“BLOWING IN THE WIND”
(Job 15:1 – 17:16)
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. Bob Dylan, Blowin’ in the Wind
Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? – Job 15:2
In his book Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis warns about two errors that people can fall into around the topic of devils. The first, he says, is to “disbelieve their existence.” The second is to take an “excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” This distinction will be an issue as we continue our journey through the Bible chronologically, as this portion of the Book of Job turns into what we might call a slog. The three friends remain convinced that Job needs to repent of his sin. Job is certain that he does not. They go back and forth, tit for tat, mano a mano, droning on and on until chapter 28, where a narrator interjects a chapter that points to God as the only source of true wisdom, implying that human wisdom has reached its limit and failed miserably. Then the slog resumes for a bit longer until God thankfully and finally intervenes.
It is also apparent in trying to figure out what happened to Job that the lack of perspective of what happened in heaven (chapters 1-2) is the limiting factor. There is a real adversary, Satan, who has coordinated these efforts to destroy Job with God’s permission. Without this knowledge, the cycles of dialogue result in frustration, false accusations, and angry denials. Without the limited human insight on devils, the three friends’ repeated attempts to pummel Job into repentance really is just blowing in the wind.
Let’s Pray…
Father, may my words provide support to those who are suffering, rather than merely spouting empty spiritual cliches. And, help me to recognize that You are working in my life, in all things, no matter what I may see and hear today.
About our Author
Chris Rainey is a learning technologies manager, bi-vocational Christian minister, writer/poet, corporate trainer, and curriculum developer. Chris is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and is a graduate of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with an M.Div in Christian Education and a BA in Bible from Evangel University. He is originally from Southern Illinois, but has now lived in Northern New Jersey for over 30 years. He enjoys reading, hiking, biking, swimming, watching Survivor, and the New York Mets. He resides with Marcia, his wife of over 40 years, and has three daughters and a grandson.
READ MORE
January 26 – Reading 26
JANUARY 26 - Reading 26by Rev James M. Armpriester, Jr | January 26“LISTENING FOR WISE COUNSEL”(Job 32:1 - 34:37) “I listened for your wise sayings while you searched out what to say. I gave you my attention, and behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or...
January 25 – Reading 25
JANUARY 25 - Reading 25by John Christian Pra | January 25“DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?”(Job 29:1 - 31:40) “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness, as...
January 24 – Reading 24
JANUARY 24 - Reading 24by John Christian Pra | January 24“WHERE'S YOUR WISDOM FROM?”(Job 25:1 - 28:28) “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living…God...