Today's Reading: Job, Chapter Two
We continue with the narrative portion of the book that we won't revisit until the very last chapter which bookends the prose - the majority of Job. Today, we find Job maintaining his faithful stance. He's lost everything but his health and now that is being tested as well.
What if you lost your wealth, your children and your health all in a matter of a few days?
The question from Job's wife is about his persistence in integrity. Why bother? You have nothing left to lose - simply curse God and die. Of course, this sounds different from a 21st century understanding when one would still be hoping to end up in heaven. Jewish perspectives on the afterlife in the time of its writing were that everyone went to Sheol when they died. So, the hope of eternal reward was not on Job's radar. This makes his stance all the more impressive.
With seemingly nothing to gain, Job persists in his faithfulness.
Being faithful doesn't always keep depression from our door though. Job's three friends show up and do the best thing sometimes people can do for us: they stay with him and sit in silence.
They don't try to fix the situation or bolster him with their words.
They sit with him in silence for seven days and nights. Soon, they will open their mouths and ruin everything, but they have been faithful to their friend in his grief.
Who in our lives today may need us to be present? It may be that we need to simply be an encouragement without bringing a solution.
Prayer for the day:
Ever-present God, we give you thanks that you never leave us. And yet, we sometimes need a physical presence along with a spiritual one. Help us to recognize you when you sit with us in silence. And help us to embody your grace to those we know who need your touch. May we recognize what it is to be the body of Christ. Amen.
Photo by Transly Translation Agency on Unsplash
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