MAY 17 & 18 JOB 4-7
1st BLOG after surgery!
Well, here’s how things shook down.
I should have written this BLOG over the weekend. I had pre-written the BLOGS for May 14-16, thinking—erroneously—“Surely that’ll be enough time for me feel like getting in the swing of things again.”
But, when the weekend came (and I was still in Paducah struggling to re-awaken my bodily functions, let alone my knees) I got it in my head that I had already finished the weekend BLOG (I hadn’t). So I didn’t worry about it.
When Monday, May 19, arrived, I knew I hadn’t BLOGGED for that day. But Monday turned out to be “travel day,” and the focus was on “getting home.” The five-plus hour drive from Paducah went very well, but NO BLOG.
My first night at home was at least two tics on the 1-10 meter worse than any night in the hospital; I think they kept the really good meds in Paducah. In any event, I’m considerably less spunky than I thought I might be.
I wonder if Job felt like that. Friday’s reading ended with fear, dis-ease, disquiet and restlessness. What he needed were some good counselors. And the three friends who berate him much of the rest of the book are anything but good counselors. At first, of course, they are subtle and indirect. They layer their criticism with niceties. But soon, the gloves come off, and the three of them collectively become Job’s greatest trial.
NOTE the pattern of their 29-chapter debate, for that is what it is. Job speaks, then tackles the comments of these friends, Epiphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, each in turn. There are three cycles, meaning that Job works his way through the friends three times (except for Zophar, who appears to give up early). And speaking of “debates;” who do you know that feels like debating in the midst of mourning tragedy?
Oh well, we’ll dig in, tomorrow!
Your Bible brother,
Pastor Gary
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