If you’re interested, here are my Week 1 Impressions, as well.

Jan 10 Reading: Job 24-28

I am finding it interesting to pick out truths about God vs Job’s impression of (or perspective on) God. Most of what Job says of God is true, as we understand Him. And those things that I don’t feel are a part of His character likely FELT very true to Job at the time. A reminder for me to go back to the truths and promises when I get discouraged and God seems to be acting other than I would expect him to.

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Something else just jumped out at me. Job 26:12 “…by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.” I think this is the 2nd time Rahab is mentioned in Job. How can Job come right after Noah if Rahab doesn’t happen until Joshua 2…? maybe a different Rahab? or the chronology is based on when it was written and not on order of events (which I find difficult when we stopped right in the middle of Genesis to jump to Job)? [I really am NOT trying to be difficult, I just had this fly off the page at me and I’m wondering….] Here’s the other reference – Job 9:13 “God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.”

A bit of study later –

Ok, from my NIV study Bible, it says: “Rahab. Not Rahab the prostitute of Joshua 2, but a mythical sea monster (see 26:12), elsewhere used as symbolic of Egypt (see Isa 30:7 and note). See 3:8, 7:12 and notes.” So there you have it – DIFFERENT Rahab. 🙂

I was also struck by this: Job 24:20
“The womb forgets them,
the worm feasts on them;
the wicked are no longer remembered
but are broken like a tree. “

Isn’t this the same thing that Job wanted to happen for him (forget the day of his birth, etc)? He claims this about the wicked (Just as his friends have been), and also knows himself to be righteous.

Jan 11 Reading: Job 29-31

Job 29 initially made me think “hmm… pride comes before the fall.” Not sure that Job was being prideful, but certainly he was comfortable. God will sometimes wait for just those times to help stretch us out of our comfort zones. Job 31 reminds me of Paul in his writings where he lays out these “if, then” statements, knowing full well that the IF isn’t a question. Job knows that his “Ifs” in this passage are false, they are not true of him. And yet many of the ‘thens’ have happened to him. A very bitter pill to swallow. I must say, though, that I’m hopeful about finally getting to a new part of this whole discourse. “The words of Job are ended.”

Jan 12 Reading: Job 32-34

K, I just wanna smack Elihu….. srsly!

Jan 13 Reading: Job 35-37

‎”Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.” WOW, arrogant much? If I was frustrated with Job’s other 3 friends, I’m EXTREMELY frustrated with Elihu. Same stuff, different dude, with more attitude.

Jan 14 Reading: Job 38-39

Job mentioned a lot of things about God in his own discourses with his friends, and yet God shares MANY other things about himself. As I get to the end of this section, it feels like there could be no end to what God could say about who He is and what He’s done – he could go on and on forever with these kinds of questions. Much is revealed about God’s character here – He nurtures, cares, watches, makes, breaks, … on and on. That He’s so intimately involved with all these aspects is amazing.

I thought the ostrich part was pretty funny too – He didn’t give her good sense, but she can run like the wind. Maybe He hasn’t gifted us in the areas we think we’d like, but He knows how He has gifted us, and that’s part of His plan.

Jan 15 Reading: Job 40-42

The Lord never did tell Job that he had allowed Satan to test Job, within limits. The Lord only ever spoke about his overall character, and not to Job’s specific situation. I think that is possibly true for us, too – we go through a time of trial and testing and may not ever know the why, or know what we were spared from even in the midst of the trial.

And I’m glad to be done with Job!  It was almost painful at times to read through the emotional ping pong with Job and his friends.

Jan 16 Reading: Genesis 12-15

At the end of Chapter 14, Abram was wise to not give the King of Sodom any chance of bringing something against him later. At the end of Chapter 15, the Lord brought down the fire between the animal parts – I just kinda thought that was cool. Abram was faithful do to what the Lord had told him to do (bring the animals), and the Lord completed the offering by providing the fire.

Any thoughts of your own?