God's sarcasm. It
sounds like, "Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is
the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may
discern the paths to its home? You know, for you were born then, and the number
of your days is great!" God's
answer to Job is a beat down of epic proportions. Job needed to be put in his place but God
isn't responding this way in order to belittle Job or tear Him apart, but to
help him get true perspective. We ask a
great many questions regarding why things are the way they are, whether those
questions are motivated by perceived injustice or pain in our lives or the same
regarding others. We ask the why
questions when great tragedy strikes in the world and we expect to have
understanding of meta-issues. The Lord
is essentially telling Job to rest in His sovereignty, that his understanding
and even his ability to understand is insufficient to understand. Trust me, God says.
Can Jesus mean these things?
Is it possible to never be angry with my brother? I have never had a real relationship with
anyone in my life without having at least a moment when I was angry with the
person. I get angry at the slightest
provocation. If I went to everyone who
has something against me before I come to the Lord's table I would likely never
be able to receive Communion again.
There are people from whom I am estranged today who are my brothers and
sisters in Christ and I know that a good many of them have something against
me, not just me against them. Jesus
knows that we are sinful and therefore we will have things against one another
but He is getting at the larger point about who we should be. We should be those who seek peace and
reconciliation always. Taking human
nature seriously and realistically tells us that there are two ways of dealing
with one another, war or peace. Choose
peace. Jesus made peace for us and He is
our peace.
The great city which has promised much and enticed many by
her promises, is fallen and degraded. We
are attracted to pleasing images and the promise of pleasure and
prosperity. Ultimately these things and
allurements of the flesh and the eyes will pass away. Sinfulness is forsaking the things of God and
choosing those things He has prohibited.
It is ultimately saying to God that what He offers pales in comparison
to what else can be had. We choose the
material over the immaterial all the time because we, like Job, forget all that
He has done and is doing. When we choose
pleasures of the flesh we forego greater pleasures of intimacy with Him. When we choose separation because we are
right, we forego the greater pleasure of reconciliation. Let us walk humbly before our God.
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