“I will not accuse for ever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me – the breath of man that I have created” (Is 57.16).

In context, God is referring to the nation of Israel. He will not and would not remain angry with them forever. Ultimately, they are mere humans, and subject to human frailty. The heart of God is always compassionate, and we have confidence that He is unchanging.

We know that we are made of dust (Ps 103.14). And God Himself knows this too.

God is powerful beyond our understanding, yet He deals with gentle-ness and kindness, compassion and mercy.

Knowing the frailty of man, there is a further lesson here. That is how we treat others.

I have met people who have lived with constant criticism and condemnation. Their spirits are broken; their perception of the world around them is distorted, they often struggle to develop healthy relationships with others.

In a world where criticism seems to come all too easily, we must learn a better way. Bring criticism sparingly; bring criticism in a context of love and acceptance. Bring criticism which provides an opportunity to put matters right.

When the Lord Jesus criticised the Twelve, He did so in a contact of love and acceptance. In fact, He makes no criticism of them at all until the “get behind me Satan” incident recorded in Matthew 16.  By any estimate they had been friends for at least a year. By this time, their friendship was strong enough to include strong criticism. Jesus had no fear that the Twelve would go away (John 6.67).

The conclusion of Job’s interaction with his three friends. A discussion that covers chapters 3-31, lasting perhaps several days, with a growing number of people observing and listening.

Job ends with a series of self-imprecations; “if I have done this, may God curse me.” This is a form of prayer used elsewhere in the OT (e.g: 1 Sam 12.1-4).

The chapter has a small section in parenthesis (v35-37); “Oh, that I had someone to hear me! … like a prince I would approach him.” Job bemoans God’s apparent silence.

And then a comment about crops and weeds.

And then silence.

It is as if Job is interrupted. Perhaps he had more to say but decided not to. ‘I have said enough. Lord, your turn!’

Earlier Job described huge changes in his life. “How I long for months gone by” (29.1) when he was highly respect in his community (29.7-25). His suffering brought unpleasant change – “now they mock me” (30.1) “Now their sons mock me in song” (30.9).

Life can be like that. An abrupt change of direction. Plans altered by an expected event. A new direction but someone else seems to decide that direction for us.

Yet God is in this. He is in the old season. And He is in the new season. Job is clear – everything, whether seemingly good or bad, is from God. If we think that there is another source, a different origin, then that does not help. Who can we pray to if life is simply a series of random events?

Our ultimate confidence is in God who is truly Sovereign.

The Bible is very real – the interaction of humans with their frailties and inconsistencies, desires and appetites.

Even the greatest of men have ‘feet of clay.’

Think of David, the great king of Israel.

David nearly lost the kingdom.

Jonadab, David’s nephew, was a schemer and influenced Amnon, David’s son, to get Tamar alone.

Taking this opportunity, Amnon raped Tamar his half-sister.

David failed to spot this turn of events, and failed to discipline Amnon (how could he, since he had previously been guilty of sexual sin?)

In revenge, Absalom killed Amnon.

David failed to reconcile with Absalom. Even Joab setting fire to Absalom’s field did not bring any improvement in the relationship.

In the meantime, Absalom usurped David’s throne, driving him out of his palace.

Absalom was killed by Joab, the loyal but brutal general of David’s army.

David returned to reclaim his crown, but things were never the same again.

Well, that’s life. Its messy.

The Bible tells it like it is. In part, that is why it is so relevant and powerful!

Further reading in the Old Testament – 2 Samuel 13-19.