Destruction of Sodom and Gommorah

   Once again, I want to apologize for not updating in a little while. Instead of going super in depth to every part that I have just read, I want to focus just on the bigger picture of the Destruction of Sodom and Gommorah. The whole story begins with 2 angels visiting Abraham. How he knew they were angels is a mystery. Perhaps they had the whole "Touched By an Angel" light/halo thing going for them. Either way, Abraham figures it out that these guys are angels. Through conversation, they tell him that they are going to destroy he cities of Sodom and Gommorah, which Abraham knows includes his relative Lot. So Abraham barters with these angels. He asks a question that I think many of us think about, or perhaps even ask: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?...Will not the Judge of all the Earth do right?"
    We see this question all the time, especially in the news after a disaster. "How could God let this happen?" We think...but what about all the good people? The Christians? Why would God harm them as well? Turns out, this question goes back to the beginning of time. And, unfortunately we don't really get an asnwer. Yes, Abraham is able to barter down to allowing the city to be spared if 10 righteous people are found...but it makes you wonder why God would even allow 1 Righteous person to be destroyed? Why allow 10 good people to die, if you have he ability to save them? Now, perhaps Abraham settles for the 10 beause he knows how many people live with Lot, and he assumes that those 10 will be righteous enough to save the city. Maybe it's Abraham's way of beating the system. Perhaps Abraham knows that, with Lot and his family that there will definitely be 10 righteous people, so therefore the city will be saved.
    It also begs the question, is there really such thing as a righteous person? Will we not later learn, in Romans, that there is no one Righteous? Was God (or the angels) just playing Abraham...making him think that he was really saving a city, when in reality there was never a single righteous person there to begin with (including Lot)?
   Even assuming that finding a single righteous person is in fact possible, it is pretty clear, upon the arrival of the angels, that there are not 10 righteous people in the city. The bible says that, when the strangers arrive at the home of Lot, "all the men, from every part of the city" come by the home and request to have a huge orgy with the 2 visitors. Now, a lot of people take this verse as a clear sign against homosexuality. "Look...Sodom and Gommorah was destroyed because of homosexulaity!"...but would this not be just as bad if it was a group of women coming by to sleep with the strangers? Whether it was an attempted homosexual or not, doesn't change the fact that the act itself is immoral. Either way, whether it was male/male or male/female...it would be rape. I would be wrong,unjust, disgusting and sinful. I don't think the homosexuality was the straw that broke the camel's back here. Yes, there was homosexuality in the city, that is pretty clear...but, from what I understand, THAT is not the reason the city was destroyed.
     You would think that Lot would be afraid, and hide is family, perhaps escaping through a back window and running away...but instead, Lot (the assumed "righteous" of the city) offers instead his daughters to the hormonal, sex-crazed crowd. He was willing to send his daughters out to get raped. Not father of the year, that is for sure. It is after this suggestion, that the 2 angels decide to intervene and blind the men, causing them to be confused and unable to find the door to the house. Why it took them so long, I don't know. If I was one of those angels, I would have struck the blindness pretty much immediately (probably also would have done some other tricks as well).
    The angels then tell Lot to escape the city, with his family, for the Lord will destroy the city. I think the large attempted rape was enough to prove that the city was vile and evil. The angels tell Lot to leave quickly, "or you will be swept away when the city is punished". This begs the question...could God not wait for Lot to leave? Was it so urgent to destroy the city right that second...could God not give an hour or so for Lot to get his stuff, pack and leave? In fact, later in the chapter we read that "I cannot do anything until you reach [the safe city]". It seems that, yes...God was in fact delaying the destruction until Lot left. So why the hurry? Was it a final test for Lot? Abraham packed up everything to go to a land he didn't even know of, and not it was Lot's turn to grab his things and run? Was God just excited to destroy the city, and wanted to get it done with as quickly as he could?
   Whatever the reason for the hurry, and for the delay on God's part, the one clear message is "don't look back". Which is an interesting request. Why not look at the destruction? If I am running away from somewhere, and there is an explosion,or whatever method God used to destory the city (especially if it is a city that I lived in for a while), I would want to see. What purpose would there be to punish curiousity? It's human nature...you hear a noise, smell smoke, feel fire...you look to see what happened.
    I remember in Sunday school always focusing on the part of the story of Lot's wife. She turned to look and was turned to a pillar of salt. We often would talk about how she didn't want to leave, and how she was saddened by the destruction, so she turned and watched it happen. I remember talking about how, her act was a blatant disrespect for God's command to not look back, and how she stopped running to turn and look. But what I find amazing is that the bible never goes into detail about this (and it is also important to know that the Angels ever say what will happen if they turn and look). The bible says, "But Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt". That' s it! No in depth look into her reasoning. No description about ho Lot reacted to this, as I'm sure he was quite upset about it. She looked back, and BAM! It never says that she stopped running to look. She may have just glanced over her shoulder as she is running away. We don't know. We make her out to be this bad person, when in reality, we have no idea what her motive was. I want to know more. I want to know why such a harsh (and strange) penalty for looking behind. One of the many questions I will ask in heaven.
    Final section here: So Lot and whats left of his family escape to a nearby town. In that town, Lot's 2 daughters (the same ones he offers to the crowd in the city) decide to get their father drunk, and get pregant by him. Once again, keep in mind that these are the people that God deemed righteous and saved from Sodom. So they do. The oldest does it on the first night, and the youngest the next night. It seems to be a general theme in the Bible. God saves someone, deems them righteous, and then they mess up. Noah, after being saved from the flood gets drunk and shames himself, Cain kills his brother, Abraham sleeps with Hagar after God promises a child, and now Lot and his daughters commit incest right after they get saved from Sodom and Gommorah. Just goes to show that Romans is right. There is no one Righteous. God uses sinners. God uses murderers, drunkards, adulterers, even people who commit incest. Does that mean that God is ok with these actions? No, of course not...but God uses everyone. He uses the people we don't expect. And, it also shows human nature. One minute, we are right with God and righteous, and the next moment we fall, and make horrible choices. But God forgives, and God loves us anyway. Amen!

Genesis: Noah to Hagar

    First off, I want to say that I know it has been a little while since the last post. I've gotten carried away with reading books such as "God Without Religion", "The Book of Negroes", and now I have started "127 Hours" (all of which are outstanding books by the way). I have to admit I haven't done as much Bible Reading as I was intending, and even missed a few days. Anyway. with that in mind...here are my thoughts for the little that I have read in the past few days, it goes from right after The Flood, up to Hagar and Ishmael:
     After the Flood, God gives a covenant with Noah in the form of a rainbow. It was meant to be a symbol of God not judging the Earth (in that form) ever again. It's kind of ironic now that the rainbow is the symbol of the most judged group of people currently on earth (at least, from the perspective of Christians). I like the idea of God creating a permanent symbol. Something to remind us of his judgement, while at the same time reminding us of his mercy and love. It's also important to note the similarity between God's command with Adam and Eve and God's command with Noah and his family. Both are, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth" (He also gives this command to the animals). Does the almost word for word replica of the command point towards a mythical/poetic understanding of one or both stories? Perhaps. As I have said before, I believe in the evidence of a major biblical flood (whether or not it was literally worldwide is debatable), and so to read this story as pure fiction is kind of pushing the limits. However, it still is important to remember that the stories of Genesis would have been verbally passed down from generation to generation, and so the storytellers probably would have wanted to make the stories easier to understand, and to flow together, and what easier way to do that than with repetition? Does that mean that he story of Noah is false and made up? No. Does it mean that some aspects of the story may have been embellished to keep the story exciting, and memorable? Absolutely.
    Soon after the flood, and the rainbow covenant, Noah gets drunk and lies naked with no shame in front of his family. One of Noah's sons, Ham, sees this, and tells his brothers about it. Shem and Japheth go and cover their father with a blanket. When Noah finds outs...he curses Ham, and says that he will become a slave to his brothers. That's a bit harsh don't you think? Of course, it is hard to relate to the culture here (for us in North America anyway). North Americans are a lot less aware of 'shame'. We seem to have no shame anymore. In this biblical culture, however (and in most other parts of the current world) shame is everything. The LAST thing you want to do is bring shame to yourself, and your family. When Ham sees his father naked, and goes and tells others to come see as well (probably with laughter and glee, saying something like "look at our father lying naked...isn't that hilarious!", he is bringing intense shame on his father. So...i it harsh to then curse Ham to be a slave? Still, perhaps yes...but at least we can understand that shame in that culture was not something to be messed with. Probably a good lesson for us today too...lets stop trying to shame others, ourselves and our families (even if the result isn't being cursed into slavery).
    We then enter another genealogy. This one gets interensting in the middle, with the mention of Nimrod (which, happens to be one of the most unfortunate names in the history of the world). However, as awkward as the name is...he more than made up for it. The Bible says: "he grew up to be a mighty  warrior on the earth", and we learn that the "first centers of his kingdom  were Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh". He was a fierce and mighty warrior, a great hunter and he established at least 4 kingdoms. WOW! Makes you wonder why Nimrod is such an insult (or at least it was when we were like 10). Sounds to me like Nimrod should be left as a killer nickname for people like 300's Leonidus, and Braveheart. Those two are such nimrods!
    Next comes one of the most popular stories of Genesis. The Tower of Babel. Everyone gets together and wants to build a tower to heaven. God then punishes them by creating different languages and sending them all over the world (thus, the birth of the nations). So...why is it such a big deal that they wanted to build a tower? Well, from what I understand (and I definitely could be WAY off on this, so don't quote me), the buildin of a tower wasn't necessarily the sin. The main problem comes in the REASON for the tower. They built it so that, "we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth (11:4)". They didn't want to be spread out over the Earth. Which is in direct contradiction to God's command with Noah, that he be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth. It wasn't that they wanted to build a tall skyscraper...it's that they wanted to ignore their purpose, and more importantly, ignore God's plan! THAT is the problem...and still is for us today.
   Next comes Abram (soon to become Abraham). Right away, when we meet Abram, we see him in the midst of great faih. "Go to the land that I (God) will show you". Who would leave, and go somewhere...without knowing where they are going? It would be like hopping on a plane and deciding to move to wherever it lands. (of ourse, in Abram's case it would be hopping on a camel and wandering around until God says, STOP!). Abram is an interesting man. He is the main Patriarch. He is the Father of Judaism, Islam and Christianity...and yet he was messed up. As much faith as he had in God at one point, he was extremely little faith at others. For example...Abram lies about his wife Sarai, and says she is his sister (so that the Pharaoh wouldn't kill him). He doesn't trust that God would spare him. Later on, after God promises that he will have a son, he takes his wifes maidservant and has a child with her, instead of trusting God to give him a son through his wife. (Now, it should be noted that it is his wife that suggests that he have a baby with her servant...but he still agrees to it. It should also be noted that, between Job's wife, Eve eating the apple, and Abram's wife Sarai not trusting God-and then becoming an abusive mistress to her servant, women aren't exactly the Heroes of the early Bible).
    While God's plan was slightly diverted...God still blesses Hagar (the servant), and says that she will have a son whom will be named Ishmael (the first child named BY God before his birth). Ishmael, as we know, became the Son of Islam (Abram is the Father, as mentioned above). Just think what our world would be like now if Sarai didn't deceve Abram into sleeping with her servant. There may be peace in the Middle East (or probably not...as someone else would have been born, and some other twist of fate would have gotten us here). However, it does make you realize that every decision can have a HUGE impact on the future. Who knows what your child will grow to be, or what your decision to turn left instead of right may lead to? Not saying that choosing a large coffee with cream over a medium black coffee will make a major "butterfly effect" impact...but does make you think about stuff.
   Well...that's where I am now. Hagar and Ishmael. Abram is still without a son, but we know that it will happen very soon (and then what will happen after that). I find that, as I read this through chronologically, I am left with a greater sense that every story is connected. That, every story is part of one larger story. It's easy to read each individual story as it's own individual entity. It doesn't help that we teach kids each story on its on in Sunday School. One day we talk about David, the next day Daniel, and then Adam and Eve...We don't connect them. We don't show that they are all part of God's bigger story! WE ARE PART OF GOD'S BIGGER STORY. We are important to God, and to God's plan. We may never recieve a direct order from God to go to a land that he will show us, or be told to build an ark...but we are still important! Don't ever forget that.

Genesis: The Flood

   Outside of the "6 days of Creation" debate, it seems that the next biggest argument Christians have (under the topic of literal interpretation anyway) is whether or not The Flood was truly "global" or not. Once again, the question I have is...does it really matter? I used to believe that it was a truly global flood, and I think I still am drawn towards that belief, however the more I think about it, the more I realize that it realyl doesn't matter whether the flood was over the entire Earth, or just the "known-world" at the time.
   There is little doubt that some sort of flood truly happened. Even without the Biblical account, there is evidence of floods n fossils (not even counting how most religions, and many tribal cultures have their own version of a "flood story"). Here are my thouhts on the biblical account of Noah and the Flood:
    First of all, we look through the genealogy of Adam to Noah. The first thing you notice, or at least I noticed was the age of people. The YOUNGEST ancestor (at least in the list mentioned...chances are there were more people than that in the line between Adam and Noah), lived to be 777 years old. Now, whether or not that is an exact age or an estimate doesn't change the fact that, these people lived a very long time. The next major thing I noticed, is that, there is one person who was seen righteous enough to not have to die. Chapter 5:24 says, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". What? God took him away? Everyone else it says, "____lived to be ____years old, and then he died"...not Enoch. God took Enoch away. I want to know more about this guy? Why do we skip right to Noah...why not a chapter or 2 on the first guy in the world to not die? Sounds like that would be a pretty fascinating story. And the most incredible thing is...they just move on down the line. They say this, and then move to the next person in the line of Noah (who happens to be Methuselah...the oldest man in recorded hsitory).
   Finally, we make it to Noah. Although, first, there is a very confusing verse. Chapter 6:4 says, "The Nephilim were on the Earth in those days-and also afterward-when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown". What the-? I have no idea what that means. Any ideas? Confusing stuff...anyway, moving on.
     So God sees that man is wicked, and verse 6 actually says that "the Lord was grieved that he had made man on Earth, and his heart was filled with pain". That's pretty strong words there. But, like when God noticed Job as righteous, God notices Noah. Now, instead of torturing and testing Noah, God decides to SAVE Noah, and destory the rest of humanity. Taking a somewhat different approach here, but hey, God moves in mysterious ways right?
    Now, I don't know if it is just the NIV version, or whether or not  we were just adding things to the story, but this account seems to skip over the part where Noah's neighbours mock and make fun of Noah. Growing up I was always taught that Noah tried to save the rest of the world, and offered space on the boat, but people mocked him, and didn't listen. But...at least in the NIV translation, that never seems to happen (or at least it was not recorded). Also, the NIV doesn't give God's directions using "cubits", instead they use "feet". Now, it's really a moot point, but I was kind of looking forward to reading the "make it this many cubits wide, and this any cubits long". I wanted to be able to envision Bill Cosby's "Noah" talking with God. Oh well. 
    After the Ark is built, we are told that "God shut them in". The door to the ark was closed by God himself. Sounds pretty impenetrable when it's put like that. No one was getting in after, and no one was leaving the boat (not sure why they would want to, but they couldn't even if they did). Then, the rains come, and wipes everyone out, and we know the rest of the story.
   It's a pretty fascinating story, and one that I think, unfortunately we dumb down to make it suitable for kids. The story is not about a boat party, or cute little animals sticking their heads out of a window while a beautiful rainbow forms overhead (like the children's picture portray it). This is a story about an ANGRY God. A JUDGING God. A SAD and GRIEVING God...and this is a story about thousands (perhaps even millions...not sure the population size of the time) of people drowning. Where are those pictures on the nursery walls of the church?
   But going back to the debate about whether it was truly global or not (because I'm not doubting that God did judge the world in the form of a flood...there is enough historical and scientific evidence to point towards the fact that it did happen). Does it really matter? I know I ask that a lot, but I think it is important to think about. Sometimes we get so caught up in our traditions, and what we were taught as kids that we make the mistake of thinking that, what we were taught HAS to be right and is vital to our Christian faith. I'm not going to come out one way or the other on this debate, and that's because it really doesn't matter. God got angry, and he judged those who were wicked. God saved the righteous, and then he vowed to never do it again (at least in THAT form). The story shows a God who is both ANGRY and MERCIFUL. He both judges the wicked, and saves the righteous. He is also a God who keeps his promises. That is really all that matters...that we can trust God, and know that he is going to do what is right and Just. God is in complete control, just like we learned in the creation story and in the story of Job. It seems to be a theme here...God is in control of everything, and while we don't always understand they WHY, we know that it is always going to be for the best.

Genesis: Creation to Cain

   I used to be one of those "literal" Bible Christians. I grew up believing that everything in the Bible was word for word, exact to the last detail about what truly happened. God literally dictated every word of Scripture, did he not? Is not all Scripture God-Breathed? Well...my thoughts changed during my time at Bible School. It was during a class on Genesis/Exous that I began to really question whether saying the Bible included myths and legends could still mean that I can trust the Bible. I began to understand that, believing in a literal 6 day Creation isn't mandatory to having a relationship with Christ. As I go into the book of Genesis, I have all these pre-conceived notions in my head. I don't want to, but they are there. I want to go into Genesis, and let the words of Scritpure shape how I feel about it. I want to read, and, as I am reading, figure out whether it is literal, myth, legend, allegory, whatever, based on the language and words (not based on what I have been taught, or grew up believing). While I will never be completely free of pre-conceived notions, I am dong my best. So, with that in mind, let's look at the Biblical Creation account:

   "In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth". That pretty much sums it all up. God created everything, in the beginning. It also means that, God was BEFORE the beginning. While this verse explains that God created everything, it also says that God is eternal. God has always been there...and he was there before the beginning.
    Later in the first verse, however, we read that "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters". If we are to read the Creation account literally, then we have to assume that God created the heavens and the earth, and had water on the earth...before he actually created water (which he doesn't create until day 2). So what does this mean? Well...to me, this is an example of ancient Israelite storytelling and language. You have to remember tha water in Biblical times, was a symbol of fear, chaos and evil. When "the spirit of God hovered over the waters", it is symbolising that God was in control of the chaos. It's not meant to be taken literally, but figuratively. SO...if this verse is figurative in explaining God creating calmness from chaos...are we to assume that the rest is figurative too? Maybe, but let's see:

   The days of creation go, in order: Light/Dark, Water/Sky, Sea/Land, Sun/Moon/Stars, Fish/Birds, Animals/People....and then rest. But...if God created light and dark on the first day, but didn't create the sun moon and stars until day 4, what was creating the light and darkness? Well...we could say that, because Jesus is the light of the world that HE was the light...but did God create himself? Is God creating light when God created Jesus? Very unlikely...it seems idiotic to me even writing it. So, either God create Light without a source (which is possible...he is God after all), or again, it's not meant to be taken as a literal word-for-word account of what happened.
   Perhaps, amidst the controversy and debate about "6 literal days" or not, we miss the point of chapter 1. The point of chapter 1 is that God CREATED the world. God had a plan, and a purpose. God had a design. It doesn't matter really HOW He did it, or how LONG it took...but that God did it. The rest is semantics. Everyone interprets things differently, (and keep in mind, seeing as Moses wasn't around for the Creation of the world, this story was probably orrally passed down for generations, likely changing slightly over time).

  Even if we can explain away chapter 1, in a literal sense, chapter 2 changes things. It's the same story...just different. Things happen in different order. In THIS version, God created people before there are even any plants on the earth. God created People, plants THEN animals. And here's the other interesting thing I discovered....Animals were made out of the dust too. I always was taught and believed that, Man was the only creature that God spent time creating out of the dust...but verse 19 says otherwise. "Now the Lord God formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and birds of the air". What? Animals and birds were created from dust too? I thought God just spoke and poof...there they were. Raises some interesting questions about animals having souls/going to heaven, and also why God seems to be so concerned about the Raven, Ostrich and Sparrow. I think when we imagine that God just spoke and it was-to creat animals, we make animals to seem less than important. Yes...God put his image on US...but he still spend time creating the animals, and he still loves his animals. Maybe there were even some days when God wished (or still wishes) that he put His image on dogs or monkeys instead of us.

  Now, on to Adam and Eve. This story CAN'T be taken figuratively righ? It's a detailed historical account. Yup..probably. God created only 2 people, placed them in a garden with a mythical tree that gave the knowledge of good and evil. And in that garden, God created a craft serpent, who just happens to be able to talk. Do I sound cynical? I don't want to say that Adam and Eve aren' real people. I do think that, the first people God created would have had an incredibly special relationship with God. It would have been an intimate friendship that could not be duplicated until we reach heaven's gates. But the story raises a lot of questions. Here are some of the questions that I have:
     -Did God only create 2 people?
     -If God DID create only 2 people, how much inbreeding must have went on?
     -Again...if God only created 2 people, who are the "other people" Cain talks about in 4:14?
     -Was the serpent able to actually talk?
     -Was the serpent the devil?
      -Is the serpent could talk...could all the animals talk too?
      -Why do ALL the serpents get punished...shouldn't just the one who decieved be cursed?
   
  Now, I don't want to come across like I am debunking Scripture. My purpose is not to say that Genesis is a false book, and can't be trusted. I am merely trying to figure out whether the book of Genesis (or at least the first few chapters) were written as literal history, or figurative stories that the Israelites told to teach lessons (such as God created the World, and that Humans are fallen, sinful people). To be honest, I don't know what to believe. And truth be told, I don't think anyone here on earth truly has all the answers about this either. We have theories, and people on both sides of the camp have methods and proof-texts to support why they believe what they do, but we can't REALLY know.
    Maybe, we need to act like Job, and just trust that God is in control. Trust that God really knows what he is doing, regardless of whether we get it all figured out or not. Does not believing in a literal 6 day Creation, or questioning whetherAdam and Eve are actual historical figures (or at least that their story is historically accurate) make me less of a Christian? I really hope not. But I can tell you that, I DO believe that God created the world. I believe that God LOVES me, and I believe that somehow, Mankind ruined their relationship with God. Somehow, our intimate relationship with the Almighty went awry. That's why we need Jesus. We need God's forgiveness and mercy.

What I Learned From Job

   I have to admit. When I started this chronological reading of the Bible, one of the books I was least looking forward to reading was Job (Numbers and Leviticus are also high on the list of "not excited for reading). I figured I knew the story of Job, and wasn't looking forward to having to read over 30 chapters of friends telling Job that he wa a horrible sinner. Or at least, thats what I assumed the book was about.
        Before I get too far into my summary...here are my favourite verses from the book:
       
 13:15-Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defendmy ways to his face.
 16:19- Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
 28:28- The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding
 31:10-May my wife grind another man's grain... (You gotta love that innuendo there!)
 32:8-9- But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
  33:14- For God does speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it

   Turns out, Job is a fascinating book, filled with lots of wisdom (from unlikely sources sometimes), and deep theological ad philosophical questions. It doesn't have the intense narrative of books like Joshua, Genesis or Judges...but the story is incredible all the same. But as I was reading it, I coudln't help but try to figure out how the early readers interpreted the story. Because, for a short time, Job was the only scripture that people. So...with that in mind, what does the book of Job say about God?

     1) God is in complete control. Even considering the theological complications of Satan approaching the throne of God, making a request of God, and having God ACCEPT the request...God is still in control of the whole situation. He makes rules of Satan (such as, don't touch or kill Job), and Satan stays within the parameters. Satan ma have been the one conducting the experiment, but God was the one overseeing that the experiment was done fairly.
     2) God allows suffering.  I think it's pretty obvious in the book of Job that God allows his followers, the righteous and upright, to suffer. Having a relationship with God doesn't guarantee and easy life (in fact, it seems as if, the more upright you are, the more struggles you will have as Satan tries to trip you up). But through all the suffering, it's important to remember that God is in control.
     3) God is CREATOR. Remember, Job was likely written before the Genesis account, so when God describes creation, THAT was the original creation account. No...God didn't describe HOW he did it, because, frankly, it didn't matter. God just wanted to remind (or perhaps tell) Job that HE created the world. HE created everything, from the silly ostrich, to the raven, to the Leviathan. God is amazing, and God has a plan.
   and 4) God doesn't always explain why. This one is tough to hear. We have this idea in our head that God will, ultimately, in the end, explain to us why certain things happen. The truth is...he may not. Yes, if our beliefs about heaven are right, then when we get there we will know everything and therefore we will understand why things happen, but I am referring to life here and now, while we are alive. God never explained to Job why he went through hell. God didn't say, "oh, by the way...it was all a test and you passed". Instead, God says..."Look around you at wat I created! I'm in control...relax!". And to make things more amazing...Job accepts that! Job doesn't demand an answer, he is ok with not knowing. Now, we feel that God owes us explanations. "God, why did you allow 9/11 to happen?", "God, why is there the famine in Africa?", "God, why do the Leafs suck so much?". God may explain himself...but the reality is, he probably won't (and more importantly, he doesn't have to).

  The book of Job also surprised me with it's wit, sarcasm and innuendo. Both Job and God give the occasional sarcastic remark. I love that. I've always been taught that sarcasm is rude...and perhaps it is, but I can always go to scripture to show that, at least in some circumstances, sarcasm is ok!
   Job leaves a lot of questions unanswered however:
       -Why was Satan in the presence of God to begin with?
       -What did Job believe about heaven...was he a universalist?
       -Is the book of Job true, or is it a myth? And...does it matter either way?
       -Who the heck is Elihu, and why does he appear out of no-where and then disappear into thin air?
       -Does God truly bless the righteous and punish the wicked?

  I may never learn the answers to these questions...but I'm ok with that. Overall, I was surprised with how much I enjoyed Job, and how much underlining I did in my Bible. It gives me perspective on my life, and the trials and tribulations that I have been through, and will go through. What is your thought on the book of Job? What life lessons did you learn, or what insights did it give you?

Job: The Finale, 38-42

   Finally, after 37 chapters without speaking a word to Job. After taking away pretty much everything Job owns and loves, The Lord seaks. Unfortunately for Job, the Lord's answers aren't exactly satisfactory (or at least, not as satisfactory as I would have liked if I were Job), and yet, the answers are exactly what Job (and we) need to here:
    38:4-11. Most of The Lord's dialogue is reference to creation. Over and over again he asks, "where were you when I created this", or "are you able to create/do that?". It' important to notice that, at no time during this speech does the Lord reference creating the world in 7 literal days. You would think that he would mention that somewhere...instead he focuses on the complexity of creation itself. He spends the whole time reminding Job that he was the mastermind behind creation, that he was (and still is) in complete control. He reminds Job, "I did all this...you can trust me with your life!".

   38:21...of course, God has to throw in a bit of sarcasm too. He, sarcastically tells Job, "Surely you know [where light/darkness resides], for you were already born! You have lived so many years!". Awesome! I love sarcasm, especially Holy Sarcasm!

   38:41. This verse takes note from the "His Eye is on the Sparrow" type theme, but it adds a very interesting twist to it. "Who provides food for the raven when it's young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?". What? Birds cry out to God? Are animals capable of prayer? Is a bird praising the Lord with every tweet, or a dog lamenting to God with every bark and whimper? Maybe it's just God saying that he hears every cry, regardless of whether that cry is human, bird, fish or animal. Whatever God means by this, it is obvious that he loves His creation, and cares for His creation. He is comforting Job (while at the same time chastising him slightly), by saying that he doesn't need to worry, because He has always been watching and listening.

   39:17. I love this verse. God spends nearly 2 full chapters talking about His amazing creation, and then in the middle of chapter 39, he pokes fun at one of his animals; the ostrich. God admits that He "did not endow [the ostrich] with wisdom or give her a share of good sense". What? God made the ostrich stupid on purpose? It's true, God really does have an incredible sense of humour. If only he would have explained the Platypus.

   40:15. Here is the mention of the Behemoth. What is the behemoth? According to the study notes of my bible, it says that it is probably a hippo or an elephant, but is that really true? Let's look at some of the characteristics of this behemoth:
                 -feeds on grass (so a herbivore)
                 -strenght in loins, power in the muscles of his belly
                 -tail sways like a cedar
                 -bones are tubes of bronze
                 -limbs like rods of iron
            I'm not sure what it is, but it sounds big and powerful (and seems not as likely to be a hippo or elephant). Whatever it is, God created it and is proud of it! Is it possble that this is a dinosaur? Possibly I guess...and if this one isn't, the next questionable animal of creation is much more likely to be one...:

     41:1. The Leviathan. The leviathan first is mentioned in 3:8 when Job says "May those who curse days, curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan". Job seems to be referring to a figurative being in that verse, and not a real animal. But God wouldn't talk about a figurative being would He? This Leviathan must have been a real animal, right? Again, study notes claim this is a crocodile or an alligator...but once again, let's list out it's characteristics:
                -his back has rows of shields
                -snorting throws flashes of light
                -eyes are like the rays of dawn
                -Firebrands shoots from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out (doesn't sound like a crocodile)
                -Smoke pours from his nostrils
   Once again, I am unsure what this was (or if it is in fact a dinosaur type creature). But God, in the middleof his description of this beast, reassures Job that tis beast is His creation. Verses 10-11 say "No one is fierce enough to rouse him. Who then is able to stand against me? Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me." Everything belongs to God, from the Raven begging for food, to the silly Ostrich, to the incredible Behemoth and Mysterious Leviathan. Everything is God's!

   42:1-6. Job speaks up, and is filled with emotion and humility. He realizes that, while he may not have sinned to cause his pain and suffering, he was proud and bitter during the pain.  In verse 5 he also says, "my ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you". Nowhere does it say that God physically revealed himself to Job. I think what Job is meaning here is, "You revealed yourself to me through your Creation!". When we look around at God's amazing creation, it is impossible to NOT see Him. As Brian Doerkson says, "How can I say there is no God, when all around Creation Calls".

   42:7-17. The Epilogue. The final footnote. It's easy to just skip over this summary, but there are a lot of important things hidden in these 10 verses that I never noticed (or didn't care about) before. First off, God gets angry with Job's three friends (again, Elihu isn't mentioned. Elihu is neither praised for his wise words, or cursed for his dumb advice. He appears to speak a few words, then vanishes).  God tells Job's friends to offer a sacrifice, and then that "Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer". Wouldn't it be nice to know that God would accept our prayers? But then, God says "I will not deal with you according to your folly". So God is ignoring these people? Even though their words were unwise, they still tried to help. Seems kind of harsh doesn't it? And is God referring to, just this one time I won't deal with you, or for the rest of their lives He won't deal with them? Kind of makes you think twice before offering advice eh? Maybe the smart thing to do IS to keep your mouth shut.
       Then, in verse 10 we read "After Job prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before". It's easy to focus on the end of that verse, where God made Job prosperous, but don't skip over the first word. After. Job had to fulfill his task first, and pray for his friends. He had to humble himself ad pray for forgiveness to the friends who called him a liar, for the friends who claimed he was a sinner, and the friends who offered horrible advice about God, Job and life in general. God only gave Job his stuff back AFTER he was willing to hmbly pray for these 'friends'.
    Also, it would be easy to quote this verse as  "God will make us prosperous if we serve him" verse, but don't forget that God took away everything Job had first. Job was being tested, and Job passed the tast (although, probably barely with all the 'kill me' talk). God was giving Job BACK what was taken from him. This in no way is saying that God will make all of us prosperous, or make us all wealthy once we follow Him. It's something unique to this certain situation.
     *little note here, one of Job's daughters is named Keziah, which happens to be the name of one of my nieces. I'm sure they did tell me that this is where the name came from, but I had forgotten. I knew it was biblical, I just didn't realize it was from the book of Job. Cool!
     Ok, speaking of Keziah, and the other daughters of Job: Jemimah, and Kern-Happuch, Job was so pleased to have children and family again, that he gave his daughters inheritance along with their brothers. That's actually a really BIG thng. Today, with all the feminism and women's rights, it's easy to overlook that part and think of it as cultural norm...but it's not. Girls didn't recieve inheritance. Girls didn't really hav many rights. Job loved his family so much (because he appreciated them so much more), that we gave all of them inheritance. Cherish your family, and don't waste your wealth. You never know if or when it will be taken away from you.

...stay tuned for my final Job Summary!

Job 32-37

    These chapters introduce a surprise character. Perhaps I missed his introduction, but from what I remember, the speaker of these chapters, while he was with Job the whole time, wasn't mentioned earlier when the author introduces Job's other friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). The character is named Elihu.
    Elihu is the youngest of all the characters, which makes his words that much more profound, intriguing and wise. I don't know why the book of Job doesn't make reference to Elihu before, but his surprise entrance is a welcome addition, and his words are filled with wisdom. In fact, he is the last character to speak before the Lord finally offers his conclusion to Job to end off the book. This blog entry is dedicated fully to the man (or perhaps even boy) named Elihu...here are some of his words of wisdom:

    32:8-9. Before the book of James offered the wise encouragement to the young generation with the words "don't let anyone look down on you because you are young", Elihu offers the Old Testament version here in the book of Job. He tells Job, and his friends,

"...It is the spirit in a man,

the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

It is not only the old who are wise,

not only the aged who understand what is right"

       In other words (I think it is pretty self explanatory, but I will give my interpretation anyway), just because you are old, it doesn't make you wise; and just because you are young, it doesn't mean that you will give bad advice. Elihu understands that, while age CAN give wisdom, it doesn't guarantee it. God reveals himself to everyone, every gender, age, race, intelligence, and (controversially) sexual orientation.

    32:21. Elihu then stirs the pot (or foreshadows stirring the pot), by saying, "I will show partiallity to no one; nor will I flatter any man...". Elihu isn't afraid to offend. He is going to speak the wisdom that God revealed to him. That wouldn't be easy to do. First off, he is the youngest, which means that he is already showing immense amounts of disrespect by contradicting his elders. And, secondly, these are his friends. These are people that he would probably spend a lot of time with, and here he is preparing to speak harshly towards them. These subsequent chapters show an incredible faith in God, because he was trusting that God truly did give him the wisdom to share! It's also a challenge to us to be willing to spread the truth, even towards our friends, regardless of whether it goes against cultural norms, or the general consensus. Also, keep in mind that Elihu is correcting fellow believers (at least, apparently fellow believers). Elihu isn't judging or correcting others with a very different belief system...it's people that share his same faith.

    33:14. Elihu is getting fed up with all the discussion about God not hearing prayers, or God not speaking to Job and his friends. Finally, Elihu speaks up, and reminds them that "God DOES speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it". God is always communicating with us. He uses different methods all the time, but he is always communicating and revealing himself to us! The problem is, we don't always listen, nor do we always notice it. Elihu essentially is shutting Job up, by saying "God IS speaking, and HAS spoken to you...you just haven't seen it. Wake up and pay attention!" (nice Sister Act 2 reference there!).

   35:2-3. Here is another early Old Testament jab at the Health/Wealth movement (actually, this one extends to pretty much all believers, at least Western believers),

"Do you think this is just? You say, 'I will be cleared by God' yet you ask him, 'what profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?'".

    We always have to figure out the benefits. "What do I get for signing up?", "If I do this for you, what will you do for me?". The young Elihu wisely reminds us that, it's not at all about what we get in return. Frankly, it shouldn't matter if we ever get anything in return. God forgives our sins, is that not enough? We spend so much time relishing in the idea of heaven, or the idea that God wants to bless us for following him, that we see Christianity as a rewards program. We envision being a Christian like an Air Miles card...you do this here, you get to redeem your points later! It is SOOO much more than that, and thinking that way just perverts the wonderful truth of "God is Love, God is Just, God FORGIVES us and wants a RELATIONSHIP with us!"

   36:11-12. Let's end this blog entry with a little controversy. I realize I just credited Elihu with preaching out against the Health and Wealth/Joel Osteen movement, however, I perhaps may have spoken too soon. Here Elihu seemingly contradicts a lot of what I was praising him for, and I quote:

"If they obey and serve him,

they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity

and their years in contentment.

But if they do not listen,

they will perish by the sword

and die without knowledge".

     Am I missing something here? Did Elihu not just talk about how we can't serve God for the reward, and yet here say exactly the opposite...that serving God leads to prosperity? I definitely don't agree with Elihu's last statement here (and I know Job wouldn't, as he is unjustly suffering). Yes, God can make us prosperous, but it's not a guarantee what serving him will make you prosper. Maybe I am missing something, but even trying to read everything in context doesn't make it make any more sense to me. Elihu has just become the first Health and Wealth preacher. He had such wise, thought provoking, and profound things to say, and then he offers THAT. 

   The next blog entry will be God, finally showing up to the scene and offering his explanation, as well as my final summary of the book of Job. What we can learn from the book, and a few of my favourite verses! Until then, what do you think of Elihu? Is he a wise young man? Is he perhaps arrogant for trying to undermine his older friends? And what about 36:11-12? Is there any way to interpret it without it sounding like God wants us all to prosper, and if we don't prosper than we are not truly following God? Let me hear your thoughts and comments!

Job 24-31

   25:2 Bildad begins with some wise words, "Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven." The only person (or being) that should be praised, revered and awed is God. No one else even comes close to deserving reverence.
 
Chapters 26-31 is a long monologue by Job...and it is filled with lots of wisdom, sarcasm, and even some inuendo. So far, these chapters are my favourite responsed by Job, by far:

   26:2-4 I'm starting to really appreciate Job's wit and sarcasm amidst trials, tribulations and idiotic friends. The start of Job 26 is an excellent example of this...it's just dripping with sarcasm:

           

"How you have helped the powerless!

How you have saved the arm that is feeble!

What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!

And what grea insight you have displayed!

Who has helped you utter these words?

And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?"

   You can almost hear Job give a sarcastic "clap-clap". Probably rolled his eyes and did a theatrical bow down too. I never realize Job was so sarcastic...I LOVE it!

   28:12,28. Job asks a very genuine question...one that Solomon would later ask, and we would still be struggling with to this day, "Where can widsom be found? Where does understanding dwell?" (He actually asks this questions twice, here in verse 12 and late in verse 20). In verse 28 he offers his answer, "The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding". Sounds like a good answer...perhaps not complete, but at least its a great place to start.

   29:14-16. Here is a beautiful picture of righteousness, and Christlike living: "I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to he needy; I took up the case of the stranger." Sounds like a very primitive form of Jesus' quotes of "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.." (from the opposite perspective of course, more like "I saw you hungry and gave you food...I saw you crippled and I carried you"). Do you think its possible that Jesus was, at least slightly, referencing Job in his words? I mean, Jesus would have been very familiar with the story of Job, as would his listeners. Maybe its just more of a coincidence. Either way, its a powerful statement from Job, and an example we should strive for!

   30:26. I think we can all resonate with Job's cry here. "...when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for ligh, then came darknes". All of us have prayed for something, or wished for something, and felt that God didn't answer. We've all felt, at one time or another, that God gave us the opposite of what we wanted and needed. Felt abandoned by God. Utterly alone.

   31:1-40. This chapter was AMAZING! Job begins with a challenge for all of us guys, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl." I don't even think I need to give a comment about that verse, because all guys can relate, and can take that challenge to heart. May we all strive to make that covenant with our eyes!

                   This chapter is also where the inuendo comes in. It's not quite Song of Solomon quality, but it's still good. Throughout the chapter Job is saying, "If I have done this, then may this happen"...and verses 9-12 refers to sexual sin. He says, "If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door, THEN MAY MY WIFE GRIND ANOTHER MAN'S GRAIN..." That is not referring to farming, and he is not saying he will lend out his wife to be a farmhand (unless it is some sort of role-play). He is literally saying, "If I lusted, and had an affair, then may my wife have an affair with someone too".

                    Literally, every section of this chapter is great. Instead of drawing attention to each individual section, I will paraphrase it for you:

                                 -If I have denied justice, what will I answer [to God] when called to account

                                 -If I have denied the poor, weary, naked and needy...let my arm fall from the shoulder

                                 - If I have walked in falsehood, let God weigh me in honest scales

                                 -If my steps turned from the path or hands been defiled, let others eat what I've sown

                                 - If I put my trust in gold, then I would have been unfaithful to God on high

                          Job also talks about not rejoicing over his enemies misfortune, and making sure that he pays his debts. Are we willing to tell God, "If I sin this way...punish me with this?". Are we so bold to say that "I am pure...please weigh me on honest scales!" No way am I saying that. Anyway...if you read one chapter of Job, I highly recommend it to be Job 31. Filled with great challenges to us all, to love the poor, not love money, not rejoice over our enemies failure, to remain pure and much more!

Job 15-23

  There is a new CD that has just come out called "Music Inspired By The Story". It's 24 Christian artists who collaborated and took on a Bible character such as Adam and Eve, or Joshua. Todd Smith, one of the members of the band Selah sngs a song from the perspectve of Job called Broken Praise. I haven't been able to find a youtube clip about it, or even get the lyrics online yet, but I encourage you to check it out when you get a chance. The song almost brought me to tears (it didn't, but it came close), and it really brought home the story of Job that I am readig through. Gave a fresh new perspective on the story,and gave me more respect for the person of Job. Anyway, with that in mind, here are a few more verses that really stuck out to me:

  15:31. Once again, one of Job's friends offers wise words amidst poor advice. Eliphaz says, "Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return". It's really important to put our trust in what is True and Good. If we spend all our time on things that are pointless, then we end up with nothing. If, on the contrary, we spend time with God, and on things that are, at least eternally, worthwhile, then nothing will be in vain!

  16:19. "Even now, my witness is in heaven; my advotace is on high". I even put a 'YES!' next to this one in my Bible. It doesn't matter if other people see is do right, or even understand why we do things. We are doing everything for God, our witness in heaven. He alone is our judge.

   19:4. This one is interesting. Job acknowledges that he may have gone astray, but he says that if he has, "my error is my concern alone". I agree with the fact that, our decisions and sins are ultimately only between us and God (and the person/people we sinned against), but there has to be a level of accountability. We need to have people we can confide in and confess too...although, I will give Job he credit for choosing not to confide to these particular friends that he has.

  19:25-27. So, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, I am now drawn into the "heaven/hell" debate. I said how I wasn't quite sure what Job's standing on heaven was, but these verses clearly show that Job believes in some level of heaven. He refers to looking at God with his own eyes after his skin has been destroyed. Them his excitemet boils over, and he jubilantly expresses, "my heart yearns within me!" Perhaps Job is a universalist afterall (going back to my thoughts on 3:17).

   20:2-3. Zophar says what a lot of Christians feel, "My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understandig inspires me to reply". Christians, myself included, tend to feel the need to always speak up when something offends them. We probably would be respected much more if we were able to just keep a lot of our commets and rebuttles to ourselves.

   21:3. I just like how Job is sarcastic with his friends, and realizes that no matter what he says, his friends will respond. He decides, instead of fighing it, to just encourage his friends to "mock on". I have so much respect for Job right about now!

   21:7-16. This section just expresses the frustration that a lot of us feel. I won't rewrite all the verses, caus I encurage you to read it for yourself, but Job just talks about how the wicked, who refuse to accept and believe in God still manage to be blessed and wealthy, while he loses everything. I think thats a sentiment that we all can relate to.

  23:11-12. "My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turnig aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips;  I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." THAT, my friends, is what we all must strive for. The word of God is more valuable than my daily bread (and not just those clever little devotional books..although it is more valuable than those too)...how many of us are able to honestly say that right now? I know I sure can't.

Christian Double Standards!

Working at a Christian Bookstore, I have access to a lot of christian stuff. I get to see a wide rang of spiritual ideas, a large variety of Christian Thinkers and information that covers all sides of the Spectrum (from Piper to Wright, Osteen to Strobel, Chan to Bell). Usually I agree with, or can at least tolerate what they are saying, but every once in a while I will come across something that frustrates me. Something that actually makes me slightly ashamed of being a Christian. I'm going to give a few examples. First of all, Brad Stine (a Christian Comedian).
Yes, I realize being a comedian means that you can say what you want as long as its funny...and I'm usually pretty tolerant of comedians because I know a lot of it is just a show or an act. But Brad Stine seems to make it his agenda to push his beliefs. I have to admit, I usually don't like Christian comedians because they feel the need to preach all the time with just a few jokes thrown in. Honestly, the only Christian comedian that I enjoy is Tim Hawkins because he does a great job of not pushing his faith or his beliefs, and just tells good clean comedy (which happens to be about making fun at the church). Seriously, check him out because he is hilarious and may in fact change your perception of Christian comedians. Anyway, back on point...
There are a few clips of Brad's that I could show, but I chose this one:



I will admit that he does somewhat have a point about being offended by the truth. I'll give him that one, however I think he fails to remember that the main people who were offended by Jesus was actually the religious people. It wasn't the Samaritans or even the Romans who really killed Jesus...it was thew Religious leaders of that day (yes, the Romans were the ones to actually crucify him, but they didn't really have a problem with what Jesus was saying generally). Brad, in another clip which I couldn't find, also talks about how America was built as a Christian nation so therefore needs to stay a Christian nation. Ok Brad...that sounds good...but by that theory, does that not mean that countries that are Muslim, or Hindu need to stay Muslim or Hindu? No, of course not, because Muslims and Hindu's are wrong right Brad? I'm sick of the double standard Christians have. I hate how we want everyone to be tolerant of us (because we are the best, and only right religion), but we refuse to be tolerant of others. Why does it matter if a cashier at Wal-Mart says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? Does it affect your faith that much?
Anyway, I'll move on from him for now and go on to one other thing that I read that kind of got me thinking about more Christian double standards. I was reading in Christianity Today an article about a Sportsnet Radio host who tweeted about his beliefs on the sanctity of marriage and then was fired by Sportsnet the next day. And, granted, that is kind of disappointing that a man can't tweet about his personal convctions and still keep his job (at a Sports radio station at that), but when I stopped to think about it, I realize that again, we have this double standard in the church.
I know of a lot of churches and pastors who have split, or been fired because of personal beliefs. A pastor who perhaps sides with Rob Bell and "Love Wins" gets fired from a church, or a pastor who maybe questions the treatment of homosexuals in the church is booted from the congregation. And then, when someone in the secular world gets fired because of their personal convictions its "anti-Christian". I'm not saying that churches shouldn't fire pastors or let members of the congregation go who have extremely different opinions and convictions (nor am I saying that they should), but I am saying that if churches continue to do that, then we have to be ok with other places doing that as well. Which brings me to my last point, and this one I actually was really pleased with and excited by reading it.
A Canadian christian magazine, Faith Today, wrote about how a school in ontario was allowing muslim students to go into the cafeteria at lunch to pray and do whatever other religious rites they needed to do. I was expecting the author of the article to bash this school, and say that there is no place for that, but she refused to do that (yes, it was a woman author and a Canadian magazine...I didn't plan on that, but thats just the way it is). Instead, she talked about how the school wasn't forcing anyone to go to the cafeteria and pray towards mecca...that it was simply giving the muslim students their religious freedom. She also reminded the reader that most schools allow Christian students to gather and have bible studies or prayer time during lunch if they desire (such as ISCF, 30 Hour Famine, Meet you are the Pole etc.). I remember being in elementary school and watching Jehovah Witness students excuse themselves from the classroom during the National Anthem. It doesn't take much to accomodate. It doesn't mean you have to agree with the students beliefs, but you can show that you accept them and want to give them the freedom they need. So no,we don't say the Lord's Prayer at the start of the school day...but that's ok (because why were we forcing EVERY student regardless of religious beliefs to pray a Christian prayer).
Anyway...I'm sick of the Christian double standard, is what I am trying to say. I'm sick of us placing our beliefs above everyone else, and wanting everyone to accomdate us, but refusing to accomodate others. I'm not meaning we need to shy away from the truth, but we need to present the Truth in a way that is inviting, loving and accepting. Brad Stine needs to take his own advice and stop getting so offended at everything, and just live his life like Christ did: with Sacrificial Love.

Job 8-14

    Alright, missed a day of blogging, but got a lot of reading done. Even started going through underlining things, which I have never really gotten into before. I read an interesting thing at work today, it was in one of Donald Millar's books (A Million Miles in a Thousand Years), and he refers to the book of Job. He says, and I am paraphrasing here because I forget the exact quote that, Before the story really gets going, God tells everyone "Life is gonna hurt sometimes!". I never really thought of that before.
    I always knew that Job was the oldest book (at least believed to be), but it never occured to me that at one point, the book of Job was the only "scripture" people had for a short time. Reading the book of Job with that in mind, it is amazing to read what sort of things the book says about God and life. You would think that God would want the first book written to be Genesis, or some other book that really portrays God's love, and that tells everyone that having faith in God makes life easy and fun, but instead He chose a book about a man who was faithful, but lost everything. Definitely not what I would have done, that's for sure. Anyway, with that in mind, here are my thoughts and observations on Job 8-14
 
 8:8-9. Bildad is the second friend of Job's to speak, and his speech follows the same pattern as Eliphaz in chapter 4, however, verses 8 and 9 really struck me as profound. Bildad says, "Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth ae but a shadow". Amidst the poor advice, and the "you have sinned" confrontations, is this gem of a suggestion. Today, we are always looking to the future, always trying to outdo the previous generation, but Bildad reminds Job, and encourages Job, to ask the older generation. They are older, and wiser, and have much more life experience. Wise words from an unwise person.

   9:5-10. Considering that this book was written before the Genesis account was recorded, Job's declaration of God's power, might and creation is profound and powerful. Job confidently declares that God is all-powerful, Creator, and is in complete control of everything. Job says:

"He moves mountains without their knowing it

and overturns them in his anger.

He shakes the earth from its place

and makes its pillars tremble.

He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;

he seals off the light of the stars.

He alone stretches out the heavens

and treads on the waves of the sea.

He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,

the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,

miracles that cannot be counted"

 Job then, after this beautiful description of God's incredible power, regresses back to his "kill me now, I wish I were dead" monologue.

 11:6-9. Zophar finally makes his appearance, and at first I really like him. He starts out making some real sense, before he follows suit with his other friends and tells Job that he is a filthy sinner and that is why he is being punished. But before he gets to that, he has some very wise words for Job (kind of a diamond in the rough type thing). Zophar reminds Job that God has forgotten his sins (he says "some" of his sins, which probably isn't as encouraging as Job would like to hear, but he's at least trying), and then speaks about the mysteries of God, which sound like they are taken directly out of the Psalms:

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

They are higher than the heavens-what can you do?

They are deeper than the depths of the grave-

what can you know?

Their measure is longer than the earth

and wider than the sea"

12:25. "he makes them stagger like drunkards". For some reason, it pleases me to know that alcohol dates back to the time of Job...I don't know why, but it makes me happy!

13:5. Job says what everyone reading the story is thinking, "If only you would be altogether silent! For you that would be wisdom". I'm sensing some frustration from Job here...I kinda like it!

 13:15. So far, the most powerful verse I have read. I was always taught that Job was faithful, and righteous, but these words are a rallying cry for the martyrs and persecuted: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face". Wow...incredible words!

 14:6. Job refers to his time on earth as being like a hired man putting in his time. I'm not sure how I feel about that metaphor. Hired men are essentially slaves right? Are we just slaves owned by God for his work, and his enjoyment? Is our whole purpose just to do everything we are told? Are we just putting in our time? Doesn't sound very encouraging, or motivational.

Job 3-7

 3:1-16 So, after Job's friends come and sit with him for a week, he finally speaks to them. As one would expect from someone who just lost it all, his words aren't necesarily the most uplifting. In fact, the whole chapter, Job is wishing he was never born. "May the day of my birth perish" (verse 3), and "Why did I not perish at birth?" (verse 11), are common themes throughout his rant. Seems quite morbid for one who was seen as the greatest and most righteous of his day, however, due to the circumstances I will give him a pass for his anger.

3:17. "There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest". Job is talking about death here. Now, perhaps it is because of the increased debate raging now in Christian cirlces about heaven and hell (thanks to Rob Bell and Francis Chan) that I am more sensitive to verses about life after death, but this seems to be somewhat of a universalist statement. Is Job referring to heaven, where both the wicked and weary will rest and cease from turmoil? Or is Job just referring to the bleak death, burial and decay of the body. Was Job a closet universalist all this time? Was the greatest, most God-fearing man also of the belief that everyone will make it to heaven? Am I reading way too much into this verse, and just trying to stir up some controversy and debate? Very Likely.

3:18-26. Rest of the chapter is very similar to the previous parts. Why was I born, I wish my life never began, yada yada.

Chapters 4 and 5. Of the three friends, Eliphaz is the first to speak. Now, I'm not going to lie, Eliphaz is not very easy to understand. He speaks very poetically, and cryptically (or, perhaps I just much slower and incompetent than others). From what I do understand though, I have to actually say, I somewhat agree with what he is saying. To be honest, his words sound very similar to many of the Psalms and Proverbs. Take for example, verses 9-16:

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,

miracles that cannot be counted.

He bestows rain on the earth;

he sends water upon the countryside.

The lowly he sets on high,

and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

He thwarts the plans of the crafty,

so that their hands achieve no success.

He catches the wise in their craftiness,

and the schemes of the wily are swept away.

Darkness comes upon them in the daytime;

at noon they grope as in the night.

He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth;

he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.

So the poor have hope,

and injustice shuts its mouth."

 Eliphaz, from what I understand (and based upon how Job reacts) is essentially saying that God blesses the good, and punishes the wicked. Of course, the way he says it is worthy of Shakespeare, and actually (based on what they believed about God at that time, and what we still believe about God today) isn't too far-fetched or controversial. Job is being punished and cursed, and therefore Job must have done something wrong!

   6:1-7:21. Job sticks to his guns, and continues claiming that he has done nothing wrong. He also sticks to his previous sentiments and negative tone, in which he wishes he was never born and begs to die. While he does believe that he has done nothing wrong, it seems as if he starts to take the possibility to heart. A few times, he asks (both of his friends and of God) "show me where I have been wrong". He's not ruling out the possibility of sin being the root of this anguish, but he isn't accepting it yet. Chapter 7 verses 17-19 are both a frustrating lament and an awe-inspiring praise. Job says:

"What is man that you make so much of him,

that you give him so much attention,

that you examine him every morning

and test him every moment?

Will you never look away from me,

or let me alone even for an instant?"

  You can feel Job's frustration at how much attention God is lavishing upon him (and understandably so, as he is covered in boils, and his house, family, and wealth are all gone), and yet you can also sense a hint of comfort in the words. God will never look away. He will constantly be there for us. Who are we to be worthy of such attention by the Creator? Of course, the verse about being tested every moment is somewhat frightening.

Job 1 and 2

Here I go. Reading through the Bible chronologically, from cover to cover. Every word. Every verse, chapter and story. I won't skip the genealogies, I won't skim over the stories I know or the boring laws of Leviticus. So, to begin I turn to the book of Job. Now, I know what you are asking..."But Genesis is the first book, why not start there?". Well, Yes, Genesis is the first book of the Bible, but Job is believed to the first book written. It's date is unkown, and therefore, because I'm not sure whether it was written before or after Genesis I will read it first. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume it is the oldest book of the Bible. And so I begin:

1:1, In the land of Uz there lived a man named Job. Where the heck is Uz? Is it near Oz? Is it even a part of Israel? Also...who is writing this story? it sounds sort of fairy tale-esque. I almost expect a "Once upon a Time". Anyway, from wha the author says, Job is a very righteous man who feared God and shunned evil. He was also very wealthy, had many children and lots of cattle. He was the greatest man in the East. Fairly high praise.

1:5. This is part of the story that I seemed to have overlooked before, and it is quite incredible. The bible says that "early in the morning, [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering for [his children], thinking 'perhaps they have sinned an cursed God in their hearts'". Wow...a faithful father. He was genuinely concerned for the spiritual well-being of his children. What makes this even more amazing was that, unlike today, he didn't just pray a simple prayer asking God to bless and forgive his kids...he went through a crazy sacrificial ritual. Every morning! No wonder God was impressed with this guy. I hope when I am a father I will be just as dedicated to the spiritual wellbeing of my kids.

1:6-12. Now the story gets weird. Very early on in this challenge and alread there is a huge theological issue. What the heck is Satan doing in the presence of God? Why is Satan able to ask God something, and have that wish granted? Why does God feel the need to prove himself to Satan? And again...who is writing this dialogue? Did God give someone an inside peak into this conversation, or is this just added to perhaps make sense of what happens next? Was this supposed to make Job feel better, knowing that it was Satan and not God who did this stuff to him? I have lots of questions,and no answers.

1:20. Job just found out that all of his cattle, all of his possesions, and all of his children (whom he prayed for every morning) have been lost. He is left with 4 servants, his wife and what is left of his home...that's it. No more cattle, no more family. He can't even offer sacrifices to God anymore. And what does he do? He responds with "I came into this world naked, and I will leave it naked too. The Lord gives,and he takes away". Seems mighty calm for a man who lost everything. I get so frustrated over the smallest of things. Just yesterday the Bombers lost to the Argos, and I got fairly angry. I was mad at the refs, and mad at the Bobmers. I get frustrated with cranky customers at the bookstore, or when traffic is slow and I get all red lights. And yet, here is Job, who literally loses everything, and he seems to be able to shrug it off. Either he is in a state of shock, or he truly is faithful and trusting of God. Probably a mix of both.

2:1-10. Satan again approaches God. Again I am confused, but I won't re-ask the same questions. God gives Satan the ability to inflict physica harm on Job, and Satan relishes at this opportunity. He gives Job insane sores all over his body. Job's wife very quickly turns against God (and against Job) telling him to curse God. Shows how important it is to surround yourself with people who are going to affrm your beliefs, and encourage you. Job says something very profound, that I we can learn from: "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?". Wow. Again, job seems to be able to shrug this off. We tend to yell at God over the slightest issue, or we tell ourselves that God only gives us the good things and the bad things are from the devil...but Job graciously accepts that fact that God gives both good things, and troubling things. Kind of a slap in the face to Joel Osteen there...God doesn't want us to be healthy and wealthy. God wants us to serve him and honour him even if we are sick and poor.

2:11-13. Job's friends arrive. They hear he is sick, in pain and alone, and they come to comfort him. Now, I know how this story goes, so unfortunately I don't have high regard for his friends...but at this moment, they are the best of friends. They come in time of trouble, and the bible says that they just sat in silence for 7 days. How often do we try to say the right thing to our friends and family members going trough hardships. How many times do we go into the cliche answers os "I know how you feel", or "It'll all be ok in the end". The very best things Job's friends did was, come to him when he was struggling, and instead of giving lame answers, they just sat in silence and suffered beside him. Sometimes the best thing to do, and the best thing to say is nothing.