His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. – Job 34:21

Today's Scripture Reading (September 13, 2024): Job 34

Two seemingly opposite things can be true at the same time. It is an unfortunate truth. As I write this post, the news from the Israeli-Gaza conflict continues to stream into my life. And political advertisements continue to accuse one politician of backing one group or the other. As someone who exists outside of the United States, even outside the U.S., I continue to be inundated with American political news, and I am amused by the American public, which seems to believe that they have the power to make decisions for a foreign country. Two things can be true at the same time. It is possible for the United States and other countries in the world to declare that what happened on October 7, 2023, was wrong on the part of the Palestinian groups and that Israel's reaction has not been good either. It is possible for Biden to hear and agree with Palestinian protestors, and yet nothing changes in Israel and Gaza. It is possible to oppose Hamas, Hezbollah, and Benjamin Netanyahu. All of this can be true at the same time. And sometimes, even the mighty United States can't change this truth. The American army could move in and crush the resistance on both sides, but that would only worsen the situation. There is no good outcome, at least right now, to immediately solve a problem that has been decades in development.

Elihu continues his discourse, saying that God watches over the mortals He created; he sees their every step. But no one is arguing that this is not true. However, Elihu's statement does not connect with Job's situation.

The problem that Elihu and Job's other antagonists are struggling with is very familiar. It is really a battle between God's righteousness and his mercy. It is a battle I often have to fight in my daily conversations. I have been criticized because some think I prioritize God's love over his righteousness. But two things can be true at the same time. I know that God is righteous, and not only that, but I also think we are expected to be righteous as well. But I also know that we can never attain that lofty goal. As a result, God's love and mercy, made possible by the death of Jesus on Good Friday, intercedes for us. God is willing to let the sacrifice of Jesus make up the difference between our expected righteousness and the reality of our lives. And sometimes, stuff still happens.

Elihu is right; God's eyes are on Job as well as on the lives of his friends. None of their lives have measured up to God's high standard. And yet, none of these beliefs shed any light on the reason for Job's struggles. All of this is true at the same time.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Job 35