“Kids” [Spanish Jerusalem Bible Series - Job sub-series - # 1:1-5-A]

So what were his kids doing which created such a fuss?
And are the children of today much different? Think of us –
Were we involved as little kids in childish little scams
So serious in their own way, requiring death of lambs?

For that is what the author here implies, verse four and five –
Job’s kids would party – pretty young, for most then early died;
We’re talking ’bout the teenage-types, and early twenties too;
What e’er it was, it gave concern to Job on what to do.

He’d let them party days on end, then go to church to mend
The damage done (perhaps) by them, let barbecue ascend
To please Almighty with the smoke, sweet savor to Most High,
Lest antics of his kids wreck up their lives – (had his kids lied?).

Specifics given are few in text – seven brothers and three girls;
Whatever went on in their homes, it was a merry whirl,
Which even Job got glimpses of, of which he was not pleased,
Resulting in his custom – party; then go on his knees –

To beg forgiveness for their acts, just vaguely known to him,
But of their nature he was sure – it smacked of human sin
(Rebellion, that is, to his God, from which all nastiness
Arises – hence the sacrifice – that God some more might bless).

Is that not like our families – of origin, then now?
Each generation, ours and theirs, must choose both when and how
We’ll do our lives – we don’t control our kids that much these days;
As we ourselves were not controlled in childish, foolish ways.

The Country-Western songs we hear, are often full of this –
How mummy prayed for wayward kids who walked away from bliss;
And how kids’ lives were turned around; much later in their lives
Appreciating efforts made in parents’ futile tries.

Lord, we all find ourselves somewhere in author’s opening strokes –
As “Job the righteous”, wife, or kids, or servants, neighbor-blokes;
How deftly Scripture’s author paints his opening layered scene,
Inviting us to find our place, to hear what text might mean –

To us – for it’s not written as a book to swear upon
Unread, but hallowed by the folks who trudge this dreary ground;
It’s written to engage our souls and spirits as we live
Our turn upon this globe today, as stewards – then to give –

Next generation what we have produced, as place to start
To make the best of what they’re given, as they on life embark;
Job sets the stage, with choices made clear in strokes bright and bold,
Before it gets right down to it – paints life we all behold.

Lord this is awesome – calling up our past and present state;
It conjures for each one of us our lives, to contemplate
What happens when calamity comes crashing on our heads?
Or on the heads of kids we have – like here when all are dead?

Is sitz im leben (space in life) received, or made by us,
Affected by life’s ups and downs, or quantity of fuss?
Is life around, computer-like, just part-developed now?
So living while it’s all worked out is mixed, but we’re allowed –

To live amongst construction’s mess, make use of what’s here now;
Participate in what evolves – Creator’s image now
Expressed each day as we take up our places on the set,
Like actors in ongoing-plays, replacing those who’ve left.

So much to think upon this day as I reflect on Job,
In Spanish and in English text, this author says, “Be bold –
Engage my words, reflect on lives of these folks long ago;
And let their insights lift for you new options you can hold –

“As you engage in life around you in your day and age;
Start now – ask where you find yourself on this descriptive page –
What feelings does it raise in you? Is there are part of past
Long overdue to be addressed, that you find peace at last?”

For Job, it seems, had worked things through, and “Integrated” was –
Integro, recto, he’s described as being here, because
He’d dealt with past and present aspects of his life of sin;
Brought up-to-date his ways of life – urged others to begin –

To deal with life on higher plane than in their current ways,
That we experience the best of life, where blessing plays
Supportive role – avoiding mess rebellion to life’s best
Brings on our heads – repent (turn ’round) and by your God be blessed”.

Thanks Lord for this.

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