Job 16-18

I have fallen behind in posting my reflections, so tonight I am reading, reflecting, and posting on the specified readings for four consecutive days.

Surely, God, you have worn me out;
   you have devastated my entire household.
You have shriveled me up—and it has become a witness;
   my gauntness rises up and testifies against me.
God assails me and tears me in his anger
   and gnashes his teeth at me;
   my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes. (Job 16:7-9)

The technicality of which Job seems unaware is that God is not actively "wearing out" Job. God is not actively "assailing and tearing and gnashing his teeth at" Job. No, according to the biblical story, God is passively allowing the adversary (satan) to have his way with Job. (See Job 1:12 and 2:6.) The adversary is actively persecuting Job. 

Knowing that God is not active in the adversary's attacks is of some comfort to me. I am unconvinced that if Job had been informed, then he would have been comforted, also.
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