Jackson Browne just might have seen with the eyes of Job
Job 13
“Behold, my eye has seen all this,
my ear has heard and understood it. (!!!!)
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty,
and I desire to argue my case with God.
(Rather like Jacob, who was a blessing wrestler)
4 As for you, you whitewash with lies;
worthless physicians are you all.
(We are the elbows-out-generation, even our CNN has subtitles. God just did not put in subtitles, He expects us, like Cornelius to ponder HIM.)
Luke 6:29
To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
I was once mocked in a Christian school falsely, asked for my coat to see if I would hand that over. You think that if I'd handed over my coat I'd have earned a new Christian??? Nope. However, I was soooo shocked I began to pray for a woman who'd mock a Scripture. And she returned, after Christmas, to say her mother, her parents-in-law, and her husband bought her coats for Christmas. She said her husband, upon being 'grilled', her own word, had felt compelled to buy her a coat. I'd have to say, from her words and her tone, this was something for her to remember for a long time. We don't resort to prayer, we are thrilled to run to Him in prayer and rejoice in refuge.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Who are we following?
Jesus Christ the LORD. Not the paraphrases. The intent. The Spirit of Truth.
Jesus was asked foolish questions and He responded meekly? No, Jesus did reply kindly in almost all circumstances, however HE didn't roll over when HE knew HE should not.
We seem to have a vision of meek Jesus submitting. Jesus fought the good fight. He dealt with people constantly giving false judgements for various reasons. Jesus didn't submit, Jesus was fighting the good fight to the end, know HE gave His life for undeserving people, when HE could have called down angels to serve Him.
Proverbs 25:11
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
Jesus is represented as Wisdom in Proverbs laughing at the beauty and joy of creation. Wisdom.
Matthew 10:16
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
With a huge remembrance, Jesus said mercy is given to the merciful.
I happen to like a shrewd retort now and then. And Job has a rather memorable one. I think Jesus Himself enjoys this.
Job 12
Then Job answered and said:
2 “No doubt you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you.
(Jesus was even mocked by Nicodemus.)
John 3:3-4
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night ......and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
This is not the policy of most people in dealing with Signs from God. Jesus got rather snappy with Nicodemus.
John 3:8-12
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?
Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
Certainly, Jesus loved and helped the Woman from Syria asking HIM for crumbs from His table. Jesus would not have helped her if she had drawn a false humility. Today, remember with me in gratitude, God sees us transparently, searching not for teeth gritted humility, but a willingness to contend with briar burr patches with HIM helping us.
A lot of situations require not, sigh, more prayer, but Joyfully more prayer. God has saved the World. HE does not seem to mind Jacob frankly wanting HIS attention and blessings, although to contend with HIM is not comfortable. Jesus Christ the LORD never requires a false halo.
Psalm 81
Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
Mark 10:32
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe)
Father God, You love mercy. And honesty. Help us to discern how to communicate effectively for Your enduring peace. Remembering Jesus saw all of mankind and never became so jaded that He did not forsake mankind.. An enduring Love for us. We ask in the name of Jesus for His Love. Amen