It seems novel to have completed my reading for this blog all within the span of one day and one book of the Bible. I feel like, by the grace of God and a late night mocha from Klinic, I had the energy and wherewithal to read the portion of Scripture for today. That I have some energy left to blog about it at 1:47AM is simultaneously impressive and concerning.
The first poem was the dialogue of Job. He provides a graphic and potent description of his plight. He implores God to tell him why He has humiliated, alienated, wronged, snared, troubled, and tormented him. He feels God has abandoned him. "Though I cry, 'I've been wronged!' I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice" (Job 19:7). He feels God has both turned away and against him. Then, he describes himself as having nothing, dirty, smelly, having bad breath, no teeth, gaunt, and detestable (Job 19:17-20). Then a beaming ray of shining faith in the midst of this misery, "I know that my Redeemer lives," (Job 19:25). Despite his suffering, Job clings to the faint hope that he will be redeemed by God.
Zophar responds in the next section. He reacts to Job's promises of God's wrath against them for having been so cruel and said the things they have about him. Zophar tries to argue that, though the wicked often enjoy prosperity and joy while alive, it is fleeting, and their inevitable fate is ruins. This fits the idea that wickedness reaps suffering and punishment. He seems to be both refuting Job's idea that life is fundamentally unjust because the godless prosper while the righteous suffer, and also accusing Job of being guilty of some form of sin against God. After all, sin reaps suffering.
Job replies by saying that yes, the wicked inevitably suffer the same fate as the righteous, in life the wicked enjoy prosperity and luxury while the righteous are swept away. "Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest? One man dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, his body well nourished, his bones rich with marrow. Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both" (Job 21:22-26).
Eliphaz then makes a somewhat bizarre and interesting argument. He says, God is perfect and created humans. So, nothing humans do can impress God, since we were created perfect as the benchmark. We can either perform to that perfect standard, which is what God intended and expected in the first place, or we can fail to meet that standard. In other words, for humanity, there is no where to go but down. He makes an interesting point when he says, "Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise man benefit him? What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? what would he gain if your ways were blameless?" (Job 22:2-3). We either fulfill our purpose of fail. We cannot exceed or transcend; we can only meet original expectations or cause harm.
Job has the final say in this reading. There are some really poignant passages that I want to share and then discuss. "When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold... But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? he does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart fain; the Almighty has terrified me" (Job 23:9-10, 13-16). I think if I truly saw God, nothing between Him and me, I would be terrified, filled with dread. He is nothing short of pure holiness, and as such I would be rendered to my knees..
The last chapter of today's reading describes how Job sees the world not working the way it should. Gross social injustices were taking place around him. Children, women, the poor, orphans, debtors, and the innocent are oppressed and used by the rich, greedy, and sinful. The thief and adulterer embrace darkness and continue in the sin without unhindered. Yet, Job says, the sinful are nothing but foam on the water (Job 24:18). Soon, they too will be worm food. (Job 24:20). They will have their judgment day. Everything is still in God's control. The wicked may feel they have power, but that is only because God is allowing them that freedom for now (Job 24:23).God's eyes are on their ways; He is watching them closely (Job 24:24). Interesting how, in Genesis, "the God who sees me" was a blessing (Genesis 16). God's blessed watch over Hagar is the same watch which afflicts the wicked. Interesting.
I don't know who you are, but I pray that you feel a stirring in your soul to be in God's blessed sight, not His afflicting stare. I hope that God starts moving in you. He truly loves you, and has pursued you since before you knew yourself. He loved you with arms wide open in atonement for you, and he waits with arms wide open to embrace you as a follower of Christ. I pray that you feel a stirring in your soul for Christ.
Good day.
Only 1189 pages to go!
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