THIS
Today's reading: Job 27-28

"This is what the wicked will receive from God; this is their inheritance from the Almighty." Job 27:13 NLT

I will admit I have a very vivid imagination. I can picture things in my mind. I can draw pictures mentally to make up for what a printed page doesn't elaborate on.

This is one of those sections of Scripture.

In my mind's eye I see Job seated around a burning fire with his 'friends', quite possibly at the city square or at the gate into the city.

I imagine it is dusk, the smoke is slowly rising from the smoldering firepit.

The 'friends' are leaned back, proud of their presentations. Their smug expressions tell everyone around how very sure they are of what they've administered to a hurting friend.

Job sits hunched over, poking at the fire with a stick. Smudged with ashes. Scratched by the sackcloth. Scabs forming over the boils on his body. Dark circles around his eyes.

I can see Job lift up the stick, pointing it to all that is around them, and say the words of this verse...

'This(emphasis mine), is what the wicked will receive from God; this is their inheritance from the Almighty.'

The 'friends' stare at the shops, the markets, the buildings, the material possessions surrounding them. They see the fine robes hanging in the storekeeper's window. They look over the piles of pomegranates, figs and dates. They see the corral with camels and sheep for sale to the highest bidder. They gaze longingly at the two-story buildings.

In this moment, poor, pitiful Job makes me realize he is feeling sorry for someone other than himself.

He says, in a few words, that despite all he has lost, he is still rich because he is God's friend.

This world offers us nothing. God offers us eternity.