Author: Administrador

The last line of Job 2:1-10 (last week’s first reading, 18 Pentecost) reckons Job’s behavior, above all his speech, as righteousness: “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” This evaluation is not flat approval of Job, nor does it necessarily imply that Job may have sinned on the inside (in thought, if … Continue reading “Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Commentary by Karl Jacobson”

Job sits on an ash heap, bereft of children and wealth, covered by painful sores and surrounded by three “friends” who tell him that it’s all his fault. In a way, a lot has transpired between last week’s reading and this one. In another way, nothing much has changed. Job is still on the ash … Continue reading “Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

Most of the Book of Job is fly-over territory. While there are 42 chapters in all, it’s usually the first two chapters and sometimes part of the last on that seem to catch our interest. Fortunately (or unfortunately), we aren’t alone in this tendency. Biblical readers throughout history have focused on this envelope or outer … Continue reading “Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Commentary by Karla Suomala”

Handel Had It Right At least once a year, in the church where I grew up, our resident soprano soloist sang with great enthusiasm (and a bit too much tremolo) “I know that my Redeemer liveth” from Handel’s Messiah. As a student in college and in seminary, I sang or played trombone in Messiah productions … Continue reading “Job 19:23-27a Commentary by James Limburg”

[This is Week 6 of a 6-week preaching series on 2 Corinthians.] Week 6 (June 26, 2016)          Preaching text: 2 Cor 8:1-15; accompanying text: John 13:31-35 Theme: Generosity  As we have seen, Paul’s ministry was about a “word” of reconciliation that could only be authentically embodied in a life of “service” freely given for others. … Continue reading “6-week preaching series on Job.]

Job 19:23-27a

Job 19:23-27a Commentary by Steed Davidson”

[This is Week 6 of a 6-week preaching series on 2 Corinthians.] Week 6 (June 26, 2016)          Preaching text: 2 Cor 8:1-15; accompanying text: John 13:31-35 Theme: Generosity  As we have seen, Paul’s ministry was about a “word” of reconciliation that could only be authentically embodied in a life of “service” freely given for others. … Continue reading “6-week preaching series on Job.]

Job 14:7-15; 19:23-27

Job 14:7-15; 19:23-27 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

[This is Week 2 of a 6-week preaching series on Job.] Week 2 Job 3:1-10; 4:1-9; 7:11-21 The patient Job of chs. 1-2 gives way to the anguished Job, who curses the day of his birth. His friends, who started out well, offering him their comforting presence in silence for 7 days (Job 2:13), now … Continue reading “Job 3:1-10; 4:1-9; 7:11-21 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

Notes for a six-week preaching series on Job.1 These are suggested passages from the book of Job to be used for a sermon series. I’ve sketched a few ideas for each week, but you may very well want to look at other resources on Job: I highly recommend a wonderful essay on Job and its … Continue reading “Job 1:1-22 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

During the month of October (Pentecost 18-21), we are treated to a rare opportunity–a run through the book of Job, in shorthand. Over these four Sundays, there are readings from the beginning, middle, and end of Job which provide a short synopsis of the book. We read about the heavenly wager that gets Job into … Continue reading “Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Commentary by Karl Jacobson”

We enter this week into one of the most difficult and theologically sophisticated books of the Old Testament: the book of Job. Virginia Woolf spoke for many readers of Job when she wrote to a friend: “I read the book of Job last night. I don’t think God comes out of it well.” What do … Continue reading “Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”