There's a great scene in the movie, The Candidate. Robert Redford plays first time senatorial candidate Bill McKay. He has recently given in to his campaign advisors and adopted a slogan: "McKay—the better way." In the scene, he slumps in the back seat of a car, exhausted from a very long day of campaigning that is far from over. He repeatedly mumbles part of the slogan, each time changing the emphasis: "Got to be a better way ... Got to be a better way ... Got to be a better way ... Got to be a better way." In the front seat, two of his handlers give each other the eye, wondering if he has gone over the edge.
And so, Robert Redford underscored for me, in an unforgettable way, that how we read the words of others matters. Changing which words or syllables to emphasize in a sentence or phrase can completely change their meaning.
In that light, I call on you to read with care the words of God in this week's scripture from Job, especially the opening sentences. Many a translator has rendered Job 38:2-3 to "read" almost conversationally. Consider the New Revised Standard Version: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me."
I found this same kind of mild rendering in many translations and versions. The word translated as "counsel" actually indicates God's design or purposes. See? That already changes the meaning. Some translations substituted "advice" for "counsel," making it even more bland. With the exception of Job 19:25, these final chapters are the most important in the book, and among the most important in the Bible. They are all about the sovereignty of God. “Hearing" them correctly makes a difference.
Below is my understanding of the meaning of those two key verses, the ones that set the tone for the remainder of God's response to Job.
"Who dares? Who dares cloud my design in darkness? Step forward and brace yourself. Now it is my turn to interrogate you. Perhaps you think you can teach me."
Now, go read the rest of it. Let me know if you agree … or if you "hear" it differently. I welcome your comments and thoughts.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Orr
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Blessings,
Steve
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SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY & THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
Print them here:
Job 38:1-7, (34-41)
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 91:9-16
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45
1 comment:
You've made some decent points there and by far the finest and most effective approach I have ever read... well done!
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