Tag Archives: Job

15“Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?” Today’s Reading Job 21:1-21 Some theological beliefs are more dangerous than others. Some beliefs about marriage or friendship are more destructive. Job encapsulates his friend’s theology in this verse. They are in essence saying that you only goContinue reading “23Nov 2011 Job 21:15”

3I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply. Today’s Reading Job 20 We don’t need this kind of “inspiration” when someone is hurting. It sounds to me as if Zophar has taken something Job said personally. He feels dishonored by what Job has said. But as I read Zophar’sContinue reading “22Nov 2011 Job 20:3”

25I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27I myself will see him, with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my hearts yearns within me. Everyone has turned against Job.Continue reading “21Nov 2011 Job 19:25-27”

5“The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops burning.” The gloves come off! No more Mister Nice Guy! With friends like this, who needs enemies! Job’s friend Bildad is getting frustrated because Job continues to assert his innocence. But Bildad’s theology gets in the way. His theology is thatContinue reading “20Nov 2011 Job 18:5”

6“God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit.” Benedict Arnold is a relative of mine. That’s right, the traitor is my relative. Benedict Arnold became a byword for traitor. Monica Lewinski and Bill Clinton make a pair of bywords. Bernie Madoff became known as the financial crook ofContinue reading “19Nov 2011 Job 17:6”

20My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; 21on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. Have you ever just wanted someone to be as passionate about something as you are? It is wonderful when you find someone with whom you canContinue reading “18Nov 2011 Job 16:20-21”

34For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes. This is mudslinging at its worst. Eliphaz knows he is losing his argument with Job, so he pulls out anything he can to throw in an attempt to win. Everything he has said so farContinue reading “17Nov 2011 Job 15:34”

10The grey-haired and the aged are on our side, men even older than your father. “Wisdom resides in the collective knowledge of humans.” Or at least that is Eliphaz’s argument. He now feels attacked in his own worldview and lashes out at Job. But, hasn’t Job suffered enough! And now his friends, those who cameContinue reading “16Nov 2011 Job 15:10”

15You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature you hands have made. 16Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. Job’s words of hope, and that is what they are, are spoken from the perspective of one who is already dead. Job longsContinue reading “15Nov 2011 Job 14:15-16”

3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. 4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! 5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. I love Job! His friends are no help, and he isn’t afraid to sayContinue reading “14Nov 2011 Job 13:3-5”