Creative Space for Wanderers
In 5 short verses, Bildad concludes his arguments with a simple assertion that mere humans are only worms compared to God. This, of course, includes himself and his friends. In essence, we are all nothing. Job replies with thick sarcasm: How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! …
Continue reading “Bildad’s Last Thought, Job’s Final Words to His Friends”
and The last speech from Eliphaz covers lots of ground. He begins by arguing against the presumed piety of Job compared to the Creator of all: Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person benefit him? What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he …
Zophar picks up his line of reasoning by expressing his personal disdain for Job’s words: “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.” How could someone like Job possibly rebuke Zophar? Zophar is doing fine, checking his …
Bildad continues the rant against Job, “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk” (), then provides a list of attributes to support his argument. In particular, I found this statement to be cruel: He has no offspring or descendants among his people, no survivor where once he lived. That’s a …
Continue reading “Bildad’s hurtful words and Job’s Response”
and Round Two Eliphaz takes the gloves off and pounds Job with 10 confrontational questions in rapid succession, Would a wise person answer with empty notions…? Would they argue with useless words…? Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you …
Zophar picks up where Bildad left off with another cold slap in the face: “Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? To add insult to injury, Zophar then mocks Job by reducing his arguments to the phrase: “My beliefs are …
and Psalm 71 is a great hymn of praise for every stage in life: birth to youth to old age. Twice David appeals to God in his “old age” and throughout this is a song of hope. Job didn’t have the psalms to play, no worship team to help him get back on track, just …
As Beth pointed out in yesterday’s post, the story of Job is set in Abraham’s time. In these ancient days before the temple was established, before judges and kings, people still had to deal with the lifelong debate about why bad things happen to good people. As part of the wisdom literature, this singular work shows …
and Years ago I was taking a psychology class and for some forgotten reason I used Psalm 70 as the text for a song I used as my presentation. This was not a Christian college, though the name was Saint Leo College, and certainly not a Christian class, but it was my rogue attempt at …
Josiah Finishes Well Josiah receives the message from Huldah well. Her words from the Lord give him inspiration. (Note: Interesting that a male dominated culture has no problem seeking the advice of a female prophet.) Josiah invited everyone in Jerusalem, from the least to the greatest, to hear the Word of the Lord. He read …
Continue reading “Josiah’s Reforms; Fall of Jerusalem; Captivity”