Job 21:1-2 Then Job replied: “Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me.”
I must confess that my first thought in reading chapter 21 was, Will this book never end?!? I’m tired and grumpy, but I immediately thought of so many of my high school seniors who say emphatically, “School has nothing to teach me.” The book of Job isn’t over because Job is still learning, and I need to approach each chapter expecting to learn along with him.
Job 21:3 “Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.”
One thing I do notice is that Job seems to be moving through his feelings. He doesn’t seem as angry as he was in the beginning, though there is a slight edge of sarcasm at times. He also maintains his innocence, even in the face of the relentless accusations of his friends. That seems very important to this book—that it is not a simple case of, “I sinned and won’t repent and that’s why disaster has befallen me.” There is much more happening here, and Job grasps that.
Job 21:27 “I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Help me to listen, read, study, pray. Even when I don’t understand, even when I think I have nothing left to learn, help me trust that You are guiding me, help me sit at Your feet and listen. Amen.
Job 21:34 “So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!”
Have a blessed day.