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 one verse: Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face. (v. 13:15) He still wants an audience with God. Job is not arguing that he is sinless. But he does not believe that any sin that he committed is worthy of the troubles that he is enduring. He wants God to tell him what he has done wrong: How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. (v. 13:23)

In the next chapter, though it is not totally clear Job seems to be yearning to die. The chapter provides an excellent discourse on the topic of death, especially contrasting nature’s “death” with man’s. He also seems to be accepting the fact that no mediator, no audience with God is possible, so he will simply live out his miserable existence until he dies: All the days of my struggle I will wait until my relief comes. (v. 14:14) As with my earlier close, Job is not a happy man.

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 13 (2022) / Job 13
• February 14 (2022) / Job 14
• August 30 (2023) / Job 11-14

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 not fear. You will forget your misery;… And your life will be brighter than the noonday;… And you will feel secure, because there is hope;… You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. (vv. 11:14-19). God is not a light switch that we can turn on and off. Yes, repentance is a good thing, but the sinful seeds that have been planted may continue to yield unrighteous fruit.

Job is not an easy target for his friends’ accusations, their presumption of his sin. He begins chapter 12 with sarcasm (vv. 12:2, 3b) and claims himself to be their equals (v. 3a). He continues to maintain his innocence, even arguing for his righteousness, now turned upside down by his misfortune: I, who called to God and He answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. (v. 12:4b) He closes his speech with a dozen verses (vv. 12:13-25) arguing that God will do what God will do, that He is not predictable in His actions, often doing the exact opposite of what we might expect – kings, priests, nations all undone at His whim. Thankfully, on this side of the Cross we can all repeat Jesus’ words, “Your will be done.” And it is done.

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 11 (2022) / Job 11
• February 12 (2022) / Job 12

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 is striking. First we have Job speaking lovingly of God’s creation of him: Your hands fashioned and made me,… You have made me like clay;… You clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and Your care has preserved my spirit. (vv. 10:8-12) Then he reverses that love a few verses later, wishing that he had never been born: Why did you bring me out from the womb? Would that I had died before any eye had seen me and were as though I had not been, carried from the womb to the grave. (vv. 10:18-19) In between these two sets of verses Job claims that God is against him, whether he is guilty or innocent, whether he does right or does wrong.

Today’s reading closes with Job asking God to just leave him alone: Are not my days few? Then cease, and leave me alone, that I may find a little cheer before I go … to the land of darkness and deep shadow… (vv. 10:20-21). I feel sad for Job.

Blessings!

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See also: February 10 (2022) / Job 10.

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 against Him, He has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. (v. 8:4) However, he softens a bit as he speaks further. He becomes more of a friend as he ends his speech, actually predicting Job’s future blessings: He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with joyful shouting. (v. 8:21)

Job replies again with frustration, believing in his innocence yet irritated that he cannot deal directly with God: If one wished to contend with Him, one could not answer Him once in a thousand times. (v. 9:3) He speaks wonderfully of God’s power and wisdom (vv. 9:4-10, 19), yet to Job He is essentially invisible and unavailable: Behold, He passes by me, and I see Him not; He moves on, but I do not perceive Him. How then can I answer Him, choosing my words with Him? Though I am in the right, I cannot answer Him… (vv 9:11, 14-15a). And Job continues his reply…, tomorrow.

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 8 (2022) / Job 8
• February 9 (2022) / Job 9

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, understanding, but what he is getting is condemnation. Job believes that he is innocent of any big wrongdoing, but Eliphaz has laid it on hard to Job that he is guilty and needs to repent – if he were innocent, he would not be suffering! Much of chapter 6 is Job complaining about his friends’ treatment of him: For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have acted deceitfully… (vv. 6:14-15a) He compares his friend’s treatment of him to a dried-up stream (a wadi), where travelers are looking for refreshment but instead find only sand and dirt. (vv. 6:15-21a) By contrast, what Job says in verse 10 is commendable: But it is still my comfort, and I rejoice in unsparing pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. He has not denied God. Recall his wife’s encouragement to “Curse God and die.” (v. 2:9) But Job, at least for now, appears to be steadfast in seeking God.

In fact, in the next chapter Job speaks directly to God. He is not happy and he vents: Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Leave me alone, for my days are only a breath. Have I sinned? What have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target…? (vv. 7:11, 16b, 20a) Job is not happy!

Again, I strongly encourage you to read John’s posts from 2022 and 2023. They are very good!!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 6 (2022) / Job 6
• February 7 (2022) / Job 7

Job 4-5

Dear RTB’ers,

Happy 4^th, 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 posted on Job – chapter by chapter. His comments back then (and again in 2023) are seriously worth reading. So when I post on these Job readings, make sure that you also go to John’s “See also…” passages and read his comments.

Again, HAPPY 4^th!!

Blessings!

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See also:

• February 4 (2022) / Job 4
• February 5 (2022) / Job 5
• August 27 (2023) / Job 3-5

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 one of poetry, all of it fairly easily understood. Typically I am not a good reader of or commenter on poetry. John sends along his “See also…” comments every day; I am confident that his 2022 comments on Job will be more fruitful than whatever I have to say! So I encourage you to read his comments every day, but especially so while we are reading the book of Job.

Job is wealthy, seen by God as “blameless and upright” (v. 1:8). Satan claims that Job is good only because he has been blessed in his wealth and that Job has been protected by God from difficulties. So God lets Satan test Job and Job loses his property and his children. Job remains faithful: In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (v. 1:22) Then Satan askes to torment Job further. So Satan affects Job physically. He … struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (v. 2:7b) Still Job does not curse God, in spite of his wife’s encouragement to do so. Finally, three friends arrive to console Job, sitting silently and waiting to speak. In Job’s first words (chapter 3) he regrets that he was born, but then, acknowledging that his birth happened, wishes further that he had been stillborn and would be at rest with kings and counselors and infants and (even!) prisoners – the small and the great (v. 3:19). Job is not a happy man!

Blessings!

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See also:

• August 26 (2023) / Job 1-2
• Introduction to Job
• February 1 (2022) / Job 1
• February 2 (2022) / Job 2
• February 3 (2022) / Job 3

Ephesians 6:10-24

Dear RTB’ers,

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (v. 11) This statement is the essence of the main item in today’s reading. Although it’s such an obvious point, my Study Bible pointed out that this body armor is for individual fighting and protection, as opposed to most of the battles that we read in Scripture of army against army. So this whole armor of God is there for us to do individual battle with the evil one. It’s interesting to go back to Isaiah 59, from where Paul draws two (or three) pieces of this body armor: The LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought Him salvation, and His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped Himself in zeal as a cloak. (Isaiah 59:15b-17) Interestingly, it is God Himself who is clothing Himself with this armor.

I’m going a bit off the mark here with a second comment. Paul asks his readers for prayer: …praying at all times in the Spirit, … making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel… (vv. 18a-19) Many of you heard Kelly this past Sunday announcing that I will be delivering the sermon at St. Andrew’s this coming Sunday, July 6. So, as Paul requests prayer for himself, so I also ask for your prayers for my preparation and my delivery. I’ve given economic lectures and presentations to hundreds of people, with very little nervousness in facing these audiences. Delivering a sermon over Scriptural texts, speaking to God’s people – it’s a bit more nerve-racking. So, I request your prayers on my behalf. Thank you for that.

Blessings!

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See also: December 20 (2023) / Ephesians 4:17-6:24.

Ephesians 5:3-6:9

Dear RTB’ers,

Happy July! Today we begin the second half of 2025 and the second half of our STS read through the Bible.

Paul gets very practical in all of today’s reading. It gets a bit confusing as to whether he is speaking only (or mostly) to the Gentiles in Ephesus or whether he is speaking to both Gentile and Jewish Christians. For example, sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, (vv. 5:3, 4) could be more directed to the Gentile believers, in that temple prostitution and other ill behaviors seem to have been rampant in pagan rituals in Ephesus and throughout the Roman world. Or maybe I just have a more positive reference point with respect to Jewish people in Jesus’ time? Either way, the rest of today’s reading is practical teaching for both Gentile and Jewish Christians in Ephesus – and for us today! I especially like Paul’s balance when he speaks in pairs with respect to our individual behaviors: wives and husbands; children and parents; slaves and masters.

Echo! (I’ve mentioned “divine echoes” before, when we hear something repeated, often in another context, that could possibly reflect on our own outlooks and beliefs.) So today, an echo for all of us from Patrick’s sermon two days ago. He quoted II Timothy 4:3-4 about “itching ears”: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (I’ve always liked the NASB translation, people “having their ears tickled”.) Today we read: Let no one deceive you with empty words… (v. 5:6a). Also, a verse from yesterday that I missed: …so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (v. 4:14) Patrick encouraged us to test what we hear, especially new ideas that are spoken from “authority”. Thankfully, what we hear from the pulpit at St. Andrew’s always seems to be “right on”! We are truly blessed in that regard.

Blessings!

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See also:

• November 1 (2021) / Ephesians 5:1-33
• November 2 (2021) / Ephesians 6:1-24