Normally, I read one chapter of the Bible per day. I've been doing it now for four lectionary cycles. I try to stay in the present, as glimpses of the kingdom of God break into each moment. My mom taught me to ask for daily bread. Bill panned back and gave us a view of what remains in Job. He hit the high beams, while I had mine on dim. To re-cap where we've been so far:
Job is twice tested, his friends sit shiva with him for a week, and then Job cries out.
Eliphaz speaks out. Job replies.
Bildad responds. Job continues.
Zophar gives counsel. Job answers.
Eliphaz attacks again. Job defends himself.
Bildad's attacks again. Job answers.
Zophar attacks. Job responds.
Eliphaz attacks a third time. Job defends himself.
Bildad attacks a third time. Job defends himself.
Feels like a classic Rocky movie. Or the Karate Kid.
Speaking of a kid, now Elihu steps up. We expect Zophar to take another crack at Job, trying to knock him out, prove him wrong about God. But "Job's three friends fell silent. They were talked out, stymied because Job wouldn't budge an inch—wouldn't admit to an ounce of guilt."
This moment in the story reminds me of John 8, "The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders."
Maybe some wisdom does come from life experience. Elihu is a young whippersnapper and angry at that. I'm not looking forward to the next week of his ranting and raving, his series of speeches. I'm waiting for Sunday, when God speaks. There is true wisdom in his words.
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Elihu gives his elders their time to share without becoming inappropiate. Now it's his turn to try and get Job to see his sinfulness. His ability to hold his tongue thus far may speak volumes to his maturity.
ReplyDeleteJesus is left alone with the woman who had committed adultery. Not even the young ones threw stones, though they were the last ones to leave. Children and teenagers learn from the behavior of their elders (us!). How are we modeling a faith worth passing on?
ReplyDeleteInterested to see what Elihu has to say this week, I agree the fact that he hasn't said anything may tell us alot about how mature he is. Regarding the verse from John-I love how Jesus answers the question about what to do with the adulterous woman...even though its a trap he cuts right to the chase. What a great reminder that none of us are without sin!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it should be a fun week of reading!
ReplyDeleteI can certainly can relate to Elihu. There are times when something just needs to be said and you feel it rising up within you. There is always the pregnant moment where you determine if you say it or swallow it back for another day. Of course, many times you are so emotional that the words come out all wrong, but there are other times when you can captivate!
Let's just say I was dead wrong about Elihu. He is humble. God is speaking through him, gently to Job.
ReplyDeleteMy step-dad died 5 weeks ago. My mom just found out that she has to move out in 3 weeks, thrown out of the home she shared with Steve for 15 years. All that she will inherit, other than a little life insurance, is an old car and a worthless toy collection. Sad.