Bible is Full of Conflict

 Genesis 29-30                   Job 3-5                 John 9                  Proverbs 27

 For those that look at the Bible as a story of good and perfect people it only takes a few pages to begin to see it is the story of the reality of the struggle between good and evil since the beginning. As I read through Genesis 29 and 30 this morning, the story of Isaac, Laban, Leah and Rachel we see the cost of deception and treachery playing out once again. Clearly, we see people looking out for their personal interest first, no matter the cost to others at the time. What they are not taking into consideration is the longer-term impacts of those very decision.

 We can’t read this story without thinking about it in context of what came before it and at times it feels like it is spiraling out of control. What we really don’t like to consider is this story is the basis for the history of the world, including the world we live in today.

When Job’s friends begin to show up and interact with him now that all that felt so valuable is gone, chapters 3 to 5 begin the dialog of examining Job’s life, the blessings he has experienced, and now the reason for his losses. Make no mistake, Job is grieving! It says he wishes he had never been born. He is hurting and the pain is real. Thus, begins the questioning of the value of his faith in God. His friend begins pointing out how his faith is worthless, and he should give up trusting in God.

 John 9 outlines why Jesus or being his follower is costly and creates division. The desire to believe what we have come to think is true, even when slowly led astray, becomes so strong that the reality of where we have ended up is hard to see. This story is one of being blind in more ways than one. There is the inability to physically see and then there is the inability to see what God wants us to the see. As I read this story, I found it interesting that the parents, what did they think of their son, where more interested in remaining a part of their social network than the health of their son. We need to consider why that is.

 Jesus once again is pointing out that following him will bring you into conflict with the very people you should be able to trust the most. The more we proclaim we see all the less we are likely to be dealing with reality and the more likely to sin.

 When I turned to Proverbs 27 this morning I was reminded I didn’t have to defend my position when I sought the Lord and that part of having faith is an openness to having what I believe challenged. I have learned to listen to those that challenge what I believe as long as I believe they have my best interest at heart. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with them since at times it tempers what I believe and makes it stronger. Are we willing to seek out the truth or only those that will tell us what we want to hear? Lastly, a reminder that all the earthly things are temporary and what is important last for eternity.