Observe –
Proverbs chapters 13 & 14 both begin describing wise people: “A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke,” and “the wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down,” respectively. Chapter 15 begins with a famous one – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Each chapter is packed with wisdom and guidance, however I wanted to focus on chapter 13:12 for today, as it has special significance. It reads “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Interpret – Let me start with a question: if you lost all you had except for Jesus Christ, would He be enough? Hope deferred. We’ve all been through a lot of that in the last year. Plans, people, and possibilities pushed back and pushed back and lost in the uncertainty of the past year and a half. This proverb accurately captures the feeling – it makes the heart feel sick. My wife and I have personally felt this in the area of house hunting; a major milestone in any couple’s life and, apparently, an impossibility. We have felt the anguish of isolation, of loved ones only visited on screens, of massive shifts in our jobs. This takes a toll on anyone, and it has made our hearts feel sick, especially as hope for a summer of normality seems to be deferred yet again. This has been a real struggle for virtually everyone, though it may look different person to person. We are not meant to bear these burdens without flinching, nor are we to cover our feelings up and keep them separate from our time with the Lord. The Psalms continually remind us to pour out our hearts before the Lord, and that is going to be an ever-changing mix of thanksgiving, complaint, joy, tears, and everything else under the sun. We are not robots - our emotions are an important part of our lives, and we all yearn for a desire fulfilled which is called a tree of life in verse 12. Be warned, however, for we are also not meant to found our hope in worldly things or give in to complaining and self-pity. My plans to buy a house and travel are not a tree of life – they can never satisfy me the way the human soul is supposed to be satisfied. My dreams and desires and their fulfillment are not a foundation for hope either, for I cannot control anything in this life. In fact, my real hope is not supposed to be in anything I can see our touch or make or do. Rather, my hope is to be found in the goodness, love, and sovereignty of Jesus Christ, the One and only thing we can truly rely upon! He is to be our greatest desire and hope, who was hung on a tree for your life. Romans 12:12 tells us “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 5:5 says “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Psalm 39:7 sums it up perfectly: “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” Again and again we are reminded to hope only in God Almighty, who knows all things and is sovereign in all ways. The beauty of living with our hope being in Him and Him alone is that our hope is never deferred, never put off for another day. We can and must carry around the hope of Jesus at all times, in all places, and through any storm. Yes, we will continue to face upset and hurt, especially this year, however let our hopes not rest on what we can or can’t do, but on what He has already done for us! Application – Now is a time to take stock of our priorities. If this past year and a half during the pandemic were winter, let us treat this time of vaccinations and cautious reopening like spring, where we till the land and decide what we want to grow this coming season. In my last blog, I summarized the Psalms, referring especially to chapter 1:3 “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” Consider the ways in which the Lord has challenged you over this past year and reflect on the ways in which He may have been calling you to shift your focus from yourself or the world to Him. We are meant to be planted in the presence of the shining Son, so with prayer and consideration, let us all commit our hope to be in Christ alone. Application question – What have you been hoping in lately that may have let you down? How can you train your heart and mind to establish Christ as first in your heart? Prayer – Lord God, we thank you that we can always come to you as our loving Father and steadfast hope. Thank you for leading us in these weary days, and for giving us hope at all times and in all places. Please teach us to live in your hope and grace, that we might commit all our actions and plans to you, and give you glory in everything we do. Amen! Song – In Christ Alone: Shane & Shane Text: Proverbs 10, 11, 12
Since there are so many topics covered in these three chapters, I have decided to narrow the text down by pulling out a single theme. You too can do this in your personal study of Proverbs. For example, you can use the method below to examine what Proverbs says about topics like: money/wealth, relationships, the theme of mouth/lips/speech, the theme of paths/ways, contrasts between the wise and foolish, everything said specifically about the “fear of the Lord”, etc. Together today, using questions and the inductive method, we will study the theme of “the righteous”. Observation: What is said in Proverbs 10-12 about “the righteous”? -righteousness delivers them from death and trouble (10:2; 11:4,6,8) -the righteous are fed by the Lord’s provision (10:3) -they are crowned with blessings (10:6) -they are remembered well after they die (10:7) -they have life-giving words (10:11) -their wages bring life (10:16) -their tongue is choice silver (10:20) -their lips nourish many (10:21) -what they desire is granted (10:24) -they stand firm forever (regardless of storms) (10:25) -their prospect is joy (10:28) -they take refuge in the way of the Lord (10:29) -they keep hold of their territory and are not uprooted (10:30, 12:3) -their mouth brings forth wisdom (10:31) -their lips know what is fitting (10:32) -their integrity guides them (11:3) -their righteousness makes a straight way for them (11:5) -through their knowledge, the righteous escape the destruction of the godless (11:9) -the city is exalted and rejoices when they prosper (11:10,11) -the harvest of sowing righteousness is a sure reward (11:18) -the righteous attain life (11:19) -they go free (11:21) -their desires end only in good (11:23) -they thrive like a green leaf (11:28) -their fruit is a tree of life (11:30) -their plans are just (12:5) -their speech rescues them (12:6,13) -their house stands firm (12:7) -they care for the needs of their animals (12:10) -their root flourishes (12:12) -no harm befalls them (12:21) -they are cautious in friendship (12:26) Interpretation: From these verses, what are the benefits of being righteous? Generally speaking, these verses show us that the benefits of being righteous are safety, provision, blessings, wealth and prosperity, a lasting legacy, fulfillment, steadiness and strength, clarity, freedom, and flourishing of life. It stands to reason, if the above list is appealing to us, we ought to ask this next question: What are the characteristics of righteous people? They are deeply rooted people, guided by their integrity. They have a positive outlook, “prospecting joy”. When they are in trouble, they take refuge in the Lord. They have knowledge and desire good things; they uphold and plan with justice. They steward well their belongings, taking care of their animals. And also, they enter into friendship cautiously, choosing their friends intentionally. A lot is also said in these verses to describe the way righteous people speak: they have life-giving words; they speak with refined words that are pure (choice silver is very pure and reflects the image of the one refining it); what they say is nourishing to many people, they speak wisdom and know what words are fitting, and their speech saves them from dangerous situations. Application: The Proverbs are not unclear about the benefits of living a righteous life. However, if we want the perks righteousness brings, we ought to be regularly striving to develop our character according to the wisdom laid out in these chapters. The pages of Proverbs are rich with application thoughts and today’s passage is no exception: What characteristics stand out to me as needing growth or refining in my life? How can I improve the wholesomeness of my speech? How can I build up my integrity? Am I taking refuge in the Lord with the struggles I am going through right now? Are the desires of my heart good things? Do my actions uphold God’s value of justice? Am I stewarding well my belongings? Have I been intentional in my friendships lately? Why not choose one characteristic and meditate further on it today? Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many blessings you pour out on the righteous. Thank you that because of what Jesus has done for us, we are privileged to walk in His righteousness. Help us to conform our lives to the principles of wisdom that you have laid out for us here in the book of Proverbs. Help me to intentionally consider how, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I can better live according to the characteristics of righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Song: Take My Life (Guy Penrod) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9: 10 Proverbs 7-9 (Psalm 149) Observe
Interpret The book of Proverbs is written entirely in the form of Hebrew poetry; probably to aid learning by rote. The Hebrew word that we translate as ‘proverb’ is ‘mashal.’ It could mean a ‘powerful word’ or a ‘comparison.’ These proverbs come mainly in the form of instruction or wisdom sentences. In today’s chapters we see both as essentially, the call to heed wisdom and dismiss folly is made. Folly is found mainly in the form of sexual seduction and arrogance. The former identifies the alluring nature of such seduction but identifies how a night’s pleasure leads to ruin and death (7:24-27). The latter describes an attitude that says, ‘I know best, I do not need to heed advice,’ (9: 7-8); again such a path culminates in death (9: 18). The path to life is found in God’s wisdom and in following His commands. This journey and understanding begins in an awe-filled fear of the Lord and in knowing Him. Wisdom was present with God in creation and can be seen in such. She (Wisdom) provides a perfect home and ample provision (9: 1-6). The seven pillars (9: 1), probably describes the fact that wisdom produces a perfect world (seven being the number of completeness within a sacred context). Why, oh why, is folly so often heeded and wisdom dismissed when the results of both are so clear and obvious? Application The lessons for application are clear; just what we would hope for, even expect with proverbs! Worldly wisdom may appear alluring, seductive and astute, but following such a path leads to our eternal separation from God. In this life, entertaining such pleasures, literally wars against our souls (1 Peter 2: 11). Knowing and fearing God introduces wisdom and life to our being. Two strategies exist to keep us in His path and away from the wide road to destruction. Firstly, knowing and obeying His commands (7: 1-4). This means more than reading and knowing Scripture, we are to love His Word and put it into practice. Secondly, we are to ‘choose’ God’s wisdom, not the worlds (8: 1-3, 10). There is a conscious act of our will, prompted and empowered by the Holy Spirit, which is needed. For Christians today, it is difficult to read these Scriptures, and not substitute the word wisdom with Jesus. We can also see in these passages, His and the Holy Spirit’s presence at, and contribution to creation. There is a wonderful symmetry in Scripture and after all, it is through faith in Jesus that new life is given and true life lived. The Question of Application What voice do you listen to most in life, the wisdom of God or the folly of the world? How might God’s Word help you to discern the answer to this question and empower you to follow the Lord’s path? Prayer O Lord, from whom all good things come: grant to us your humble servants, that by holy inspiration we may think those things that are good and by merciful guiding perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen Praise The Perfect Wisdom of our God by Keith & Kristyn Getty OBSERVATION
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings, gathered during the reign of various kings. In our Bibles, most chapters or group of verses have a sub-title. These titles are not part of the original script. Chapter 4 starts with advice to children to listen to their parents and to remember their wisdom and teaching as they grow up to become adults. They are admonished to gather wisdom and to walk on the paths that lead to right living. They are told to avoid lying and devious activities. They are told in no uncertain terms to keep their hearts pure and true to God and to avoid distractions. Chapter 5 warns us to keep away from impurity (here personified as a “loose woman”), not to even go near to those who are evil and twisted since they will draw us far from God and far from goodness. Chapter 6 continues with multiple admonitions to watch our speech and not get caught with making foolish promises. We are told to learn from the ant how to work diligently, to prepare food for the winter, and to avoid oversleeping and laziness. It is said that the Lord God hates lying, and pride, and violence, wicked deeds and those who sow discord. This chapter again advises the young man (especially the youth) to avoid sexual immorality. INTERPRETATION A term used today by some adolescent and young adults is “adulting” or the process of becoming an adult. The advice from Proverbs contains some of the best advice on becoming an adult: keep the commandments, get wisdom and insight, keep to the path of right living. This is a lot of good advice. Although these are not the commands as given by God to Moses, they offer much wisdom on how to conduct one’s life in a way that leads to health and good relationships: “the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” Sexual immorality is almost considered the “normal life” in our society. Although marriage is still honoured (for the most part) in our culture, multiple heterosexual and homosexual relationships are not unusual and not often deemed to be “sin”. APPLICATION The wisdom found in these chapters is not in the same category as the Ten Commandments. I visualize these wise sayings as a kind of glue or oil or ‘filler’ to be applied to those “gray areas” of life. When we don’t know what to do or which way to go, we can read through the books of wisdom to see what may apply to our life. Use the wisdom God gives in these pages to help us set guidelines for our life and our relationships. QUESTION Do you feel as though you have not received the kind of teaching or guidance you needed from your parents, or from other adults in your life? Do you feel you have “missed out”? Be reassured, God has not abandoned us to just figure it out for ourselves. This wisdom book is one example of God giving guidance to our lives. PRAYER Dear Lord God, you have told us to ask You when we lack wisdom. Many times, Lord, we make foolish choices. Keep us pure. Keep us true to you. Keep our minds on those things that lead to you and not to be caught in foolish speech or actions. SONG Whatever is true…Brian Doerksen OBSERVE: The first three chapters of Proverbs do well to introduce the material of the whole book of Proverbs. Proverbs 1:7 indicates that the patterns discerned in the world ultimately come from God and place God at the center of the observable world. The objective of the book is to share advice for successful living by having a pursuit for wisdom and a healthy fear of God. In the first three chapters we get to listen in on a father giving advice to his son about how to live life, avoid pitfalls, and achieve success. Over and over, the father points out to the son that two “ways” or two “paths” are open to him, and that he will have to choose one or the other.
INTERPRET: One choice is the way of wisdom, which leads to life in its fullest sense. God is with those who are on this path; he protects them from danger. “He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him” (Proverbs 2:8). The other choice is the way of folly. This path is called “dark” (2:13) and “crooked” (2:15). Its dangers include evil people who take pleasure in doing wrong, and hidden snares that may appear good but ultimately only bring harm. Most significant, however, is the path’s destination – death and destruction. APPLICATION: Jesus also spoke of two choices, two ways of living or two paths. In the Sermon of the Mount, he talked about two roads, warned that people cannot serve two masters, and described two builders, one who was wise and the one who was foolish. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate,” Jesus said. “The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many that choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7: 13-14). Whereas Proverbs describes a way of wisdom that provides general rules to live well, Jesus then defined the way in much more personal terms. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14: 6). This decision, as Jesus made it clear, is not merely a matter of behavior or companions, but a choice about how we respond to him, whether or not we will choose him as our path in life. REFLECTION: Where do you seek wisdom? PRAYER: Jesus – you are the path to eternal life and the true source of wisdom. I turn to run in your direction, knowing that only as I walk in you will I find joy and peace, satisfaction and security. Your Word is a lamp to me feet as I walk in this path, enabling me to see your beauty and your worth, convincing me of the folly of any path that takes me in another direction. AMEN. SONG: Perfect Wisdom of Our God - Keith & Kristyn Getty Observe: I will not be observing merely the first two Psalms in this blog, rather an overview of the entire book with a special emphasis on Psalm 1. The book of Psalms is generally regarded as the most widely read book of the Old Testament, and its authorship spans nearly 1,000 years from Moses, to Asaph, to David, to Solomon, and beyond. It is a collection of hymns, songs, prayers, laments, and more, all of which praise the Lord in a variety of different ways. Whether it is a hymn of thanks, a plea from utter darkness, or a quiet reminder to trust the Lord, the Psalmists continuously affirm the goodness of God on a tapestry of raw human emotion. Indeed, even the giants that went before us felt despair, suffered humiliation and grief, felt bewildered and perplexed, and everything in between – therefore we can find solidarity in their words by the power of the Holy Spirit, who comforts, guides, and strengthens us day by day. If you have trouble praying, read the Psalms! There is inspiration packed into each page, and it provides a model on how to navigate the treacherous waters of this world while remaining humble, thankful, and joyful in the Lord. The very first Psalm is one of my favourites, pointing to a blessing for those who do not walk with the wicked or stand with sinners or sit with scoffers, but delights in and meditates on the law of the Lord. It goes on to describe those who do as a tree planted by streams of water that yield fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, who prospers in all their ways. Interpret: I love the imagery used here of a tree planted by streams of water and the instruction it provides. Plants are all about environment, and in many ways so are our own souls. If a tree is bought and kept in the wrong environment, it dies. At best it may sit around for a year or so before slowly withering, but it cannot grow. However, a tree planted in the right conditions cannot help but grow and flourish and bear fruit. It is not a matter of effort on behalf of the tree, nor does it toil or stress about growth. Rather, being planted near streams of water and with the sun shining down, it will steadily and deeply burrow roots down and push its branches up. It is effortless, inevitable growth. That is what the tree was meant to do. Likewise, we can choose where we put our roots down and we can choose the sort of soil we pack around ourselves. Will we choose rocky ground and shallow puddles as our home, or richer soil and deeper streams that nobody can see? Psalm 1 tells us that the man who delights in the law of the Lord, who meditates on it daily is putting roots deep underground to the precious living water that is the Word of God. He will not whither or fade. He will always bear fruit in season. And so our own lives, deeply rooted in Scripture with the Son shining down on us won’t be able to help but grow and bear fruit. It is not terribly complicated, and it is not always easy, but it is what we are meant to do. The Psalms are a wonderful place to help you put down roots. They tell of what was and what was to come; to remind us constantly of the goodness of our God and how He is carefully tending even you, today, right now. This image is meant to relax you, to stop your striving for His approval. God already delights in you and takes special pride in you, His beloved child! You cannot earn more, and you cannot make His love less. Just take some time and focus on slowly burrowing your heart into His precious word, His priceless love. Feel the Son’s warmth this day and turn your face to Him, for this is what you were meant to do. Application: If I could have one thing, it’s that each of us would seek the Lord in the Psalms every day. Take a pen and paper with you each time you crack open this magnificent book and just start reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you read, to open your eyes and ears and heart – then dive in. When you come across something that catches your eye, write it down. Even if it is just one or two verses. Carefully copy out each word that resonated with you and allow it to settle in your mind. This is both mediation and worship, dwelling on the word of God and giving it proper time to drop from your head to your heart. It keeps your eyes from rushing from page to page and lets it all sink in – something we could all use a little more of! I cannot think of a more practical way to apply Scripture than this. The Psalms are perfect, for they cover a whole host of topics and situations, plus they always push us to call out to the Lord in thanksgiving. As you learn to meditate on Scripture, as you pray and practice sitting with the Lord Jesus in some quiet place, as you make space for the Holy Spirit to work and sanctify, you will experience growth. It is not terribly complicated, and it is not always easy. Proverbs 4:23 tells us “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Take the time today to sit with Jesus Christ and His written word! Application Question: What methods or structures do you have in place to help you engage with Scripture? How important is the Bible to you in your everyday life? Prayer: Lord, we thank you for tending us and growing us. We thank you for grace upon grace as we walk through the works you laid out for us ahead of time. Thank you for always having your hand upon us and for the gift of salvation! We pray that we might learn to put down roots in your written and Living Word, that we might prize Jesus Christ above anything this world has to offer, and that He will always be first in our hearts. Amen! Song: Shane and Shane - I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130) Text Job 38-42 (Ps 142)
Observe So end the dialogues between Job and friends. The final chapters are given over to God, a whirlwind (power symbol!) of 42 questions hurled at Job, no explanations, inviting only silence. Question 1: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? (38:1) God roars Genesis 1 in His first round: Where were you when… I was laying the foundations of the earth, measuring, separating sea and land, morning and evening, light and dark? Can you do this… make snow[LM1] , hail, rain, ice, thunder, stars, constellations, clouds, lightning? Have you done…? More relentless jabs, chapter 39: What about the earth? The animals? What do you know about running all this? Lions and ravens, mountain goats and wild donkeys, oxen and ostriches, horses and hawks and eagles? Who controls them, their births,[LM2] deaths, territories, their strength to run and soar and nest far above? And then: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” (40:1) No answer. Job can only put his hand over his mouth and whisper, “… I will proceed no further.” (5b) The barrage doesn’t stop: Can you tame that immense land beast Behemoth[LM3] (40:15)? And the terrifying sea-riding Leviathan (chapter 41)? Can you manage their chaos? Job recognizes his utter smallness. He has met Truth and is bested: “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know….” (42:3b) Recognition becomes repentance[LM4] : “… therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (42:5-6) His friends? God rebukes them for not quite getting it. They must offer atoning sacrifice, for they spoke badly; God tells Job to pray for them. Prayer and offering God accepts; -- and then? The astonishing epilogue… Restoration! Beyond anything Job could hope: … the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…. And Job died, an old man, and full of days. (12, 17). Interpret Hebrew tradition equated prosperity with godliness (chapter 1), but Job’s rapid descent into poverty, disease, disgrace, completely counters this equation. The rigidly moralistic friends pile on the guilt – your sin brought this on, you know! God intervenes to set things straight -- who’s in charge here? In the blistering interrogation from his Maker, Job has finally met God (and His quite different agenda) Whom he’d demanded to meet, Whom he’d really been addressing all this time. The whole point is that Job trusted God. Why all this happened is irrelevant. For Job, God is sovereign. Job’s innocence and integrity are confirmed; he knew God, all along. Apply In our suffering, we wail, “Why me?” “What have I done?” “Why is God punishing me?” Lost in the wilderness of not-knowing, we plod through deserts, stumble over sharp rocks, heartsick, exhausted, despairing. What to do? Determined to focus on God’s unchanging nature, we entrust ourselves through His Spirit to Him who made heaven and earth. His grace strengthens our will to relinquish fixating on our feelings or situation. Ignoring pious platitudes or pat answers, we cling to His Truth, His Life. And then? Ah…! We encounter merciful Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). Ask When I’m lost or down or sick and lonely and frightened, am I willing to abandon introspective self-pity and seek You? Would you strengthen my will to trust You even in suffering, sovereign King? Do I truly know You as Lord of my life? Pray Thank You, God of true comfort, that You know all things. Search me in this isolating, lonely time. Reveal Yourself anew: good, just, holy. Thank you, Lord of my life, that I can bring pain and grief and uncertainties to You because You listen, and care. I don’t need reasons or answers. I need You. Song: Psalm 142: To God I Made My Sorrows Known Bruce Benedict “God’s voice thunders in marvellous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.”
Job 37: 5 Job 32-37 (Psalm 141) Observe
Interpret The three friends, prior to Elihu, had basically argued that suffering was a punishment for sin and prosperity a reward for righteousness. There was some acknowledgement that the matter was not quite as simple as that (5: 17); in effect they were saying that Job’s suffering was his own doing (22: 5). Job had countered, and perhaps won the argument, with evidence from experience and by pointing to God’s sovereignty. It seems though, that there is not yet an answer as to why the righteous suffer; enter Elihu. In complicated and sometimes confusing arguments Elihu states that suffering is not simply because of sin nor does it occur at the whim of a sovereign God. God uses suffering to refine His people (36: 8-11), to correct and save them (33: 17). God’s people still have sin and pride within that has to be dealt with. Suffering causes that sin to be identified and offers the route to a renewed relationship with God; whereas the godless refuse to listen (36: 13). So Elihu proves the friend’s explanation to be in error and he also shows Job that there was more to the suffering than he (Job) thought (33: 8-12). Perhaps there was hidden and deep pride within Job, that had to be revealed, for Job to grow in godliness and to know the Lord more clearly. It is worth noting that Job does not answer Elihu and that God steps in and speaks directly after Elihu (38). In addition God does not include Elihu in the rebuke of Job’s friends (42: 7) Application A point of application that is immediately clear; words count. However well-intentioned Job’s friends were, there is no doubt, that their words hurt a man in deep distress. Even Elihu’s contributions were not completely clear. The five men were working the truth out as they spoke; a legitimate process but one that was truly more painful for the subject of the discussions. God’s ways are truly beyond our understanding (37: 5). We must take care in our conversations, especially with regards issues where there is no agreement. That said, the book of Job, when linked with truths from the New Testament, takes us deeper into the matter of suffering. God does refine us, His children, through suffering; this proves our faith (1 Peter 1: 3-9). His discipline brings a harvest of righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12: 11), and it demonstrates His power in our weakness, witnessing to the world (2 Corinthians 1: 8-10). Sometimes we continue Christ’s suffering on behalf of the Church (Colossians 1: 24). Suffering is never an easy, nor pleasant experience. Confusion, anger, frustration, and depression can all be part of the reality. Our faith, though, is worth more than gold, gives us joy in our relationship with Jesus, and through Him, we achieve the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1: 7&9). We also, can rest assured that God will bring good out of the situation (Romans 8: 28). The Question of Application There is a deal of suffering present in the world and for us individually in our current situation. What might God be saying to you through the truths we have just considered, how might this help you to persevere (James 1: 2-4) Prayer Dear Father we so often plead with you to take away our suffering, and yes, we do today. If though, we hear you say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” give us the grace and strength, to be able to be glad about our weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on us. May we, for Christ’s sake, delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties; for when we are weak, then we are strong. Amen From 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 Praise Suffering Servant by Dustin Kensrue Refiners Fire by Hillsong JOB 22-31
OBSERVATION The drama of Job has unrolled to a point where we are now looking for the climax and closure. It is the third round of speeches by Job’s friends and by Job himself. Eliphaz speaks with intensity about the great wickedness of Job in challenging God who is high in the heavens. Eliphaz attributes to Job the kind of arrogance and greed practiced by many of the rich and powerful, then pleads with Job to repent and delight himself in the Lord God so that he will be delivered. Job’s reply reiterates his pleas to God to meet him face to face. Job seems to have some idea of how incredibly awesome and frightening this could be, saying “I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him.” Bildad responds (third speech) in a rather short speech, wondering how anyone can declare themselves to be righteous before God. Job responds in a lengthy speech about God’s holiness and power especially in creation but maintains his integrity before all. He then delivers a speech on God’s wisdom and vast understanding, shown through all creation of bird, animal or precious jewels found in the earth’s mines. In this, his final speech for his own defense, Job pleads with God to be heard directly, calling on him to remember that Job used to be the one who dispensed justice to many other people; now those same young people are mocking and cursing him. Although Job ends his speech, he has not given up—he maintains his innocence. INTERPRETATION None of Job’s questions are resolving—we have no answer to the problem of evil. We still do not know why bad things happen to good people. The friends have tried their best to get to the root of the problem—that is, why did Job lose all his goods and his health. His friends all think there is some deep sin in his life and if he acknowledges and repents, God will deliver him. Job insists on his integrity; he truly believes that he has done nothing to warrant this type of devastation in his life. In Job’s song of praise for God’s wisdom (ch28), he demonstrates his knowledge regarding the wisdom and understanding of God. Job again protests his righteousness before God, and pleads with God to answer him directly (ch30 &31). APPLICATION One might wonder at Job’s insistence on his own innocence—that he has done nothing to deserve this judgement from God’s hand. Personally, I would find it impossible to insist on my innocence before God Almighty! I need to confess and hear God’s forgiveness daily; there is always something I have done or have left undone that is not pleasing to God. What about the question of “what do we do when it seems God has abandoned us? Or has allowed evil and devastation to overwhelm us?” Do we trust that God is still sovereign and will eventually bring about true justice? It seems that God’s mercy and compassion plays a very small part in this massive drama. QUESTION How about you? When you ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart, are there things you need to confess? Are you keeping a “clean slate” with God? Are you reassured of God’s forgiveness? Are you able to trust God “in spite of the bad things” happening in your life? PRAYER Dear God and Father of all, please help us in our times of questioning and doubt. Keep us away from the temptation of following our own ways of “making the best of things”. Speak to us, show us your path, make clear to us what we are to believe and to do during our hard times. Grant us your mercy, your compassion. Hold us ever closer to you (see Deut33:27). May these difficult times teach me to put my roots down deep into your love (see Eph3:17). SONG After reading Job, I need to remind myself that God is good: Goodness of God TEXT: Job chapters 15-21
OBSERVE: Job’s understanding of the future life was very obscure at first, and we hear him asking the hopeful question, “Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death” (Job 14:14). Somewhere along the way, as job pursued God in the agony of his suffering, God clearly revealed the answer to Job so that he spoke of resurrection life with firm confidence: But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! (Job 19: 25-26) INTERPRET: The Hebrew word translated “Redeemer” is Go’el, and it had two general applications. It was used to refer to the next of kin who intervened to maintain rights or preserve the continuity of the family (you may remember this happening in the book of Ruth, referring to Boaz). But in the daily usage, its primary meaning was “to buy back, recover.” This is the prophetic vision Job had of Jesus himself – his Restorer, his Redeemer. APPLICATION: Job envisioned a day when his Go’el would restore his body and remake it into a body fit for the new heaven and the new earth, where the Redeemer would live with redeemed humanity. Job longed for the day when he would gaze with his eyes upon his God-Redeemer standing “upon the earth.” It was not the thought of his soul resting with God in a far-off heaven that brought him such intense anticipation, but the thought of seeing God-in-glorified-flesh standing in victory on a renewed earth. God gave Job the prophetic ability to see not the first coming of Christ, but the second coming, when “the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout (1 Thess 4:16). He could see with eyes of faith the renewal that Paul described clearly when he wrote, “Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever…… Thanks be to God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15: 42, 57). As believers in Christ, we too are to speak of resurrection life with confidence knowing that our Redeemer lives. REFLECTION: Are you absolutely certain that your Redeemer lives? PRAYER: Jesus, the day is coming when all of those who are in Christ will have exactly what Job’s heart had longed for. I proclaim with absolute certainty that my Redeemer lives! AMEN. SONG: I Know That My Redeemer Lives - 7-Year-Old Claire Crosby SONG 2: My Redeemer Lives (Nicole C. Mullen) |
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