from words of suffering, to words of hope

Job chapter 19

“But I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the end he will stand on the dust.

Even after my skin has been destroyed,
yet I will see God in my flesh.

I will see him myself;
my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger.

My heart longs within me.”

spoken by Job

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

I’ve been listening to the Daily Audio Bible Chronological version

and this passage of scripture was in one of the daily readings recently.

The book-Job

Job, a book in the Old Testament, ponders the meaning of suffering. It is not a book you would associate with Christmas, yet these words are sung in Handel’s famous musical, Messiah.

We usually hear Messiah performed at Christmas, but Handel wrote it for Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages of comfort, peace, hope, and love, telling the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

Handel, the composer

Georg Handel was a barber-surgeon in northern Germany in the 17th century. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe who only performed surgery, often treating wounds from war injuries. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.

I’m glad his son, George did not follow his father into medicine. Instead George Frideric Handel studied music and eventually composed his masterpiece , Messiah, first performed in 1742, and which millions of people have listened to or sang since then.

HANDEL'S MESSIAH COMPLETE ALBUM ART — HANDEL’S MESSIAH COMPLETE LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (affiliate link)

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Weekend Words-

sharing words of faith, hope, and love

(1Corinthians 13:13)

Thank you so much. Dr. Aletha

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.