Pay Attention

 

    For some people it is hard to pay attention.  Some need coffee or something to help them focus, especially first thing in the morning when just getting out of bed can feel like a victory.  However, there are times in life that you need to pay attention even if you don't have your personal aid.

    Job was on his third round of rebuttals to his "friends".  It was at the point where there was some urgency in his voice that says it is time for you to pay attention to what I am saying.  He was no longer asking them for empathy, sympathy, or to be open-minded.  He was at the point where he was going to grab their attention even it if caused more discord.  At least now there would be a reason behind an argument.

    Job stopped everything and turned to all three of his friends.  He used sarcasm to call them out.  He asked them who are you to judge me?  Who are you to think you are better than me?  He pointed out that the people in pain understand God's power and strength in a way that the comfortable would never understand.  

    Job turned to Bildad because Eliphaz and Zophar were silenced.  He pointed out that God reveals His dominion in His way and humans are limited in understanding.  God will always be mysterious to a degree.  Only upon death will we get complete understanding when we are allowed to enter heaven or cast into hell.  It is too late to ask questions at that point.  

    Job had no idea how his speeches changed the perspective of God forever.  He had no idea how much wisdom he had in asking the hard questions.  He did not realize how his understanding of God was in fact possibly the most enlightening perspective for people of that time.  His endurance opened the door for us to reach out to God in a new way.

Job 26