Today's Reading: Job, Chapter Fifteen
One of the first rules about Systems Theory is that systems resist change. We see this all the time when changes are suggested whether they be in work, government, military, education, family or church.
Some responses that may be inspired by this resistance include:
"We've tried that before and it didn't work."
"We don't have the budget for that."
"That sounds like extra work."
"We've never done it that way before!"
Or if you're in a church, you could just study it in a committee!
Within the book of Job, we are seeing the main character challenge the status quo around their understanding of God and how God works in the world. This is very uncomfortable for his friends and Eliphaz challenges Job not by arguing theologically, but by belittling him.
He calls Job windy and notes that the words of his own defense come out of the sin that put him in this mess in the first place. It is hard for Job to argue with this kind of logic. If only those who sin are punished by God, then Job must have done something really awful to warrant this treatment.
It's hard for Job to say anything in his defense if he's condemned before he can speak.
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| Sometimes we may defend a little too hard |
This reminds me of the Gospel of John where Jesus heals a man who was born unable to see. The Pharisees were questioning him and when they didn't like his answer, they say to him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?”
Within today's reading, we know that Job is in the right and Eliphaz has got it wrong. This may cause us to pause and think about the times when we may have asserted the "truth" without knowing all the facts. But we were sure that we were right!
In a world where people can just assert something confidently whether it is true or not, how do we seek to employ a higher discourse? And when do I need to pause my judgment and consider another point of view?
Prayer for the day:
God, we would seek to defend you before the hostility of the world. But sometimes, in our enthusiasm to stand for our faith, we may disparage some of your children. Help us to recognize when we are simply uncomfortable. May we always be willing to build a bridge before erecting a wall. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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