Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Reading assignment: Job 29, 32, 33, 38!
We are at the halfway point of our study on the Book of Job. For the last three weeks, we talked about so many issues. To try and summarize our study would be an impossible task.
Therefore, I am asking each student to share their notes from our study so far. You can share new thoughts about Job or comment on some of the ideas we talked about like, the Doctrine of Retribution, Patience vs. Perseverance, positive words of comfort, praying lamentation prayer, Job's darkness, or comment on any of the case studies. Or perhaps you would like to talk about Job 19:23-25! The discussion board is open for anything you want to talk about concerning our study on the Book of Job.
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Wow, is right! We all suffer from the "Retribution Complex." I love it. Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit, and it is built on trusting God. My, My, a "Retribution Complex." SMH
Third Week - JOB
Wow, what a journey! One of the questions last week was whether we would pray for Job's happiness. I said yes because I believe Job deserved to be happy. One of my companions on the journey through Job stated unequivocally that happiness is a man made state of mind but joy comes from a personal relationship with God. I get it! This is where my joy comes from! The joy comes from a relationship built on trust. A trust that allows one to question God. How long must this suffering last? What is it that I failed to do? Why have you turned Your back on me? The last question for me is when all hope is almost gone. Lets face it we like the people of the Old Testament suffer from the Retribution Complex. I did something wrong and am paying for it. I know sooner or later, my lament will be heard. According to Paul when he cried out to Jesus, the reply was " my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9). Job says, in Chapter 19: 25 - 26) "I know my redeemer lives and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eye, not another's shall behold him, And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing". Is this joy? Is this Hope? I sincerely hope so!
The dictionary defines comfort as "state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint" and "the easing or alleviation of a person's feeling of grief or distress" (Oxford). If that is their explanation, nothing said to Job was going to change his (or my friend's) predicament. Bildad was supposedly operating from a position of wisdom - so much for wisdom...
Is comfort or accompaniment more a appropriate posture? I agree with the comfort responses presented by my fellow Biblical travelers. The reflection presented today by Dynamic Catholic suggested that an action or deed done without love counted for nothing. I'm still processing/pondering some things in my head as you can tell.
Some suggestions presented on line for words (when needed) that I find complementary are "I care about you" or "You are important to me". As we have heard often, do all things in love.