Today's Scripture Reading (August 2, 2021): Job 36
My story isn't over. Oh, many of the pages have been written, but
there is still more writing to come. I am anxiously waiting for the chapters of promise that have yet to be revealed. And
I am not a passive participant in my story. I know that the chapters that have
been written have been mainly written by my hand. But in the recording of my account, I also recognize the presence of another hand and a different kind of writing. It is that other hand that has lifted me up in moments when I was down. It is that other hand that has found me when I was sure that I was lost. It has
acted as the cavalry in my life, riding over the horizon at just the right
moment.
Don't get me wrong, there are also moments when I was lost, and I seemed to
stay lost for a long time. But even these terrifying moments are just segments
of the story. Maybe sometimes they served as the end of a chapter, but they do
not tell the whole story, and they do not sum up my life or the chapters that
are yet to be written.
Elihu's argument continues, outlining his belief that Job's struggle is evidence of his sin. If Job had been as
righteous as he claimed, then Job would have been prosperous. But Job is no
longer successful,
and what he had has been taken away from him, Elihu believes, because of Job's sin. Elihu thinks that this is a
universal reality; what has happened to Job will also happen to all who do evil on the earth. Elihu's theology is a cousin to one that is still preached
today. The argument that has been repeated from many pulpits in the advanced
nations is that God wants you to be wealthy and successful. After all, he owns the cattle on a
thousand hills; he possesses the wealth of the land; why would he not want to give it to you. Therefore, if you are successful, God is with you. But the
reverse is also true. If you sin, then God will curse you.
As far as Elihu is concerned, Job is cursed and because Job has sinned. Maybe it is just the pride that Job has shown during his conversation with his friends, or perhaps it is something else, but what cannot be disputed is
that Job was paying the price for his sin.
But the mistake that Elihu and the rest of Job's critics are making is believing that Job's story is
over; this is his final act. But the truth that the reader knows is
that this is not the last chapter. And in the final chapter, Job will be
restored.
And so will we. We know that our restoration is at hand because we have read the final chapter of God's story, and here is the spoiler; the Lamb wins, and
that means so do we!
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Job 37
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