Culture, Language Acquisition & Job 9

Posted by on Feb 10, 2013

We have moved to a larger and more involved training module:  Culture and Language Acquisition   In this class we were asked to read an article about bonding with a new culture then talk about it.  The article had many points worth considering when entering a new culture, and the need to immerse yourself with the people.  There were some concerns with the articles conclusions but overall it made us think on how we would approach this in the field.

Part of this module was testing our ability to learn a new language by immersion.  Joey Tartaglia took us through a language learning exercise called “Total Physical Response”.  It was as if we were  children interacting with simple objects.  He would put an object in front of us and we would ask in Tok Pisin: em wanem (what’s this?).  Joey would then answer back what it was called in Tok Pisin.  More and more objects were placed in front of us and then we were asked by Joey where objects were in Tok Pisin.  We would then point to the item he was referring to.  We moved from the objects and their names to how to learn action words as well as possession.  Exciting stuff!!!
I am currently working through M’Cheyne’s bible reading plan and reading through four books (Genesis, Job, Mark, and Romans).  Today Job 9 stood out to me.  Job states “But how can a man be in the right before God?” (vs 2).  He then continues: Speaking about God’s great strength, His power in creation, His omnipresence, His justice, His anger, etc.  Job knows that he does not stand in a place where he can make an appeal to God as he is nothing.

At the close of the chapter Job says “For He is not a man as I am that I may answer Him, that we may go to court together” (vs 32).  Job then states what is needed “There is no umpire between us, Who may lay his hand upon us both” (vs 33).  Job states that there is a need for a person to mediate between God and man (“who may lay his hand upon us both”).  This text does not state that Job is speaking about the Messiah to come, but it does state something significant:  Man is insignificant.

Because of this, man cannot stand and make an appeal to God – there is a need for someone to mediate.  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, this makes me consider my insignificance in light of God’s greatness.  It makes me think on the goodness of God in providing a mediator that makes man right before God.  In short, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.

Something to consider:

I would ask that you would prayerfully consider one question – “Would you prayerfully consider supporting the work in PNG?”