God appeared to Job out of a whirlwind.
"Ah, Job, you have spoken true about me, but still you don't know enough...I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with your three friends. So, stand up straight, Job, a man made in My image. Let's have a conversation.
"You are correct, as you said earlier, that you can't tell the tides to move, or the wind to blow. You can't build mountains or cause rain. You're not as strong as a horse, or as fierce as a tiger. But that's not why I love you. You know about Behemoth and Leviathan, creatures so feral, monstrous, powerful and dangerous that only I, their Creator, can control them. But I don't love them. I love you.
"Stand up straight, Job, man made in My image, and let's talk. You are worthy and so I meet with you. You equated your prosperity as a sign that I consider you loved, lovable, honorable. You thought I only loved you because you were innocent. When you lost your prosperity, you felt shame, not guilt because you hadn't done anything wrong; you thought you were worthless when all was taken away. I still love you, Job. The Accuser thought you would give up on Me when I allowed your family to die, your wealth to disappear. You didn't give up on Me, but you gave up on yourself. You wait for a Redeemer to restore you worth. I will pull you out of the mud of shame, redeem and restore you.
"I don't love the innocent, the ones who sacrifice for their sins, because they're innocent and forgiven. I love the ones who understand who I am and what I want--justice, mercy, caring and open and accepting fellowship with their families, friends, neighbors, coworkers and strangers...Ones who love and care for the hungry, homeless, helpless and hopeless. Those I love.
"Now, go, pray for your stupid friends as they make sacrifices to restore their innocence."
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