Dana Hagstrom – Page 2

Job 30:1-31 – Anguish

Read Job 30:1-31

Job goes from remembering his glorious, “mountain top” experience kind of past, to the speak of his present life-changing anguish. Even the outcasts mock him and take advantage of his situation. We can see a bit closer the kinds of agony Job is enduring.

There was no easy transition from Job’s happy life to the desolate one. It was in an instant. Like when natural disasters strike. The last town where David and I lived before moving to Mexico was a small town in Iowa. Less than two years before arriving at this congregation, an F5 tornado had ripped through that community. The scars were and will always show from how their lives changed in an instant. They would understand Job better than most of us. Continue reading “Job 30:1-31 – Anguish”

Job 29:1-25 – Memory Lane

Read Job 29:1-25

It’s good to remember that the book of Job is considered to be poetic in nature even though it contains dialogue. Here Job is taking quite a walk down memory lane describing his past successes and blessings. It’s hard for us to picture such a lavish lifestyle for Job, now so lost and abused by his friends.

If you had first met Job when he was living the life he describes here, how would you have helped him in his distress? I imagine the friends we have heard from previously dealt with that very problem. However, we haven’t been told anything particular about the basis for these friendships or been given details about the friends’ backstory. Continue reading “Job 29:1-25 – Memory Lane”

Job 28:1-28 – Where Do You Find Wisdom?

Read Job 28:1-28

Job asks this question twice, “But do people know where to find wisdom?” That’s one of those questions that has a little different meaning depending on which word you give the most emphasis as you read it. But in answer to Job’s question, many people think they do know where. Job has been searching for wisdom to explain his situation this whole time. Job is being very thought provoking in this passage.

When you hear (or read) the word “wisdom,” what comes to mind for you? Do you picture a wall full of books? Do you picture just one book, the Bible? Maybe you picture a person, God inspired, a personified wisdom, like King Solomon for example. He asked God for this one thing, wisdom, when God asked him what he wanted most. Continue reading “Job 28:1-28 – Where Do You Find Wisdom?”

Job 27:1-23 – Job’s Oath

Read Job 27:1-23

Job’s integrity has weathered a great blow from his friends. Despite it all, Job refused to succumb to their attempts to discredit him. In his final speech, Job boldly says, “I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live.”

There is peace when you know you’ve done your best, when you’ve hung on to your integrity despite the pressures of the world. One simple example that comes to mind for me is driving the speed limit. I used to be a “lead foot” always on the look out for law enforcement who may not appreciate my “skill.” Once I embraced being more “lawful” in my highway driving, the more peace I had. No longer was I on the edge of my seat looking to the horizon or the skies for an officer who might “catch” me. What sinful behavior is it for you that you could change to feel that peace? Continue reading “Job 27:1-23 – Job’s Oath”

Job 26:1-14 – What God Does

Read Job 26:1-14

Do you ever feel like you’re at a tennis match as you read the book of Job? We’ve been given a front row seat to watch these friends hash out their thoughts and opinions. When is the last time you did that with a group of friends? It never gets old to just sit around sharing ideas, insights, and experiences with those closest to us.

When friends see things differently, there’s bound to be tension. We’re seeing that between Job and his friends, and we see that in our world today. It seems like everyone has an opinion about something and feels offended when questioned or minimized if not agreed with. I’ve heard of several friendships that have been broken because of differing opinions. Will Job and his friends last as friends? Continue reading “Job 26:1-14 – What God Does”