The lengthiest reading yet: Job 38: 1 - 42: 6, by far.
We insist on declaring to God what is sin, and further insist that we are declaring it against our oppressive fellow man and not against God himself. I am as guilty as anyone of minimizing my sin, especially since it now pales in comparison to what I formerly committed.
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me . . . " - Job 38, 2-3
"Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." - Job 40, 2
"Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified?" - Job 40, 8
I'm chagrined by our collective cheek in pushing the boundaries of socially acceptable behavior, and even more so by my individual audacity in minimizing or justifying my sinfulness.
"I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." - Job 42, 5-6
So often we try to dictate to God how the world ought to be run. It is the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil run rampant in our world and in our lives. But Job's is the only humble response before God.
Addendum: Here's a great article that indicates just how far down this road we - even we in the church - have gone.
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