As readers of this drama we know that instead of accusing Job, God affirmed his faith and his integrity. But Job doesn’t know this and so he struggles in darkness, suffering the logical consequences of the belief that suffering is always the result of sin.
Because Job can’t make sense of this, he concludes that God is arbitrarily picking on him and lashes out in anger
Read More anger, confusionIt wouldn’t be so bad if Zophar were writing an essay in a first year class at theological college. It wouldn’t be so bad if we were reading some kind of attempt to spell out what happens to wicked people in the economy of the Judaic God. It wouldn’t be so bad…though we might well wonder how the professor would mark this essay! It is incredibly fundamental, unfeeling, simplistic.
Read More anger, attack
Study the history of the children of Israel and you will see a pattern emerge. The psalmist sees a pattern in the story of the children of Isreal.
He begins with a long distance view and sees the hand of God in the past. God blessed His people with favour. Crops grew. The economy was strong. Peace reigned in the land. But in experiencing plenty, the Israelites forgot God. They slowly drifted away from his righteous ways and fell into sin – often heinous sin.
Read More anger, blessing, expectation
If people watched a silent movie of the last year of your life what could they conclude about what is important to you?
In today’s passage, Jesus’ dramatic rampage speaks loudly and clearly about what he is “for” and what he is “against.” Even without hearing the words of judgment that he shouts, clearly he’s dead set against the commerce that is being allowed.
Read More anger, self-righteousnessAnger is an unpleasant thing to watch. Seeing displeasure is unnerving. It creates discomfort and makes people feel uneasy. Yet anger is a common reaction. It can follow disappointment. It often accompanies betrayal and is an associate of frustration.
But anger can also be a response of concern. It can be an expression of defence or a result of agitated love.
Read More anger, concern, apathyAs we’ve read in this story, jealousy and anger can drive us to the point of murder. Imagine King Saul hurling a spear towards his own son in boiled rage to kill him. All because of his intense jealousy towards David. God’s hand and favour were now on David, and Saul became enraged because he no longer received the attention or glory for leading God’s people.
Read More anger, forgiveness, jealousy
“It’s wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others” (v 11).
Among these five verses which seem to have little connection with one another, we find this gem. The English Standard Version reads “Good sense makes one slow to anger.” These words are rich in meaning. I can imagine someone being “patient” while gritting their teeth, checking their watch (or iPhone).
Read More anger, forgiveness, love, patience, maturityGood news, there’s hope. Wisdom can be acquired.
Today’s reading presents us with three types of people who can benefit from correction in order to grow up and make progress in what’s profitable.
First, children need correction.
Read More anger, wisdom, correctionWine and anger are dangerous things. You don’t play with them. You don’t take them lightly. You don’t provoke them. It’s necessary to have them under control if you want to avoid serious problems.
Wine has a sneaky way of weakening our inhibitions: those of restraint, respect and of being in control of ourselves. Take away those inhibitions and all sorts of things can happen: mockery, immorality, loss of respect, all sorts of excess, words we later regret, unacceptable behaviour – and the list goes on.
Read More anger, wine, alcohol, self-control