Job 23-27
What is kind of interesting to see in Job is that as a result of this conflict with his friends, Job is getting clearer in his thinking. It's almost like he is coming closer to understanding God in what is happening to him. When God makes his statements to Job at the end, some of what He says sounds like some of what Job is beginning to say. This is all to suggest that there is even some wisdom in God allowing these friends to misunderstand Job the way they did. When God finally speaks, Job has almost come to the place of solving the mystery for himself.
Job 23
V. 7 Job is confident that if he were to present his case to God, he would be acquitted. He is right in that, but wrong in the reason for this trial.
V. 14 Some light is breaking through here.
Job 24
V. 1 Job knows the wicked will be judged. But this entire ordeal has made him wonder why God delays. The answer to this will be the same answer as to Job's trial. Trust in God's wisdom and goodness.
V. 12 This is a pretty strong statement by Job, but it makes more sense if you understand him as saying that God doesn't execute judgment immediately.
Vs. 22-23 So, why does God allow this?
Job 25
Bildad gives the final and shortest speech.
V. 4 Notice that what he says here, and what all Job's friends have said, is hinged on these words which they heard from a spirit. Actually, all the words and vision from Satan did was to confirm what they already falsely believed. Knowing God through His Word is the answer. If you only know the Word, or you just have "god fuzziness" in your heart, you'll be equally wrong. Paul said what we all really need, "That I might know Him."
Job 26
These are Job's closing words of argument, from here to chapter 32. This part of Job's argument seems to show that God's power and ways are deeper than our understanding. That will be good for Job to remember in a few chapters.
Job 27
V. 2 Job still thinks he got a raw deal from God.
Vs. 7-23 But Job acknowledges that the wicked eventually are judged. He just doesn't include himself with the wicked. He is still thinking along the old lines: "The wicked get judged, the righteous get blessed. I'm righteous and have incurred judgment, so God made a mistake." God will correct this wrong thinking in a few chapters.
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11
2 Cor. 1:12-24
V. 12 Paul is gently defending himself here. His mention of conscience, simplicity, sincerity, etc., shows that he's dealing with criticism. Notice that the mention of earthly wisdom is sort of what Paul said in chapter one of 1 Corinthians.
V. 13 No hidden agenda or ulterior motives.
Vs. 15-24 What you notice in this section is Paul's outpouring of heart to show the Corinthians that he loves them and is working for their good. This will be typical of the letter up to chapter nine. This gentleness and expression of how God soothed Paul's own heart will explain some of his digressions.
V. 17 I think the best way to understand this is as follows. At the end of 1 Corinthians, Paul mentioned that neither he nor Apollos would be able to visit them. They apparently had deep issues that needed an authority figure. It seems that Paul made an unplanned visit to Corinth and it was a real showdown. He planned to go again, but instead, decided to send a very strong letter. The fact that Paul decided to forgo this second visit was used by his critics as meaning he was insincere, just saying what he thought the Corinthians wanted to hear.
Vs. 18-20 Paul is motivated by the glory of God and the work of Christ, not politics.
V. 21 Notice how Paul is trying to describe the bond he has with them.
V. 22 What you don't see here is that the word "testimony" in verse 12 and the word "witness" in verse 22 are the same word and it sort of ties this section together. Both Paul's conscience and God bear witness to Paul's sincere and pure handling and intentions in this matter.
Vs. 23-24 Do you see how Paul is trying to answer their suspicions and still express his love? Paul doesn't "lord it over them," but works with them.
2 Cor. 2:1-11
V. 1 After sending 1 Corinthians, Paul made an unplanned visit and it was a hard one.
Vs. 2-4 Apparently Paul found his "soft side." Actually, what you see is Paul letting them into his reasoning and his heart in making these decisions. These aren't "rabbit trails," but instead he is opening up to show them the process of his thinking. He is trying to describe the influence of his affection for them in making these decisions.
Vs. 5-11 It seems likely that this letter was sent to reprimand someone who was creating dissention against authority. He and Paul probably had it out. Rather than Paul going back to confront this person, he wrote the letter to tell the church to correct this man before Paul returned. This showed their spiritual maturity in standing for Paul and following the Word. Paul reminds the church to show love and forgiveness to this repentant person.
Just as side notes here:
2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, forbearing, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
And actually written from Corinth when Paul made his scheduled visit over the winter - Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.
Earlier this year I spoke to a member of a search committee who expressed a major problem with someone on their board. My advice to him was to take care of the problem before they hired a pastor. It amazes me that groups have problems, won't deal with them and expect someone totally new and unsuspecting to move his family, relocate, enter a situation, and then find the church is built over a cesspool of problems and dishonesty. And we wonder why the harvest gets neglected. Paul's simplicity needs to be modeled in following Christ. To follow Him in the harvest, the group needs to be honest, and behavior needs to reflect love and obedience to Christ. Ignoring problems makes it impossible to move forward in love.
Psalm 41
It appears that David considered himself to be this poor man. When he was running from Saul for those ten years living in caves and on the open fields in the wilderness, he was certainly poor. From verse five, it seems that David is still running, but having seen God save him in many small ways, his faith was strong. He was suffering, but he still believed.
Vs. 5-9 Doesn't this sound like Job?
Notice that verse nine is prophetically referring to Jesus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qPceadBMU&feature=related
Proverbs 22:5-6
V. 5 I think it is safe to assume that this is generally how God does things, but Job's friends were telling Job that this is what had happened to him.
V. 6 Every believing parent's prayer.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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