This week we are taking a look at Genesis 5-11 and Job 3-8. Each character is epic because of his or her encounter with God. Just like you. Just like us.
“Little captures our imagination more than a good story. What about a great movie that draws you in and inspires your replay button – hours and even days after you have returned to your own every day!? The “classics” endure because they are able to cross-culturally ignite minds over multiple generations.
A real modern tragedy exists in that we reject our own stories as “average” or “too ordinary” to matter to anyone else. We are robbed of our sense of wonder at an early age and slip into a tepid mediocrity created by special effects, highly paid actors and actresses, and million dollar ambient budgets. We believe we have nothing to offer because we have come to believe that story must be dramatic and “big” in order to matter. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Each of our stories is the REAL story, and the special mark upon each one of our lives is of huge human value. Our story is one that unfolds with uniqueness, beauty, and meaning – whether we believe it or not. It is time to become story-tellers once again. It is time to listen, laugh, cry, and experience one another as we impart our uniqueness within the isolating world around us.” – from Curious Journey by Dave Nadler
Embrace reading deeper into Job’s journey of suffering, and marvel at the historic story of Noah and his family. Imagine the things they told their kids! It is easy to look at the pain and suffering of life as pay-back. This is not what is happening in these two men’s stories. Job and Noah share things in common. They are both victims of the events of their lives. They both chose the path of fearing God – yet they both were rewarded with deep suffering and loss. It isn’t as though Noah didn’t mourn the loss of his neighbors and of his pre-flood life! While suffering is not a path we would choose, God uses pain to bring about peace in our souls. If we can reconcile ourselves to the imperfection of the world in which we live, we are on the way to a satisfied mind.
Check out these added podcasts by entering one into the search function to the right:
Adam: Conflicted Heart
Job: Suffering Heart
Noah: Faith Survivor
Your “Deeper” question guides for Genesis and Job can give you added insight into each book. Good questions!
Your complete BOOK BY BOOK reading outline is here.
THE ROAD AHEAD
January week #3: Genesis 12-20 and Job 8-14
January week #4: Genesis 21-26 and Job 15-21
February week #1: Genesis 27-36 and Job 22-26
February week #2: Genesis 37-50 and Job 27-31
February week #3: Job 32-37
February week #4: Job 38-42
You can reach us at [email protected] if you have observations or questions.
Dave & Burnadette
P.S. Some big picture resources. Pass one on to a friend!
The 8 Minute God Story
The 15 Minute Bible
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