A White Stone with a New Name

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the hit book, The Shack, being now in theaters. The Shack has struck a nerve. It has hit a part of humanity that instinctively responds. Something is awakened, a need, a desire…

What is it?

It answers the intoxicating question of “What would happen next if God Almighty came and supernaturally visited me here on the Earth?” Every human has experienced this longing.

It can be a pure and righteous hope. The groaning for faith to become sight, as 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 talks about. The desire to know fully, as 1 Corinthians 13:12 says.

But that hope can be polluted and poisoned by our flesh. The desire to question God can take on something evil. It can be full of anger, righteous indignation, pride. And the satanic desire to have God cater to us.

I read The Shack, twice, years ago when it first came out. In all the recent talk of the movie over the last couple of weeks, I was reminded of the story of Job in the Bible. The Shack actually has a similar plot as what we read in the book of Job. The title character in The Shack, Mack, tragically loses his little girl and then “God” invites Mack to The Shack to visit with him. Job lost his children, 10 children to be exact, all in one day. And the LORD God visited Job. But that is where the similarities end. The visits are completely opposite.

The biggest difference between the two stories? It is, of course, that The Shack is not real, whereas the story of Job, really happened.

So, in reality, what happened when the Lord God visited Job? Ironically, Job didn’t take advantage of this supernatural opportunity and question God. In fact, God had questions for Job. Take a look at these excerpts from Job 38 and 39 and 40:

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to Me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the Earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the Earth? Declare if you know all this. Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of water may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?

And the LORD said to Job: Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

So Job is finally given the opportunity to speak to God Almighty, his Creator. What does he say?

Job 40:3-4 “Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand on my mouth.”

WOW!

Some final thoughts…

Psalm 96:4-5,9 “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness, tremble before Him, all the Earth!”

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Proverbs 14:27 “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”

Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.”

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your Name.”

Philippians 2:12 “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”

1 Corinthians 13:6 “but (love) rejoices with the truth.”

Finally, it is important to point out, there were some false teachers in Job’s life. Toward the end of the book of Job, God dealt with them. But, He also showed them mercy.

Job 42:7-8 “After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: ‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.'”

May we tremble at the thought of angering God Almighty by speaking of Him what is not right.

Why is this comparison between Job and the Shack relevant? Because so many Christians are choosing to see The Shack. I’ve heard it said over and over “It’s just fiction. It’s just a story.” As someone who absolutely loves Christian fiction, and sees tremendous value in it, I understand the argument. But my burden is to further the conversation. What is the answer to that question “What would happen next if God Almighty came and supernaturally visited me here on the Earth?” We have the answer. It is in the book of Job.

I beg you to research the book of Job for yourself. If that is too challenging, please read 2 Corinthians, chapter 5.

Love to you all!