Job 36-Genesis 32/Matthew 15-19

Job 38-42
Job 38 contains God's response. Notice it is from the "whirlwind." There is also the mention of great sea creatures, Behemoth and Leviathan. These are more likely legendary sea monsters than actual animals, creatures which terrify the gods. But for God, they are playthings, pets.

God questions Job, as Job has seemed to request in the first place. However Job is not able to make an answer. Instead Job is overwhelmed by his encounter God. Notice, Job never really seems to receive a proper answer. God instead puts the mysteries of creation before him, as if to say, if you can answer me about this, then I will answer you. Job responds with silence - I will not speak; these things are too wonderful for me (40:3-5; 42:2-6).

In the beginning Job is looking for an answer as to why this is happening to him, instead he has an encounter with God. His questions do not get answered - they simply melt away in his experience of God's presence. Job has not only heard of God, now he sees God (42.5). An appearance we call epiphany or theophany.

The "meaning" of the book of Job is debated. What exactly is Job's quest and how does God (if at all) respond. My take is that Job's questions are in a sense valid; however, when he encounters God, they simply lose their importance. Will the faithful remain faithful in suffering? Is there a direct cause for suffering? Why do the faithful suffer? All these questions are not answered. We are simply presented with a God whose very presence shows us that God is more interested in relationship than giving answers; is more interested in sharing life with us than trying to make sense out of what is essentially senseless.

Genesis 23-32
Genesis 23: The point here is that Abraham now owns that land. The rightful possession of it is important to Israel's later claim to the land (after they return with Moses). Genesis 24 gives us a view of how people found spouses back then. It wasn't in the church or class and it wasn't at the local bar or social service organization. A servant went and tracked down a good mate. Notice his criteria!

Ge 26 and 27 recount how it was that Jacob, the younger son, received an inheritance rather than the older, Essau. This is a theme in the Bible, including Cain and Abel as well as David, who was the youngest. Jacob establishes himself as a trickster, an archetypal character in ancient literature - think Odysseus, Loki, or in modern times, Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker.

It also traces how the promise given to Abraham is put at risk and then fulfilled. Will God honor the blessing Isaac gave in ignorance of his being tricked? Will he give it to Jacob, the trickster? Chapter 28 says yes. Even someone like Jacob can bear this promise. This risk taking is a continuous theme through the stories of patriarchs, until we get to Moses, when the promise is risked and then fulfilled in the nation of Israel.

Ge 29 shows the trickster Jacob tricked! He has to work not seven years but fourteen for his love. But, in a theme of the undesirable being blessed, it is Leah who bears Jacob children (the highest honor and importance in any marriage at that time).

Chapter 30 shows the unrest and competition in Jacob's household, a problem that will continue with his sons. Jealousy causes much sorrow in these stories. The story about the lambs - you should know that at that time they believed that the coloring of sheep was connected with what they saw while breeding. Hence the striped sticks produced speckled and striped sheep. Again we see the two tricksters, Jacob and Laban, locked in competition with one another.

Chapter 31 recounts Jacob's flight from Laban and Laban's pursuit. What a dysfunctional family! They finally make peace and a covenant, which is built around a tradition regarding a boundary between Arameans and Israelites, who both claimed land in that region.

Chapter 32 and 33 should really be read together. Here Jacob is renamed Israel (meaning he who strives with God and humans). 33 recounts his reunion with Essau. After his encounter with God, he is able to make up with Essau.

What do you think of Jacob and these other characters? Do you think they have integrity? Are they obvious choices for God's blessing? What role does God play in these stories and how is that significant?

Matthew 15-19
In these chapters, like each week so far, we have stories about Jesus along with one of his great discourses. Chapter 15 he has a conflict with the Pharisees (the religious bad guys) yet again. This will escalate in the weeks to come. He again feeds thousands of people, with food left over, an emblem of the abundance of the kingdom.

Peter makes his amazing confession and immediately gets into trouble and is called Satan (adversary) because he doesn't get it. We have the story of his transfiguration. We hear his wisdom on taxes. Jesus speaks again and again of his coming trial, execution and resurrection. The fourth discourse is in chapter 18 about how things will be in the kingdom; who is most important; how we can be reconciled to one another; what forgiveness looks like.

Finally in chapter 19 (When Jesus had finished saying these things) he has another great dispute with the Pharisees.

As we continue to read Matthew, what is Jesus like? What is his message? What kind of things do you think he would say if he appeared in the US today? Who would be his enemies? Who would be his followers?