate of the timeline drawing from available scripture and a close reading of a map. I chose this subject because it does not present the same struggles that other gaps in scripture do.

Let us start at the beginning. Job was a real person who experienced the real events described in the book of Job. I start with that truth. I believe his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) were earnest but misguided – they were scolded by God at the end of the account (see Job 42:7-9). I believe that Elihu was on point – he was not scolded by God at the end of the account. But it remains, how much time did the story traverse?

The following dialogue is ‘one man’s opinion’ — a safe way to demonstrate how to deal with an unknown. I am not recommending that you build life theology on my findings, rather I traveled this path to try to wrap my mind around the message of Job and to form an understanding for the duration of his woes. 30 years, 3 years, 3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes – these various spans of time all affect the intensity of the account.

We know that Job’s suffering began with the death of his servants and the loss of his livestock. Then his troubles became progressively worse with the deaths of his 10 children and his physical afflictions. We are told that four messengers came, one after the other while the previous one “was yet speaking…” (Job 1:13-19). Scripture says this encounter with the four messengers happened in a single day (Job 1:13).

I think Lucifer would strive to create the maximum amount of chaos in Job’s life (within the limits place upon Lucifer by God) to create the maximum impact on Job. This seems intense but we know God does not permit trouble we cannot endure as long as we lean on God (implied in Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Job chapter 1:13-19 we read — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (NIV)

What a mess. Then a conversation happens between God and Lucifer. This happens while Job is recovering from the troubles. His wife comments on the troubles. (see Job 2). Again, these conversations take about a day. We are prudent to allow time between each key day.

Next, we are told that three of Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) decided to visit him when they heard of his suffering (implied in Job 2:11). We know the name of the places they come from; but we are unsure where the places are located on a map. What do we know about this situation? Numbers 1:2 suggests it takes about 11 days to travel from Egypt to the promised land. I choose to assume Job’s friends lived closer than Egypt. Friends tend to live near each other. I suspect they arrive at Job’s place within 10 days of the initial event (three days to get the notification, four days to prepare, and three days to travel). This assumption suggests a maximum of about 2 weeks from notification to arrival (why? Because they lived close to him).

We know Job’s three friends sat with Job in silence for 7 days. Then his friends conducted a debate with Job containing 9 discourses (see Job 3-27). After Job’s three friends ceased debating, Job speaks on a deeper level (Job 28-31). Finally, Elihu, a young man, arrived and spoke up (see Job 32-37). When Elihu ceased speaking, then God spoke. God first asked questions of Job (Job 38-41), and then He rebuked Job’s three friends. Overall, I estimate about 3-4 weeks for the debate (1 week of silence, 2-3 weeks of debate).

Given the first few days of notifications from the four messengers, the conversation with his wife, the notification and travel time for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and the debate, we find ourselves with about 6-8 weeks of time.

Let us pause to notice how Job responded to the Lord (Job 42:2-6) “I know that You can do everything, … You asked, ‘Who … hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. “

After the three friends left (implied in Job 42:9), God restored Job (implied in Job 42:10). Based on this analysis I suggest the timeline for the troubles of Job and the assorted conversations traversed a couple of months. I prefer to think the restoration (see Job 42) happened over a few years. The Bible simply does not say. But it helps me to understand the flow of events if I place the occurrences for most of the Book of Job into a window of a few months. You may hold a different opinion — I’m good with that. I do not think it would be fruitful to debate this topic much. I formed this opinion as a tool, a framework, to help me visualize the events unfolding as described in the book of Job.

The deeper truth from Job — When God allows us to suffer in any way, or for any length of time, we must remember that He has a purpose (implied in Romans 5:3-5). The absence of a timeline in the Book of Job helps us to avoid comparing the duration of our suffering to Job’s suffering. We are promised God will work all things for our ultimate good and His glory (implied in 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, what matters most is not the length of suffering, or even the severity of our suffering, it is how we choose to embrace the suffering (implied in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Where do we turn for comfort and hope? When we turn to God in faith, our hearts change, and troubles eventually evaporate (implied in James 1:2-4). Then the desired effect of the unknown timeline may produce the outcome God intended (see Psalms 46:10).

I choose Jesus.

Live By The Spirit

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It has been my observation; after listing the fruit of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds the believers that they “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). This is his way of describing our turn from sin to Jesus.

In my house above the kitchen sink is a beautiful Christmas cactus, I have had it for a few years. I have watered it and ensured it gets light. It has graced me with growth, but none of its glorious flowers. Then a few weeks ago, I noticed that a bud had appeared, then the leaves changed color and the bud unfolded into a wondrous blossom. The transition this plant displayed was amazing. I think we are similar, the Spirit waters and gives us plenty of Light. This takes a while, but many of us do blossom into a magnificent flower with the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul says — For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin (Romans 6:5-7).

Being crucified with Jesus is the turning point – the place where we transition from death into life – the place where we start all over – the place where we experience the effect of free will for the first time. This does not mean we will never sin again, but it does mean we can move forward.

Paul says — Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:24).

I think, we are given an exceptional gift, a gift to walk forward, surrendered to God. Not so easy to surrender, goodness I know about resistance, being a rebel and all the things that go with not looking at the endgame, just looking at the pieces. Our surrender is an act of the will, our will, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Would we yield to him on our own? Not likely. Without help we just stand there, hoping no one would notice. Saying yes to God is no trivial thing.

I have noted when perusing both Romans 6 and Romans 12, putting God first is the only appropriate response to God. The only sensible response for God. The only logical response to God. If we embrace this response, we find the mercy he extends to us and the grace he created for us. If we continue to resist, well we will soon suffer a divided heart. We will have one foot centered in his will and one foot dragging behind, stuck in the world.

In this state, One could say that we are of two minds, we want God’s sheltering protection but we are not so interested in living within his circle of influence. We are willing to walk away from sin when it is convenient, but we do not walk away from sin when it is not convenient. I can rationalize and make ‘excellent logical reasons’ why my decision is ok, but in the end, God is not impressed, and he waits. He patiently waits. How about you? Do you find yourself rationalizing?

CS Lewis says – If we let God – for we can prevent him if we choose – He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a … dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine a bright, stainless mirror which reflects aback to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness.

So, what does this mean? This essay is about His amazing power to transform us, the Holy Spirit will lift our heart and carry to completion the journey of transformation for you and for me – The transformation leads to the renewing of our mind. First comes conviction, then conversion and filling. Then comes transformation. The final step is the renewing of the mind. This ‘thing’ works from the inside out. We can collect scripture about proper behavior and feel good, basking in the sunlight. Or we can allow the word to transform our heart and then allow the Holy Spirit to renew the source of our behavior – our mind. Please do not lose sight of Proverbs 23:7 – as a man thinks, a man is.

Hanging with God, at the deepest level, our heart and mind begins to crave God’s grace and mercy, rejecting the old ways that seem so comfortable in the past… What do we do? How do we respond to the craving? As a man thinks, a man is.

I choose Jesus.

Deprive the Oxygen

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It was my observation, when I was a young elder at a small church in Nebraska, to have a front row view of God healing a man from Bitterness (unforgiveness). I watched a skillful senior elder gradually help a person who had rejected his pastor because of a few stray comments made by the Pastor. Bitter-man (Bman) was not easy to visit with. This senior elder knew Bman was a contractor and went to the job sites to visit with Bman. It took several visits to contractor sites to bring Bman to the reconciliation table. It took months of meetings to help the two men reconcile. The trouble ran deep. After God resolved the problem, the elder mentioned to me – clinging to bitterness is much like drinking an extremely sweet poison while believing that the other person is going to die. He quietly said – The more we feed the foul stench of bitterness in our own heart, the more aggressively it pulls us towards darkness.

Bitterness is a mental poison. It is heavenly to bite into, is quite easy to swallow, and then gently brings darkness to us from the inside out. I think – when we cling to something that drags us into darkness, Lucifer has achieved his objective – his job is really easy at that point. How do we get out of the mess?

Deprive bitterness of oxygen. To strip bitterness of its oxygen, we must first know where the oxygen comes from. Proverbs says – Whoever would foster love covers an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9). We give bitterness oxygen by repeating the issue over and over in our mind. If we stop the pattern, we can break the power of bitterness over our heart.

Sometimes people love to bring up old issues when a new issue arises between them. If you are one of them, and you know what I am talking about, then the ‘replay’ never allows us to settle the matter. We are an expert at retaining infinite detail on the grievance and are very consistent in bringing it up. Sometimes we engage in constant repeating and reliving the issue with a third party, somebody that was not involved but we have deemed they have a ‘need to know.’  The bible calls this gossip (unless a crime or abuse has been committed). The tough part of gossip is that it hurts a lot of people. The transmitter of gossip is injured (see Proverbs 25:9–10); the listener of the gossip is harmed (see Proverbs 22:24–25); and the Spirit of God is grieved (see Ephesians 4:29-32). Just say no to gossip.

Whenever we do these things, we give the devil a foothold to sow more darkness and bitterness inside of us (implied in Hebrews 12:14–15). Paul says — Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:31–32). At some point, we must let go. Bitterness grows, or it diminishes, but it does not set still. Just hand it over to Jesus before you are consumed.

To starve our souls of one thing (to let go), we must feed our souls with something else. We let go of bitterness by refocusing our heart and mind on God’s love and forgiveness toward us. Paul says — Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).  J I Packer says — There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love towards me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me.  We are free.

When we stray, Jesus is constantly in pursuit. He instantly celebrates when we repent and turn towards him (implied Luke 15:20–32). There is mercy waiting for every repentant sinner, including me, with our imperfect hearts seeking perfect forgiveness (implied in Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).

I choose Jesus.

Hollywood and the Dream Catcher.

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Early in the morning when the sun peaks above the stars and begins the long trek up to the top of the sky in all its splendor is the best time of day. The clouds’ part company and allow their friend the Sun to gently rise, warming the land, and causing the flowers to bloom. The flowers turn their blooms towards the sun and follow its rays all day long.

Miss Tillie is smiling as Hollywood daydreams about things in the past when he lived on a cattle ranch called the Flying Too. He made up many songs as a young man and he recalled one this morning.

Back home again on the Flying Too,

From a young lad to a man, I grew.

Twenty long years I’ve been away,

I sometimes wonder why I strayed.

Pushing out across the high plains,

I know every foot of that prairie range.

My years turn back as I dreamed along,

and hum to myself this old song.

Hollywood could see the ridge from the old Flying Too homestead in his mind. On a good day you could see nearly 50 miles in most directions. Every day the cattle scattered and he loved to run out to the ends of the land, hunting for them, bringing them back home for their supper, and taking a good bath in the creek.

Every day he was on the ranch was peaceful but eventually things changed and he wondered what was over the next hill. He wondered what it was like to be on other ranches. He wondered if he could be a cowboy on any other ranch. He wondered. His song continued:

An Eagle fly’s low with life on its wing.

God sent butterflies out to sing.

The West wind blows with a curious sigh.

Fireflies dance on the bells they ring.

The tumbleweed stops and rolls on by.

Mercy comes down and heals the divide.

All is well in God’s country tonight.

All is well in God’s country tonight.

Hollywood was remembering his friends and family who had scattered to the four winds. From time to time a letter would come and let him know of their fate. He would send out letters to them and then he started creating dream catchers with an attached note for the trees on the range. He carefully wrapped the notes in a leather pouch and attached them to the dream catcher. As he wandered about the Wind River Range he secured the dream catchers to a tree.

Sometimes he would hear about his dreamcatcher messages when he drifted into town for supplies, but no one knew it was Hollywood that was writing the messages. He was becoming a bit of a curiosity in the community as people tried to learn who was writing the messages.  Miss Tillie knew, but she never told anyone the messages came from Hollywood.

One of his favorite messages was this…

It has been my observation that God loves all of us more than we will ever know. Even before we were born, he knew about us and loved us for what we would become. He even planned for our life and helped us to find our way through life. We are wise to honor God with the things we earn from the land, we should share with others when we have plenty and even when we do not. If you do this, God will keep filling your barns with crops overflowing, and your wells with cool water. Those who find God’s wisdom will be blessed; I suggest that you spend your life growing in wisdom. God’s wisdom is more valuable than gold, more precious than diamonds, there is nothing that compares with God’s wisdom. The way of wisdom will lead you to a long life, a pleasant life, a good life of service to God. You will find peace when you find God’s wisdom. Hang on to the good things, hang on to God’s wisdom.

Hollywood and his dreamcatchers were famous in his later days. Sometimes his messages appeared in the local newspaper. People would read and talk about them for hours. He kept writing for most of his life. Miss Tillie was always sure to make the little leather pouches and keep a fresh ink pen ready for Hollywood to support his creation of new messages. They worked hard, their barn was full, and they shared with many who needed help.

As the sun went down, Hollywood and Miss Tillie reflected on their life and on the Flying Too ranch. He could not imagine a life any different than the life he was living.

Proverbs 9:10 — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Gladness of Heart

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It has been my observation while reading Ecclesiastes that Solomon often commented on the vanity of gathering and holding wealth. He suggested the best course we can take is to carefully use what we have, save some for the future, but at the same time — provide for our families, serve God with it, do good with it, and most important; deliver this support within the limits of our income; furthermore, we are to avoid fretting because of limits presented by our income (take a fresh look at my last essay).

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says — This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (NIV)

I think Solomon is suggesting we are to be sober and moderate in the use of our resources granted as a gift from God for the labor we accomplish each day. God gives us work and income to ease our days and to provide things for our family. It is not proper to starve because of covetousness, or, on the other hand, to aggressively spend to satisfy our ‘nice things’ pursuit. We are wise to contain our spending within our means. We are advised to feed our families and keep our families safe as we serve the one true living God. Acquisition is not the goal. Service to God and family is the goal.

Ecclesiastes 2: 24-25 — A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. (NIV)

We are not being asked by God to work ourselves into the ground and then leave wealth for others to enjoy. We are being advised to do things in moderation, use the wealth gained to live a quiet life, and allocate the income so it sustains us for the days of our life. Job wrote — A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed (Job 14:5). We are wise to manage our income with a focus towards our family and God’s service. Let us spend our days serving our family and God’s family with as much joyfulness as we can muster. Find work we can do, learn to love the work, and be happy to share the fruit of our labor. This call to service is not one of drudgery, we are not slaves, but take pleasure in the calling and dive into the work with cheerfulness.

Hebrews 6: 9-12 says — we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

The deeper truth – Happiness is an attitude, attitudes are a choice we make; I have said many times — as a man thinks, a man is. Move your mind towards happiness, firmly embrace the goodness of God. You will be surprised by the cool stuff that happens when you enter His gates with praise on your lips. When you use a few gifts wisely, God will bring more your way, because you have proven yourself to be a good steward of a few things (see Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 3:9-10). Plan. Decide. Move. Assess. Adjust. Move. Do the right things for the right reasons. Take pleasure in your work as a sweet offering to God.

I choose Jesus.

You are led by the Spirit

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Written by Dan

It has been my observation that Paul often talked about the nature of self-control. I found 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to be an interesting expression of his view. He wondered if we were aware of the purpose of the human race – getting the prize. He knew that all serious competitors would enter a strict training plan to prepare for the race – the journey. He mused at the temporary honor they obtained for all their work and noted how much better our prize of everlasting life was for the journey.

Then comes the heart of his message in 1 Corinthians – Paul was not interested in aimlessly running the race for mere trinkets at the end, he did not train to merely shadow box or run in place. The personal training was to like most training, the training included forcefully causing the body to become a slave to our mind, not driven by urges and glances, rather to be managed by self-control. God created us in his image, our body is not evil in and of itself. However, our body is a strong center of weakness, it requires management, so our mind remains in control, not our hands, eyes, nose, or urges. Why? Because impulses can be destructive to spiritual life. As a man thinks – a man is (Proverbs 23:6)

Galatians 5:13-26 says — You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious … those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other. (NIV)

This message in Galatians was completely in line with the Matthew 5 message from Jesus when he spoke about removing the eye if the eye causes sin or remove the hand if it causes sin. I do not think Jesus was recommending we actually poke our eye or remove a hand. But the message was clear, walk away from sin, it I deadly, it is dangerous, walk away. I think in the same way, Paul was telling us to bring our body into submission, develop the discipline needed to control our personal actions so we stay true to Jesus.

Imagine a runner, who is very skillful and successful in each race exhibiting a selflessness that leaves no trace of conceit. A good runner knows he is going to be standing at the pole, waiting to start, he gently responds to the respect from the younger runners, many more know of him than he realized. During the race he is observed for technique, the younger emulate him. During the race he respects the other runners, he does not need to provoke the other runners hoping to involve a mistake that will give him the advantage. He simply runs his race, his way. He has no envy in his heart for the other runners.

So then, we are not left without positive tools to help manage the body and our mind. Paul names the tools ‘the fruit of the Spirit’.  We are to embrace a joyful heart, seek a peaceful disposition, develop forbearance in all circumstances, always treat other with kindness, find the goodness of God in all things,

Use faithfulness to cement our commitments, pursue an enduring attitude of gentleness, and in all these things cultivate self-control that overrides all our impulses.

I choose Jesus.

How Long Did Job Suffer?

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Written By Dan

It has been my observation that when the Bible speaks on a topic, the Bible speaks absolute truth. Furthermore, I find no path available (within the confines of absolute truth) to yield on this point and remain faithful to scripture (God’s message). But sometimes, we observe that scripture leaves gaps in the information presented.

What do we do? What should we do? The focus of this essay is one of those gaps. Let us explore the duration (timeline) for the troubles of Job. Scripture does not comment on the complete timeline, but I have attempted to form a reasonable estimate of the timeline drawing from available scripture and a close reading of a map. I chose this subject because it does not present the same struggles that other gaps in scripture do.

Let us start at the beginning. Job was a real person who experienced the real events described in the book of Job. I start with that truth. I believe his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) were earnest but misguided – they were scolded by God at the end of the account (see Job 42:7-9). I believe that Elihu was on point – he was not scolded by God at the end of the account. But it remains, how much time did the story traverse?

The following dialogue is ‘one man’s opinion’ — a safe way to demonstrate how to deal with an unknown. I am not recommending that you build life theology on my findings, rather I traveled this path to try to wrap my mind around the message of Job and to form an understanding for the duration of his woes. 30 years, 3 years, 3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes – these various spans of time all affect the intensity of the account.

We know that Job’s suffering began with the death of his servants and the loss of his livestock. Then his troubles became progressively worse with the deaths of his 10 children and his physical afflictions. We are told that four messengers came, one after the other while the previous one “was yet speaking…” (Job 1:13-19). Scripture says this encounter with the four messengers happened in a single day (Job 1:13).

I think Lucifer would strive to create the maximum amount of chaos in Job’s life (within the limits place upon Lucifer by God) to create the maximum impact on Job. This seems intense but we know God does not permit trouble we cannot endure as long as we lean on God (implied in Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Job chapter 1:13-19 we read — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (NIV)

What a mess. Then a conversation happens between God and Lucifer. This happens while Job is recovering from the troubles. His wife comments on the troubles. (see Job 2). Again, these conversations take about a day. We are prudent to allow time between each key day.

Next, we are told that three of Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) decided to visit him when they heard of his suffering (implied in Job 2:11). We know the name of the places they come from; but we are unsure where the places are located on a map. What do we know about this situation? Numbers 1:2 suggests it takes about 11 days to travel from Egypt to the promised land. I choose to assume Job’s friends lived closer than Egypt. Friends tend to live near each other. I suspect they arrive at Job’s place within 10 days of the initial event (three days to get the notification, four days to prepare, and three days to travel). This assumption suggests a maximum of about 2 weeks from notification to arrival (why? Because they lived close to him).

We know Job’s three friends sat with Job in silence for 7 days. Then his friends conducted a debate with Job containing 9 discourses (see Job 3-27). After Job’s three friends ceased debating, Job speaks on a deeper level (Job 28-31). Finally, Elihu, a young man, arrived and spoke up (see Job 32-37). When Elihu ceased speaking, then God spoke. God first asked questions of Job (Job 38-41), and then He rebuked Job’s three friends. Overall, I estimate about 3-4 weeks for the debate (1 week of silence, 2-3 weeks of debate).

Given the first few days of notifications from the four messengers, the conversation with his wife, the notification and travel time for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and the debate, we find ourselves with about 6-8 weeks of time.

Let us pause to notice how Job responded to the Lord (Job 42:2-6) “I know that You can do everything, … You asked, ‘Who … hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. “

After the three friends left (implied in Job 42:9), God restored Job (implied in Job 42:10). Based on this analysis I suggest the timeline for the troubles of Job and the assorted conversations traversed a couple of months. I prefer to think the restoration (see Job 42) happened over a few years. The Bible simply does not say. But it helps me to understand the flow of events if I place the occurrences for most of the Book of Job into a window of a few months. You may hold a different opinion — I’m good with that. I do not think it would be fruitful to debate this topic much. I formed this opinion as a tool, a framework, to help me visualize the events unfolding as described in the book of Job.

The deeper truth from Job — When God allows us to suffer in any way, or for any length of time, we must remember that He has a purpose (implied in Romans 5:3-5). The absence of a timeline in the Book of Job helps us to avoid comparing the duration of our suffering to Job’s suffering. We are promised God will work all things for our ultimate good and His glory (implied in 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, what matters most is not the length of suffering, or even the severity of our suffering, it is how we choose to embrace the suffering (implied in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Where do we turn for comfort and hope? When we turn to God in faith, our hearts change, and troubles eventually evaporate (implied in James 1:2-4). Then the desired effect of the unknown timeline may produce the outcome God intended (see Psalms 46:10).

I choose Jesus.