Job Questions, Eliphaz Indicts
Note: I will probably not follow the spreadsheet exactly since it stops and starts without regard to the conversational breaks, i.e. today's reading will cover 3 through 5 to encompass all of Eliphaz's speech.
After sitting silent with his three friends for seven days, Job speaks. His speech sets the tone of the further conversations with his three friends and comforters. Job curses the day of his birth. He does not curse God and his cursing of his birth is hyperbolic and consistent with other emotional expressions (see 1 Kings 19:4 and Jeremiah 20:14-18) by prophets under extreme duress. Although a "perfect" man in God's eyes, Job was still just a man and subject to the vacillations of human emotions.
Job sincerely questions his existence in the light of his terrible suffering. Since human existence is defined by human conception and birth, it is only fitting and natural that Job's initial outburst would examine these subjects. He asks "why" seven times in chapter 3 - twice each in verses 11 and 12, and again in verse 16, 20, and 23. Each of these are a progression from the moment of life in the womb and his birth, to his delivery and initial nursing, to his initial experiences as a baby, to his receiving light and growth, to his present situation.
If his life had meaning and his birth had purpose, what end is served by his present condition? If his condition is the purpose, then why is not he granted the privilege and release of death? Verse 25 reveals that Job must have had some suspicion that things would not always be so perfect, "What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true." These statements are a partial answer to his questions of why was he born, in that they reveal that Job knew that living a prosperous life also was not a complete answer to what purpose is there to life. In other words, in all his initial prosperity, there gnawed at Job a tinge fear and dread.
First to speak to Job is his friend Eliphaz the Temanite. He must have been chief among the three since his speeches are the longest and most ornate. He assumes a familiarity of Job (4:3-6) rehearsing Job's greatness and integrity. Yet Eliphaz is quick to judge and indict Job (4:7-8) before expressing empathy for his plight (5:8), and even this empathy is terse and vacuous at best.
Eliphaz sets himself up as somewhat of a "know-it-all" (5:27) and is not shy about expressing how spiritual he is. One can find nary a trace of humility in his initial speech to Job. He has a mystical relationship with God (4:12-13, 16) causing eerie sensations in his flesh (4:14-15). This somehow makes Eliphaz a spiritual authority on suffering. In Eliphaz's opinion, the cause of all of Job's problems is clear - Job is getting what he deserves because he must have sinned against God (4:7-8, 17, and 5:17). Eliphaz sees Job's prior sacrifices and purification rituals as an admission of sin, where Job and God sees them as Job's necessary duties in his relationship with God.
Eliphaz has spiritual knowledge and understanding of God which is demonstrated eloquently in 5:9-16, but Eliphaz uses this knowledge to tear down and not to build up. In his eyes, Job must have sinned and so Job must now seek forgiveness and correction from God. His hubris is revealed in 5:27, "We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself." (emphasis mine). His position is correct. His counsel is to be heeded. It is good for Job but not necessarily for Eliphaz.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Job 1 - 2
God Must Grant Permission
Note: Today's portion begins the 5th section of our reading, the section of poetic books. Job is one of my favorite books in the Bible. The narrative, the dialog, and the symmetrical activities of the Heavenly court and the earthly habitation are expressed in some of the most beautiful prose in Scripture and in all of literature. Often referred to as a parable on suffering, to me Job is much more than that. It is a testament of the faith of a man in extreme circumstance and an affirmation of God for a righteous man.
Chapters 1 and 2 provide the prologue to this great story of Job. A wealthy man, with many responsibilities and worldly concerns, Job is presented as "blameless - a man of complete integrity." (1:1), a claim confirmed by no less than God Himself (see 1:8 and 2:3). Job's concern for righteous and honor to God is expressed in 1:5 where his "regular practice" was to offer purification sacrifices and burnt offerings for his children. In spite of the time constraints imposed by his wealth and stature, Job (and this is a paradigm all of us should inculcate) always made time for God and worship.
Job's righteousness did not go unnoticed by Satan either. While Job was performing his duties on Earth, there was a great counsel going on in Heaven, a meeting in which Satan attempted to mock Job. What is key to understanding this story is expressed in 1:12 (and later 2:6) is that even though Satan mightily desired to destroy Job, he could not nothing, not a thing!, until first God granted him permission and set the strict boundaries under which Satan could afflict and tempt Job. This is critical for Christians to understand! Satan is totally and completely helpless and can do nothing to a Christian without first getting permission from the Lord.
Satan predicts that Job will curse God, but as we shall see, Job's testimony of God's goodness and Job's integrity as a righteous man remains intact throughout his entire ordeal. Even Job's wife could not persuade him to curse God (2:9). More importantly, we will also discover that the Lord's testimony of Job remains unchanged throughout this drama!
After Satan is permitted to attack Job the first time, four messengers come to Job with increasingly bad news. First his farmlands and farm animals are destroyed or stolen by Sabean raiders . Next his sacrificial animals and shepherds are destroyed by "heavenly fire." Thirdly, his modes of transportation (camels) and trade are stolen and servants killed by Chaldean thieves. Finally, his children are killed by a fierce wind. All of this takes place is a short time showing that one's circumstances can go from extremely well to pathetically depleted in a moment's time. Job had it all, then he had nothing, yet 1:22 states, "In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."
Satan is never satisfied. His predictions concerning Job's reaction to loss were totally repudiated. He makes his case before the heavenly host one more time, and God grants Satan permission to afflict Job physically but is not permitted to take his life. Once again we see that the Lord is in control allowing His believers to be tested only to the limits the Lord defines. Satan can do nothing without God's permission and thus he proceeds to afflict Job with boils drives Job to the ash heap.
As the second chapter of Job comes to a close, Job enters the second phase of his life. His first phase was "before the ash heap," 1:1 to 2:7. His second phase is "on the ash heap," 2:8 to 42:9 and his final phase is "after the ash heap," 42:10 to the end of the book. It is obvious that "on the ash heap" is the majority of Job's existence and the area which is the most revelatory of his life. The same is true for us as Christians - it is during our "ash heap" experiences, i.e. the trials and tribulations with which Satan is permitted to try us, that we define and shape our Christian experience.
At the very end of chapter 2, three friends of Job come on the scene. At the point of their arrival (and this was most likely months or possibly a year after Job's trial began) they are shocked at his appearance! Verse 12 states, "They scarcely recognized him." and they began to wail and enter into his suffering throwing dust and ashes upon themselves and sitting in the dirt with Job. So shocked were they, that none of them spoke for seven days.
As a postscript to the post, I find it interesting that four messengers came to Job. I think these are somewhat in parallel to the four horse riders of the first four seals in Revelations 6. The first messenger brought news of Jobs loss of sustenance and the first horse rider (the white horse) brought a message of deception to deny the ability of the nascent Christian church to receive spiritual food and correct doctrine.
The second messenger brought news that Job's sacrificial animals were stolen. The second horse rider (the red horse) brought war and slaughter to the Christian church, in affect substituting the sacrifice of believers for the true sacrifice of Christ.
The third messenger brought news of the loss of camels, i.e. Job's economic capabilities (camels are not farm animals or sacrificial animals, they were used to transport goods). The third horse rider (the black horse) had a balance and controlled the economics of the times.
The fourth messenger brought news of death of Job's children. The fourth horse rider (the pale horse) was named Death and brought spiritual death upon the church.
I am not saying that this is a perfect type, but is just my opinion and observation.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Note: Today's portion begins the 5th section of our reading, the section of poetic books. Job is one of my favorite books in the Bible. The narrative, the dialog, and the symmetrical activities of the Heavenly court and the earthly habitation are expressed in some of the most beautiful prose in Scripture and in all of literature. Often referred to as a parable on suffering, to me Job is much more than that. It is a testament of the faith of a man in extreme circumstance and an affirmation of God for a righteous man.
Chapters 1 and 2 provide the prologue to this great story of Job. A wealthy man, with many responsibilities and worldly concerns, Job is presented as "blameless - a man of complete integrity." (1:1), a claim confirmed by no less than God Himself (see 1:8 and 2:3). Job's concern for righteous and honor to God is expressed in 1:5 where his "regular practice" was to offer purification sacrifices and burnt offerings for his children. In spite of the time constraints imposed by his wealth and stature, Job (and this is a paradigm all of us should inculcate) always made time for God and worship.
Job's righteousness did not go unnoticed by Satan either. While Job was performing his duties on Earth, there was a great counsel going on in Heaven, a meeting in which Satan attempted to mock Job. What is key to understanding this story is expressed in 1:12 (and later 2:6) is that even though Satan mightily desired to destroy Job, he could not nothing, not a thing!, until first God granted him permission and set the strict boundaries under which Satan could afflict and tempt Job. This is critical for Christians to understand! Satan is totally and completely helpless and can do nothing to a Christian without first getting permission from the Lord.
Satan predicts that Job will curse God, but as we shall see, Job's testimony of God's goodness and Job's integrity as a righteous man remains intact throughout his entire ordeal. Even Job's wife could not persuade him to curse God (2:9). More importantly, we will also discover that the Lord's testimony of Job remains unchanged throughout this drama!
After Satan is permitted to attack Job the first time, four messengers come to Job with increasingly bad news. First his farmlands and farm animals are destroyed or stolen by Sabean raiders . Next his sacrificial animals and shepherds are destroyed by "heavenly fire." Thirdly, his modes of transportation (camels) and trade are stolen and servants killed by Chaldean thieves. Finally, his children are killed by a fierce wind. All of this takes place is a short time showing that one's circumstances can go from extremely well to pathetically depleted in a moment's time. Job had it all, then he had nothing, yet 1:22 states, "In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."
Satan is never satisfied. His predictions concerning Job's reaction to loss were totally repudiated. He makes his case before the heavenly host one more time, and God grants Satan permission to afflict Job physically but is not permitted to take his life. Once again we see that the Lord is in control allowing His believers to be tested only to the limits the Lord defines. Satan can do nothing without God's permission and thus he proceeds to afflict Job with boils drives Job to the ash heap.
As the second chapter of Job comes to a close, Job enters the second phase of his life. His first phase was "before the ash heap," 1:1 to 2:7. His second phase is "on the ash heap," 2:8 to 42:9 and his final phase is "after the ash heap," 42:10 to the end of the book. It is obvious that "on the ash heap" is the majority of Job's existence and the area which is the most revelatory of his life. The same is true for us as Christians - it is during our "ash heap" experiences, i.e. the trials and tribulations with which Satan is permitted to try us, that we define and shape our Christian experience.
At the very end of chapter 2, three friends of Job come on the scene. At the point of their arrival (and this was most likely months or possibly a year after Job's trial began) they are shocked at his appearance! Verse 12 states, "They scarcely recognized him." and they began to wail and enter into his suffering throwing dust and ashes upon themselves and sitting in the dirt with Job. So shocked were they, that none of them spoke for seven days.
As a postscript to the post, I find it interesting that four messengers came to Job. I think these are somewhat in parallel to the four horse riders of the first four seals in Revelations 6. The first messenger brought news of Jobs loss of sustenance and the first horse rider (the white horse) brought a message of deception to deny the ability of the nascent Christian church to receive spiritual food and correct doctrine.
The second messenger brought news that Job's sacrificial animals were stolen. The second horse rider (the red horse) brought war and slaughter to the Christian church, in affect substituting the sacrifice of believers for the true sacrifice of Christ.
The third messenger brought news of the loss of camels, i.e. Job's economic capabilities (camels are not farm animals or sacrificial animals, they were used to transport goods). The third horse rider (the black horse) had a balance and controlled the economics of the times.
The fourth messenger brought news of death of Job's children. The fourth horse rider (the pale horse) was named Death and brought spiritual death upon the church.
I am not saying that this is a perfect type, but is just my opinion and observation.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Psalms 146 - 150
Praise the Lord!
Note: Today, we complete the longest book of the Bible, the Psalms and the 4th of 7 sections of reading with Psalms standing on its own. We now have 3 sections left: poetry, epistles, and prophecy.
Fittingly, the final five Psalms all have a verse one that states, "Praise the Lord!" and the final verse of the Psalms is "Praise the Lord!" This is because all of the Psalms are about praise to the Lord, the omnipotent God of Heaven and earth. The final five Psalms all present different aspects of praising the Lord.
Psalm 146 warns us to not put confidence in people, but to put it all in the Lord and praise Him alone. Psalm 147 tells of the goodness of God and His care for Israel, the poor, and all peoples. His great power in nature is to be praised. Psalm 148 is a song of praise for the creation of God, the heavens, nature, rulers, and all people are enjoined to praise Him. Psalm 149 praises the Lord for His victory over all evil.
The final Psalm reiterates the areas of praise - God in His sanctuary, God in the heavens, God's mighty works and His greatness. We are to praise Him with every musical instrument, with every breath and with our very lives.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Note: Today, we complete the longest book of the Bible, the Psalms and the 4th of 7 sections of reading with Psalms standing on its own. We now have 3 sections left: poetry, epistles, and prophecy.
Fittingly, the final five Psalms all have a verse one that states, "Praise the Lord!" and the final verse of the Psalms is "Praise the Lord!" This is because all of the Psalms are about praise to the Lord, the omnipotent God of Heaven and earth. The final five Psalms all present different aspects of praising the Lord.
Psalm 146 warns us to not put confidence in people, but to put it all in the Lord and praise Him alone. Psalm 147 tells of the goodness of God and His care for Israel, the poor, and all peoples. His great power in nature is to be praised. Psalm 148 is a song of praise for the creation of God, the heavens, nature, rulers, and all people are enjoined to praise Him. Psalm 149 praises the Lord for His victory over all evil.
The final Psalm reiterates the areas of praise - God in His sanctuary, God in the heavens, God's mighty works and His greatness. We are to praise Him with every musical instrument, with every breath and with our very lives.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Psalms 137 - 145
Lord, You Know Me
Psalm 139 clearly expresses, as well as any scripture, the idea that the Lord knows each individual intimately. This thought is one that humanity has struggled with from the beginning. How can an all-powerful God who created a vast universe-so vast that it is beyond human comprehension or definition-with all of its stars and planets and dust and space and minuteness, and still be cognizant and caring for an individual?
David seems to have no trouble accepting this fact, even if he did not understand it. "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." (v. 1). This sums up the whole Psalm and the whole concept. Our Lord is interested in us and knows all about us. "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered." (v. 17). David even proclaims that God thinks about him! Not only that, but the amount of thoughts are innumerable. Then, multiply that by the millions of believers and that puts into perspective the mighty omniscience of our almighty God.
The sad alternative is that while God knows us and thinks about us, how many people totally ignore Him? Even more tragic is the fact that many believers ignore God - by not praying, by not meditating on Him, by not fellowshipping with others around His word, by not attending church.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me an know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (v.23-24).
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Psalm 139 clearly expresses, as well as any scripture, the idea that the Lord knows each individual intimately. This thought is one that humanity has struggled with from the beginning. How can an all-powerful God who created a vast universe-so vast that it is beyond human comprehension or definition-with all of its stars and planets and dust and space and minuteness, and still be cognizant and caring for an individual?
David seems to have no trouble accepting this fact, even if he did not understand it. "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." (v. 1). This sums up the whole Psalm and the whole concept. Our Lord is interested in us and knows all about us. "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered." (v. 17). David even proclaims that God thinks about him! Not only that, but the amount of thoughts are innumerable. Then, multiply that by the millions of believers and that puts into perspective the mighty omniscience of our almighty God.
The sad alternative is that while God knows us and thinks about us, how many people totally ignore Him? Even more tragic is the fact that many believers ignore God - by not praying, by not meditating on Him, by not fellowshipping with others around His word, by not attending church.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me an know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (v.23-24).
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Psalms 125 - 136
Songs of Ascent and a Glorious Song of Praise
This section of Psalms continues the Songs of Ascent (through 134). The last song, 134, is a call to the "night servants" in the Temple, night being symbolic of the end of the journey. It it a very short psalm (3 verses) with a simple message, "Praise the Lord!"
Psalm 136 is a glorious song of praise, the last of the Great Hallel psalms. This psalm repeats the refrain, "His faithful love endures forever." (NLT). The King James refrain is, "for his mercy endureth for ever." This refrain is repeated after every verse in the psalm giving it a sing-song like quality. One can image the people marching to the Temple singing with one person calling, "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good!" and the rest of the people responding, "His faithful love endures forever!"
This psalm breaks into four sections. Verses 1-3 are a call to praise. Verses 4-9 extol the glory of His heavenly creation. Verses 10-22, the largest section, is a recounting of the salvation and deliverance of Israel from the Egytians. Verses 23-26, close out the Psalm with a call to praise from each individual. The progression is God as God, God as Creator, God as Deliverer of Israel the Nation, God as Savior of every man.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
This section of Psalms continues the Songs of Ascent (through 134). The last song, 134, is a call to the "night servants" in the Temple, night being symbolic of the end of the journey. It it a very short psalm (3 verses) with a simple message, "Praise the Lord!"
Psalm 136 is a glorious song of praise, the last of the Great Hallel psalms. This psalm repeats the refrain, "His faithful love endures forever." (NLT). The King James refrain is, "for his mercy endureth for ever." This refrain is repeated after every verse in the psalm giving it a sing-song like quality. One can image the people marching to the Temple singing with one person calling, "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good!" and the rest of the people responding, "His faithful love endures forever!"
This psalm breaks into four sections. Verses 1-3 are a call to praise. Verses 4-9 extol the glory of His heavenly creation. Verses 10-22, the largest section, is a recounting of the salvation and deliverance of Israel from the Egytians. Verses 23-26, close out the Psalm with a call to praise from each individual. The progression is God as God, God as Creator, God as Deliverer of Israel the Nation, God as Savior of every man.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Psalms 199 - 124
The Longest Psalm - 119
Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and at 176 verses, one of the longest chapters in the Bible. This Psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem with 22 8 verse stanzas for each successive Hebrew letter. In Hebrew each verse begins with the same letter for that stanza.
For its length, the message is remarkably simple. Each stanza is an expression of love or admiration for the Word of God. The words "instructions," "laws," "words," "statutes," "commands," and "commandments" are used frequently and consistently throughout the entire Psalm.
This Psalm is followed by 15 Psalms that are all short songs (sometimes called the Songs of Ascent) that were sung during the Hebrews journey (ascent) to Jerusalem. Many were frequently sung during the Festivals and are lyrical in the unsung version. In particular Psalm 122 is a beautiful paean to Jerusalem.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and at 176 verses, one of the longest chapters in the Bible. This Psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem with 22 8 verse stanzas for each successive Hebrew letter. In Hebrew each verse begins with the same letter for that stanza.
For its length, the message is remarkably simple. Each stanza is an expression of love or admiration for the Word of God. The words "instructions," "laws," "words," "statutes," "commands," and "commandments" are used frequently and consistently throughout the entire Psalm.
This Psalm is followed by 15 Psalms that are all short songs (sometimes called the Songs of Ascent) that were sung during the Hebrews journey (ascent) to Jerusalem. Many were frequently sung during the Festivals and are lyrical in the unsung version. In particular Psalm 122 is a beautiful paean to Jerusalem.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Psalms 109 - 118
The Shortest Psalm
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Bookended by "Praise the Lord", this is the shortest of the 150 Psalms. Its length and near juxtaposition to the longest Psalm (119) does not diminish its message. All nations, all people must praise the Lord. His love cannot and will not fail. He will be faithful for all time and eternity. Therefore, we must Praise Him!!!
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Bookended by "Praise the Lord", this is the shortest of the 150 Psalms. Its length and near juxtaposition to the longest Psalm (119) does not diminish its message. All nations, all people must praise the Lord. His love cannot and will not fail. He will be faithful for all time and eternity. Therefore, we must Praise Him!!!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Psalms 87 - 101
I Will
Note: For those following this blog (all 2 of you :)) I was unable to post entries until tonight - this covers five days of reading.
Note: For those following this blog (all 2 of you :)) I was unable to post entries until tonight - this covers five days of reading.
Psalm 101 is the "I will" psalm and a positive affirmation by David that he will guard against evil influences in his life. Verse 2, "I will be careful to live a blameless life...and lead a life of integrity" sets the tone for the whole psalm. David vows to not profane his sight with vulgarity and shun dealings with crooks. He will reject perversion and will not tolerate people who slander other people.
David will search for those who are faithful and live a good life to be his companions. As ruler he will make it his daily task to ferret out the wicked from the city of the Lord. This is good advice and a pattern that all believers can follow.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Psalms 81 - 86
Bend Down Thy Ear, O Lord
Note: This post covers two days of reading.
Psalm 86 is a beautiful prayer of David. The title note does not indicate the occasion for which David prayed, but a careful reading shows that David was in dire need of the Lord's attention. Here are the things that David pleads for:
- Hear my prayer
- Answer me
- Protect me
- Save me
- Be merciful to me
- Give me happiness
- Listen closely to me
- Teach me
- Grant me a pure heart
- Look down on me
- Give your strength to me
- Save me
- Send me a sign
- Comfort me
This is quite a list! David was not shy about asking much from the Lord.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Psalms 78 - 80
The People Kept Sinning
Note: Posted on the 5th for the 4th
Note: Posted on the 5th for the 4th
Psalm 78 recounts the early history of Israel from when the people left Egypt to crossing the border to the promise land. Sadly, the people rebelled the entire way. There are two verses that are significant and set the tone for the entire Psalm. Verse 32, "But in spite of this, the people kept sinning. Despite his wonders, they refused to trust him." In spite of all the Lord did to take them to the promise land - provide water, angel's food, and quail, the "people kept sinning." Verse 56, "But they kept testing and rebelling against the God Most High. The did not obey his laws." This is in reference to their crossing in to the promised land. Even though the Lord promised to give them the land, they had to drive out the inhabitants, but "they kept testing and rebelling."
Aren't we in America the same way. The Lord gave our forefathers this great land and inspired the early defenders to set up a democratic republic with freedoms of religion and speech and the press. We have the freedom to assemble, yet we rebel against God's Word. We, as a nation, come the point were the President declares this is no longer a "Christian" nation. May God show His children mercy before the great destruction comes upon this Land.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Psalms 75 - 77
Halfway There
Note: Today's reading marks the halfway point on our journey. As of today, we have read half of the Bible.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Note: Today's reading marks the halfway point on our journey. As of today, we have read half of the Bible.
Psalm 75 contains two quotes from God Himself, both dealing with His justice to the wicked. Verses 2 and 3, "At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm." From this we understand that God has appointed a time to judge the wicked. And even though wickedness causes instability, God holds the world in place for the righteous.
Verse 10, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly." This verse is a promise to those who live in His way to remain filled with the power of God, while he breaks the strength of the wicked.
There is a passage in Psalm 77 that fits nicely with these verses, (13-15), "O God, you ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph." God's power is infinite - it is a power unto salvation and a power unto judgement.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Psalms 72 - 74
Why Do The Wicked Prosper?
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Psalm 73 explores a subject that all of us have considered during our walk with the Lord - Why do some wicked people prosper excessively? The psalmist starts by explaining that he got off course (v.2) and envied those who were proud and wicked. He did not envy their wickedness, but did envy their prosperity and seeming lack of God's judgement.
The picture painted by the psalmist describes those who we see today - scoffers and mockers of God and Christianity. Those who blatantly flaunt their wealth and use it to gain political and social influence. The psalmist laments (v. 13), "Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?" These are questions we all have faced and have had difficulty answering.
Yet, the psalmist knows that the answer lies in God's pavilion. He goes to the sanctuary and seeks the answer from God. He realizes that no evil will go unpunished, that the wicked face certain judgment and death. And the psalmist realizes that it was his own bitterness that caused him to be conflicted (v. 21). He is "torn up inside" and "foolish and ignorant." By God's grace, he realizes (v.23) "I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny."
Thus we learn from this psalm that concern over the fate of the wicked only makes us bitter and changes nothing concerning evil people. They will receive their reward from the Lord and we are not to concern ourselves with what we consider justice and place this totally in the Lord's hands. I place is to rest in Him and let Him be the influence in our lives.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Psalms 64 - 72
Solomon's Psalm
Note: Psalm 72 (part of Friday's reading) is the end of book two of the Psalms.
May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
Note: Psalm 72 (part of Friday's reading) is the end of book two of the Psalms.
Psalm 72 is a beautiful Psalm - a song of prayer and praise by Solomon requesting the Lord's help for him to be a righteous king. He asks to rule with "the love of justice" and "righteousness" and to treat all fairly, especially the poor. Solomon request that his rule be "refreshing" and that his Godly subjects "flourish" and prosper.
This Psalm is also prophetic and points to the reign of Christ in the millenial kingdom as Son of David. In the doxology of verse 18-19, Solomon expresses, "Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!"
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
