“I know that You can do all things,
And that no plan is impossible for You.
‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.
‘Please listen, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract,
And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.” (vv. 2-6)

How can we repent if we do not understand what we have done wrong? How can we repent unless someone tells us what we have done wrong? This chapter begins with Job’s repentance. God never pointed out any wrongdoing in Job’s actions. Job’s friends rebuked him for alleged evil actions, which they could not prove. They merely assumed that Job must have committed some evil deeds to deserve such disasters. Job did not do anything wrong. But he needed education.

It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has. (v. 7)

God simply illustrated that He is one and only God who created all things. Is there any reason to doubt who He is? The concept of righteousness originates from God. And we humans doubt and judge God’s righteousness. How ridiculous! Job suddenly realises this and repents. We are made fearful and wonderful by God. Yet, we are not equal to God.

There is one who is equal to God, Jesus Christ. Although He was born as a human, He is from above.

And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.” Then they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I even been saying to you from the beginning? I have many things to say and to judge regarding you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I say to the world.” They did not realize that He was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” As He said these things, many came to believe in Him. (John 8:23-30)

The only begotten Son of God became human like us. He humbled Himself. Evil people accused Him of breaking the law, even though He is the law. He died for us to pay the ransom. We were born as slaves but were bought at a price. We no longer serve God as slaves but as His children. Were Adam and Eve children of God? No, their sin was not forgiven, for they had been made as slaves. They were once servants of God but sold themselves to the devil.

A true understanding of Total Depravity does not assert that Adam and Eve were holy and righteous before eating the forbidden fruit. Holiness and righteousness belong to God alone. They were not equal to God. They thought they were as great as God and therefore decided to rebel against Him.

It is sad to see that Total Depravity is understood literally without understanding what the Bible teaches. Adam and Eve did not have a probation period. Eternal life was not promised as a reward for their obedience to God’s command. Slaves do not become children by works.

The Book of Job addresses a profoundly important question: Are we equal to God in our own right? The answer is no. The key lies in knowledge. Job did not even realise that he lacked such knowledge. Knowledge is power. Where was Job when God created the world?

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, … (Job 38:4)

After Job’s repentance, his wealth was restored. The final chapter of the Book of Job is often quoted as a testimony of God’s goodness, with readers praising Him for the apparent happy ending. Yet one may ask: what if Job had not received material blessings at the end? Would that absence of restoration imply that God is evil? Even without renewed material wealth, Job died content because of his hope in the promise of God’s kingdom.

In reality, most readers would be reluctant to engage with the Book if Job’s story ended with sickness and poverty, for we are deeply preoccupied with material prosperity. Indeed, material resources are important for a comfortable life. Every few hours, we require food; after long hours of work, we require rest. All of us, to varying degrees, desire financial security and the social recognition that often accompanies it. Wealth can make the world appear beautiful and full of opportunities, and God is aware of these human inclinations.

Nevertheless, we must ask ourselves why Jesus chose to be born in poverty and to live without financial abundance. His life challenges us to reconsider our fixation on material wealth and to place our ultimate hope in something far greater.

The most profound mystery was revealed when Jesus Christ came. God graciously shares all things with those whom he chose before the foundation of the world. In order to deepen our understanding of God, He allows us to experience disasters and hardships. Yet God gives us the strength to endure and overcome. Days of depression and troubling thoughts often persist, yet at times we awaken renewed. Thus, we persevere until God calls us.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:16-17)