Man’s Depression vs God’s Deity - Job 3-5

 Job 3:20-26 (ESV)

“Why is light given to him who is in misery,

and life to the bitter in soul,

who long for death, but it comes not,

and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

who rejoice exceedingly

and are glad when they find the grave?

Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,

whom God has hedged in?

For my sighing comes instead of my bread,

and my groanings are poured out like water.

For the thing that I fear comes upon me,

and what I dread befalls me.

I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;

I have no rest, but trouble comes.”

To say Job is depressed would be an understatement.   In the first part of chapter three he wishes he would have never been born.    In the above section he simply wishes he would die.  Suicidal thoughts do not escape him.   The fate of the dead is the longing in his heart and mind.   And who would not have similar thoughts if they experienced his situation.  He has lost all his children to a storm, his servants, flocks, and riches to marauders.   He has lost the favor of his wife.   He has lost his health and sits in pain along side of the road scrapping his flesh with broken clay pots.   Pots, who like him in the past were cherished and useful, but now discarded and have lost their purpose.   This is Job’s circumstances.   Can anyone blame him for his mindset.   Loss of anything is particularly hard to deal with.  Much less the loss of life and/or health.   He has lost his life of ease and rest.  He has inherited a life of pain and loneliness.  He actually has feared this very thing.  What he dreaded has landed upon him.  He sees no hope.    His three friends will, over a variety of speeches, blame him for his own pain.   Job will defend and deflect and deny.   It will not be until the end of the long dialogues of shame and blame that Job finds relief.   His mind will be as equally affected by the situation he is in.  As his body deteriorates, his mind dismantles all his previous faith and trust.   What is the solution?  We have to go all the way to chapters 38-41 to hear God’s response to all this.  God allowed it and only God can solve it.   When Job’s depression is confronted by God, God takes him to His creation and His power and His provision of the world around Job.   What is Job’s eventual response:

Job 42:1-6 (ESV)

Job's Confession and Repentance

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

“I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

‘Hear, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees you;

therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job eventually quits talking, defending and thinking of his issues and starts to focus back on the majesty of God.   God’s solution for depression is the constant meditation on His marvelous works, majestic creation and constant provisions.   Instead of Job focusing on his dilemma, he focus on God’s deity.