Job 20-21 Dear RTB’ers, Zophar, the third friend now offers his second speech. Nothing new here, just the standard claim that the wicked will always get their due: The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. (v. 20:27) Unstated, but suggested is that Job is hiding his sin and …
Author Archives: Fred
July 11 / Job 18-19
Job 18-19 Dear RTB’ers, Today we have the second of Job’s friends, Bildad giving his second speech. This second speech is the shortest that we have seen from Job’s friends. And he has little to say. After initially chastising Job, he spends the rest of his time responding to Job’s desire to die with his …
July 10 / Job 15-17
Job 15-17 Dear RTB’ers, I hope you’ve been reading through John’s “See also…” comments. They are very good – much better than mine! Today, three chapters in Job, one of our longer daily readings as we begin a second round of Job’s friends’ speeches. First up, Eliphaz again. Although his first speech was probably the …
July 9 / Job 13-14
Job 13-14 Dear RTB’ers, Job continues his response to Zophar from yesterday. Job is tired of hearing his friends smear him; he suggests that they will have a difficult time when they themselves appear before God. Even though Job was blaming God yesterday for all his troubles, he maintains his faith. I really appreciate this …
July 8 / Job 11-12
Job 11-12 Dear RTB’ers, A third friend, Zophar speaks and essentially repeats what the first two friends have said, that Job has sinned and needs to repent. But Zophar’s “repent and all will be well” is a bit far-fetched: If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away …you will be secure and will …
July 7 / Job 9:25-10:22
Job 9:25-10:22 Dear RTB’ers, One of our shorter Job readings today – Job continues to reply to Bildad from yesterday. He continues to see God as all-powerful and makes Him out to be his adversary, with no one who can stand up to God on his behalf. The contrast between two sections in chapter 10 …
July 6 / Job 8:1-9:24
Job 8:1-9:24 Dear RTB’ers, A second friend appears. Bildad the Shuhite speaks – but he is not much of a “friend” and certainly not a comforter. His first words are harsh, “How long will you say these things…?” and he cuts deep when speaking of the death of Job’s children: If your children have sinned …
July 5 / Job 6-7
Job 6-7 Dear RTB’ers, Another two chapters in Job – in the first Job is replying to Eliphaz’ comments from yesterday, while in the second he seems to be speaking to God. With poetry it’s never clear to me! Job is clearly not happy with Eliphaz’ comments – or his friendship! Job wants sympathy, consolation, …
July 4 / Job 4-5
Job 4-5 Dear RTB’ers, Happy 4th, y’all!! I’m taking a holiday today, no comments on today’s reading. However, in the past I’ve encouraged you to read John’s “See also…” passages. I strongly recommend those while we are in Job. Back in 2022 RTB did the Psalms and the Wisdom literature. John was the person who …
July 3 / Job 1-3
Job 1-3 Dear RTB’ers, Today we begin the book of Job. I recall reading that Job (the book) is the oldest written text in all of Scripture. The STS and my Study Bible introductions did not mention that, but I recall reading it somewhere in times past. Today we have two chapters of prose and …