Blowin' in the Wind: Job 12:7-10, Holy Bible

(Blowin’ in the Wind is a regular feature on my blog consisting of an assortment of nature writings – hymns, songs, prayers, scriptures, poems or other things – pieces I may not have written but that inspire me. I trust they will do the same for you.)

Whitetail Fawn

Ask the animals and they will teach you,
the birds of the air and they will tell you.
Ask the plants of the earth
and they will instruct you,
and the fish of the sea 
will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life 
of every living thing
and the breath of all humankind.
               ~~Job 12:7-10



Yup, much to learn from Job... No wonder it’s among the Biblical writings called Wisdom Literature. Are people the only things in creation that have the capacity to ignore the Obvious?

Common Loon (Photos by R&G Mylander)

Job is wedged in a place of deep suffering. The friends that gather around him offer little consolation, insisting his travail is of his own doing. But Job is sure of his integrity before God and appeals to nature in his defense. Creation knows. The mysteries of faith, pain and life are peaceably accepted by the rest of creation; why not us? 


My pastor and good friend Paul has this phrase he uses from time to time -- “…Right observation. Wrong conclusion.” Job’s detractors are often guilty of this. They and we might do well to look more keenly for guidance at the way God speaks through God’s creation.

~~RGM, February 18, 2013

P.S. Next up? Photo of the Month...