Job 16:20

Are my companions my intercessors?

   To God does my eye pour out its tears?

 

I had the thought that as the big kid goes off to school this weekend (for the last time), I will finally be able to get into a routine. Its really just an excuse for me having not already done so. I have had it on my to do list for ages, but procrastinators will procrastinate. My desk at least is organized and I am perpetually ready to do the right thing, even if I do not feel like it ever.

‘Companions’ was also ‘friends’ and ‘fellows’. ‘Intercessors’ was also ‘advocate’ or ‘scorn me’. That last one makes a big difference. The verse also came out as a hail; ‘My friends, My advocates’ as if it were two different groups being asked the question in the second stitch. Again, a big difference.

The second stitch was fairly uniform, but is it a question being asked or a statement being made?

At my age, one of the many topics of conversation is aging parents. I do not have that issue, but almost everyone in my circle seems to. One of the aspects of old age that came up this week is the will to live. Way too many young people, or not old people, feel this way too and take action. I had never really thought of the possibility that old people would too, but many are too old to do anything consequential on their own.

When I think about my mom’s aging, I think of someone who I felt spent most of their time either doing Bible study or trying to reach out to others in some way to share her love of God. I always tried to pattern my expectations after the good that I saw in my mom and always planned to follow her in this aspect of her path. But I wondered last night about people that cannot get out any more or that can’t see/hear any more. How do they do Bible study and how do they share their love of God?

When I think about my dad’s aging, I think of someone who wanted to give up, and who made a ton of terrible selfish decisions that prevented him from enjoying the family he had. I’m not sure he decided to fight cancer the first time just because I asked him to for my kids sake, but I know he at least fought it once. Unfortunately, I did not understand how to look beyond my situation enough to really help him. My biggest regret so far is not knowing if he accepted Christ as his savior.

As I have read through this verse however many times today, I am inclined to think that Job is crying out to his companions sarcastically. (My friends, My advocates, My eyes pour out tears before God.) The next verse is asking would God even judge between man and God. I assume not. The previous verse is talking about this advocate in heaven. Would any argue against God except a selfish man?

My friends, My intercessors,

   My eyes pour out tears before God.

I feel this is a better outcome. I do not want to be infirm without the ability to learn about God or the opportunity to share what I know. But I know that the details are not up to me and that I am to strive to follow His will in these big topics as well as the little topics like exercising and eating right along the way.

Written 8/23/25, Posted 9/8/25, Job 393