“The Bet” (Job 1:6-12) [Spanish Jerusalem Bible Series - Job sub-series - #1:6-12]

A lot has changed since first I wrote on Job
Pandemic has swept in, reducing hope;
The panicked state of some has just begun
While yesterday for many life was done.

And yet it’s still possessions which command
The most attention here in this fair land
Sure, there defined as “Things which make my life
In quarantine more pleasant with my wife”.

But author has it right – first circle ’round
Of satan, like a plane which heads for ground
At airfield, has its focus on our “Things”,
And herds (that’s means of income farming brings).

For satan asks – “You think Job fears for naught?
He likes You – You have given all he’s got;
It’s paper-thin this faith which You admire
I’ll bet You he will curse Your face, there, Sire.

“You’re on – but do not lay a hand on him;
Possessions, yes, but don’t on him begin
To mess around (metate con) that’s flesh
And blood – just things which Job and wife possess.

And that’s the stage pandemic here is in
The “Body-bags” from front will soon begin
To stack up, as in Italy and Spain
Where freezer-trucks now store the dead’s remains.

It hits “Things” first – stock-market takes a hit;
Then Trudeau scrambles cash for benefits
As jobs collapse and lock-down sweeps the land
And one-percent of jobs gain upper hand –

Now online-gambling surges to the fore
(when sports shut down – their betting hit the floor);
Now conferences and meetings held online
Are front and center (safety, costs, and time).

But to my mind, quite devious all this
Appears to be, unless my guess I miss,
There’s more afoot here, we will have it out
Way down the line – we’ll see what it’s about.

For many have a different view of life –
“Some loss of life can for an end suffice
To justify one’s actions – here or there”;
Sun Tzu clicks in – now two realms I compare –

The world and its shenanigans which cost
In terms of massive value-added loss;
As well as lives snuffed out around the globe
Are deemed acceptable – such, many hold.

But Kingdom-layer gives a different view –
If we stay open, Christ gives things to do –
“Don’t get distracted by the surface fright
So much you’re ill-prepared for coming fight”.

Lord, “World pandemic” is distractive fair?!
“Yes – opening emerges for your care;
Not just in ways now seen by one and all,
But from a larger viewpoint – theirs is small.

“So, Stu, just keep your eyes above, beyond,
The dust, and smoke, and chaos – then respond
In simple trust, in ways I bid you to,
If, as, and when, I ask some task of you.”

But it’s not flesh and blood, it’s satan’s scams
Which manifest themselves through global lands;
Folks are naïve, denying Spirit-realm
And who, in fact, directs from evil’s helm.

Thanks Lord for this.

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