Job 33-34 ; Psalm 18:25-36 ; Matthew 23 "Young Blind Boy" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we read Job 33-34 which continues Elihu’s lengthy discourse directed at Job. At first glance, it seems that Elihu is a friendlier ally toward Job than the others. He hasn’t seen where the other three friends have shown Job to be wrong (cf., Job 32:12), and he tells Job, “I am just like you before God” (33:6). However, when Job asserts that – through al

Job 30-32 ; Psalm 18:16-24 ; Matthew 22:15-46 "File Cabinet with Lamp" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper We come today to Job 30-32, where we encounter the discourse that Job began with his three friends back in Job 26. At the end of chapter 29, Job remembers the younger men “who listened expectantly to him for his counsel” (29:21), but here in chapter 30, Job states that “now they mock” him (verse 1). In fact, he says, “now their sons mock me,” too

Job 25-29 ; Psalm 18:7-15 ; Matthew 21:33–22:14 "Warm Circles" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Styrofoam on Paper As we come to Job 25-29, we encounter Bildad’s third oration. Although these “friends” of Job act counterproductively to their stated purpose of giving comfort to Job (cf., Job 2:11), nevertheless they hold and share quite lofty and true views of God. Bildad says, “Dominion and awe belong to God – He establishes order in the heights of heaven” (25:1).

Job 22-24 ; Proverbs 3:21-35 ; Matthew 21:18-32 "Floating House" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Styrofoam & Tissue Paper In recent days, we have mentioned several times that we have God’s Word in written form today, but when Job lived, he never enjoyed the blessing of possessing a copy of the written text of Scripture. How important is it that we have access to God’s Word in written form? This is clearly a resource that we take for granted – millions of homes

Job 19-21 ; Psalm 18:1-6 ; Matthew 21:1-17 "Eric's Left Hand" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today in our readings we come to Job 19-21. In chapter 19, Job responds to Bildad’s charges in the preceding chapter by asking his friends, “How long will you torment me and crush me with words?” (verse 2). He says that “ten times, they have reproached” him (verse 3), and that if what they have said about him “is true,” then God has “wrongly” singled him

Job 15-18 ; Psalm 17:13-15 ; Matthew 20:20-34 "Figure Studies" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Today we come to Job 15-18 where we read the words of Eliphaz, Job, and Bildad. In chapter 15, Eliphaz reveals his world view through which he accuses Job of “undermining piety, hindering devotion to God,” and says outright that Job’s “own mouth condemns him and testifies against him” of sin (verses 4-6). Eliphaz asks, “ What do you know that we do not k

Job 11-14 ; Psalm 17:6-12 ; Matthew 20:1-19 "Apple Vase with Flowers" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink-Block Print on Paper In Job 11, we come to the thoughts of Zophar, the Naamathite. Zophar is callous toward Job, referring to him as a “talker and a mocker” (verses 2-3). Zophar has some interesting things to say about God, but his implication is that Job is a sinner (verses 14 and 20). Job’s three friends are not helping him at a time when he needs the love, comfo