Old Testament reading: Job 18-21
Job 18 is particularly heartbreaking as one sees the recklessness and severity of Bildad’s verbal assault on Job. Progressing from calling Job a sinner, Bildad charges that Job is wicked, saying, “The light of the wicked indeed goes out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp beside him is put out” (18:5-6). Bildad goes so far as to describe the wicked (i.e., Job) as having “neither son nor posterity” (18:19). What an incredibly vile and insensitive thing to say to a man who just lost ten children! Bildad laid the blame for the death of Job’s children at his own feet, uniting their untimely deaths to Job’s sin. Job is a far better man than I. Despite whatever intense pain it would have caused, I think I might have punched Bildad square in the nose. (Yes, I know that isn’t right. I’m just saying the temptation to do so would have been extremely intense.) Job’s reply affirms his understanding of and faith in the resurrection of the dead (19:25-27). This is the same hope all Christians have in the face of adversity.
New Testament reading: Mark 3-4
“There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Mark 3:1-6 speaks to the blindness of Jesus’ enemies. Consider how dark the hearts of the Pharisees and Herodians would have to be to witness a great miracle such as was performed before their very eyes, only to react with outrage and intent to kill the One who performed it. This is not the only such incident to take place in the life and ministry of Jesus. Those who came and arrested Jesus in Gethsemane were witness to His healing of Malchus’ injury inflicted by the sword of Peter (John 18:10; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:51). It is this kind of blindness that leads us to the account of blaspheming the Holy Spirit in Mark 3:20-30, which we discussed on Day 13. Consider how hard of heart one must have been to recognize the miraculous deeds of Jesus only to attribute His power to the devil! Also consider the foolishness and inconsistency of their position: Were servants of the devil running all over the countryside performing miracles, casting out demons, and delivering men from all forms of disease and disability? Then why accuse Jesus of working for the devil?!
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