“Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it” (13:9). This is the word of judgment for Babylon. It is to our own shame and the demise of others that the Church has so often neglected to teach well about the wrath of God against sinners! Sinners, mind you, not just some generic, abstract idea called “sin.” God’s wrath, cruel and fierce, is poured out upon sinners!
Look at the Bible’s description of how God’s wrath is manifested throughout chapter 13; feeble hands, melting hearts, pangs and agony, faces aflame, darkness, thrust through, infants killed, houses plundered, wives ravished, no mercy! Why such devastation? Because Babylon has so grieved and offended a holy God! Sin is an infinitely gross crime against the merciful, loving God of creation. The punishment does fit the crime!
We must understand that the wrath of God is fearful, real, final, and not solely directed to Babylon. Yes, the wrath of God will be poured out upon everyone who has sinned against God! “I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” (13:11). The righteousness, justice, and holiness of God will not allow Him to overlook, excuse, or ignore our vile transgressions! His holy, fierce wrath is coming upon all the wicked.
The only means of escape is in the shelter and refuge of Christ the Lord. In Christ, God’s wrath against our sin has already been poured out. When we flee to Christ and from our sin, we can rest assured that Christ has borne our punishment and satisfied God’s justice. The purpose for preaching the wrath of God is that sinners may repent and embrace the Savior. No wrath, no need for a Savior!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
For To Us - Isa 9-12
Isaiah’s first word for the people of Judah is that judgment is coming. God will pour out His wrath upon them because of their stubborn, rebellious evil hearts. He will raise up the Assyrians, and they will invade and destroy. Judgment will fall because God will not tolerate sin. They have been given ample opportunity and occasion to repent, but they love their vile ways more than God. For this, judgment is coming.
Isaiah’s second word for the people of Judah is that a Savior is coming! WHen God’s fury is finished, He will bring forth a remnant of believers. He will judge but not obliterate. He will pour out His wrath, but He will also pour out His mercy. He will condemn because of their sin, but He will also save because of His mercy!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6). The sweet, refreshing breeze of promise in the midst of the scorching heat of judgment! A Savior will come! He will be a son. He will also be God.
That son came, and His earthly name is Jesus!
My friends, when Isaiah prophesied “For to us,” the “us” includes us! Christ came not just for the people of Judah but for the people of the world! For we are all in the same miserable condition. We are all sinners. We are all under the judgment of God. God’s wrath will be poured out, but so also will His mercy! He has sent His Son, and He is Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God! For to us a son is given!
Isaiah’s second word for the people of Judah is that a Savior is coming! WHen God’s fury is finished, He will bring forth a remnant of believers. He will judge but not obliterate. He will pour out His wrath, but He will also pour out His mercy. He will condemn because of their sin, but He will also save because of His mercy!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6). The sweet, refreshing breeze of promise in the midst of the scorching heat of judgment! A Savior will come! He will be a son. He will also be God.
That son came, and His earthly name is Jesus!
My friends, when Isaiah prophesied “For to us,” the “us” includes us! Christ came not just for the people of Judah but for the people of the world! For we are all in the same miserable condition. We are all sinners. We are all under the judgment of God. God’s wrath will be poured out, but so also will His mercy! He has sent His Son, and He is Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God! For to us a son is given!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
An Encounter with the Lord - Isa 5-8
What would it be like to see the Lord? It is the hope and promise of all the Redeemed to be in the presence of their Creator and Savior and gaze upon His beauty. (Matt 5:8, Rev 22:4) We have to wait however until we exist in glorified bodies, for no one has seen the Lord and lived to tell about it (1 John 4:12).
Isaiah the prophet saw the Lord by way of a vision. The Lord revealed Himself to Isaiah in order to call and commission him. So it is in Isaiah’s vision that we get a glimpse at what it must be like to see the Lord. The first reality we notice is that the Lord is The Sovereign King of the universe! He is on a throne, high and lifted up. The next revelation overwhelms His presence and His onlookers. He is holy! That is, He is completely other, different, beyond, separate. Even the flaming seraphim, created to serve Him, sinless and radiant, cannot look directly upon Him but call out in worship to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (6:3) In His holiness, He is brilliantly and vastly glorious!
Isaiah’s response at the sight of the Lord in His glorious holiness was repentance! Encountering God’s perfection shines a searing light upon our sin! God’s response to Isaiah’s repentance was cleansing and forgiveness! The end result, Isaiah is now a changed man who has surrendered his life to serve the holy God of glory!
That is what it is like to see the Lord! It is frightening, yet lovely. It reveals the Lord’s glory and our filth. It is painful, but results in a new life! Those who have encountered the Lord are never the same again!
Isaiah the prophet saw the Lord by way of a vision. The Lord revealed Himself to Isaiah in order to call and commission him. So it is in Isaiah’s vision that we get a glimpse at what it must be like to see the Lord. The first reality we notice is that the Lord is The Sovereign King of the universe! He is on a throne, high and lifted up. The next revelation overwhelms His presence and His onlookers. He is holy! That is, He is completely other, different, beyond, separate. Even the flaming seraphim, created to serve Him, sinless and radiant, cannot look directly upon Him but call out in worship to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (6:3) In His holiness, He is brilliantly and vastly glorious!
Isaiah’s response at the sight of the Lord in His glorious holiness was repentance! Encountering God’s perfection shines a searing light upon our sin! God’s response to Isaiah’s repentance was cleansing and forgiveness! The end result, Isaiah is now a changed man who has surrendered his life to serve the holy God of glory!
That is what it is like to see the Lord! It is frightening, yet lovely. It reveals the Lord’s glory and our filth. It is painful, but results in a new life! Those who have encountered the Lord are never the same again!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Salvation or Devastation - Isa 1-4
The book of Isaiah opens with a prophetic word for Judah and Jerusalem. That word is plain and simple: repent or be judged! The people of Judah had turned worship of God into pure ritual and were following the desires of their evil hearts. “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged” (1:4). Verse 4 is a living description of Total Depravity! And so were before our salvation!
While denying God, they continued to assemble before the Lord as if mere ritual would please Him! The truth, however, was that God detested their hypocritical going-through-the-motions! “I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly” (1:13). God despises those who pretend allegiance by attending worship while secretly adoring another! Many of us lived such false lives before our conversion!
Given their sin and deplorable hypocrisy, we expect to hear words of judgment but instead we hear words of grace! The Lord calls for them to repent (1:16). If they will repent, they will find new life. They will have forgiveness! They will find salvation! “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (1:18). If they refuse to repent, they will face the wrath of God! “If you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword” (1:20).
The choice remains the same before all of us who are corrupt and evil. If we repent, we shall know salvation. If we refuse, we shall know devastation!
While denying God, they continued to assemble before the Lord as if mere ritual would please Him! The truth, however, was that God detested their hypocritical going-through-the-motions! “I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly” (1:13). God despises those who pretend allegiance by attending worship while secretly adoring another! Many of us lived such false lives before our conversion!
Given their sin and deplorable hypocrisy, we expect to hear words of judgment but instead we hear words of grace! The Lord calls for them to repent (1:16). If they will repent, they will find new life. They will have forgiveness! They will find salvation! “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (1:18). If they refuse to repent, they will face the wrath of God! “If you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword” (1:20).
The choice remains the same before all of us who are corrupt and evil. If we repent, we shall know salvation. If we refuse, we shall know devastation!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Literal and Figurative - Song of Songs 5-8
Song of Songs has generally been interpreted as having a twofold meaning and application. The first meaning and application is the obvious one, the literal one. Song of Songs is a love story between husband and wife. It is a model, and example of how intense our love should be for our spouse.
Reading through this book reveals two characteristics of their love. One notices quickly that they are intimately knowledgable of one another. They describe each other in explicit detail. They have studied one another and meditated upon one another. Their thoughts have been occupied by one another.
It is also clear that these two lovers are passionate for one another. When one is absent, the other is lonely. They search for one another. They long for one another. They desire to give themselves to the other. Their love runs deep and is intense.
This is surely a model for husband and wife, but it is more than that. Song of Songs is not only beneficial in a literal sense but also in a figurative sense. Song of Songs represents the knowledgable, passionate love that exists between the Lover of our souls and our love for Him! In other words, Song of Songs is a living example of Paul’s metaphor in Ephesians 5! The Groom is Christ, the Bride is the Church, and they love one another with an intense love!
“I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is for me” is the song of the Church! The Lord knows every detail of our lives. The Lord’s love for His Bride runs deep! We respond with intense desire for Him, “Make haste, my Beloved!”
Reading through this book reveals two characteristics of their love. One notices quickly that they are intimately knowledgable of one another. They describe each other in explicit detail. They have studied one another and meditated upon one another. Their thoughts have been occupied by one another.
It is also clear that these two lovers are passionate for one another. When one is absent, the other is lonely. They search for one another. They long for one another. They desire to give themselves to the other. Their love runs deep and is intense.
This is surely a model for husband and wife, but it is more than that. Song of Songs is not only beneficial in a literal sense but also in a figurative sense. Song of Songs represents the knowledgable, passionate love that exists between the Lover of our souls and our love for Him! In other words, Song of Songs is a living example of Paul’s metaphor in Ephesians 5! The Groom is Christ, the Bride is the Church, and they love one another with an intense love!
“I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is for me” is the song of the Church! The Lord knows every detail of our lives. The Lord’s love for His Bride runs deep! We respond with intense desire for Him, “Make haste, my Beloved!”
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Catch the Little Ones - Song of Songs 1-4
The Song of Songs is basically a dialogue between Solomon and his bride. It is one of the more intriguing and perplexing books of the OT. Considered among the other books, one wonders why this book is in the Bible. However, it has great lessons for the church in general terms and in very specific ones. One example of a large lesson contained in one verse is 2:15. The bride calls out, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.”
Notice it’s the little foxes that cause concern not the big ones! It seems that the little foxes cause the greater damage. Large animals will just eat some fruit off of the vine. The little foxes, though, eat through the vine in order to get to the fruit! They are much more deadly to the vineyard!
Notice also that this is an urgent call. The vineyards are in blossom. One of two things are going to happen. The difference will be determined based on whether or not the little foxes are caught!
It has been said the little foxes represent what we call “little sins.” Now every sin is horribly offensive and rebellious toward a holy God, but we tend to categorize them nonetheless. It’s adultery that is considered a non-negotiable; pornography is a little sin. It’s murder that is considered a non-negotiable; bitterness is a little sin. You get the point. These little sins become more dangerous than the “big ones” because we excuse the little ones! And eventually, the little ones destroy us! The call to slay the “little sins” is just as urgent as the call to slay the large, visible ones! It is the little sins that will secretly eat away at you until they take away your life and leave your vineyard barren! Catch the little ones!
Notice it’s the little foxes that cause concern not the big ones! It seems that the little foxes cause the greater damage. Large animals will just eat some fruit off of the vine. The little foxes, though, eat through the vine in order to get to the fruit! They are much more deadly to the vineyard!
Notice also that this is an urgent call. The vineyards are in blossom. One of two things are going to happen. The difference will be determined based on whether or not the little foxes are caught!
It has been said the little foxes represent what we call “little sins.” Now every sin is horribly offensive and rebellious toward a holy God, but we tend to categorize them nonetheless. It’s adultery that is considered a non-negotiable; pornography is a little sin. It’s murder that is considered a non-negotiable; bitterness is a little sin. You get the point. These little sins become more dangerous than the “big ones” because we excuse the little ones! And eventually, the little ones destroy us! The call to slay the “little sins” is just as urgent as the call to slay the large, visible ones! It is the little sins that will secretly eat away at you until they take away your life and leave your vineyard barren! Catch the little ones!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The End of the Matter - Eccl 9-12
Solomon reaches his conclusion when he has finished his quest. He sat out in 1:13 to put his God-given wisdom to good use. He was going to seek out everything done under heaven, everything that man’s life involves will be investigated. So Solomon goes headlong into his endeavor, and what he finds concerning man sounds very depressing! Everything, including the life of man, is all vanity and a striving after the wind! Even if you live well and do good, you die just like the sinner and evil person! If you are a good steward and build up riches, you die and someone else spends it. It’s all vanity!
What Solomon was quickly discovering is that something is not right with this picture! The twists and turns of life just do not make sense. Life should not end. Good should be properly rewarded and evil properly punished. What’s wrong with this picture? Well, what’s wrong with the current picture is sin! We are fallen people living in a fallen world, and if that is the case, we should expect the picture to be wrong! Sin never makes sense! Everything has been corrupted. That’s why it seems so vain and useless.
However, there is One who sits above life, the world, and time! He is Sovereign and He is good. Even sin and its corrupting influence cannot thwart His purpose to bring all things to conclusion in His glory! One day everything will be revealed. Everything will be dealt with. Every deed will be made known. Everything will be made right! No more vanity when God brings history to its conclusion and sin to its end!
Therefore, wise Solomon knows that the end of the matter is to fear God and keep His commandments. That’s the only thing that makes sense!
What Solomon was quickly discovering is that something is not right with this picture! The twists and turns of life just do not make sense. Life should not end. Good should be properly rewarded and evil properly punished. What’s wrong with this picture? Well, what’s wrong with the current picture is sin! We are fallen people living in a fallen world, and if that is the case, we should expect the picture to be wrong! Sin never makes sense! Everything has been corrupted. That’s why it seems so vain and useless.
However, there is One who sits above life, the world, and time! He is Sovereign and He is good. Even sin and its corrupting influence cannot thwart His purpose to bring all things to conclusion in His glory! One day everything will be revealed. Everything will be dealt with. Every deed will be made known. Everything will be made right! No more vanity when God brings history to its conclusion and sin to its end!
Therefore, wise Solomon knows that the end of the matter is to fear God and keep His commandments. That’s the only thing that makes sense!
Friday, July 23, 2010
The God Factor - Eccl 5-8
The Preacher of Ecclesiastes is quickly bringing us to the conclusion of his lifelong quest for meaning and purpose. He has searched high and low. He has experienced all this world has to offer. He has observed man at his best and at his worst. He knows the brevity of life and the vanity of life’s rewards and the world’s goods. Then enters the God Factor!
Once you factor God into the equation of life, everything changes! Man is no longer the dominant figure, the captain of the soul, or the highest being. He may think he is a god, but there exists the Creator, the Holy One, who is far above man!
Therefore, man is to be extremely cautious before God. Man is but a little speck of dust on a ball spinning in space. God is everywhere! (ch 5)
Man is not the Achiever; God is the Provider. He provides not only the abundance but the ability to enjoy it! Man has no such power! What a tragedy to see a man with much and no joy. (ch 6)
It is God who makes a man either prosperous or poor. He is in control. The main focus of life is how we respond to God, not if we can figure Him out and know His ways. The attempt to understand the ways of God is a vain pursuit. Some righteous die young, and some wicked live long. Only God knows why! (ch 7-8)
It is not for man to know all that God knows. It is only for man that he respond appropriately to the God of the Universe, and that response is a healthy fear that chases away pride and fosters humility!
Once you factor God into the equation of life, everything changes! Man is no longer the dominant figure, the captain of the soul, or the highest being. He may think he is a god, but there exists the Creator, the Holy One, who is far above man!
Therefore, man is to be extremely cautious before God. Man is but a little speck of dust on a ball spinning in space. God is everywhere! (ch 5)
Man is not the Achiever; God is the Provider. He provides not only the abundance but the ability to enjoy it! Man has no such power! What a tragedy to see a man with much and no joy. (ch 6)
It is God who makes a man either prosperous or poor. He is in control. The main focus of life is how we respond to God, not if we can figure Him out and know His ways. The attempt to understand the ways of God is a vain pursuit. Some righteous die young, and some wicked live long. Only God knows why! (ch 7-8)
It is not for man to know all that God knows. It is only for man that he respond appropriately to the God of the Universe, and that response is a healthy fear that chases away pride and fosters humility!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
All is Vanity - Eccl 1-4
The opening chapters of Ecclesiastes can be very perplexing. What is Solomon’s point? Why all the ranting and raving? He seems to go to great lengths to prove his point that all is vanity! Wisdom, pleasures, toil, possessions, and wise living, everything! “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (1:2).
Now it doesn’t take the wisest man who ever lived to figure this out! While many are deceived into thinking that life is found in these things, there are many who realize that the comforts of this world and life both pass away and never fulfill. For Solomon though, the seeming meaninglessness of this life was eating him alive! Why work hard if when you are gone, the ground will feaster again with weeds, your storehouse will be plundered, and you will be forgotten? What is life anyway? We live a few short years and then return to dust just like an animal? He cries, “So I hated life, because what is done under the sun is grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind” (2:17). It all just seems like a huge production with no point!
However, the seeming “no point” IS the point!
In other words, there must be more! There must be something more than this temporary life. There must be something more than the fleeting pleasures, temporary rewards for virtues, and the short-lived satisfaction of accomplishment. There MUST be something, or Someone, more!
Indeed, there is! There is the Almighty God of heaven and earth! It is in His eternal, redemptive plan to magnify His name without end that makes this seemingly vain existence worth an eternity of glorifying Him!
Now it doesn’t take the wisest man who ever lived to figure this out! While many are deceived into thinking that life is found in these things, there are many who realize that the comforts of this world and life both pass away and never fulfill. For Solomon though, the seeming meaninglessness of this life was eating him alive! Why work hard if when you are gone, the ground will feaster again with weeds, your storehouse will be plundered, and you will be forgotten? What is life anyway? We live a few short years and then return to dust just like an animal? He cries, “So I hated life, because what is done under the sun is grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind” (2:17). It all just seems like a huge production with no point!
However, the seeming “no point” IS the point!
In other words, there must be more! There must be something more than this temporary life. There must be something more than the fleeting pleasures, temporary rewards for virtues, and the short-lived satisfaction of accomplishment. There MUST be something, or Someone, more!
Indeed, there is! There is the Almighty God of heaven and earth! It is in His eternal, redemptive plan to magnify His name without end that makes this seemingly vain existence worth an eternity of glorifying Him!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Things Too Wonderful - Job 41-42
At first glance, the Lord’s response to Job may be misunderstood. Since the Lord speaks with many rhetorical questions and does not answer Job’s inquiries directly, it may appear to us that the Lord is fussing at Job. Actually there appears to be another purpose in how the Lord responds to Job. What may seem to be an angry response from God is actually a very loving one. It may appear that Job’s life and suffering are meaningless since the Lord doesn’t explain everything to Job. That is not the case. It’s not that Job’s suffering and questions are inconsequential; it’s that they are secondary! The Lord responds in a way that proves to be much more meaningful for Job than if He just answered a few questions! The Lord responds by doing for Job what every soul longs for, revealing Himself!
He speaks of His eternal presence, His might in Creation, His providential care of Creation, His omniscience, His omnipotence, and His glory. In His closing words, the Lord describes the mighty, fearless, glorious Behemoth and Leviathan. The point is simple. If these creatures of mine are so glorious as to strike fear in the heart and move about as they please, their glory pales in comparison to that of their Creator!
Job finds himself taken back and blown away! He is like Moses, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul. He has been in the presence of the Lord and experienced “things too wonderful.” He understands now how holy the Lord is and how sinful he is, and thus, his questions are answered! The Lord is not finished with him yet though. Job lives a full life and enjoys again the material blessings of God and the joy of family! For sure he would say that the 140 years of abundance outweigh the time of suffering. But most importantly, it was worth it all to see the Lord!
He speaks of His eternal presence, His might in Creation, His providential care of Creation, His omniscience, His omnipotence, and His glory. In His closing words, the Lord describes the mighty, fearless, glorious Behemoth and Leviathan. The point is simple. If these creatures of mine are so glorious as to strike fear in the heart and move about as they please, their glory pales in comparison to that of their Creator!
Job finds himself taken back and blown away! He is like Moses, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul. He has been in the presence of the Lord and experienced “things too wonderful.” He understands now how holy the Lord is and how sinful he is, and thus, his questions are answered! The Lord is not finished with him yet though. Job lives a full life and enjoys again the material blessings of God and the joy of family! For sure he would say that the 140 years of abundance outweigh the time of suffering. But most importantly, it was worth it all to see the Lord!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Lord Speaks - Job 37-40
Beginning in Job 38 a truly remarkable, phenomenal event takes place - the Lord speaks! It is what Job has been pleading for and waiting for. It is what we have hoped for. We, like Job, want to hear some answers to his questions. We want to see the Lord appear and soothe Job, and comfort Job, and reassure Job, and finally let Job in on what is taking place behind the scenes! We are sure that now Job will see how his time of suffering is part of a cosmic showdown between Satan and the Lord! We want to see the relief on his face when he at last realizes the ultimate purposes for his sufferings! But that is not to happen! Instead, He makes these points.
First, the Lord made it all! “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (38:4) In other words, the eternal Godhead began with nothing and created everything! The response to such infinite power and glory is not questions but awe and wonder!
Second, the Lord sees it all! “Do you observe the calving of the does?” (39:1) Not one single event, no matter how hidden, far removed, or inconsequential it may seem, not a single thing happens outside the knowledge and will of God! He is not ignorant of your life!
Third, the Lord is in control of it all! “Do you give the horse his might?” (39:19) This all-powerful, all-knowing God is totally sovereign over His creation! Nothing unfolds or occurs outside of His will, including the upheaval of our worlds!
Job’s reaction - speechless before the majesty of the Glorious One! That should be our response as well!
First, the Lord made it all! “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (38:4) In other words, the eternal Godhead began with nothing and created everything! The response to such infinite power and glory is not questions but awe and wonder!
Second, the Lord sees it all! “Do you observe the calving of the does?” (39:1) Not one single event, no matter how hidden, far removed, or inconsequential it may seem, not a single thing happens outside the knowledge and will of God! He is not ignorant of your life!
Third, the Lord is in control of it all! “Do you give the horse his might?” (39:19) This all-powerful, all-knowing God is totally sovereign over His creation! Nothing unfolds or occurs outside of His will, including the upheaval of our worlds!
Job’s reaction - speechless before the majesty of the Glorious One! That should be our response as well!
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Young Guy - Job 33-36
As it turns out there are actually four guys sitting with Job. Elihu was the young chap. He was supposed to be seen and not heard precisely because of his age. He is there to observe, learn, and support by silent presence. However, as happens occasionally with the younger and zealous, he arrogantly believes he has a wee bit more wisdom than the rest. He is not only going to straighten out Job but his other three friends as well. So when he can’t possibly hold it any longer, his erupts into a six chapter speech!
Now one must hand it to Elihu, he certainly does have some fundamentals in place. He spends a good deal of his speech proclaiming the justice, greatness, and majesty of God. What a wonderful accomplishment and contribution Elihu would have made had he left his speech there! It does the soul good to meditate on God in the midst of suffering and pain. But of course, Elihu had more to say! The second largest component of his “wisdom” was simply another attack on Job. Elihu concludes that the Lord speaks in two ways, through dreams and pain (33:14). When he speaks through suffering, the purpose is to keep you on the straight and narrow. “Job, get right with God!” Again already, we all need to “get right with God” in some ways, but chastisement is not the issue here!
So what about Job’s friends? What was Elihu’s beef with them? He chastised them for not being able to convince Job of how sinful he was! (Notice that when God speaks, he doesn’t acknowledge Elihu at all!!!)
The point of Elihu’s speech is this: He made no contribution whatsoever! He only succeeded in wrongly heaping scorn upon a suffering man. Lesson: If you have to say something, point to God and leave it there!
Now one must hand it to Elihu, he certainly does have some fundamentals in place. He spends a good deal of his speech proclaiming the justice, greatness, and majesty of God. What a wonderful accomplishment and contribution Elihu would have made had he left his speech there! It does the soul good to meditate on God in the midst of suffering and pain. But of course, Elihu had more to say! The second largest component of his “wisdom” was simply another attack on Job. Elihu concludes that the Lord speaks in two ways, through dreams and pain (33:14). When he speaks through suffering, the purpose is to keep you on the straight and narrow. “Job, get right with God!” Again already, we all need to “get right with God” in some ways, but chastisement is not the issue here!
So what about Job’s friends? What was Elihu’s beef with them? He chastised them for not being able to convince Job of how sinful he was! (Notice that when God speaks, he doesn’t acknowledge Elihu at all!!!)
The point of Elihu’s speech is this: He made no contribution whatsoever! He only succeeded in wrongly heaping scorn upon a suffering man. Lesson: If you have to say something, point to God and leave it there!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Words of Job are Ended - Job 29-32
In Job 29-32, Job makes his final defense and appeal, and then he is done. Through all of his sufferings, he has maintained his integrity. Through all of the badgering from his friends, he has maintained his stance of righteousness before the Lord. His torment runs deeper than the boils on his skin or the anguish caused by his friends. What Job wrestles with more than any other obstacle is confusion with God!
“Why?” is Job’s main concern. He has been a good steward of his material goods. He has stood against the unrighteous. He has been a friend to the widow, the needy, and the stranger alike. He has shunned evil and walked in righteousness. Why would this mountain of tragedy befall one who has lived in such a righteous way?
Job becomes absolutely tormented in spirit. Maybe there is a sin he has overlooked? If only the Lord would reveal it so that he could mend his ways! What has he done to deserve this? And finally, Job runs out of words, and we will not hear from Job again until after Job hears from God!
There are some wonderful lessons for us here because we will all walk through seasons of suffering and anguish where we too will wonder “why?”. When we find ourselves in those times of struggle, Job is a good example for us. State your case. Pour out your heart. Review your life. Go back over everything. One good thing that results from suffering is that it causes us to stop and do some self-evaluation! Then, when you have made your case, just be quiet and wait on the Lord to answer! The Lord will answer! He does not allow suffering to cover his children in order to leave them wasted and distraught! He has a purpose. He will respond. Wait on the Lord.
“Why?” is Job’s main concern. He has been a good steward of his material goods. He has stood against the unrighteous. He has been a friend to the widow, the needy, and the stranger alike. He has shunned evil and walked in righteousness. Why would this mountain of tragedy befall one who has lived in such a righteous way?
Job becomes absolutely tormented in spirit. Maybe there is a sin he has overlooked? If only the Lord would reveal it so that he could mend his ways! What has he done to deserve this? And finally, Job runs out of words, and we will not hear from Job again until after Job hears from God!
There are some wonderful lessons for us here because we will all walk through seasons of suffering and anguish where we too will wonder “why?”. When we find ourselves in those times of struggle, Job is a good example for us. State your case. Pour out your heart. Review your life. Go back over everything. One good thing that results from suffering is that it causes us to stop and do some self-evaluation! Then, when you have made your case, just be quiet and wait on the Lord to answer! The Lord will answer! He does not allow suffering to cover his children in order to leave them wasted and distraught! He has a purpose. He will respond. Wait on the Lord.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Paul's Persuasive Pen - Philemon
Most examinations of Philemon are concerned with how Paul addresses slavery. He neither condones it nor condemns it. However, he does strongly indicate that under the influence of the Gospel, slavery will evaporate. What is most intriguing about this small letter is how powerful Paul can be with words! The pen is truly mightier than the sword when held under a brilliant mind such as that of the Apostle. The entire letter is one reason after another, both veiled and direct, for Philemon to acquiesce to Paul’s wish of accepting Onesimus with full privilege and without punishment. First, in his greeting he includes Timothy as a witness to the letter’s content, and he also desires for the letter to be read by others. Philemon will not be able to keep Paul’s request a secret.
Second, In Paul’s opening remarks he praises Philemon for his great acts of kindness and love toward fellow believers, which refreshed their hearts.
Third, he reminds Philemon of three things; his apostolic authority (which he lays aside), his imprisonment, and his age. Then he announces that Onesimus is now a fellow believer as well and should be treated as such. Paul led him to faith in Christ and considers him his own heart!
Fourth, Paul delivers the two most powerful persuasions yet when he suggests that all of these events were in God’s plan and that if Philemon wanted to refresh Paul’s heart, he would welcome and receive Onesimus!
There are several more persuasive ingredients in the letter, but one can tell from the examples above, Philemon was left without any options but to do the right thing because he was given so many reasons to do so!
Second, In Paul’s opening remarks he praises Philemon for his great acts of kindness and love toward fellow believers, which refreshed their hearts.
Third, he reminds Philemon of three things; his apostolic authority (which he lays aside), his imprisonment, and his age. Then he announces that Onesimus is now a fellow believer as well and should be treated as such. Paul led him to faith in Christ and considers him his own heart!
Fourth, Paul delivers the two most powerful persuasions yet when he suggests that all of these events were in God’s plan and that if Philemon wanted to refresh Paul’s heart, he would welcome and receive Onesimus!
There are several more persuasive ingredients in the letter, but one can tell from the examples above, Philemon was left without any options but to do the right thing because he was given so many reasons to do so!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Recipe for a Healthy Church - Titus
In Paul’s letter to Titus he is instructing Titus how to structure and guide the church in Crete. This epistle therefore is an ecclesiastical guidebook, that is, a biblical manual for the local church. In many ways, it is much like a recipe. If you get the ingredients right, the results are wonderful! Paul essentially instructs Titus to include three ingredients in order to see a healthy church produced in Crete. Throughout the epistle Paul uses the word “sound,” which means “healthy.” Paul’s desire is not just that a church in Crete exists, but that the church be healthy!
First Ingredient: God-ordained Leadership (1:5-9). Titus is to appoint elders (plural) for each church. After Paul lists the qualifications as a guide for Titus in appointing elders, he states the twofold purpose for elders in the church. They are to instruct the believers in “sound” doctrine and also to rebuke those who oppose “sound” doctrine.
Second Ingredient: God-centered Doctrine (2:11-14, 3:4-7). God-centered doctrine means that at the root of “sound” doctrine is that all things are rooted in the grace of God and result in the glory of God. In these texts, salvation is found in Christ alone and enacted by God alone!
Third Ingredient: God-glorifying Believers (2:1-10, 3:1-3). There is a progression here. Once you have God-ordained Leadership, they will teach “sound” doctrine to the church. The believers will embrace God-centered doctrine and their lives will reflect change and submission to God’s will! The changed life is what makes the “sound” doctrine so attractive (2:10)!
If health is to be achieved, these three ingredients are required!
First Ingredient: God-ordained Leadership (1:5-9). Titus is to appoint elders (plural) for each church. After Paul lists the qualifications as a guide for Titus in appointing elders, he states the twofold purpose for elders in the church. They are to instruct the believers in “sound” doctrine and also to rebuke those who oppose “sound” doctrine.
Second Ingredient: God-centered Doctrine (2:11-14, 3:4-7). God-centered doctrine means that at the root of “sound” doctrine is that all things are rooted in the grace of God and result in the glory of God. In these texts, salvation is found in Christ alone and enacted by God alone!
Third Ingredient: God-glorifying Believers (2:1-10, 3:1-3). There is a progression here. Once you have God-ordained Leadership, they will teach “sound” doctrine to the church. The believers will embrace God-centered doctrine and their lives will reflect change and submission to God’s will! The changed life is what makes the “sound” doctrine so attractive (2:10)!
If health is to be achieved, these three ingredients are required!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Famous Last Words - 2 Tim 3-4
2 Timothy is the last letter Paul wrote that was included in the Canon of Scripture. He was in prison and knew that his time on earth was nearing an end. Indeed, it was not long until Paul joined the ever-growing list of Christian martyrs. Therefore, in many ways the words of 2 Timothy were his last words. The last words of a man who knows he is going to die are extremely insightful. They reveal the heart more than any other action or event. Listen to Paul’s famous last words.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (4:6-8).
When we see the end in sight, may we be able to declare with Paul, “I have fought the good fight.” May we not spend our small lives wrapped up in the meaningless and temporary, but may we give ourselves to the things that matter for eternity! It will be a fight, but it is a good fight. May we also declare, “I have finished the race.” In terms of the Christian faith, how we end is just as important as how we begin! The Christian life and faith is not over at the new birth. It has just begun! Finally, may we be able to say, “I have kept the faith.” Dying takes away everything we possess, some things are gone forever, some temporarily. There is one possession that death cannot rob us of though, if we have maintained it - our faith!
Let us cling to Christ so that Paul’s last words may be our last words!
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (4:6-8).
When we see the end in sight, may we be able to declare with Paul, “I have fought the good fight.” May we not spend our small lives wrapped up in the meaningless and temporary, but may we give ourselves to the things that matter for eternity! It will be a fight, but it is a good fight. May we also declare, “I have finished the race.” In terms of the Christian faith, how we end is just as important as how we begin! The Christian life and faith is not over at the new birth. It has just begun! Finally, may we be able to say, “I have kept the faith.” Dying takes away everything we possess, some things are gone forever, some temporarily. There is one possession that death cannot rob us of though, if we have maintained it - our faith!
Let us cling to Christ so that Paul’s last words may be our last words!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Lace Up Those Running Shoes! 2 Tim 1-2
Paul closes 1 Timothy and opens 2 Timothy with the same imperative: RUN! In 2 Timothy 2:22 Paul writes, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
As in 1 Timothy 5:11, Paul calls on Timothy to flee from some things while simultaneously pursuing other things. In this passage, Timothy is to flee youthful passions. To understand what Paul means by “youthful passions” we look to the preceding verses. In vv20-21, Paul speaks of two kinds of vessels, those for honorable uses and those for dishonorable uses. An honorable vessel has cleansed himself from filth and is set apart as holy to the Lord for good works. So what are youthful passions? Anything in heart or conduct that would cause one to be dishonorable to the Lord. In simple terms, stay away from evil, perverse, self-indulgent sin!
Paul commands Timothy to pursue four virtues in this text. The first three are found in Paul’s list in 1 Tim 5. The fourth one, peace, is an additional virtue for believers. (Note the similarity between these virtues and the fruit of Spirit and the Beatitudes!) As believers, we understand that these kinds of virtues should be present in our lives. What we may not realize is that these kinds of virtues ARE present in the lives of true believers! Notice Paul says, “along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
When an individual runs in this way, that is, away from sin and to godliness, he finds himself in the camp of believers! As well he should, for he is a believer too! So lace up those running shoes believer! We were saved to run like this! If we are saved, we will run like this!
As in 1 Timothy 5:11, Paul calls on Timothy to flee from some things while simultaneously pursuing other things. In this passage, Timothy is to flee youthful passions. To understand what Paul means by “youthful passions” we look to the preceding verses. In vv20-21, Paul speaks of two kinds of vessels, those for honorable uses and those for dishonorable uses. An honorable vessel has cleansed himself from filth and is set apart as holy to the Lord for good works. So what are youthful passions? Anything in heart or conduct that would cause one to be dishonorable to the Lord. In simple terms, stay away from evil, perverse, self-indulgent sin!
Paul commands Timothy to pursue four virtues in this text. The first three are found in Paul’s list in 1 Tim 5. The fourth one, peace, is an additional virtue for believers. (Note the similarity between these virtues and the fruit of Spirit and the Beatitudes!) As believers, we understand that these kinds of virtues should be present in our lives. What we may not realize is that these kinds of virtues ARE present in the lives of true believers! Notice Paul says, “along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
When an individual runs in this way, that is, away from sin and to godliness, he finds himself in the camp of believers! As well he should, for he is a believer too! So lace up those running shoes believer! We were saved to run like this! If we are saved, we will run like this!
On the Run - 1 Tim 5-6
The Christian life is one of active movement! For Timothy, Paul calls on him as a young minister of the gospel to be on the run! “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (6:11).
First, Paul alerts Timothy to the fact that some things are giving him chase, and he needs to flee them so as to not get caught, tangled, and trapped! The question is what are the “these things” from which Timothy should flee? For that answer we look to the previous text. At least three items appear in vv3-10 that believers, especially pastors, should intentionally avoid; false doctrine, meaningless controversy, and the love of money. When Timothy notices any of these three, he is to run in the opposite direction as fast and as hard as he can. False doctrine is anything that contradicts the words of Jesus (v3). Meaningless controversy is initiated with evil intent and only results in division. The love of money will cause one to destroy his soul (vv9-10)!
Second, not only is Timothy to avoid the dangers that give him chase, but he is to be about chasing godly virtues! Paul commands him to pursue six. (1) Righteousness - right living among men. (2) Godliness - God-glorifying life. (3) Faith - keep believing more and deeper. (4) Love - work at displaying love toward one another, not just vocally affirming it. (5) Steadfastness - Be consistent in the Christian life. (6) Gentleness - Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.
Evil is not easy to avoid and Spirit-fruit does not come without cooperating effort! Get busy; get to running!
First, Paul alerts Timothy to the fact that some things are giving him chase, and he needs to flee them so as to not get caught, tangled, and trapped! The question is what are the “these things” from which Timothy should flee? For that answer we look to the previous text. At least three items appear in vv3-10 that believers, especially pastors, should intentionally avoid; false doctrine, meaningless controversy, and the love of money. When Timothy notices any of these three, he is to run in the opposite direction as fast and as hard as he can. False doctrine is anything that contradicts the words of Jesus (v3). Meaningless controversy is initiated with evil intent and only results in division. The love of money will cause one to destroy his soul (vv9-10)!
Second, not only is Timothy to avoid the dangers that give him chase, but he is to be about chasing godly virtues! Paul commands him to pursue six. (1) Righteousness - right living among men. (2) Godliness - God-glorifying life. (3) Faith - keep believing more and deeper. (4) Love - work at displaying love toward one another, not just vocally affirming it. (5) Steadfastness - Be consistent in the Christian life. (6) Gentleness - Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.
Evil is not easy to avoid and Spirit-fruit does not come without cooperating effort! Get busy; get to running!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A NT Confession - 1 Tim 3-4
Confessions are documents used by the Church to affirm specific biblical doctrines in a systematic way. Two of the more prominent confessions of Church History are The Westminster Confession of Faith and the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Confessions are used to denounce heresy and to teach sound doctrine. What may come as a surprise is that confessional statements developed very early in the NT Church. We find a confession of Christology in 3:16. “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” Six points of the doctrine of Christ are this one confessional statement.
The Incarnation. God became flesh. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took on the flesh of man.
The Anointing. This probably refers to the baptism of Jesus. Jesus was baptized as part of completely fulfilling all righteousness for man. When He was baptized, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, rested upon Him.
The Deity of Christ. Jesus was not only fully man as affirmed in the first phrase, He was also fully God. He was seen by angels, that is, His dwelling was in the heavenly realm.
The Gospel. The Gospel message is the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is Christ we proclaim!
Justification by Faith. The new birth occurs at the moment one believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Everywhere Jesus is proclaimed, He is embraced.
Resurrection and Ascension. Jesus rose from the dead and rose in body back to the Father’s side in glory!
The Incarnation. God became flesh. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took on the flesh of man.
The Anointing. This probably refers to the baptism of Jesus. Jesus was baptized as part of completely fulfilling all righteousness for man. When He was baptized, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, rested upon Him.
The Deity of Christ. Jesus was not only fully man as affirmed in the first phrase, He was also fully God. He was seen by angels, that is, His dwelling was in the heavenly realm.
The Gospel. The Gospel message is the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is Christ we proclaim!
Justification by Faith. The new birth occurs at the moment one believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Everywhere Jesus is proclaimed, He is embraced.
Resurrection and Ascension. Jesus rose from the dead and rose in body back to the Father’s side in glory!
Our Unique God - 1 Tim 1-2
It is a joy to read the letters of Paul because they are so rich in theology, understanding, insight, and encouragement. They are also a pleasure because Paul does not write cold, impersonal letters. He is involved in the letter. He rejoices at times and weeps at times, and sometimes he stops and praises the Lord right on the page! One of his praise choruses is found in 1:17. “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” At the heart of Paul’s praise is the uniqueness of our glorious God!
First, He alone is THE King of ages. He has always been The King, and He always will be! No other can take or claim His throne!
Second, He is immortal. He is Spirit without a body like man. He lives eternally and is the source of all life. He cannot die!
Third, He is invisible. No one, apart from a glorified state, has seen Him. He is unlike other false gods which can be fashioned into idols. He cannot for His form is unseen and cannot be contained in material representation.
Fourth, He is the only God. This is the highest mark of His uniqueness! He is the only One! There are no other gods at all. Other gods are simply figments of man’s imagination created in order to reject the One, True God.
It is on the basis of God’s unique existence and essence that Paul rightly declares that God is worthy of all honor and glory forevermore! And He will receive that honor and glory because we as His children will bring it joyfully to Him!
First, He alone is THE King of ages. He has always been The King, and He always will be! No other can take or claim His throne!
Second, He is immortal. He is Spirit without a body like man. He lives eternally and is the source of all life. He cannot die!
Third, He is invisible. No one, apart from a glorified state, has seen Him. He is unlike other false gods which can be fashioned into idols. He cannot for His form is unseen and cannot be contained in material representation.
Fourth, He is the only God. This is the highest mark of His uniqueness! He is the only One! There are no other gods at all. Other gods are simply figments of man’s imagination created in order to reject the One, True God.
It is on the basis of God’s unique existence and essence that Paul rightly declares that God is worthy of all honor and glory forevermore! And He will receive that honor and glory because we as His children will bring it joyfully to Him!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Bildad's Wisdom - Job 25-28
We have heard from Eliphaz and Zophar. Now we hear from the third friend, Bildad, and just like the others, he has some sound theology to offer. However, as with the others, he has misdiagnosed Job’s situation, and as a result, misapplied his theology.
“How can he who is born of woman be pure?” (25:4) A rhetorical question rooted firmly in biblical truth. This is nothing other than the doctrine of original sin. In no way is this some kind of male chauvinistic language. The gender is not the point. Being born of woman is simply a statement of fact. The point is that every human being, that is every one born of woman, is morally corrupt! (save One, who was born of a virgin!) No one is pure before God. No one is right before God. We are all guilty. We are all corrupt. We are born with a sinful nature, and as soon as we can make moral judgments, we act accordingly! Is this not David’s own assessment in Psalm 51:5? “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
Again, the truth of Bildad’s statement is completely accurate. His mistake is to conclude that the ONLY answer for Job’s suffering is Job’s sin. Job was certainly a sinner who deserved nothing good from God, like us all. However, God’s purposes in suffering extend far beyond the scope of man’s sin! Punishing Job was not God’s purpose. It is true that we suffer because of our sin. We all reap the consequences of our rebellious choices. However, we are sadly mistaken if we believe there is a direct connection between our sin and our suffering in every single case. The main concern for us in times of suffering is not “why” but “what for.” Trust in our Father and learn the lessons He has for us in our suffering.
“How can he who is born of woman be pure?” (25:4) A rhetorical question rooted firmly in biblical truth. This is nothing other than the doctrine of original sin. In no way is this some kind of male chauvinistic language. The gender is not the point. Being born of woman is simply a statement of fact. The point is that every human being, that is every one born of woman, is morally corrupt! (save One, who was born of a virgin!) No one is pure before God. No one is right before God. We are all guilty. We are all corrupt. We are born with a sinful nature, and as soon as we can make moral judgments, we act accordingly! Is this not David’s own assessment in Psalm 51:5? “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
Again, the truth of Bildad’s statement is completely accurate. His mistake is to conclude that the ONLY answer for Job’s suffering is Job’s sin. Job was certainly a sinner who deserved nothing good from God, like us all. However, God’s purposes in suffering extend far beyond the scope of man’s sin! Punishing Job was not God’s purpose. It is true that we suffer because of our sin. We all reap the consequences of our rebellious choices. However, we are sadly mistaken if we believe there is a direct connection between our sin and our suffering in every single case. The main concern for us in times of suffering is not “why” but “what for.” Trust in our Father and learn the lessons He has for us in our suffering.
Why Do the Wicked Prosper? Job 21-24
One of the questions that plagued Job’s soul was “Why do the wicked prosper?” Job, a blameless, godly man was enduring unspeakable suffering while observing the godless around him living in luxury and comfort. When we are striving to live for the Lord and find ourselves struggling we ask “Why?” as well. “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them” (21:7-9). God does not answer this directly, but one can gain an insight into the answer from examining the Bible’s teaching on God’s treatment of unbelievers.
Common grace. There are certain graces, common graces, God lavishes upon all such as the sun and the rain (Matt 5:45).
Time and Location of Rewards. An evil man may be a very industrious business man, therefore, he receives high profits. The believer is laying up his rewards in heaven, to which even his suffering contributes. The unbeliever enjoys all his rewards right here and now, and then his suffering lasts forever and has no future benefit (Matt 6:2,5,16).
Prosperity or Judgment? What may seem like prospering for the wicked is in reality an increase of judgment. The more a wicked man is blessed by God and ignores God rather than worships Him, the more judgment is heaped upon his head! (Rom 1:21)
Don’t be plagued by the prosperity of the wicked during your time of suffering! Your suffering is working toward an eternal weight of glory. His prosperity is short-lived and working toward an eternal condemnation for rejecting the God who has been so gracious to him!
Common grace. There are certain graces, common graces, God lavishes upon all such as the sun and the rain (Matt 5:45).
Time and Location of Rewards. An evil man may be a very industrious business man, therefore, he receives high profits. The believer is laying up his rewards in heaven, to which even his suffering contributes. The unbeliever enjoys all his rewards right here and now, and then his suffering lasts forever and has no future benefit (Matt 6:2,5,16).
Prosperity or Judgment? What may seem like prospering for the wicked is in reality an increase of judgment. The more a wicked man is blessed by God and ignores God rather than worships Him, the more judgment is heaped upon his head! (Rom 1:21)
Don’t be plagued by the prosperity of the wicked during your time of suffering! Your suffering is working toward an eternal weight of glory. His prosperity is short-lived and working toward an eternal condemnation for rejecting the God who has been so gracious to him!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Center of Job's Hope - Job 17-20
In yesterday’s reading we learned that Job possessed an undying hope. In today’s reading what is at the center of Job’s hope that sustains it! “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” (19:25-27)
At the core of Job’s hope is Job’s faith! Job knows he has a Redeemer, therefore, Job knows he has been redeemed! Job is a believer. He believes in the God whom he cannot understand but knows is there! This God not only exists, but he redeems; he saves! Job understands he needs a redeemer and that in God, he has redemption!
Also, Job knows that when all is said and done, when life is over, when the world comes to an end, the Lord will stand alive, well, and victorious! The Lord will reign supreme when every other kingdom is cast down. However, that is not all. Job also knows that he will be with God when God brings history to a conclusion and reigns for eternity! He knows this for sure because he knows the Lord for sure!
And even beyond these great assurances of faith, Job declares that the eternal state will unveil an eternal body! Job is sure of two things in the midst of his confusion. He knows he will die, and he knows that because of his Redeemer he will live again forever, body and soul! The center of Job’s hope, the reason why his hope is undying, is because his hope is grounded in his faith! Faith in all that God is for us in Christ! Job’s hope is built on nothing less!
At the core of Job’s hope is Job’s faith! Job knows he has a Redeemer, therefore, Job knows he has been redeemed! Job is a believer. He believes in the God whom he cannot understand but knows is there! This God not only exists, but he redeems; he saves! Job understands he needs a redeemer and that in God, he has redemption!
Also, Job knows that when all is said and done, when life is over, when the world comes to an end, the Lord will stand alive, well, and victorious! The Lord will reign supreme when every other kingdom is cast down. However, that is not all. Job also knows that he will be with God when God brings history to a conclusion and reigns for eternity! He knows this for sure because he knows the Lord for sure!
And even beyond these great assurances of faith, Job declares that the eternal state will unveil an eternal body! Job is sure of two things in the midst of his confusion. He knows he will die, and he knows that because of his Redeemer he will live again forever, body and soul! The center of Job’s hope, the reason why his hope is undying, is because his hope is grounded in his faith! Faith in all that God is for us in Christ! Job’s hope is built on nothing less!
Undying Hope - Job 13-16
Job 13:15 strikes one as an incredible declaration of steady, God-centered, undying hope! “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” That is one of the “WOW” statements of Scripture. Even more shocking is the actual rendering in the Hebrew language. “Though” can have two distinct connotations. “Though” can mean “if,” which is the likely way this verse is normally read. “IF He slay me, I will hope in Him.” However, “though” can also mean “this is going to happen,” which seems to be closer to the original. Now it reads, “He will slay me, I will hope in Him.”
Is this hyperbole? Is Job making a superficial spiritual statement here to impress his friends? Not likely! Remember Job’s present sufferings! Life is about all that Job has left! His life was the the only thing the Lord would not allow Satan to take from him. This is not shallow, holier-than-thou talk. This is real, gut-level, staring death in the face talk! Job is serious! He has nothing left on this earth but life, and even when God takes that from him, he will still hope in God! When Job dies, his hope in God will not!
How can one hope in such a God who has allowed such devastating destruction? Simply put, if God is in control of all things, if God is sovereign (and Job knows He is), then placing one’s hope in God, especially in death, is the most secure place for hope!
We do not understand the ways of God, neither did Job! We cannot answer all the questions when suffering hits home, neither could Job! When life goes topsy-turvy, we have to keep our feet on steady, solid ground. Death will come to us all, God is in control, and He alone can save! Put your hope in Him, and you will not be disappointed even in (especially in) death!
Is this hyperbole? Is Job making a superficial spiritual statement here to impress his friends? Not likely! Remember Job’s present sufferings! Life is about all that Job has left! His life was the the only thing the Lord would not allow Satan to take from him. This is not shallow, holier-than-thou talk. This is real, gut-level, staring death in the face talk! Job is serious! He has nothing left on this earth but life, and even when God takes that from him, he will still hope in God! When Job dies, his hope in God will not!
How can one hope in such a God who has allowed such devastating destruction? Simply put, if God is in control of all things, if God is sovereign (and Job knows He is), then placing one’s hope in God, especially in death, is the most secure place for hope!
We do not understand the ways of God, neither did Job! We cannot answer all the questions when suffering hits home, neither could Job! When life goes topsy-turvy, we have to keep our feet on steady, solid ground. Death will come to us all, God is in control, and He alone can save! Put your hope in Him, and you will not be disappointed even in (especially in) death!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Wisdom of Zophar - Job 9-12
Another of Job’s friends begins to speak, Zophar. As with Eliphaz, he does have some wise insights, but he joins Eliphaz in misapplying them. One of his more revealing bits of wisdom comes in the form of rhetorical questioning. “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?” (11:7-8)
God is inexhaustible! That is, you cannot search Him out and discover everything there is to know about Him! In fact, the things we do know about God, we ONLY know because He chose to reveal them to us! Deut 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
God is infinite and eternal! He has no boundaries. He is not locked in by time, space, geographical location, or physical body. He has no limits beyond the standard of His holiness! His only boundary is the boundary between right and wrong. He never crosses it! However, in terms of His being and His perfect attributes, there are no limits!
God is transcendent! He is beyond us. He is over us. He is too big for us to get our arms around, our minds around, our hearts around! Our towers of Babel crumble at the blink of His eye!
God is omniscient! He knows everything! God has never said, “The more I know, the more I realize how little I know!” There is no “more” for God to know!
God is inexhaustible! That is, you cannot search Him out and discover everything there is to know about Him! In fact, the things we do know about God, we ONLY know because He chose to reveal them to us! Deut 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
God is infinite and eternal! He has no boundaries. He is not locked in by time, space, geographical location, or physical body. He has no limits beyond the standard of His holiness! His only boundary is the boundary between right and wrong. He never crosses it! However, in terms of His being and His perfect attributes, there are no limits!
God is transcendent! He is beyond us. He is over us. He is too big for us to get our arms around, our minds around, our hearts around! Our towers of Babel crumble at the blink of His eye!
God is omniscient! He knows everything! God has never said, “The more I know, the more I realize how little I know!” There is no “more” for God to know!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Great Theology - Wrong Application - Job 5-8
Job’s friends remain silent for seven days because his misery is so evident and disturbing. That was the right thing to do. Sometimes we don’t need to say anything; we just need to be there. After Job finally speaks, they began to offer their thoughts. That was the wrong thing to do. Not because of the content of their speeches necessarily. They do have some wise things to say. (They also say some unwise things!) However, their application was misguided, and therefore, good words became harmful instead of helpful.
Eliphaz was the first to speak. He offered one bit of great theology. “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal” (5:17-18). The Lord does indeed discipline His children, and He does so for good purposes. The same truth is in Proverbs and Hebrews (Prov 3:11-12, Heb 12:5-6). Every believer needs to understand this truth.
However, Job was not being disciplined by the Lord, therefore, the application was dead wrong! We must be extremely careful with good theology! It is helpful and faith-building to understand the ways of God. However, it can be damaging for struggling believers if misapplied. We must take care with regard to timing. A believer should be instructed about God’s ways in discipline outside of the context of suffering. When enduring suffering, the believer needs comfort and assurance. We must take great care with applying truth to specific individuals and situations. The Bible reveals the ways God works, but we are not to say He is working a particular way in someone’s life. Only God knows the why and the what for! He will reveal His plan to His child in due time! Take care in how we care for one another!
Eliphaz was the first to speak. He offered one bit of great theology. “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal” (5:17-18). The Lord does indeed discipline His children, and He does so for good purposes. The same truth is in Proverbs and Hebrews (Prov 3:11-12, Heb 12:5-6). Every believer needs to understand this truth.
However, Job was not being disciplined by the Lord, therefore, the application was dead wrong! We must be extremely careful with good theology! It is helpful and faith-building to understand the ways of God. However, it can be damaging for struggling believers if misapplied. We must take care with regard to timing. A believer should be instructed about God’s ways in discipline outside of the context of suffering. When enduring suffering, the believer needs comfort and assurance. We must take great care with applying truth to specific individuals and situations. The Bible reveals the ways God works, but we are not to say He is working a particular way in someone’s life. Only God knows the why and the what for! He will reveal His plan to His child in due time! Take care in how we care for one another!
Keeping Faith in Times of Loss - Job 1-4
The opening chapters of Job are filled with unusual sights, terrible circumstances, intriguing dialogue, and most of all, incredible faith! It is surprising to read the conversation between God and Satan. It is surprising to read the tragic events traumatically unfold in Job’s life. The most surprising element of all, though, is that Job remains steady as the initial shockwaves roll over him! There are at least two insights we can glean from these passages which point to how Job’s faith remained in place when everything around him came unwound!
First, he believed that God was sovereign. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21). Job knew that God was in control of all events and that Job was not. If God is in control, events, though tragic, are not accidental, coincidental, or without purpose.
Second, he knew that he did not deserve grace. “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:10) Job knew that he had no right or merit to expect that God would only bestow good upon him. When we receive good from God, it is grace. Because of our sin, it is evil that we should expect, and it is grace that should surprise us!
These are surely not the extent of Job’s faith, but they surely are part of it. Therefore, when he lost his possessions, his health, his children, and the support of his wife, he still did not lose his faith! “In all this Job did not sin or charge god with wrong” (1:22). And, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (2:10). This is the most surprising element in this narrative! We so easily blame God and lose our joy in difficult days. Remember, God is sovereign. Remember, grace is a gift. And keep your faith!
First, he believed that God was sovereign. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21). Job knew that God was in control of all events and that Job was not. If God is in control, events, though tragic, are not accidental, coincidental, or without purpose.
Second, he knew that he did not deserve grace. “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:10) Job knew that he had no right or merit to expect that God would only bestow good upon him. When we receive good from God, it is grace. Because of our sin, it is evil that we should expect, and it is grace that should surprise us!
These are surely not the extent of Job’s faith, but they surely are part of it. Therefore, when he lost his possessions, his health, his children, and the support of his wife, he still did not lose his faith! “In all this Job did not sin or charge god with wrong” (1:22). And, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (2:10). This is the most surprising element in this narrative! We so easily blame God and lose our joy in difficult days. Remember, God is sovereign. Remember, grace is a gift. And keep your faith!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
From Sorrow to Gladness - Est 8-10
Haman had devised a wicked and evil plot. He was so filled with pride that he could not live with himself as long as Mordecai the Jew would not bow down to him! It was eating him up. His thoughts grew more and more insidious until he conjured up a means to not only rid himself of Mordecai, but all the Jews throughout the kingdom! Haman, through sanction of the king, instituted a policy of genocide and set aside an entire day to be dedicated to the slaughter of the Jews! From India to Ethiopia, Jewish men, women, and children would be executed.
For the Jews, this was an inescapable situation. Where would they flee? The kingdom was much to big. They would never make it. They would go into hiding for fear of their lives. They would be separated from family, home, and friends. They would become destitute. And most of them would die, by the thousands! But God is much bigger than Haman!
The book of Esther ends much different than it begins. It begins with Haman plotting the death of the Jews. It ends with Haman dying! It begins with the Jews facing certain death. It ends with the Jews being favored. It begins with Haman calling the shots and manipulating circumstances. It ends revealing who is really in control of all things, even Haman, Almighty God!
“The Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor” (9:22).
For the Jews, this was an inescapable situation. Where would they flee? The kingdom was much to big. They would never make it. They would go into hiding for fear of their lives. They would be separated from family, home, and friends. They would become destitute. And most of them would die, by the thousands! But God is much bigger than Haman!
The book of Esther ends much different than it begins. It begins with Haman plotting the death of the Jews. It ends with Haman dying! It begins with the Jews facing certain death. It ends with the Jews being favored. It begins with Haman calling the shots and manipulating circumstances. It ends revealing who is really in control of all things, even Haman, Almighty God!
“The Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor” (9:22).
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Schemes of Man - Esther 5-7
When reading the storyline of Esther, one wants to conclude that the Lord really does have a sense of humor. However, it would probably be more accurate to conclude that one should not harm or plot against the people of God!
6:1 says that the king could not sleep one night and so he had the chronicles of the king read to him. Accident? Absolutely not! For the day before this particular night, Haman had a large gallows built in order to hang Mordecai for not bowing down to him. What should the king discover but that the very same Mordecai had saved his life one time and nothing had been done to honor him. Who does the king seek advice on how to properly honor Mordecai but the very same Haman. Haman, thinking the king desires to honor him, soon discovers that it is Mordecai he wishes to honor, and Haman gets the honor of honoring Mordecai! This is classic!
The end of this drama is very telling. Esther reveals to the king that Haman’s plot is against her own people, and the king orders Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai!
The lesson is clear. Man will scheme, but God is in control. Man will plot, but God’s will is not deterred. Man will rage, but God will have the final say. God unfolds the schemes of men and lays them bare, both their schemes and them! The ant may scheme to build a home of dirt along our garden path, but with one swoop of the foot, the ant’s scheme is destroyed. So it is with man and God. Man devised grand schemes to elevate himself in the sight of God and man. God brings him down with barely a glance. The schemes of man are no match for the will of God!
6:1 says that the king could not sleep one night and so he had the chronicles of the king read to him. Accident? Absolutely not! For the day before this particular night, Haman had a large gallows built in order to hang Mordecai for not bowing down to him. What should the king discover but that the very same Mordecai had saved his life one time and nothing had been done to honor him. Who does the king seek advice on how to properly honor Mordecai but the very same Haman. Haman, thinking the king desires to honor him, soon discovers that it is Mordecai he wishes to honor, and Haman gets the honor of honoring Mordecai! This is classic!
The end of this drama is very telling. Esther reveals to the king that Haman’s plot is against her own people, and the king orders Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai!
The lesson is clear. Man will scheme, but God is in control. Man will plot, but God’s will is not deterred. Man will rage, but God will have the final say. God unfolds the schemes of men and lays them bare, both their schemes and them! The ant may scheme to build a home of dirt along our garden path, but with one swoop of the foot, the ant’s scheme is destroyed. So it is with man and God. Man devised grand schemes to elevate himself in the sight of God and man. God brings him down with barely a glance. The schemes of man are no match for the will of God!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
When the Time Comes - Esther 1-4
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14)
The Lord orders our lives beyond our imagination and wildest dreams! What Esther thought was just a series of fortunate events was the orchestrating hand of a merciful, sovereign God. An orphaned Jewish girl ends up as queen of a world empire. This was no accident of coincidental circumstances. This was the Lord of the universe caring for His people. Esther’s time had come. Her time by God’s ordination to stand for truth, to stand for her people.
Our lives are not a random collection of events either. God is working in all of us to fulfill purposes for which we have no idea. Our time will come as well. Our time to speak truth, stand for truth, and love truth above even our own lives. God moves nations on such stands!
The time to obey the Lord will probably come at an inconvenient time as it did for Esther. She hadn’t even seen the king yet, much less make such a request from him.
The time to obey the Lord will probably come with much risk to our own lives as it did with Esther. She knew she was putting her life on the line in order to save her people. So she fasted, prayed, and then declared, “If I perish, I perish.”
However the time comes, we must totally trust and follow the Lord. He will use us for His glory, and we will be blessed. Or, He will use another!
The Lord orders our lives beyond our imagination and wildest dreams! What Esther thought was just a series of fortunate events was the orchestrating hand of a merciful, sovereign God. An orphaned Jewish girl ends up as queen of a world empire. This was no accident of coincidental circumstances. This was the Lord of the universe caring for His people. Esther’s time had come. Her time by God’s ordination to stand for truth, to stand for her people.
Our lives are not a random collection of events either. God is working in all of us to fulfill purposes for which we have no idea. Our time will come as well. Our time to speak truth, stand for truth, and love truth above even our own lives. God moves nations on such stands!
The time to obey the Lord will probably come at an inconvenient time as it did for Esther. She hadn’t even seen the king yet, much less make such a request from him.
The time to obey the Lord will probably come with much risk to our own lives as it did with Esther. She knew she was putting her life on the line in order to save her people. So she fasted, prayed, and then declared, “If I perish, I perish.”
However the time comes, we must totally trust and follow the Lord. He will use us for His glory, and we will be blessed. Or, He will use another!
The Task is Finished - Neh 11-13
After years of captivity, after an amazing return, after much opposition, after much prayer, after much labor, the task is finished! The wall around Jerusalem was finally repaired. It was time to celebrate!
The people turned out and their leaders went before them. They marched on the wall with loud music and singing. Before now, they thought Jerusalem would never be rebuilt. Before now, they thought all was lost. Before now, they could not imagine Jerusalem’s wall restored. Now they walked on it!
“And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God has made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away” (12:43).
We must take note of two important lessons. First, never forget to rejoice and rejoice greatly when the Lord answers prayer! Remember, their answered prayer required great faith, courage, and work from them, but God provided and answered. Rejoice in the Lord today dear friend, for surely the Lord has been good to you.
Second, remember the source of our joy! The Lord made them to rejoice! The Lord led them, strengthened them, and enabled them to rebuild the wall. Then the Lord put a song in their heart! The joy of the Lord is our strength! He has done great things! Let the sound of joy and music be heard from our lives far away just as in Nehemiah’s day! Let us make known how great is our God by how great is our joy in Him!
The people turned out and their leaders went before them. They marched on the wall with loud music and singing. Before now, they thought Jerusalem would never be rebuilt. Before now, they thought all was lost. Before now, they could not imagine Jerusalem’s wall restored. Now they walked on it!
“And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God has made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away” (12:43).
We must take note of two important lessons. First, never forget to rejoice and rejoice greatly when the Lord answers prayer! Remember, their answered prayer required great faith, courage, and work from them, but God provided and answered. Rejoice in the Lord today dear friend, for surely the Lord has been good to you.
Second, remember the source of our joy! The Lord made them to rejoice! The Lord led them, strengthened them, and enabled them to rebuild the wall. Then the Lord put a song in their heart! The joy of the Lord is our strength! He has done great things! Let the sound of joy and music be heard from our lives far away just as in Nehemiah’s day! Let us make known how great is our God by how great is our joy in Him!
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