This episode is for the lectionary from October 21 — after recording this episode, Brian had a death in the family and was unable to publish it on schedule but we wanted you to hear it.

Scripture is filled with folks wrestling with their place in their universe and their relationship with each other and that which is bigger than themselves. We are hungry to find meaning. In this episode, we explore how that plays out in Job.

Job 38:1-7, 34-38

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

Who is this darkening counsel
with words lacking knowledge?
Prepare yourself like a man;
I will interrogate you, and you will respond to me.

The establishing of order
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?
Tell me if you know.
Who set its measurements? Surely you know.
Who stretched a measuring tape on it?
On what were its footings sunk;
who laid its cornerstone,
while the morning stars sang in unison
and all the divine beings shouted?

Can you issue an order to the clouds
so their abundant waters cover you?
Can you send lightning so that it goes
and then says to you, “I’m here”?
Who put wisdom in remote places,
or who gave understanding to a rooster?
Who is wise enough to count the clouds,
and who can tilt heaven’s water containers
so that dust becomes mud
and clods of dirt adhere?