We do not know if Job’s wife Sitis returned to the faith or if she died cursing God. However, as I began thinking and studying this story through her eyes, I wanted to continue to do so to the end of the book. That is the reason Sitis is still telling the story here, while the Bible has no further mention of her. I, too, have suffered loss and felt anger towards God, but in His grace and mercy, there is a place for me in His Circle of Love here on earth and for eternity in heaven. God speaks to all of us through the story of Job and Sitis. I pray that Sitis heard His voice and turned her eyes and heart back to Him.
Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)
The storm came, and God’s voice was in it. “Who are you to question me? I will demand some answers from you, and you must reply!”
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you know so much. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Have you one commanded the morning to appear? Does the rain have a father? Where does dew come from? Who gives intuition and instinct? Who made the donkeys wild? Who provides for the ravens when their young cry out to God as they try to struggle up from their next in hunger?”
A lull quieted the storm, then God’s voice resumed. “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? Or will you yield? Do you—God’s critic—have the answers?”
Job had no answers; nor did as I trembled beside him. But God had commanded him to speak, so he said, “I am nothing. How could I ever find the answers? I lay my hand on my mouth in silence. I have said too much already.”
But God had more to say, and it resounded in the whirlwind of dust, stones, and garbage from the dump. “Stand up like a man and brace yourself for battle. Let me ask you questions and give me the answers. Are you going to discredit my justice and condemn me, so that you can say you are right? Are you as strong as God, and can you shout as loudly as He? All right then, put on your robes of state, your majesty and splendor. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the haughty with a glance; tread down the wicked where they stand. Knock them into the dust, stone-faced in death. If you can do that, then I will agree with you that your own strength can save you.” (Job 38-41)
I found myself weeping and clutching Job’s arm as he gave his answer to God—the only possible answer. “I know that you can do anything and that no one can stop you. You ask who it is who has so foolishly denied your providence. It is I.”
“I did, too.” I echoed in my mind and I threw myself facedown on the ground.
Job went on. “I was talking about things I knew nothing about and did not understand, things far too wonderful for me. You said to listen and answer, and so I say this. I thought I knew all about you before, but now that I have really seen you, I loathe myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
I wept, and my tears muddied the garbage where I groveled in my shame. “Oh, Lord God Almighty, forgive me.”
Later, God also spoke to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. They listened, repented, and obeyed God’s commands, and when they asked Job to pray for them, he did so. The Lord accepted Job’s prayer and blessed these men.
I knelt in the filth and dirt beside Job and asked him to forgive me as I had asked God. Job prayed for me as well. I try tend to his wasted body with love now, instead of duty.
I wonder …
Do I question God? Do I think my solutions would be better than His?
When I am confronted by the Almighty God, do I run the other way and hide in fear or do I bown down in repentance?
When my thoughts, words, or actions have harmed another, have I gone to them and asked for forgiveness?
Almighty Creator God, the great I AM, we praise your Holy Name. Thank you for loving us so much that you are willing to reveal your glory to us. Thank you also for the love that sent your Son to the cross so that we don’t have to die for our sins. Jesus Christ has already paid the price and defeated sin and death. Amen.
Kathleen S Evenhouse 