The world does not easily tolerate what it sees as failure, as Job demonstrates in his discourse. In chapter 29 he describes the honour and attention paid him as a great and rich man. When, as he and the world saw it. God was with him, he was surrounded by the comfort and the large family which "proved" that he was blessed. He did not misuse the power and influence his position gave him: "I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth." (29 : 15-17 NIV) All men, from the greatest in the land to the distitute he had helped, honoured him. His position and wealth seemed unassailable: it seemed right that he might expect to die in his own house, full of days. He seemed a good man to keep in with to those around him, and one whose success suggested that his opinion was worth heeding — indeed, he "dwelt as a king among his troops" (vs 25).

But when the trappings and possessions are taken away, men cannot see that it is the same man they respected who remains. In chapter 30 Job describes the utter contrast in the way men now regard him, when even the lowest despise him and enjoy thwarting him. All men. including Job himself, now assume that God has turned away from him because they equate greatness with blessing. The sudden overthrow shows the basis of value-judgements - the very fleetingness of worldly possessions, the shortness of human life, and the insecurity of our condition generally all give an absolute value to "getting and spending" Without another perspective than the temporary, man feels that having is all that counts.
The other perspective comes at the end of the book as Job is taught the error of connecting the blessing of this world simplistically with the eternal True greatness lies in being accepted by God, and that makes the contempt of men of no account Most important. God is with men in all their circumstances As we look back on another year, how have we seen what has happened to us? It has certainly been eventful in national and global terms - full of violence, disaster and tension. For some it has been full of events on the personal level, both happy and unhappy. The world has ignored most of us as being beneath notice: we are not the important ones. In fact our lack of influence becomes for many the proof that religion "gets in the way" of success.