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.
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