Jesus is our friend – Be Still…

Job 23:1-17 – A Broken Record

Read Job 23:1-17

It seems we’ve got a broken record here in terms of the recurring complaints and misunderstandings. I enjoyed Job’s account of how he’d like to make a visit to God and have a conversation about his state of affairs. Job’s tone is a bit nonchalant, but maybe we need to think of God more as a friend. It’s a little easier to picture ourselves being buddies with Jesus because he wore human flesh. We’ve been told God is to be feared.

The picture Job has must bring him a bit of comfort. The solution sounds so easy. Because Job maintains his innocence, verse 7 is so reassuring. “Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.” That’s a pretty bold statement showing Job’s confidence both in himself and in his all-knowing God. Continue reading “Job 23:1-17 – A Broken Record”

Job 2:11-13 – When You Need a Friend

Read Job 2:11-13

Who is that one person, one friend, whom you turn to when calamity strikes? That’s probably the same person who would rush to your aid if you had suffered a tragedy. In this reading, we see three friends have come to Job’s side during his time of great loss.

At first, I got stuck on where all these friends were from based on how they are introduced to us. But, we’re not even sure where Uz is, the town that Job hails from. Nor have scholars agreed as to the time period in which Job lived. So for purposes of our reflections, we are going to simplify that Job was a man of God who had three friends. Job’s example will help us all in our own time of testing. Continue reading “Job 2:11-13 – When You Need a Friend”

Jeremiah 31:15-30 – Divine Love

Read Jeremiah 31:15-30

Did you recognize part of today’s reading from the New Testament? Rachel’s lament is quoted in Chapter 2 of Matthew’s gospel. In the New Testament, such wailing took place as King Herod killed all young boys who might be the promised king from on high. Such a horrible moment in history!

It’s a powerful connection, especially when we remember that Rachel was Israel’s (Jacob’s) wife, and her children would be part of the twelve tribes of Israel currently in exile. How fitting the matriarch would be weeping to see how her children had turned from the LORD and been punished. As parents, we always want the best for our children.