Hi friends! Today is not much different than the last 2 days as it's a continued debate with Job, his friends, and God. However, I think when we consider this scripture through the lens of the question I've posed before, "Would Jesus say amen to this?" there is a strong sense of hope to be found here. I'll share more below, and as always, I look forward to your thoughts as well!
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about God?
What does this teach me about humanity?
How does the life, death, and life again of Jesus give hope to this segment of Job?
- My Thoughts -
At one point Job laments to God saying that the reason life isn't fair is because humans do not have hope after death like a tree would which can grow another sprout after being chopped down. God does not answer Job here, and I can't help but wonder if this was a turning point for God in God's mission to understand humans and their motivations more. What if Job's question to God about hope is what inspired God to come as Jesus? Jesus is the reason we have hope for after death, we may not sprout back in this life like a tree would, but we do "sprout" in the kingdom of God in the highest of the heavens. A place that scripture declares is a realm of no more pain, or tears, or death, disease or violence. It's peaceful - paradise even.
And yet, we still fear death as people. Modern medicine has permitted us to extend our lives or prolong our lives even in a comatose state. Vaccines have all but destroyed a number of the life threatening diseases we've faced in the past and advances in robotics are increasing the survival rate of some of the most difficult surgeries to perform. But as Christians, we must balance this modern miracle with the faithful response to not be afraid. As a pastor I've had the chance to be at a number of peoples bedside while they passed. I've given them communion, anointed their heads with oil and prayed with them. In nearly every case they shift from fear or dread to relief and come to peace with what is happening.
How do you reconcile the celebration of modern medicine with your own "desire" to be in heaven?
Prayer:
We pray the words of hymn 143 by humming, singing, or reading the lyrics of hymn 143 (also kind of fitting)
And God will raise you up on eagles wings
bear you on the breath of dawn
make you to shine like the sun
and hold you in the palm of God's hand.