Today's reading switches to Job which is most likely the first big surprise to many readers. Scholars generally place Job among the ancients. He may have been a contemporary of Abram, which is why we are interrupting Genesis to read about his trials.
Many followers of Christ in our culture have trouble imagining a world where virtually everyone was worshiping multiple gods. Part of what made Job and Abram stick out is that they went against the grain and wholeheartedly worshiped only God Most High. They refused to water down their faith by adapting to all the popular cultural practices. God saw that faith and honored both men greatly, along with significant testing.
Notice that Satan couldn't touch Job without God's permission. Notice that Job's "friends" treated him the same way many Christians are treated today when they have severe testing or physical illness: "If you would get right with God or have enough faith, all your misery would disappear." In other ways, you are suffering and it's all your own fault.
Job is a painful book, with a mountain of life lessons. As God to speak to you as you read along.
No comments:
Post a Comment