Today we remember and give thanks for Job, Patriarch. Job
was a blameless and upright man who came from Uz (Job 1:1), a land northeast of
Canaan. The Book of Job examines the depths of his faith, which was severely
tested through the sufferings God permitted. Despite the sudden death of his
ten children and the loss of all his wealth and his health, Job refused to
curse God: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return;
the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name
of the Lord" (1:21). Still,
in the midst of his tribulations Job questioned the meaning and purpose of
suffering to the point of asserting his own righteousness (34:5-6). Finally,
the Lord revealed that a man cannot know the mysteries of God (chapters 38-41).
Job's faith in his Redeemer and the resurrection prevailed (19:25-27). In the
end the Lord restored his wealth and blessed him with another seven sons and
three daughters.
Collect of
the Day:
Almighty
God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we,
encouraged by the good example of your servant Job, may persevere in running
the race that is set before us as we look forward to the Last Day and the
resurrection of the dead; through Jesus Christ, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
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