What I'm Reading

I am currently making my way through a chronological reading of the bible. So far it has gone:

• The beginning of Genesis
• Job
• The rest of Genesis through...
• ....Numbers chapter 7 - today's reading.

Job could easily be a coffee house story in so many ways. A guy down on his luck and his friends meet with him to offer advice....

.....don't tell me you haven't stared emptily at a Starbucks logo on white paper (for much longer than necessary) waiting for your friend(s) to wrap up their useless babbling about their take on your situation.....

The dialogue is reminiscent of most people I know (looks in mirror), and how we all can sit around and wax philosophically about the intentions, thoughts, and actions of an indescribable God. But when we are caught in that little pit of despair - or as we are watching a friend trying to dig out - it is what we do. We pull out the God-looking duct tape and try to fix everything.

These guys say some pretty compelling things and are masters of the faith cliché, but for the most part they are idiots (looks in mirror)....because they just keep talking. It is as though they have convinced themselves that the right answer will eventually fall out of their face as long as they keep flapping their gums.

Job is experiencing true heartache. He is broken. He is overflowing with frustration and confusion.....man, can I relate to that. And now all his friends have brought to the injury party is a big bag of insults. So he looks up and asks the question....your favorite and mine.....why?

And this is my favorite part.....in a crazy way, I know.......God doesn't answer.

I mean, He responds, but not the way Job's buddies do....

He looks down at all the drama going on in their coffee house chat and says something to the effect of:

"Well, well.....look who knows so much....how about this? What if I ask you a question?"

² "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
³ Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
⁴ "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
⁵ Who determined its measurements—surely you know!"......Job 38:1

What follows is one of the best corrections of perspective I have ever read. I always feel a little small and a lot humbled by the greatness of God's words here....and that is just His words.

If you haven't read it in a while...or at all...I would recommend taking a look.