Year 5, Day 111: Job 17

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Discipleship Focus: In

• In: This is the word we use to express our relationships with our spiritual family.  These are often the people who hold us spiritually accountable.  They are the ones to whom we typically go for discussion and discernment.  These are the ones with whom we learn to share leadership.  They are the ones with whom we become family on mission.

Do you know what I love about true In?  True In is willing to walk beside you whatever the cost.  True In is willing to stand beside you when life stinks.  True In is there to help you put your life back together.  True In is there regardless of celebration or suffering.  True In is there regardless of joy or sorrow.  True in is there in sickness and health.

In that light, look at what job says in verse 8.  “The upright are all appalled at this.”  Here’s what Job is saying.  Job is confessing that the upright won’t come near him.  The upright don’t want to have anything to do with Job.  Either they are too good for Job or they are afraid that his recent string of bad luck will rub off on them.  Either way, the righteous just don’t want to have anything to do with Job.

I mourn with Job in this chapter.  How sad it is that the people whose lives are together can’t come and be with Job!  What does it say about humanity that Job feels like he is being avoided?  What does it say about humanity that people are appalled at Job rather than coming to his aid?

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