Job 17-20 Chapter 17 is a good reminder that our only desire should be to have a relationship with God and that even if those around us (even those who we thought understood us) do not support us or “get” us, that does not matter. This is VERY hard because our spiritual health is somewhat like our health in real life- there’s not a normal and we want very much for there to be. Being pregnant has made me realize this- there is no “normal” pregnancy nor will I have any clue what it’s like to be pregnant or have a baby without actually doing it myself. Reading books and watching videos can help to prepare me for what might happen, but it’s a personal experience only you will have. Our walk with God is the same way- we have the Bible and other Christians to help us, but our actual walk is one that is so personal that no one else will ever understand. It is scary yet comforting that God is the only one who counts.
Job 21-23 Although it is very easy to get frustrated with Job’s friends and their response to him, once I put this scenario into its historical context, I can’t say that I blame them for their conclusions. When I looked at where in Genesis this lines up with chronologically, I realized this was after the flood- obviously several generations down the line, BUT nevertheless people at this point probably put much stock in how close you were to God by what was going on in your life. If God was not happy with you surely he’d punish you- so it makes more sense to me now.
Job 24-28 Much of the Bible revolves around the idea of God not looking at the physical situation of people but their spiritual situation. Job is really one of the first places we see this and therefore it is hard for Job and his friends to understand why someone who has the heart to follow God has no physical manifestation of that relationship. It is VERY counterintuitive that God would make life physically hard for the people who follow Him, but if He made it easy, everyone would half-heartedly follow Him and, and as Job says would see no need to have God.
Job 29-31 Something I found interesting was in 30:26- “When I expected good, then evil came…” Although many people are ok with saying they understand that good people must endure hardships like all other people, I think much of the time we actually do have the expectation that God will continue to physically bless us and therefore when hardships do come, they are a shock to us.
Job 32-34 This whole exchange is starting to get annoying- they all feel they are just in their thoughts and are not really seeking to know the truth. They all have haughty opinions of themselves and would much rather hear themselves talk then work through the issues.
Job 35-37 It is ironic to me that this entire discussion ignores the possibility that God might be proving His power over Satan through Him allowing Satan to tempt Job. Humans have no clue as to why things happen to us and our reasoning is so one-dimensional we have no hope of seeing His entire purpose. Too bad they didn’t have James to read…
Job 38-39 I always love these chapters- God totally reveals His glory and power to man verbally- what else could one say once they heard God ask all those questions… just sheepishly bow your head and say, no.
Job 17-20
ReplyDeleteChapter 17 is a good reminder that our only desire should be to have a relationship with God and that even if those around us (even those who we thought understood us) do not support us or “get” us, that does not matter. This is VERY hard because our spiritual health is somewhat like our health in real life- there’s not a normal and we want very much for there to be. Being pregnant has made me realize this- there is no “normal” pregnancy nor will I have any clue what it’s like to be pregnant or have a baby without actually doing it myself. Reading books and watching videos can help to prepare me for what might happen, but it’s a personal experience only you will have. Our walk with God is the same way- we have the Bible and other Christians to help us, but our actual walk is one that is so personal that no one else will ever understand. It is scary yet comforting that God is the only one who counts.
Job 21-23
Although it is very easy to get frustrated with Job’s friends and their response to him, once I put this scenario into its historical context, I can’t say that I blame them for their conclusions. When I looked at where in Genesis this lines up with chronologically, I realized this was after the flood- obviously several generations down the line, BUT nevertheless people at this point probably put much stock in how close you were to God by what was going on in your life. If God was not happy with you surely he’d punish you- so it makes more sense to me now.
Job 24-28
Much of the Bible revolves around the idea of God not looking at the physical situation of people but their spiritual situation. Job is really one of the first places we see this and therefore it is hard for Job and his friends to understand why someone who has the heart to follow God has no physical manifestation of that relationship. It is VERY counterintuitive that God would make life physically hard for the people who follow Him, but if He made it easy, everyone would half-heartedly follow Him and, and as Job says would see no need to have God.
Job 29-31
Something I found interesting was in 30:26- “When I expected good, then evil came…” Although many people are ok with saying they understand that good people must endure hardships like all other people, I think much of the time we actually do have the expectation that God will continue to physically bless us and therefore when hardships do come, they are a shock to us.
Job 32-34
This whole exchange is starting to get annoying- they all feel they are just in their thoughts and are not really seeking to know the truth. They all have haughty opinions of themselves and would much rather hear themselves talk then work through the issues.
Job 35-37
It is ironic to me that this entire discussion ignores the possibility that God might be proving His power over Satan through Him allowing Satan to tempt Job. Humans have no clue as to why things happen to us and our reasoning is so one-dimensional we have no hope of seeing His entire purpose. Too bad they didn’t have James to read…
Job 38-39
I always love these chapters- God totally reveals His glory and power to man verbally- what else could one say once they heard God ask all those questions… just sheepishly bow your head and say, no.