apartado del mal – Job’s Chosen Living-Space” [Spanish Jerusalem Bible Series - Job sub-series - # 1:1-A]

I love the word within the phrase I see –
Apartado – as adjective – to be
Apart from something (evil, in this case) –
Where he locates within his living-space.

It’s in the phrase the Spanish seem to use –
We use “Apart”, but use it as abuse –
Like, “One who keeps himself aloof each day –
Won’t deign to walk with plebs, much less to play”.

Or else it’s passive, like it’s – “Found it to be
Quite separate from the other things we see”;
As if it’s quite by accident he’s found
To be apart, and therefore not around.

But in this Spanish text I feel a tone –
“Intentionality” prescribed his home –
He’s placed himself “Apart” as where he wants
To spend his life, not ’round folks’ evil haunts.

That’s helpful – “Choose to live on Kingdom-layer
Apart from evil – just to get out of there!”
How different from the way folks choose today
To live ’midst evil, where there’s hell to pay.

It’s “Healthy living in a context swell”
I sense our story starting, not in hell;
A choice once made; road taken; turf designed
For Goodness’ sake – which fairly blows my mind.

Lord, thanks for this first lesson in this text,
Despite the other lessons in the rest –
So much to ponder – we select the place
We choose to make our home – our living-space.

Thanks Lord for this.

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