Job's getting accused, again. Pretty much, Bildad is saying that the wages of sin is death and you are a sinner and you have received what you deserve... repent.!
Now, I don't know about you, but reading all these accusations against Job is getting just a little much. I'm imagining what it would feel like to hear all of this law thrown at you when you are at your lowest. Instead of help, accusations and persecution. There are good purposes for the law, but there comes a time when a little good news; when a little loving compassion would go a whole lot further.
Not long ago, one of my sermons was about respecting one another. Now, respect, I think, is usually earned. It is earned by one's actions, by one's position, by many things. But, love is not earned. Love just is. Job, according to the story, has lived a life that should have earned his friends respect. He receives none. And, as a friend of these men, one would think they would show a little more loving compassion. He receives none. Sadly, this story is not only a story from history. It is the story of today, as well. Where in this world can we turn so that one can be treated with both love and respect? Hopefully, it is the church. Again, sadly that isn't always so.
May God help us to treat one another with respect even as the love of Christ, who abides in all who believe, loves our neighbor, loves our friends.
God's Peace - Pr. J
Now, I don't know about you, but reading all these accusations against Job is getting just a little much. I'm imagining what it would feel like to hear all of this law thrown at you when you are at your lowest. Instead of help, accusations and persecution. There are good purposes for the law, but there comes a time when a little good news; when a little loving compassion would go a whole lot further.
Not long ago, one of my sermons was about respecting one another. Now, respect, I think, is usually earned. It is earned by one's actions, by one's position, by many things. But, love is not earned. Love just is. Job, according to the story, has lived a life that should have earned his friends respect. He receives none. And, as a friend of these men, one would think they would show a little more loving compassion. He receives none. Sadly, this story is not only a story from history. It is the story of today, as well. Where in this world can we turn so that one can be treated with both love and respect? Hopefully, it is the church. Again, sadly that isn't always so.
May God help us to treat one another with respect even as the love of Christ, who abides in all who believe, loves our neighbor, loves our friends.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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