Job wraps up his interactions with his “friends” and now the youngest observer, Elihu, cranks it up. Apparently he has been listening all along (4th of 4 so called friends). He is upset with the other three friends. They provided no answer to Job’s questions, but chose instead to condemn him for his self-righteousness. As Elihu makes his case about seeking God, he lambasts the three older friends before he turns to harshly instruct Job.
In Genesis Joseph steps up in the Story – and what a wild ride. His life is filled with opportunities for bitterness, yet he clings to God as each setback costs him dearly. It is not as though Joseph had stellar judgment and full maturity when this started – after all – he was only a boy. But as his ups and downs unfold, Joseph finds the hand of his God within his isolated, suffering life.
We are considering Job and Genesis side by side because they help us understand the deep roots of our story. In Job we observe a suffering servant who bows his will before his Creator. In Joseph we encounter the face of one who suffers in a foreign land that is not his home. Sound familiar?
With friends and brothers like these – who needs enemies?
Glad you are the good kind of friends!
Dave & Burnadette
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 5:6-11