DAY 178

IMAGE OF GOD…HONEST BEFORE GOD

Job 8, 9 & 10 and Acts 8:26-40

Today I find Job’s speech amazingly honest; it is a speech to God! It is provoked by his second “friend,” Bildad the Shuhite. Bildad has the same theme as the first “friend,” but is more aggressive. “Your children died because they transgressed God,” says Bildad. “If you plead with God he might be merciful,” he adds. What a miserable thing to say to someone, what possible image does Bildad have of God? It would seem to be an image of some mean and angry God.

Interestingly Job doesn’t argue, but asks, “How can a man be right before God?” It isn’t that God is some “mean and angry God,” but rather Job points out that when compared to God we all fall short…even if we are “in the right,” as Job says he is.

What I find remarkable is Job’s speech to God. He notes that in comparison to God he, Job, cannot contend. Yet at the same time he asks God a series of questions. It reminds me a bit of Moses when he would sound like he was negotiating with God on the mountain. Do you remember those negotiations? Moses would essentially say, “Yes, I know the Israelites sinned, but if you kill them, then what will the other nations say about you? Don’t do it, you are too great of a God.”

Job likewise draws on his image of God to be honest before him. “Does it seem good to you (God) to oppress, to despise the work of your hands?” (10:3). Job’s plea stands upon God’s nature and not only upon Job’s situation. Job does maintain his innocence while asking that God reveal to him his sin, but I see the basis of Job’s ability to be honest rooted in his image of God.

The human race has twisted and distorted that Image of God over the centuries. It is in part why Jesus – God – came to earth. He, the Christ, is so vital to the story of “God and humankind.” Jesus gives us a clear image of God…a God of love that went to the Cross for us.

It is what allows people like Philip in Acts chapter 8 to, in the midst of persecution, be compelled to continue to spread the Gospel. It is the Image of God that the Ethiopian Eunuch is getting a glimpse of in Isaiah: “Like a sheep he was lead to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth…” Isaiah is writing about the Suffering Servant, Jesus. The Eunuch is drawn to this image. When Philip fully unpacks the Scripture the Eunuch immediately wants to be baptized.

Between Job and Acts we have images of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Job declares the goodness and nature of God…it is what allows him to be honest. The Eunuch is drawn to the Son. Philip through the power of God the Holy Spirit is able to witness the love of God.

What is your image of God? Is it Bildad’s? Is it God, not the Father, but the Grandfather…the one who spoils the kids he really loves? For me I look to Jesus, not in isolation, but as the fullest revelation of all I have been reading in the Old Testament…and then I pray that the Holy Spirit will so fully dwell in me that I may live a life pleasing to Him who gave His life for me.

Take a moment and think about your image…you might need to “trade yours in” for another…and then take another moment and get honest with God.