Day 27

Job 4:1-7:21; Matthew 9:1-15; Psalm 17:1-5

Today we see the start of the pattern of the book of Job. It is a conversation between Job, his friends and God.

I actually want to return to yesterday’s readings as there is some incredibly deep stuff that we did not touch upon, but stuff that is quite uncomfortable. God seemingly points the devil towards Job and God gives permission for the devil to have a go at Job. One reading of this intro to the book could be ‘parabolic’ as in the parables of Jesus, a way of telling a story. So what would the message of the story be?

Taking the first of these sticky bits, God mentioning Job to the devil, we do not know the tone of voice in which God asks. He has not spoken to the devil for a while, hence he asks where he has come from. And then when God finds that the devil has been having a wonder on the earth God checks where exactly he has been. This is less of God saying “ooh have you had a crack at my servant Job, he’s ripe for a bit of torment” and a lot more of “hmmm, have you been anywhere near my servant Job”.

And then there is the whole permission thing. Sometimes we can think that the message of a story is very clear, but take a look at the message that lies deeper within this one. The devil is still constrained by the power of God. God is seemingly setting the boundaries of what is to happen and the devil is constrained by these boundaries. And then there is the side of God that will not let too much happen to Job. The God that will not push us beyond what we can cope with. The picture of God that this story paints is the all powerful God, who has power over all the powers of darkness, and who will use that power to ensure that no matter what is going on around us, it will never be too much.

Returning to the Gospel reading fro today we see that passage about the little children. This hugely powerful God, who is often busy hemming in the activities of the devil is still the God of the little child.  You know that annoying younger sibling, ell the all powerful God loves them. And he loves you too, and will use all his power to ensure that no matter what you are going through it will not be too much.