an answer, sort of

Good morning sisters and brothers,
In today's reading God responds to Job's questions, but not how we expect. God's point seems to be that his knowledge if beyond what we can understand. It's lovely poetry, but as an answer to Job, it's a bit disappointing. Fortunately, this is not the end.

God bless,
Sam

Job 38:1-10

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ²“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. ⁴“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. ⁵Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? ⁶On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone ⁷when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

⁸“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?— ⁹when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, ¹⁰and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, ¹¹and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped’?

Zechariah and Elizabeth, part 2

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Yesterday we read about the priest Zechariah and how an angel appeared to him while he was serving in the temple. The angel told Zechariah that even though he and his wife were older and hadn't been able to have kids, they would have a son. Not just any son either; their son John would be a prophet announcing God's salvation for Israel. In today's reading Zechariah responds with some practical questions. For those of us who have questions about our faith, the angel's response seems unfair. At the same time, Zechariah keeps the promise and his months of silence must give him a new perspective on listening to God.

Blessings on your day,
Sam


Luke 1: 18-25
¹⁸Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” ¹⁹The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. ²⁰But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”


²¹Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. ²²When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. ²³When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. ²⁴After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ²⁵“This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”