ISSL Reflections February 27 2022 Job 19:19-27; 42:1–6, Post 1

I.
When I started this project of sharing prompts for reflections, I elected to follow the Scripture passages selected for the International Sunday School Lesson series (also referred to as the Uniform Series). While it is not used by as many denominations as it once was, it does in each year touch the different types of writings in Scripture and over each of its six-year plan touchs each book of Scripture (or so the editors claim). That in part influenced my decision to follow its texts and more to the point, it pushes me to explore passages I might otherwise miss or avoid.

This week I depart somewhat from the ISSL’s focus passages. Scheduled for this week would be Job 42:1–6, 10–17. I am going to skip the epilog to Job’s story, and go back to Job 19 and include some of another speech of Job that, at least to me, helps us see more of Job’s soul as it is presented and as it develops in this account.

As you read these two passages and listen to Job’s words, pay attention to both the “faith” statements that come from Job and the contrasts in the passages.

II.
Job 19:19-27 (New Revised Standard Version)

All my intimate friends abhor me,
    and those whom I loved have turned against me.
My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh,
    and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends,
    for the hand of God has touched me!
Why do you, like God, pursue me,
    never satisfied with my flesh?
“O that my words were written down!
    O that they were inscribed in a book!
O that with an iron pen and with lead
    they were engraved on a rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    then in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see on my side,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

Job 42:1-6 (New Revised Standard Version)

Then Job answered the Lord:

“I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
    I will question you, and you declare to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
    and repent in dust and ashes.”

III.
The passage from Job 19 comes after a speech from Bildad.

It contains some much quoted words from the book, “For I know that my Redeemer lives …” (Job 19:25).

I think there are many times I assumed these words of Job come at the conclusion of the book and after his encounter with God, but that is not the case.

That statement of “faith” (can we call it a statement of “faith”?) comes more or less in the middle of the second cycle of speeches from Job’s friends and before we (and Job apparently) hear God speak.

Let’s take a few more words from Job 19 –

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
then in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see on my side,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me! (Job 19:25-27)

While Job tells us something (or maybe someone) he “knows,” he still looks forward to something more.

Have you ever been there? Able to speak of both the “faith” you have and the “faith” not yet in your grasp?

IV.
What about Job’s words in chapter 42?

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you … (Job 42:5)

What do you think? Is Job’s “faith” now complete? Or not?

It does seem he has “seen” more, doesn’t it?

Can you recall a time when you sensed a development, growth, or maturing in your “faith”?

What do you think brought about the change?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *