I finished reading the book of Job today, and finally reached the point where God steps into the discussion. He doesn't answer Job's questions, He doesn't defend Himself, He doesn't need to. Instead, He questions Job. Basically, He asks him, "Can you do what I do? Do you know what I know? Do you think you could do a better job?" It reminds me of the movie 'Bruce Almighty', where bad things are happening to him, and he gets mad and even yells, "Smite me, oh mighty smiter!" When the character who plays God meets with him, he challenges Bruce to try to do what he does... but even then, Bruce needs God's power, and he doesn't have enough wisdom to do the job right. So often people want to blame God when things don't go their way, but as Job 41:11 says, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me."
Job's response is a wise one, and one a godly man should emulate. He gives God all of the glory, acknowledges his own inadequacy, and repents of his proud words. God even says afterwards that Job has spoken of Him what is right. I don't think that's referring to his initial arguments, but his response to God's presence. I must keep a reverence and respect for God. It is right, it is His due, and it pleases Him.
God blessed Job again, and restored even more blessing to him than before, but it was after he prayed for those friends who had accused him. God blesses an attitude of forgiveness, and an attitude of humility. If I want to please God and be blessed by Him, it's His reputation I need to uphold, not mine. I need to keep in mind that anything good that I am, do, or have, is a blessing from Him, and He is the one who ought to get praise for it.
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