Job 18:12

Their vigor consumed by hunger,

   Disaster ready at their side.

 

One of the many issues facing our government is all the people who are hungry. Many citizens are working and providing for their families, but not all of them. And we do have some non-citizens that fall in these same two camps. My vision is of a Jewish slave in Egypt starved half to death trying to build some monument for the Pharaoh. The reality is kids and the elderly abandoned by the lazy or drug addled.

‘Vigor’ was also ‘strength’, ‘child’, ‘progeny’ or left off. ‘Consumed’ was also ‘go’, ‘starved’, ‘wasted away’, ‘turns to’, or ‘will go’.

‘Disaster’ was also ‘calamity’, and ‘destruction’. One was just Disaster was his wife.

One interpretation was that his son would be consumed by hunger and his wife by disaster with ‘side’ meaning his wife. Another was that hunger was after him as well as disaster.

One of the strengths in my life that this verse highlights is how great my wife is and how great a job she has done with the kids. I know I had impacts on the kids, but they were probably a little more subtle than those of my wife. There was a point in time I was terribly stressed out that the younger kid would not turn their life over to Christ (not because anything she did, but just because I wanted that so much for her). I want everyone in my family to accept Christ as their savior, but the desire was super intense for her.

I have no memory of having ever been hungry with no access to food in a normal circumstance. Short term out playing or exercising, but not like the topics of public debate. And hunger is not really the point, just an example of the lack of progress politicians make on issues that actually impact their constituents. If they really cared for the people, they would have passed a budget that served the needs of the people and ignored the pork barrels and grandstanding that get them elected.

I pray that our country can be a light to the world for Christ. Not for democracy. Not for extravaganza. But a model of how to treat others in need. Be it a need for Christ or a need  for food, clothing, shelter, or maybe not having to fear for their freedom and safety.

Written 10/2/25, Posted 10/23/25, Job 422/~1070