Hi Pastor John,
I want to write about our Job readings. This reading of Job has been so good; really transformative. Once, the story of Job seemed unreal, but I feel like we’ve dug deeper than ever and made the story of Job so deeply real. Reading back on the Job notes, and reading what was said, I was struck by how very real Job felt. Reading his words, I found myself imagining how he must have felt going through his ordeal.
Also, I love so very much when God began to speak to Job. How terrifying it would have been, but also, I could see nothing but love and correction in what God said to Job. Then to see Job’s humble response – “I have no understanding of things too wondrous for me.” This has been one of my all-time favorite verses, but now I love it more because it’s more real.
Then I also think of Elihu. I was cheering for him all along and was so happy to find he was a good guy! I loved when he says, “I will fetch knowledge from afar and to my Maker will I ascribe righteousness.” Oh, my soul loves this! I love Elihu. I love that he looked to God’s righteousness and withheld any judgment when God had not spoken.
Finally, I think of Job’s three friends. I’m reminded how when we started Job, you really made sure we knew they were not the bad guys. And they’re not. But I think I forgot that along the way, and I will have to work on that a bit in my heart. Job’s three friends really were doing the best of what they knew in that time period about righteousness – God was showing something new, but they were just not aware yet.
But then, when God finally spoke and told Job’s three friends to go to Job and Job would pray for them, and they made offerings and God accepted the offerings and prayers of Job for his friends – I loved that, too. What love of God all around! And the love of Job for his friends, and they for him! What a good story! It makes me look at righteousness differently – it’s all the righteousness of GOD.
My only wish is that at the conclusion, God would have said something about Elihu. I wish I knew what God’s words for Elihu would have been.
Thank you for the wonderful journey through Job!
Love,
Jenny