August 24, 2012 Reading Notes

August 24, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Job 12-15

There are tons of things you can see in these chapters: individual truths, Job's rebuttal of his friends, Job's pain. It's all here. I'll highlight a few things that stand out to me.

Job 12

Vs. 1-3 Job is saying here that everyone knows what they are saying, but in Job's case it is misapplied. Notice that verse 3 looks like 1 Cor. 14:36.

Vs. 4-6 These verses show that the depth of Job's suffering just keeps on going, deeper and deeper, everyday. The verses also show a secondary effect to Job's suffering. Others were not only mocking Job, they were laughing at everyone who sought to live to honor God. Verse 5 is true of all of us, and we need to beware. I am one of those who, when I hear of someone's misfortune, think, "What did they do to bring this on themselves?" God is showing us in the book of Job that while this thought might be natural to think, it is not always true.

Vs. 7-12 This is interesting. It is no accident that Job argues from nature now, and God will use this argument against him later. Job is saying here that nature will confess that it is the God of creation who is doing this to Job. Job could see that God Himself was ultimately responsible. But God will show that His wisdom in creation should have taught Job to trust God when he didn't understand God.

Vs. 13-25 Notice that after the affirmation of verse 13, Job lists what God does. Underline or circle every use of he that you find. While Job is kind of right in all of this, because of his misunderstanding of God, he puts a dark twist on everything. God may allow the death of the righteous, but as God says in Psalm 116:15, Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

When I read all of what God does, what He gives and takes, I thought of "Blessed Be Your Name," by Matt Redman. I'll post that video at the end of today's notes on Job. The video has a unique message.

Job 13

Vs. 1-2 Job is referring back to 12:1-3.

Vs. 3-12 After being verbally beaten by his friends, Job thinks he would rather talk to God and plead his case. Job understands that his friends have spoken falsely of God and he's warning them that God won't be happy. At the end of Job, God will be mad at them and say that while they spoke falsely, Job spoke the truth.

Vs. 13-19 It would appear that God allowed Job's friends to abuse him to get Job to the place of wanting to stand in God's presence and declare his case. These verses show how strongly Job loved God and could not let what was happening to him defeat what he had trusted in all of his life. Verse 15 is this undying confidence in the love and truth of God. What a guy.

Vs. 20-22 So that Job could speak with God, Job would like two things.

Vs. 22-28 It is no news to Job that he is a sinner, but he knows that what is happening to him doesn't "fit" the love and devotion he has for God. Why would God do something like this to him? Job's relationship to God made sense up to this point. The silence isn't something Job understands.

Job 14

Vs. 1-6 One of Job's thoughts here is that since all people are born in sin and sin is our natural state, the violence being done to Job is unusual and not because of inborn sin. Verse 5 also says that that there is a time when life on earth ends.

Vs. 7-17 It appears that Job is saying that his only vindication would be on earth. In the cases of things that get cut and grow back, a person's life is not like that. Once we leave the earth, we are gone. Job was afraid that God's wrath would bring him to death and he wouldn't be able to grow again once God saw he was innocent.

V. 13 This looks like Job understood something about death and resurrection. Most places in this chapter Job is speaking of dying, as being removed from life on the earth. Here it seems he knows where you wait after you die, and that eventually you will be raised (remembered) by God. But it doesn’t seem like Job knew that that new life would be bigger and better than the first.

Vs. 18-22 Here Job falls back into hopelessness. God is relentless and destroys the hope of man. That is Job's pain and grief speaking. Verse 22 shows what he was feeling with every breath.

Job 15

The bell rings. This begins round two. Eliphaz enters the ring.

Vs. 2-13 Notice that these comforters have now completely lost their cool.

Vs. 4-5 They were right in sensing that Job was accusing God, but then, they had incited Job.

Vs. 7-8 This is exactly what God will say, but they are wrong in saying this, since Job was not being punished for any wrongdoing. It probably would have been good for all parties to have stopped talking, but then, we wouldn't have the book of Job.

Vs. 14-16 These are the words of Satan from Eliphaz's vision in chapter 4.

Vs. 17-35 This now is a very one-dimensional view of how God treats the wicked. This will also get Eliphaz & Co. in trouble. God doesn't always pay on Friday and judge those who rebel against Him immediately. Just as God did to Pharaoh, He allowed Pharaoh to become great so that He could use Him for His glory. God humbled Pharaoh in the sight of all nations, but some rebels go to the grave with their pride. The first twinge of humility they feel is when they stand before God and realize they had lived in lies and committed a huge, irredeemable mistake.

In our reading today, Job spoke about God's wisdom and power and then applied this rather darkly to God, who capriciously raises up and puts down. This is what Job felt had happened to him in losing everything. Job couldn't yet see that God's actions are motivated by more than punishment for sin and blessing for obedience. While God's works are always done in justice and wisdom and love, it doesn't mean that we'll understand what He does or understand what He allows to happen to us. We know that God is working every day to redeem men and women on this planet; and everything He does works toward that, whether we understand his wisdom or not. Because of Jesus, we understand God's love and wisdom and His constant work in the harvest of mankind. In fact, read Isaiah 53, and you'll see how some of what happened to Jesus sounds like Job. Through God's Word and through Jesus, the love of God incarnate, we know Him and we know we can praise Him in circumstances we don't understand. He is enough and we can bless His name.

Blessed be Your Name, Matt Redman

1 Corinthians 15:29-58

Vs. 29-34 Paul/the Spirit uses a couple of "common sense" arguments, and then Paul really rebukes the Corinthians. The Resurrection is a "red letter" doctrine and not something to be ignorant about. If you read this out loud you can feel Paul in here.

V. 29 This is an argument from general human consciousness. Almost everyone, even an unbeliever, thinks there is an "after life." Pagans even had rites for the dead, believing they were alive in another world. This would also be like saying that the demonic exists, as evidenced in the unbelieving public's interest in the occult and horror movies. They may be unbelieving, but they still sense that these forces exist.

Ironically, some people in this church didn't get what unbelievers knew to be true. The dead are raised.

Vs. 30-32 The resurrection makes the gospel absolute. The resurrection not only means life for those who know Christ, it means judgment for those who don't because every person must bow to Christ. It makes Jesus the only Savior and the only saving message on the planet. This is what put Paul in danger. If there was no resurrection, Christianity was only teaching about morality. Our gospel is a universal, irresistible, global reality. When Paul spoke of the resurrection and all that is inherent in the resurrection, it made his message one that called for a decision, not simply benign assent.

V. 32 is actually a quote from Isaiah 22:13. Maybe that's where the Epicureans got it. It means the same thing in both cases. If there is no resurrection and life with God, there is no judgment, there is no basis for morality, there is no necessity and there is no point.

Vs. 33-34 This is a very stinging rebuke to this super church with all the gifts. They had people among them who were either unsaved or incredibly spiritually immature, and the Corinthians were OK with that.

Vs. 35-41 Oops! So much for "there's no stupid question." Actually, it is sort of the way God answers Job at the end of the book.

Vs. 42-50 This is not only great teaching on the resurrection, it is our hope. Isn't it amazing to think that our resurrected body will be infinitely better than our physical bodies. I'm looking forward to those "six pack" abs, but even more, I'm looking forward to fully bearing the image of Christ. I'm working toward both now, but looking forward to the certainty of that day.

Vs. 51-57 More great Scripture.

V. 51 belongs in every church nursery.

Basically this is saying that the only exception to the process of death and resurrection will be those who are present when Christ returns before the Tribulation to take the church. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16) In taking those of the church who are alive on the planet at that moment, there will be an instant translation of the body from physical to spiritual. This also means that at the rapture, all who have died in Christ, from the death of Jesus until that time, will be raised.

At the end of the tribulation when Jesus comes, all the righteous dead (from Adam to John the Baptist) will be raised, and His angels will gather those believers living on the earth, but those believers will not be changed. They will live on earth with Christ in his Millennial Kingdom.

V. 57 Our victory is in Christ. The powers of death (gates of Hades) cannot defeat us.

V. 58 So then, we should be willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Christ in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.

Psalm 39

What a great psalm.

Vs. 1-3 This looks like a very weary David struggling to wait on the Lord.

Vs. 4-6 Just like Moses in Psalm 90, "teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Understanding our place in life, on this earth, in this time, should make us focused in following Christ in the harvest.

Vs. 7-11 Our hope is in Christ.

Vs. 12-13 A cry for restoration.

I wonder if David's song would have sounded like this? I wonder how many hundreds of times I've listened to this song? If there had been mp3 players back in the 90's, it might have been in the thousands.

I Don't Want To Fall Away From You, Keith Green

Proverbs 21:30-31

Amen.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.