First Lesson: Job 7:1-7

Theme: Absurdities and defeats, anguish, and despair

Exegetical Note
It is important to set the expressions of meaninglessness, misery, and mortality in this passage within the context of Job’s experience of having lost everything despite his righteousness, and to connect that experience with the testimony of the entire Bible that somehow, paradoxically, God is present even in the midst of our sufferings and feelings of godforsakenness.

Call to Worship
Leader: May the God who turns misery into meaning bless us!
People: MAY THE GOD WHO TURNS TRIBULATION TO TRIUMPH HELP US!
Leader: May the God who comforts us even in the midst of our desperation be with us!
People: MAY THE GOD WHO IS WITH US EVEN IN OUR GODFORSAKENNESS BE HERE!

Collect
Ever-living, ever-present Go…