It claps its hands in derision and hisses him out of his place. – Job 27:23

Today's Scripture Reading (July 24, 2021): Job 27

We communicate in many different ways, ways that are often culturally derived, learned, and taken for granted. For instance, "whistling" in the United States and Canada can be used as a sign of approval, but in Europe and South America, whistling is used to voice displeasure and disagreement, the same way booing is used in the United States and Canada. Giving someone the "thumbs up" is usually a sign of approval, one that is often used both in person and on social media, but in Bangladesh, giving someone a "thumbs up" is something like flashing someone your middle finger. Similarly, in North America, sharing a V hand gesture with the spread of the index and middle fingers, either with the palm facing out or in, is interpreted as indicating either victory or peace. Still, in many cultures, the same sign showing the back of the hand is once again seen as giving someone the middle finger. We often share these symbols freely, believing that the other person understands the meaning, without comprehending that how we interpret the message is based on our cultural upbringing. As a result, the other person might not receive the message we intended to send.

In the same way, in many modern settings, giving applause by clapping our hands is a sign of approval. For example, audiences at a concert often clap their hands and cheer when a familiar song is played or as a sign of approval at the concert's end. A standing ovation is a sign of our ultimate respect for the performance.

But that has not always been true. Methodist Theologian Adam Clark (1762-1832) makes this observation.

It seems it was an ancient method to clap the hands against and hiss a man from any public office, who had acted improperly in it. The populace, in European countries, express their disapprobation of public characters who have not pleased them in the same manner to the present day, by hisses, groans, and the like" (Adam Clarke).

An ovation is not always approval; it can be given as a sign of disdain.   

Job describes the treatment of the wicked. Any person in a public office that behaves wickedly is clapped and hissed out of his office. And Job recognizes that this is also the way that he is being treated. But, as Pastor David Guzik reminds us, "It should not be taken as an admission of guilt; instead, Job's message was, "I know that my situation looks like the judgment of God on the wicked, yet I assure you that it is not."

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Job 28