Job 27 : 6-7 "God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."
Job talks here of the wicked but in the first part he is basically saying that he will remain as he is and not change his mind or his ways.
v3 "All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; v4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit."
I think that is a good attitude to have. What I picked up on and could be wrong about is that Job was saying that he would not forgive his friend. "God forbid that I should justify you.." Of course Job could not even if he wanted to. But I think he might also have been saying that he would not agree with what his friend was saying and therefore justify his remarks.
The balance of this part of Job's parable is concerning the wicked and in this vain: v13 "This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which the shall receive of the Almighty."
I know these things are written for our benefit but I would be hesitate to try to go into detail about what God thinks. From observation, Job must have had some examples to support his pronouncements about the wicked. I'm glad grace intervened for us.
v23 "Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place."
Romans 3:23-24 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"
We will continue with Job's parable in the next chapter.
Previous study post
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Job's Long Speech Part 1 Job 26
Job 26:1-2 "But Job answered and said, How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?"
This is followed by several other questions that would make the most devoted person wither:
v3 "How hast thou counseled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?"
v4 "To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?"
Then in a final (well not completely final) Job shows an edge to his words:
v5 "Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof."
Although there are many precious insights gained from Job and even his friends that give us an idea of when Job was written, when he lived and their knowledge of the earth; it seems to me that their conversations have turned accusatory in nature. We are leading up to another person who is waiting on the sidelines or in the wings if this were a play and not real life.
I think Job may be feeling some better. Perhaps the healing process has already begun. We will find out later and it seems obvious that Job has started to justify himself some. He also has become a critic of his 'friends'. I do not think it is a good thing to return spiteful words with the same.
The next verse goes back to the previous discussion of whether God is hide in heaven and cannot see what goes on on earth (as one friend said) or as Job rightfully said, that his eye is everywhere.
v6 "Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering, he stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." v7
That last verse would have helped NASA and scientist long ago if they had read the Bible: "He...hangeth the earth upon nothing."
Job goes on to talk about the clouds holding rain, how the oceans are held in place and relates their movement to the day and night (tides). The chapter but not the speech ends with this verse:
v14 "Lo, these are parts of his ways, but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?"
Psalm 139:6 "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."
Job has shown that he knows a lot about most everything. He must have been a great teacher. But he reached the same conclusion as David in the verse above when he said:
Job 42:3 "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not;"
Job speaks of God's expanse.
Previous study post.
This is followed by several other questions that would make the most devoted person wither:
v3 "How hast thou counseled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?"
v4 "To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?"
Then in a final (well not completely final) Job shows an edge to his words:
v5 "Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof."
Although there are many precious insights gained from Job and even his friends that give us an idea of when Job was written, when he lived and their knowledge of the earth; it seems to me that their conversations have turned accusatory in nature. We are leading up to another person who is waiting on the sidelines or in the wings if this were a play and not real life.
I think Job may be feeling some better. Perhaps the healing process has already begun. We will find out later and it seems obvious that Job has started to justify himself some. He also has become a critic of his 'friends'. I do not think it is a good thing to return spiteful words with the same.
The next verse goes back to the previous discussion of whether God is hide in heaven and cannot see what goes on on earth (as one friend said) or as Job rightfully said, that his eye is everywhere.
v6 "Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering, he stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." v7
That last verse would have helped NASA and scientist long ago if they had read the Bible: "He...hangeth the earth upon nothing."
Job goes on to talk about the clouds holding rain, how the oceans are held in place and relates their movement to the day and night (tides). The chapter but not the speech ends with this verse:
v14 "Lo, these are parts of his ways, but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?"
Psalm 139:6 "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."
Job has shown that he knows a lot about most everything. He must have been a great teacher. But he reached the same conclusion as David in the verse above when he said:
Job 42:3 "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not;"
Job speaks of God's expanse.
Previous study post.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Bildad's Question Job 25
Job 25:4 "How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?"
Chapter 25 is a short chapter but the question is very important. So with a perfect God, how can man measure up? He cannot alone. Since the sin in the garden man has been polluted. Man's best efforts would come from a sinful nature which can only produce things of a sinful nature.
God made a way for man to be justified before God. He sent his only begotten son, born of a woman, to take the penalty for the sins of the world upon himself and shed his own blood which was unpolluted by Adam's sin to pay the debt of sin we owed.
Bildad first magnifies the position of God and his perfect state in relation to other things and man which cannot measure up to that perfectness. Bildad left out many of God's characteristics. One is his love for us.
v5 "Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight."
I don't know about that statement but we will see.
v6 "How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?"
In the New Testament, Jesus often referred to himself as the son of man. Since He is the word of God, I know he was aware of Psalms 22 where David depicted the sufferings of Christ even though he did not yet know the mystery of the gospel.
Psalm 22:6 "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people."
Isaiah 53:3 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. v4 Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
The answer to Bildad question is thus found in God's love and the lamb of God which 'taketh away the sins of the world'.
Without Jesus Christ, there is no justification with God. We would stand before the judge without a question of our guilt and no refuge. We would be guilty and our punishment would be justified. Yet Christ stepped into the world and said "I will pay the penalty for man's sin."
Speaking of Jesus in Romans:
Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
Bildad's great question.
Previous study link.
Chapter 25 is a short chapter but the question is very important. So with a perfect God, how can man measure up? He cannot alone. Since the sin in the garden man has been polluted. Man's best efforts would come from a sinful nature which can only produce things of a sinful nature.
God made a way for man to be justified before God. He sent his only begotten son, born of a woman, to take the penalty for the sins of the world upon himself and shed his own blood which was unpolluted by Adam's sin to pay the debt of sin we owed.
Bildad first magnifies the position of God and his perfect state in relation to other things and man which cannot measure up to that perfectness. Bildad left out many of God's characteristics. One is his love for us.
v5 "Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight."
I don't know about that statement but we will see.
v6 "How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?"
In the New Testament, Jesus often referred to himself as the son of man. Since He is the word of God, I know he was aware of Psalms 22 where David depicted the sufferings of Christ even though he did not yet know the mystery of the gospel.
Psalm 22:6 "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people."
Isaiah 53:3 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. v4 Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
The answer to Bildad question is thus found in God's love and the lamb of God which 'taketh away the sins of the world'.
Without Jesus Christ, there is no justification with God. We would stand before the judge without a question of our guilt and no refuge. We would be guilty and our punishment would be justified. Yet Christ stepped into the world and said "I will pay the penalty for man's sin."
Speaking of Jesus in Romans:
Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
Bildad's great question.
Previous study link.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"They" Job 24
Job 24:1 "Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?"
Why as in "Y". Job states the fact that the Almighty (God) sees all, so those who know God ought to know that.
Here is a verse for our day.
v2"Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof."
In our day, this could encompass changing history to eliminate the role God and Christianity had in the development of our nations and all nations for that matter. Take away the landmarks and the truth in history and future generations will believe the half-truth that is left. Few will do difficult research to find the whole truth.
From here we have many verses with the term "They". It refers in some cases to those who are out for number one at the expense of the helpless. In other verses it refers to the victims.
The bad guys:
v4 "They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together."
The needy:
v8 "They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter."
Nowadays, it is often alleys and concrete staircases and tunnels but the picture is the same. Many people are without help and are hungry.
v12 "Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them."
My large print Bible shows a reference to Ecclesiastes 8:11 for the last part of the verse:
v11 "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."
It is not God who causes these troubles for people but those of the darkness who turn from the light and conduct their evil in darkness.
v13 "They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof."
Job could have preached this sermon today and it would be current.
v16 "In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light."
Like the vampires in the old black and white movies. The evildoers settle their evil deeds before the morning and scurry off to hide.
v17 "For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death."
Evildoers will have their day in judgment. It seems often that they will go on forever but their day will come.
v24 "They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low, they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn."
Back on the farm we would sit for hours shucking corn and brushing away the husk. We used a big butcher's knife. The very first thing we did was take a whack at the top couple of inches of the ear of corn where it is brownish and good for nothing. The knife swiftly went almost through with practice and then the top was bent over and pulled down to the other end and discarded in a swift easy motion.
Job as given us the plight of the needy and the tactics of the evildoers, then he lays out a challenge: Prove me wrong if you can. v25 "And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?"
Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings; That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, with out rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"
Job preaches on the needy and the evil who cause their plight.
Previous study post.
Why as in "Y". Job states the fact that the Almighty (God) sees all, so those who know God ought to know that.
Here is a verse for our day.
v2"Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof."
In our day, this could encompass changing history to eliminate the role God and Christianity had in the development of our nations and all nations for that matter. Take away the landmarks and the truth in history and future generations will believe the half-truth that is left. Few will do difficult research to find the whole truth.
From here we have many verses with the term "They". It refers in some cases to those who are out for number one at the expense of the helpless. In other verses it refers to the victims.
The bad guys:
v4 "They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together."
The needy:
v8 "They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter."
Nowadays, it is often alleys and concrete staircases and tunnels but the picture is the same. Many people are without help and are hungry.
v12 "Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them."
My large print Bible shows a reference to Ecclesiastes 8:11 for the last part of the verse:
v11 "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."
It is not God who causes these troubles for people but those of the darkness who turn from the light and conduct their evil in darkness.
v13 "They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof."
Job could have preached this sermon today and it would be current.
v16 "In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light."
Like the vampires in the old black and white movies. The evildoers settle their evil deeds before the morning and scurry off to hide.
v17 "For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death."
Evildoers will have their day in judgment. It seems often that they will go on forever but their day will come.
v24 "They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low, they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn."
Back on the farm we would sit for hours shucking corn and brushing away the husk. We used a big butcher's knife. The very first thing we did was take a whack at the top couple of inches of the ear of corn where it is brownish and good for nothing. The knife swiftly went almost through with practice and then the top was bent over and pulled down to the other end and discarded in a swift easy motion.
Job as given us the plight of the needy and the tactics of the evildoers, then he lays out a challenge: Prove me wrong if you can. v25 "And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?"
Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings; That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, with out rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"
Job preaches on the needy and the evil who cause their plight.
Previous study post.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Missionaries
Hello, I guess you noticed my map. Many countries are missing. If you know a missionary, I'd appreciate it if you would send them a link to my Bible Study. It is just that I enjoy seeing where all the dots are and how far the study is reaching out. Maybe they will get a blessing from the scripture. I hope so. Thanks.
Job Looking for God Job 23
Job 23:3 "Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!"
I heard a good sermon on this verse last week from this preacher. He was talking about all of Job's losses during this time of testing. He explained that even though the loss of his family and property was bad and the loss of his health was bad, feeling that God had left him was the worst of all.
I've heard of a number of people who have gone through dark times when it seems God was far away. They kept on by faith and made it through the time of testing. That is what faith is all about. It is not knowing all the facts and trusting God anyway. I have seen impossible situations in my life just calm down seemingly without great effort by anyone. We should do all we can but there are times when we need to just wait on God. As he told Israel, their strength was in being still.
I have a little story of my own. I was a Marine guard on a small liberty boat that carried people across a rather large bay. We could not see one side while on the other so the boat driver had to go by those floating markers in the water. The problem was that another boat always came the opposite direction on the same schedule. One of those sudden storms came up and blinded all of us. The driver could not find the next marker and we were in danger of crashing into the on-coming boat. The people all got afraid and began to stand up and holler and disturb the balance of the boat. From somewhere within me I got the strength to confront the large group. In true Marine fashion I told them to "Shut up and sit down!" They complied and the boat steadied. I could then deal with the driver who had panicked and was going around in a circle looking for a marker. I told him that obviously the marker was not here so go a little ways and circle again. In this manner he found the marker just as we heard the motor of the oncoming boat. All came out fine and I'm glad because I could not swim more than a few yards at a time. The point is those passengers were afraid but the best thing for them to do was be still and let the ones in charge get them to safety. There was no time to explain. Every one needs to recognize when it is their time to lead but also when it is their time to 'shut up and sit down'.
v8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:"
I am reminded of Daniel. He once set his face toward Israel and prayed to God for an answer. He prayed for 21 days before the answer came. The angel said he was on his way the first day but was hindered by Satan's angels until another angel came to help him. See Daniel 10:12-13.
So we are reminded of the spiritual warfare that goes on without us seeing it except for some results.
Job reasons things out in his heart.
v11 "My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." v12
Job takes inventory of his life and finds that he has done the best he could to live for God. He then wonders at the fact that he was not taken out of this life before darkness overshadowed him. Sometimes you get out before the storm - sometimes you must trust him through the storm.
v16-17 "For God maketh my heart soft and the Almighty troubleth me; Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face."
Perhaps this is the key to this testing time for Job. He was an upright man but in the last part of this book, God will talk to him. He must be prepared to received what God says. So we see the phrase 'God maketh my heart soft'. He was being prepared.
Job will continue in the next chapter with a little preaching of his own.
Job Looking for God.
Previous post.
I heard a good sermon on this verse last week from this preacher. He was talking about all of Job's losses during this time of testing. He explained that even though the loss of his family and property was bad and the loss of his health was bad, feeling that God had left him was the worst of all.
I've heard of a number of people who have gone through dark times when it seems God was far away. They kept on by faith and made it through the time of testing. That is what faith is all about. It is not knowing all the facts and trusting God anyway. I have seen impossible situations in my life just calm down seemingly without great effort by anyone. We should do all we can but there are times when we need to just wait on God. As he told Israel, their strength was in being still.
I have a little story of my own. I was a Marine guard on a small liberty boat that carried people across a rather large bay. We could not see one side while on the other so the boat driver had to go by those floating markers in the water. The problem was that another boat always came the opposite direction on the same schedule. One of those sudden storms came up and blinded all of us. The driver could not find the next marker and we were in danger of crashing into the on-coming boat. The people all got afraid and began to stand up and holler and disturb the balance of the boat. From somewhere within me I got the strength to confront the large group. In true Marine fashion I told them to "Shut up and sit down!" They complied and the boat steadied. I could then deal with the driver who had panicked and was going around in a circle looking for a marker. I told him that obviously the marker was not here so go a little ways and circle again. In this manner he found the marker just as we heard the motor of the oncoming boat. All came out fine and I'm glad because I could not swim more than a few yards at a time. The point is those passengers were afraid but the best thing for them to do was be still and let the ones in charge get them to safety. There was no time to explain. Every one needs to recognize when it is their time to lead but also when it is their time to 'shut up and sit down'.
v8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:"
I am reminded of Daniel. He once set his face toward Israel and prayed to God for an answer. He prayed for 21 days before the answer came. The angel said he was on his way the first day but was hindered by Satan's angels until another angel came to help him. See Daniel 10:12-13.
So we are reminded of the spiritual warfare that goes on without us seeing it except for some results.
Job reasons things out in his heart.
v11 "My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." v12
Job takes inventory of his life and finds that he has done the best he could to live for God. He then wonders at the fact that he was not taken out of this life before darkness overshadowed him. Sometimes you get out before the storm - sometimes you must trust him through the storm.
v16-17 "For God maketh my heart soft and the Almighty troubleth me; Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face."
Perhaps this is the key to this testing time for Job. He was an upright man but in the last part of this book, God will talk to him. He must be prepared to received what God says. So we see the phrase 'God maketh my heart soft'. He was being prepared.
Job will continue in the next chapter with a little preaching of his own.
Job Looking for God.
Previous post.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Eliphaz on Righteousness Job 22
Job 22:3 "Is it any pleasure to the Almight, that thou are righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?"
My answer to both questions would be YES. I don't know about these boys who have come to Job to comfort him. They tell him he is suffering because of wickedness, then one switches as if to say, 'Okay so you are righteous, Does God care?'
I think it is so important to God that he sent his only begotten Son to die so that man had the opportunity to be pleasing to the Father.
Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
I Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
There are many verses to answer Eliphaz's questions in a positive way. At this time, they did not have the New Testament so many things were a mystery to them. Abraham would like to have know the details of the mysteries (I suppose) but he went on faith.
Now Eliphaz tells Job that God is far away and cannot see what is going on. Basically, it seems, he is saying that God just does not have time for people and the goings-on on earth.
v14 "Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not, and he walketh in the circuit of heaven."
The thick clouds were to protect the people not hide God. Sinful people before a holy God would not last long, so as in the case of Moses, God choose to appear in the thick cloud. But to say that God cannot see what's happening, is to be naive and misinformed.
Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."
In verses 15-16 Eliphaz refers to the flood in which Noah and his family were saved. See Genesis 6.
"Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood;"
So Eliphaz brings it down to one thing: if you are innocent you will be delivered.
v30 "He shall deliver the island of the innocent; and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands."
We ought to try to live right and do right. One preacher said 'It is never wrong to do right and it is never right to do wrong to do right.' However, man can not deliver or redeem himself by pureness because he has none. If man could save himself, I use to jokingly say: 'Pick up one foot, (while standing) now the other but keep the first one up too.' Also, it is not always God's will to deliver us from our suffering or testing time. True in the end we will be with Him and be just fine but some of our troubles just have to be gone through, often for purposes that only God knows. But He does know!
A good sermon can be found on testing time at this church website in the sermon section. It was about two Sundays ago in the morning service.
Job reasons about God in the next couple of chapters.
Psalm 62:1-2 "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Eliphaz talks about God being far away.
My answer to both questions would be YES. I don't know about these boys who have come to Job to comfort him. They tell him he is suffering because of wickedness, then one switches as if to say, 'Okay so you are righteous, Does God care?'
I think it is so important to God that he sent his only begotten Son to die so that man had the opportunity to be pleasing to the Father.
Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
I Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
There are many verses to answer Eliphaz's questions in a positive way. At this time, they did not have the New Testament so many things were a mystery to them. Abraham would like to have know the details of the mysteries (I suppose) but he went on faith.
Now Eliphaz tells Job that God is far away and cannot see what is going on. Basically, it seems, he is saying that God just does not have time for people and the goings-on on earth.
v14 "Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not, and he walketh in the circuit of heaven."
The thick clouds were to protect the people not hide God. Sinful people before a holy God would not last long, so as in the case of Moses, God choose to appear in the thick cloud. But to say that God cannot see what's happening, is to be naive and misinformed.
Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."
In verses 15-16 Eliphaz refers to the flood in which Noah and his family were saved. See Genesis 6.
"Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood;"
So Eliphaz brings it down to one thing: if you are innocent you will be delivered.
v30 "He shall deliver the island of the innocent; and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands."
We ought to try to live right and do right. One preacher said 'It is never wrong to do right and it is never right to do wrong to do right.' However, man can not deliver or redeem himself by pureness because he has none. If man could save himself, I use to jokingly say: 'Pick up one foot, (while standing) now the other but keep the first one up too.' Also, it is not always God's will to deliver us from our suffering or testing time. True in the end we will be with Him and be just fine but some of our troubles just have to be gone through, often for purposes that only God knows. But He does know!
A good sermon can be found on testing time at this church website in the sermon section. It was about two Sundays ago in the morning service.
Job reasons about God in the next couple of chapters.
Psalm 62:1-2 "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Eliphaz talks about God being far away.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Job on plight of Wicked Job 21
Job 21:13-14 "They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways."
The 'friends' of Job paint a picture of the wicked which is quite different from what Job says here. The friends have been telling Job that hard times on earth are a result of wickedness. Job tells them that that is not necessarily true as from his observations, the wicked are not disturbed on earth but live a life of luxury until they face their judgment day.
v7 "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in power?"
Then in verse 9 Job talks about the rod of God not being on the wicked. We all know that it is our own children that we correct, sometimes with a spanking. But we do not correct children that we do not know. So God does not exact punishment on those he does not know, not until their judgment.
v9 "Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them."
That is not to say that a wicked man will not reap some rewards here on earth. It is not, though, the gentle correcting of a father to a son. I always told my sons take correction from someone who loves you, don't wait to get it from people who do not know or love you. It will be worse.
Some will remember the story in the New Testament of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar at the gate. The rich man seemed untouched by the cares of the world but his end result was terrible, while the beggar had only what people left him, yet his end was glorious.
Remember Abraham's answer to the rich man in Luke 16:25" But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."
Job continues: v29-30 "Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? the shall be brought forth to the day of wrath."
The friends or comforters may have told Job some truth in their speeches but as Job pointed out in the next verse, their truth is mixed with falsehood making their whole argument null.
v34 "How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?"
Remember how Satan twisted the truth when he was talking to Eve. He put just enough truth in his words to make them sound legitimate. So did he try to do it with Jesus when he had been fasting. It is a trick that has been passed down through the ages. It pays to listen well.
Genesis 3:4 "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:"
A bold lie for it went directly against what God had said. This lie is more subtle: Genesis 3:3 "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." It wasn't highlighted for Eve. Read what God really said: Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Notice the highlighted part is missing in the original statement made by God.
Why would Satan change a few seemingly meaningless words? I believe it was to set Eve up for the bigger lies that followed. Eve was told the rules by Adam because she was not there for the original statement, so not only did Satan cast doubt on what God said but her husband as well.
So back to Job, next time Eliphaz has a few things to say it seems to me that he is running out of steam.
Psalm 146:17 "The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. v18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Job talks about the wicked.
Previous post.
The 'friends' of Job paint a picture of the wicked which is quite different from what Job says here. The friends have been telling Job that hard times on earth are a result of wickedness. Job tells them that that is not necessarily true as from his observations, the wicked are not disturbed on earth but live a life of luxury until they face their judgment day.
v7 "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in power?"
Then in verse 9 Job talks about the rod of God not being on the wicked. We all know that it is our own children that we correct, sometimes with a spanking. But we do not correct children that we do not know. So God does not exact punishment on those he does not know, not until their judgment.
v9 "Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them."
That is not to say that a wicked man will not reap some rewards here on earth. It is not, though, the gentle correcting of a father to a son. I always told my sons take correction from someone who loves you, don't wait to get it from people who do not know or love you. It will be worse.
Some will remember the story in the New Testament of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar at the gate. The rich man seemed untouched by the cares of the world but his end result was terrible, while the beggar had only what people left him, yet his end was glorious.
Remember Abraham's answer to the rich man in Luke 16:25" But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."
Job continues: v29-30 "Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? the shall be brought forth to the day of wrath."
The friends or comforters may have told Job some truth in their speeches but as Job pointed out in the next verse, their truth is mixed with falsehood making their whole argument null.
v34 "How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?"
Remember how Satan twisted the truth when he was talking to Eve. He put just enough truth in his words to make them sound legitimate. So did he try to do it with Jesus when he had been fasting. It is a trick that has been passed down through the ages. It pays to listen well.
Genesis 3:4 "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:"
A bold lie for it went directly against what God had said. This lie is more subtle: Genesis 3:3 "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." It wasn't highlighted for Eve. Read what God really said: Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Notice the highlighted part is missing in the original statement made by God.
Why would Satan change a few seemingly meaningless words? I believe it was to set Eve up for the bigger lies that followed. Eve was told the rules by Adam because she was not there for the original statement, so not only did Satan cast doubt on what God said but her husband as well.
So back to Job, next time Eliphaz has a few things to say it seems to me that he is running out of steam.
Psalm 146:17 "The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. v18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
Job talks about the wicked.
Previous post.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Zophar Reply on Resurrection Job 20
Job 20:6-7 "Though his excellency mount up to heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; Yet he shall perish forever...v8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: "
The Pharisees and Sadducees argued about the resurrection later in the New Testament but they picked up on a long debated issue. Sadducees say there is no resurrection but the Pharisees believe in the resurrection. See Acts 23:8.
Zophar is picking up on a statement Job made in the previous chapter. Zophar still insisting that Job was wicked and a hypocrite and would therefore not see a resurrection. So apparently he believed only in a resurrection of the just. He must have surely believed that troubles were a sign of wickedness for he seems to be unable to fathom otherwise in his answers to Job.
I Cor 6:14 "And God hath both raised up the LORD, and will also raise up us by his own power."
Romans 14:10 "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Referring to Christians.
But here Christ said: v11 "For it is written, As I live, saith the LORD, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
It seems to me that there would therefore have to be a resurrection of the wicked as well since it says 'every'.
Zophar goes on and on about all the bad things that will happen to Job because he is wicked. I believe his conclusion is based on a false assumption that being that Job is wicked. We should remember that Job is being tested keeping in mind that we are all sinners in that Adam sinned and passed on the pollution to humanity. We all need to be reconciled to God.
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
But Job honored God and worshipped him as God whereas the wicked will usurp God and lift themselves up.
Zophar does a lot of speaking 'for God' in this chapter. I do not think he had as much understanding as he thought he did.
Job 1:22 "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
Zophar replies to Job on the resurrection.
Previous post
The Pharisees and Sadducees argued about the resurrection later in the New Testament but they picked up on a long debated issue. Sadducees say there is no resurrection but the Pharisees believe in the resurrection. See Acts 23:8.
Zophar is picking up on a statement Job made in the previous chapter. Zophar still insisting that Job was wicked and a hypocrite and would therefore not see a resurrection. So apparently he believed only in a resurrection of the just. He must have surely believed that troubles were a sign of wickedness for he seems to be unable to fathom otherwise in his answers to Job.
I Cor 6:14 "And God hath both raised up the LORD, and will also raise up us by his own power."
Romans 14:10 "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Referring to Christians.
But here Christ said: v11 "For it is written, As I live, saith the LORD, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
It seems to me that there would therefore have to be a resurrection of the wicked as well since it says 'every'.
Zophar goes on and on about all the bad things that will happen to Job because he is wicked. I believe his conclusion is based on a false assumption that being that Job is wicked. We should remember that Job is being tested keeping in mind that we are all sinners in that Adam sinned and passed on the pollution to humanity. We all need to be reconciled to God.
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
But Job honored God and worshipped him as God whereas the wicked will usurp God and lift themselves up.
Zophar does a lot of speaking 'for God' in this chapter. I do not think he had as much understanding as he thought he did.
Job 1:22 "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
Zophar replies to Job on the resurrection.
Previous post
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Resurrection Job 19
Job 19:25-27 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
I put those verses first because I see them as the crowning jewel of this chapter if not the entire book of Job. We often hear of the patience of Job, and he had great patience with his friends. But here is a demonstration of Job's faith. Faith that reaches beyond his present state into the future where his redemption is sure.
v2 "How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?"
Words can be painful, unlike the famous saying about sticks and stones. Being a writer myself, I am aware that words can be used as weapons and I try not to do that. Job was the sufferer, the victim if you will, but he is put on the witness stand by his friends where they attacked him as if they were three prosecuting attorneys.
He cautions his friends about using his own distress to magnify themselves.
v5-6 "If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach; Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net."
I think Job is telling his friends that he does not need to be reproached by them if he has erred because God has already seen his errors and is the final judge of the matter.
We see in the middle of the chapter Job's position with his closest people.
v13 "He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me."
v15 "They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight."
v16 "I called my servant, and he gave me no answer..."
v17 "My breath is strange to my wife..."
v18 "Yea, young children despised me;..."
Job gives his friends a run down of what all he has lost. He paints a picture of him loosing his position, his family, his friends and his very flesh. So, why do his friends see a need to further mock him.
v22 "Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?"
Then in the last verses Job is again the teacher. He points out that the problem is not with himself but with them and they should be careful.
v28 "But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?"
Why are people hungry? We could point out their lifestyle and the mistakes they have made that put them in their situation. In reality, those people are hungry because we judged them instead of stopping to fed them. They are guilty of being hungry, we are guilty of 'passing on the other side of the road'. Who has the problem?
Psalm 147:11 "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."
Job speaks of the resurrection and hope after death.
Previous post.
I put those verses first because I see them as the crowning jewel of this chapter if not the entire book of Job. We often hear of the patience of Job, and he had great patience with his friends. But here is a demonstration of Job's faith. Faith that reaches beyond his present state into the future where his redemption is sure.
v2 "How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?"
Words can be painful, unlike the famous saying about sticks and stones. Being a writer myself, I am aware that words can be used as weapons and I try not to do that. Job was the sufferer, the victim if you will, but he is put on the witness stand by his friends where they attacked him as if they were three prosecuting attorneys.
He cautions his friends about using his own distress to magnify themselves.
v5-6 "If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach; Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net."
I think Job is telling his friends that he does not need to be reproached by them if he has erred because God has already seen his errors and is the final judge of the matter.
We see in the middle of the chapter Job's position with his closest people.
v13 "He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me."
v15 "They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight."
v16 "I called my servant, and he gave me no answer..."
v17 "My breath is strange to my wife..."
v18 "Yea, young children despised me;..."
Job gives his friends a run down of what all he has lost. He paints a picture of him loosing his position, his family, his friends and his very flesh. So, why do his friends see a need to further mock him.
v22 "Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?"
Then in the last verses Job is again the teacher. He points out that the problem is not with himself but with them and they should be careful.
v28 "But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?"
Why are people hungry? We could point out their lifestyle and the mistakes they have made that put them in their situation. In reality, those people are hungry because we judged them instead of stopping to fed them. They are guilty of being hungry, we are guilty of 'passing on the other side of the road'. Who has the problem?
Psalm 147:11 "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."
Job speaks of the resurrection and hope after death.
Previous post.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Bildad Speaks Again Job 18
Job 18:2 "How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterward we will speak."
Tell us when you are finished and we will speak, says Bildad. I do not see evidence that it would make any difference.
Bildad still charts out the wickedness of Job and the penalty of the same.
In a way, Bildad is correct. We are all sinners. In this case, it does not seem the time to point out Job's faults. Job is in great distress and it is a time for comforting a friend. But he continues:
v5 "Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine."
These words bring out the best in Job's responses. We will see them in the next chapter.
Bildad wraps it up with hopelessness: v20 "They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted. v21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God."
You know, these speeches of Job's 'friends' sound much like someone trying to impress someone with how smart they are. They do hold truth but not all the truth. They do hold wisdom but only one side of the issue. If they only knew the whole picture they would feel very ignorant.
David prayed much for the destruction of the wicked until he found himself among those who might sin. In Psalm 40 verse 2 we see his condition and his redemption:
Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."
Bildad Speaks again.
Previous post.
Tell us when you are finished and we will speak, says Bildad. I do not see evidence that it would make any difference.
Bildad still charts out the wickedness of Job and the penalty of the same.
In a way, Bildad is correct. We are all sinners. In this case, it does not seem the time to point out Job's faults. Job is in great distress and it is a time for comforting a friend. But he continues:
v5 "Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine."
These words bring out the best in Job's responses. We will see them in the next chapter.
Bildad wraps it up with hopelessness: v20 "They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted. v21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God."
You know, these speeches of Job's 'friends' sound much like someone trying to impress someone with how smart they are. They do hold truth but not all the truth. They do hold wisdom but only one side of the issue. If they only knew the whole picture they would feel very ignorant.
David prayed much for the destruction of the wicked until he found himself among those who might sin. In Psalm 40 verse 2 we see his condition and his redemption:
Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."
Bildad Speaks again.
Previous post.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Job waits for Grave Job 17
I apologize for being gone a week. We had our children and grandchildren down. We had not seen the grandchildren for over a year.
Job 17:11 "My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart."
Job is a broken man. His friends do nothing but condemn him. His servants no longer obey and his family is dead or alienated from him. He is alone with his thoughts and prayers except for the daily badgering of those he once called his friends.
v2 "Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?"
Job seems to have accepted death. He remembers his past glory and recognizes his present state.
v6 "He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was a tabret."
I could not find a meaning for the word tabret but as it is used, it sounds like a person of position.
In chapter 29 we will see the man this poor wretch once was. v6 "..I washed my steps with butter..." v8 "The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up." v9 "The princes refrained talking..." v10"The nobles held their peace..."v21 "Unto me men gave ear, and waited..." v25 "I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners."
Job was a great man and worthy of respect. He was a leader and the people trusted him.
Job will learn another lesson in this powerful book of the Bible. You have heard the phrase 'what do you give a man who has everything'. I suppose we could wonder hear "What do you teach a man who seems to be the smartest man around?' We will see later as Job deals with this terrible test in his life.
It draws me to the sufferings of Jesus and the question "How does sinful man a approach a perfect God without instant destruction?" The answer was to have someone who was sinless, present his case. As Job said "Job 16:21 "O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!" See also Psalm 22.
Job 1:8 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"
Job accepts the grave.
Previous post.
Job 17:11 "My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart."
Job is a broken man. His friends do nothing but condemn him. His servants no longer obey and his family is dead or alienated from him. He is alone with his thoughts and prayers except for the daily badgering of those he once called his friends.
v2 "Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?"
Job seems to have accepted death. He remembers his past glory and recognizes his present state.
v6 "He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was a tabret."
I could not find a meaning for the word tabret but as it is used, it sounds like a person of position.
In chapter 29 we will see the man this poor wretch once was. v6 "..I washed my steps with butter..." v8 "The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up." v9 "The princes refrained talking..." v10"The nobles held their peace..."v21 "Unto me men gave ear, and waited..." v25 "I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners."
Job was a great man and worthy of respect. He was a leader and the people trusted him.
Job will learn another lesson in this powerful book of the Bible. You have heard the phrase 'what do you give a man who has everything'. I suppose we could wonder hear "What do you teach a man who seems to be the smartest man around?' We will see later as Job deals with this terrible test in his life.
It draws me to the sufferings of Jesus and the question "How does sinful man a approach a perfect God without instant destruction?" The answer was to have someone who was sinless, present his case. As Job said "Job 16:21 "O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!" See also Psalm 22.
Job 1:8 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"
Job accepts the grave.
Previous post.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Job Answers Job 16
Job 16 1-4 "Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall van words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. v5 But I would strength you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief."
assuage: make grief less, lighten, mitigate, ease alleviate
I noticed that Job does not attack his oppressor personally by pointing out past sins, instead he addresses the immediate situation. Job says that if the situation were reversed that he could also use hurtful words but would not, instead he would try to ease the grief of his friend.
Job goes on to say that whether he is silent or whether he speaks, he has no relief for his grief. Job's words were thrown back at him in previous chapters. Now, he accepts what he believes to be true that God has left him to destruction.
v14 "He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant."
One thing after another has come upon me, Job says. He can no sooner get adjusted to one agony before another hits him. Remember it is Satan that is putting Job through these agonies. He operates under the permissive will of God but the tactics are his own. He is trying to break Job.
v19 "Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high."
Job has done his best in his life to honor God. He now stands on that record. He accepts that what he has done is done and is willing to face what ever judgment is there. It is not what people think, but what is written down in God's records.
Job's testing time is a good example of what Satan would do to all of us if God took his protective hand from us. Satan shows people a pretty picture but he is evil and will use up a person then abandon them to live out their life in a wrecked body with a wrecked life. Satan is a friend of nobody.
v22 "When a few years are come then I shall go the way whence I shall not return."
Job not only accepts death but embraces it as his relief from suffering. Some would call that dying grace. I agree.
Psalm 39:7 "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee."
Job speaks of death.
Previous post
assuage: make grief less, lighten, mitigate, ease alleviate
I noticed that Job does not attack his oppressor personally by pointing out past sins, instead he addresses the immediate situation. Job says that if the situation were reversed that he could also use hurtful words but would not, instead he would try to ease the grief of his friend.
Job goes on to say that whether he is silent or whether he speaks, he has no relief for his grief. Job's words were thrown back at him in previous chapters. Now, he accepts what he believes to be true that God has left him to destruction.
v14 "He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant."
One thing after another has come upon me, Job says. He can no sooner get adjusted to one agony before another hits him. Remember it is Satan that is putting Job through these agonies. He operates under the permissive will of God but the tactics are his own. He is trying to break Job.
v19 "Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high."
Job has done his best in his life to honor God. He now stands on that record. He accepts that what he has done is done and is willing to face what ever judgment is there. It is not what people think, but what is written down in God's records.
Job's testing time is a good example of what Satan would do to all of us if God took his protective hand from us. Satan shows people a pretty picture but he is evil and will use up a person then abandon them to live out their life in a wrecked body with a wrecked life. Satan is a friend of nobody.
v22 "When a few years are come then I shall go the way whence I shall not return."
Job not only accepts death but embraces it as his relief from suffering. Some would call that dying grace. I agree.
Psalm 39:7 "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee."
Job speaks of death.
Previous post
Monday, May 18, 2009
Eliphaz Speaks Again Job 15
Job 15:2 "Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?"
Eliphaz could have well asked himself the same question. All together he launched into a series of questions, 16 in all, plus one included in a statement. I don't know about people who always ask a question in response to a question. Perhaps, we are all looking for answers.
Eliphaz is quick to condemn Job but does not mention his own shortfalls.
v6 "Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; yea, thine own lips testify against thee."
Forgotten is the trip to come see Job and comfort him in his distress. It has become a battle of words and debate over wisdom and who possesses the most. We could call it a sad scene.
Eliphaz does give some insight into the longevity of the people back then and the time frame this story fits into.
v10 "With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father."
The verse speaks of long life. It tells us that Job's father may still be alive but that some of the people with Eliphaz are even older than he. Another verse hints at this:
v18&19 "Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it: Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them."
This seems to tell me that the wise men spoken of b Eliphaz received their wisdom from men who got it from the beginning and that they all knew each other (no stranger passed among them). It would have been quite a time to live when everyone knew each other and live hundreds of years and the earth was yet young.
Eliphaz continues with the general theme of all the 'friends' that bad things only come on the wicked.
v20 "The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor."
v21 "A dreadful sound is in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him."
If Job was not depressed, he surely must be now after hearing all that.
Eliphaz must not let us forget the hypocrites: v34&35 "For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery, They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity and their belly prepareth deceit."
We probably could call this the "They brought it on themselves." chapter. I have often heard it in church circles. Some people believe that everyone who has lung cancer was a heavy smoker. It is possible that the environment or place of work caused the illness. There are a lot of dangerous chemicals around, at work and at home. Other health problems are not always caused by what appears to be. We should be careful not to judge but instead show compassion.
Jesus is our example. He did not jump on the woman at the well but instead offered her eternal life. He did not ask if the boy was a good boy before he died but instead had compassion. We ought to 'take the high road' when dealing with the sick and downtrodden, it may be us next time.
Jude 22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference."
Eliphaz speaks again.
Previous post
Eliphaz could have well asked himself the same question. All together he launched into a series of questions, 16 in all, plus one included in a statement. I don't know about people who always ask a question in response to a question. Perhaps, we are all looking for answers.
Eliphaz is quick to condemn Job but does not mention his own shortfalls.
v6 "Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; yea, thine own lips testify against thee."
Forgotten is the trip to come see Job and comfort him in his distress. It has become a battle of words and debate over wisdom and who possesses the most. We could call it a sad scene.
Eliphaz does give some insight into the longevity of the people back then and the time frame this story fits into.
v10 "With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father."
The verse speaks of long life. It tells us that Job's father may still be alive but that some of the people with Eliphaz are even older than he. Another verse hints at this:
v18&19 "Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it: Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them."
This seems to tell me that the wise men spoken of b Eliphaz received their wisdom from men who got it from the beginning and that they all knew each other (no stranger passed among them). It would have been quite a time to live when everyone knew each other and live hundreds of years and the earth was yet young.
Eliphaz continues with the general theme of all the 'friends' that bad things only come on the wicked.
v20 "The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor."
v21 "A dreadful sound is in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him."
If Job was not depressed, he surely must be now after hearing all that.
Eliphaz must not let us forget the hypocrites: v34&35 "For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery, They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity and their belly prepareth deceit."
We probably could call this the "They brought it on themselves." chapter. I have often heard it in church circles. Some people believe that everyone who has lung cancer was a heavy smoker. It is possible that the environment or place of work caused the illness. There are a lot of dangerous chemicals around, at work and at home. Other health problems are not always caused by what appears to be. We should be careful not to judge but instead show compassion.
Jesus is our example. He did not jump on the woman at the well but instead offered her eternal life. He did not ask if the boy was a good boy before he died but instead had compassion. We ought to 'take the high road' when dealing with the sick and downtrodden, it may be us next time.
Jude 22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference."
Eliphaz speaks again.
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Thursday, May 14, 2009
Man...A Few Days Job 14
Job 14:1 "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."
Chapter 14 is becoming one of my favorites. Job talks of the limitations of man's life on earth but he also speaks of the resurrection. I believe the best is yet to come for us after we are raised from the dead. It is hard to get depressed when you know you will live forever but for a small pause in the grave.
v5 "See his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass:"
The Bible says: Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment:"
Job asked the question: v14 "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."
Job knew after his troubles and even if he died, there was hope beyond the grave.
v15 "Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands."
Job here expresses the love he knows God has for him. Job said God would remember him and desire to see him, the work of his own hands.
He then goes into the time frame which seems a long time, the water wearing away the stones, the mountain falling. He also speaks of being in the grave while his sons have success in life but he does not know of it. It is a touching expression of his thoughts.
Song of Solomon 2:8"The voice of my beloved: behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills."
Job speaks of death, old age, and the resurrection.
Previous post
Chapter 14 is becoming one of my favorites. Job talks of the limitations of man's life on earth but he also speaks of the resurrection. I believe the best is yet to come for us after we are raised from the dead. It is hard to get depressed when you know you will live forever but for a small pause in the grave.
v5 "See his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass:"
The Bible says: Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment:"
Job asked the question: v14 "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."
Job knew after his troubles and even if he died, there was hope beyond the grave.
v15 "Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands."
Job here expresses the love he knows God has for him. Job said God would remember him and desire to see him, the work of his own hands.
He then goes into the time frame which seems a long time, the water wearing away the stones, the mountain falling. He also speaks of being in the grave while his sons have success in life but he does not know of it. It is a touching expression of his thoughts.
Song of Solomon 2:8"The voice of my beloved: behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills."
Job speaks of death, old age, and the resurrection.
Previous post
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Job continues Job 13
Job 13: 1-3 "Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it, What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God."
Job is still talking to his friends. He is not saying that he knows what God knows. He is still talking to his friends but he says he would like to talk with God and reason with him.
I guess we would all like to know 'why' sometimes.
Now he tells his friends he is tired of listening to them.
v5 "O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom."
Sounds to me like our phrase 'The smartest thing you could do is not talk."
Later in the chapter we have one of the most famous verses in the Bible: v15 "Though he slay me, yet will I thrust in him:" The rest of the verse is lesser known: "but I will maintain mine own ways before him." At first, I thought that was a stubborn statement but I thing he was saying that he would continue to be himself before God and not pretend to be something he was not.
Then he says if he does not speak he will die. As in, I just got to talk about it. v19 "Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost."
So Job wants to talk to God but he asked two things, sort of the conditions of meeting together. We have read how Job understands the awesomeness of God and the feebleness of man but he still wants to talk to God. Remember when Moses talked to God on the mount and it was in a dark cloud and the mountain smoked.
The two things were that God would not withdraw his hand far from him and that he would not make him afraid while they talked.
v20-21 "Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee. Withdraw thine hand far from me; and let not thy dread make me afraid."
I think here of Jesus becoming flesh and making it easy for man to approach. He often said 'Be not afraid'.
v22 "Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me."
Much of this reasoning is to prepare Job for the conversation he had with God at the end of the book of Job.
Psalm 25:7 "Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for thy have been ever of old. v7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD."
Job continues.
Previous post.
Job is still talking to his friends. He is not saying that he knows what God knows. He is still talking to his friends but he says he would like to talk with God and reason with him.
I guess we would all like to know 'why' sometimes.
Now he tells his friends he is tired of listening to them.
v5 "O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom."
Sounds to me like our phrase 'The smartest thing you could do is not talk."
Later in the chapter we have one of the most famous verses in the Bible: v15 "Though he slay me, yet will I thrust in him:" The rest of the verse is lesser known: "but I will maintain mine own ways before him." At first, I thought that was a stubborn statement but I thing he was saying that he would continue to be himself before God and not pretend to be something he was not.
Then he says if he does not speak he will die. As in, I just got to talk about it. v19 "Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost."
So Job wants to talk to God but he asked two things, sort of the conditions of meeting together. We have read how Job understands the awesomeness of God and the feebleness of man but he still wants to talk to God. Remember when Moses talked to God on the mount and it was in a dark cloud and the mountain smoked.
The two things were that God would not withdraw his hand far from him and that he would not make him afraid while they talked.
v20-21 "Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee. Withdraw thine hand far from me; and let not thy dread make me afraid."
I think here of Jesus becoming flesh and making it easy for man to approach. He often said 'Be not afraid'.
v22 "Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me."
Much of this reasoning is to prepare Job for the conversation he had with God at the end of the book of Job.
Psalm 25:7 "Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for thy have been ever of old. v7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD."
Job continues.
Previous post.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Job Replies Job 12
Job 12:1-2 "And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. v3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?"
Job is tormented in body and spirit, but perhaps the most irritating are the words of his friends. In the next few chapters Job strikes back. He at first is a little out of line when he boost of his own wisdom but it seems his purpose is to show his friends that the words they speak can be found out by anyone.
v7 "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach tee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. v8 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?" v9
Perhaps the Apostle Paul had read those words and had them in mind when he penned Romans 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse;"
Job again tells of the awesome power of God and how he is in control. He controls the oceans and the speech of men. He controls kings and princes. He sets up nations or removes them.
v24 "He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way."
Job will continue his reply in the next chapters.
Genesis 1:31 "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
Job replies.
Previous post
Job is tormented in body and spirit, but perhaps the most irritating are the words of his friends. In the next few chapters Job strikes back. He at first is a little out of line when he boost of his own wisdom but it seems his purpose is to show his friends that the words they speak can be found out by anyone.
v7 "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach tee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. v8 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?" v9
Perhaps the Apostle Paul had read those words and had them in mind when he penned Romans 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse;"
Job again tells of the awesome power of God and how he is in control. He controls the oceans and the speech of men. He controls kings and princes. He sets up nations or removes them.
v24 "He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way."
Job will continue his reply in the next chapters.
Genesis 1:31 "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
Job replies.
Previous post
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Zophar Speaks Job 11
Job 11:1-2 "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?"
Zophar says some true things but he is accusatory in his manner. He is like the prosecuting attorney beating the defenseless with the law, although the law of Moses was not yet written. It reminds me of how Satan used the scripture to try to trap Jesus when He was tested.
v3 "Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?"
Zophar is wishing that God would come down on Job and straighten him out. I think it is a dangerous thing to presume to speak for God outside that which is written in the scripture.
v5 "But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; v6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth."
That is true of all of us. We all get less punishment than we deserve for we are all together sinful without the grace of God to cover our sin.
v7 "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"
From there Zophar goes into a comparison of man and God which is what Job said earlier. Zophar is still saying that all this came upon Job because of some sin that he will not admit to.
v14 "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles."
Judgment belongs to God alone. I do not think Zophar can make the decision about what God will do in Job's situation. It seems to me that these speeches are more about competing for the best showing of wisdom instead of helping a friend.
You know people go to God for all sorts of reasons. I've seen people go to the altar in church and some would think that they had some secret sin. Going to God should not raise any one's eyebrows at a person. He is there to forgive sin, but also to bear our burdens and answer prayer. Everyone should feel at ease going to the altar where ever it is, in church or alone someplace. Jesus purchased that privilege for his children that we could 'come boldly to the throne of grace'.
Job will answer in the next chapter. Showing that it takes no special wisdom to know that God is Almighty.
Psalm 79:13 "So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks forever; we will show forth thy praise to all generations." See also Isa. 43:21.
Zophar speaks.
Previous post.
Zophar says some true things but he is accusatory in his manner. He is like the prosecuting attorney beating the defenseless with the law, although the law of Moses was not yet written. It reminds me of how Satan used the scripture to try to trap Jesus when He was tested.
v3 "Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?"
Zophar is wishing that God would come down on Job and straighten him out. I think it is a dangerous thing to presume to speak for God outside that which is written in the scripture.
v5 "But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; v6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth."
That is true of all of us. We all get less punishment than we deserve for we are all together sinful without the grace of God to cover our sin.
v7 "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?"
From there Zophar goes into a comparison of man and God which is what Job said earlier. Zophar is still saying that all this came upon Job because of some sin that he will not admit to.
v14 "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles."
Judgment belongs to God alone. I do not think Zophar can make the decision about what God will do in Job's situation. It seems to me that these speeches are more about competing for the best showing of wisdom instead of helping a friend.
You know people go to God for all sorts of reasons. I've seen people go to the altar in church and some would think that they had some secret sin. Going to God should not raise any one's eyebrows at a person. He is there to forgive sin, but also to bear our burdens and answer prayer. Everyone should feel at ease going to the altar where ever it is, in church or alone someplace. Jesus purchased that privilege for his children that we could 'come boldly to the throne of grace'.
Job will answer in the next chapter. Showing that it takes no special wisdom to know that God is Almighty.
Psalm 79:13 "So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks forever; we will show forth thy praise to all generations." See also Isa. 43:21.
Zophar speaks.
Previous post.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Job Prays Job 10
Job 10:1 "My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. v2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me."
Job goes through several stages in his verbal expression of what is going on in his mind and heart. In previous chapters, he has said he would not speak or that it was useless, seeing the vast difference between man and God. At least, that is what I picked up. Now he says he will speak but he seems to be in a demanding mood with God and we know that will not work. Yet even then Job recognizes that he is the creation and that God is the creator.
v9-12 "Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
As Job prays, it seems he is given some light concerning his situation. Then he goes on to lament that it would have been better if he had not been born.
v19 "I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave."
We must remember that Job is tormented in his body, that he has lost his children and his property. It seems his friends are not who he thought them to be, for they assume right off that Job must be sinful to have received such punishment. The answers are further on.
Proverbs 14:10 "The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy."
Job prays.
Previous post.
Job goes through several stages in his verbal expression of what is going on in his mind and heart. In previous chapters, he has said he would not speak or that it was useless, seeing the vast difference between man and God. At least, that is what I picked up. Now he says he will speak but he seems to be in a demanding mood with God and we know that will not work. Yet even then Job recognizes that he is the creation and that God is the creator.
v9-12 "Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
As Job prays, it seems he is given some light concerning his situation. Then he goes on to lament that it would have been better if he had not been born.
v19 "I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave."
We must remember that Job is tormented in his body, that he has lost his children and his property. It seems his friends are not who he thought them to be, for they assume right off that Job must be sinful to have received such punishment. The answers are further on.
Proverbs 14:10 "The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy."
Job prays.
Previous post.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Job Replies Job 9
Job 9:2 "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?"
Bildad has just finished his speech in chapter 8. Now Job replies and doesn't disagree will Bildad but goes on to compare the feebleness of man compared to God.
v4 "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?"
There is a good question. Men and women are often heard these days questioning the wisdom of God or even denying his existence. In the end, it is each of us who will stand before him to answer for our life. For all the hardness of heart, it is feeble effort if ones purpose is to thwart the workings of God. He is the maker of everything and like the potter, he can do with the clay as he pleases.
v7-8 "Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and sealeth up the stars, Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea."
Luke 8:24 "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm."
Matthew 14:25 "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea."
Job has reached the point where he feels so insignificant that he thinks God will not talk to him and that even if he did, he could not plead his case. Remember Job is unaware of the meeting in Heaven and the challenge given Satan by God. He only knows he is suffering and that there seems no one to help.
v16 "If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice."
At the same time Job is magnifying God, he is admitting despair over the whole situation. Haven't we all been there?
v22 "This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked."
Luke 13:2-3 "And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Job starts off answering Bildad but ends up praying in the last verses of the chapter.
v27 "If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: v28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent."
v30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me." v31
Job speaks to the futility of man in trying to cleanse himself of unrighteousness. Even if one tries to change his ways, it is only a temporary thing. Without a change of heart by God, we are still prone to do wrong.
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one." v23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"
Job eludes to not having one to speak for him in verse 33. He sees the problem. If he is sinful and anything he says will make him even more guilty, he is better off not to speak at all. Yet if there one to speak for him, his case might be pleaded without further incrimination. But he say no one like that.
v33 "Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."
The gap between a perfect God and sinful man was bridged when Jesus sacrificed himself for sinful man. He bore the penalty of sin so that man could again approach God. God does not see our sin but sees the blood of Jesus which was shed for our sins.
These things are written so that we might see the complete picture. All through the Old Testament, we see the nature of man which is to sin, and the nature of God which is perfect. We see a plan unfolding which will again bring man back into favor with God.
Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare righteousness for remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, v26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Job will continue in the next chapter then we will hear from his other friend.
Job replies to Bildad.
Previous psot.
Bildad has just finished his speech in chapter 8. Now Job replies and doesn't disagree will Bildad but goes on to compare the feebleness of man compared to God.
v4 "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?"
There is a good question. Men and women are often heard these days questioning the wisdom of God or even denying his existence. In the end, it is each of us who will stand before him to answer for our life. For all the hardness of heart, it is feeble effort if ones purpose is to thwart the workings of God. He is the maker of everything and like the potter, he can do with the clay as he pleases.
v7-8 "Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and sealeth up the stars, Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea."
Luke 8:24 "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm."
Matthew 14:25 "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea."
Job has reached the point where he feels so insignificant that he thinks God will not talk to him and that even if he did, he could not plead his case. Remember Job is unaware of the meeting in Heaven and the challenge given Satan by God. He only knows he is suffering and that there seems no one to help.
v16 "If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice."
At the same time Job is magnifying God, he is admitting despair over the whole situation. Haven't we all been there?
v22 "This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked."
Luke 13:2-3 "And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Job starts off answering Bildad but ends up praying in the last verses of the chapter.
v27 "If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: v28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent."
v30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me." v31
Job speaks to the futility of man in trying to cleanse himself of unrighteousness. Even if one tries to change his ways, it is only a temporary thing. Without a change of heart by God, we are still prone to do wrong.
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one." v23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"
Job eludes to not having one to speak for him in verse 33. He sees the problem. If he is sinful and anything he says will make him even more guilty, he is better off not to speak at all. Yet if there one to speak for him, his case might be pleaded without further incrimination. But he say no one like that.
v33 "Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."
The gap between a perfect God and sinful man was bridged when Jesus sacrificed himself for sinful man. He bore the penalty of sin so that man could again approach God. God does not see our sin but sees the blood of Jesus which was shed for our sins.
These things are written so that we might see the complete picture. All through the Old Testament, we see the nature of man which is to sin, and the nature of God which is perfect. We see a plan unfolding which will again bring man back into favor with God.
Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare righteousness for remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, v26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Job will continue in the next chapter then we will hear from his other friend.
Job replies to Bildad.
Previous psot.
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