June 1 BIBLE BLOG
Psalms 1-6
If you look at the hymnals of the early 19th Century, you’ll see that few of them had any music. People were taught tunes, and poets wrote verses to fit them. When people got together for camp-meetings or outdoor “brush arbor services” on the Prairie, they already knew the tunes and were taught the new lyrics line by line.
Today we enter Israel’s songbook. It began with King David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, and was continued by the Levite musicians who continued the temple worship that David and Solomon began. These are the words of their worship songs, Hebrew poetry, 150 of them arranged into 5 books (possibly to imitate the holy nature of the first five books of the Bible); they represent the widest range of human emotion, proving, once-for-all, that God has broad enough shoulders to receive our cries and complaints, our anger and frustration, as well as our praise and joys.
Psalm 1 is uniquely placed at the beginning as one of the great songs of praise for the Law of God. Meditate on God’s Law and you will be like a well-rooted “tree planted by streams of water.” Ignore God’s Law and you will be like “chaff that the wind drives away!”
Psalm 2 is the first great Messianic psalm; the word “Anointed” in verse 2 refers to Him. This psalm asks “Why do the nations rage against the Messiah, who is God’s Son and should be worshipped (kissed; v. 12)?
Psalm 3 is the first of the psalms directly attributed to David, though he wrote it in later in life, when, as king, his son Absalom rebelled against him. Anyone in stressful times can read this and find hope!
Psalm 4 is also a cry of David. It begins with stress and uncertainty and ends with peace and confidence in God’s sovereignty! (NOTE: the inscription “to the choirmaster” in this and other psalms!”)
Psalm 5 is one of Pastor Paul’s favorites, especially the paraphrase written by Eugene Peterson called The Message. Find a copy and read the first three verses. I love the covering and protection promised in the last 2 verses, as well!
Psalm 6 is the first, we think, to mention one of the tune names I was talking about; it is inscribed to the choirmaster with stringed instruments according to the Sheminith. I’d love to hear that tune; maybe we will in heaven. This psalm is another of David’s pleas to God for deliverance. Is your soul “greatly troubled?” (v. 3) Do you find yourself flooding your bed with tears? (v. 6) Then this psalm is for you!
Tomorrow, we continue our trek through the Psalms;
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Monday, June 2, 2014
MAY 31 JOB 40-42
Job 40-42
GOD COMMANDS CENTER STAGE
Yesterday, I wondered: what affect will these questions have upon Job? At the outset of today’s reading, we get an answer. After two chapters full of rhetorical questions, God says, “It’s time for the one who argues with God to answer God!” (Job 40:2) Job has enough sense to say this (my paraphrase): “How can I answer? I am of no account. I’ve said too much already. I’m covering my mouth!”
This may have been an appropriate response; it’s certainly a humble one, but God wants more and presses on. There follows two more chapters of rhetorical questions and statements; they must have seemed an endless bombardment to Job. This time they seem a bit more to the point, such as: Will you even put Me in the wrong? Will you condemn Me that you may be in the right? Can you draw out Leviathon with a fishhook? Can you put a rope in his nose? Will you put him on a leash? Then who can stand before Me? Who has first given to me that I should repay him?
Job’s second response (Job 42:2-6) shows how far God wanted to push him. The first four verses of this second response repeat and intensify the humility in Job’s first response. I have uttered what I do not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know (Job 42:3b). But, by the end, Job says this: Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:6).
Now, Job is—for the most part—over. But what about the “friends?” What about Job’s losses? God instructs the three “unwise” men to ask Job to pray for them, which Job does. Once Job had prayed for his friends, God goes about the process of restoring Job’s fortunes through the grace gifts of loved ones, a restored relationship with Mrs. Job, ten more children (7 boys and 3 beautiful girls!) and many godly generations. When Job died, he died “an old man and full of days.”
What do we learn from Job? Though it’s certainly not wrong to ask God questions, we cannot always expect to hear the sort of answer we’re looking for. In the end, when God appears on the scene, he does not answer even one of Job’s questions. By presenting to Job His majesty, power and presence, God might be saying, “Here I am, Job; am I enough for you?” If I am, repent!
Tomorrow, we begin the Psalms!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
GOD COMMANDS CENTER STAGE
Yesterday, I wondered: what affect will these questions have upon Job? At the outset of today’s reading, we get an answer. After two chapters full of rhetorical questions, God says, “It’s time for the one who argues with God to answer God!” (Job 40:2) Job has enough sense to say this (my paraphrase): “How can I answer? I am of no account. I’ve said too much already. I’m covering my mouth!”
This may have been an appropriate response; it’s certainly a humble one, but God wants more and presses on. There follows two more chapters of rhetorical questions and statements; they must have seemed an endless bombardment to Job. This time they seem a bit more to the point, such as: Will you even put Me in the wrong? Will you condemn Me that you may be in the right? Can you draw out Leviathon with a fishhook? Can you put a rope in his nose? Will you put him on a leash? Then who can stand before Me? Who has first given to me that I should repay him?
Job’s second response (Job 42:2-6) shows how far God wanted to push him. The first four verses of this second response repeat and intensify the humility in Job’s first response. I have uttered what I do not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know (Job 42:3b). But, by the end, Job says this: Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:6).
Now, Job is—for the most part—over. But what about the “friends?” What about Job’s losses? God instructs the three “unwise” men to ask Job to pray for them, which Job does. Once Job had prayed for his friends, God goes about the process of restoring Job’s fortunes through the grace gifts of loved ones, a restored relationship with Mrs. Job, ten more children (7 boys and 3 beautiful girls!) and many godly generations. When Job died, he died “an old man and full of days.”
What do we learn from Job? Though it’s certainly not wrong to ask God questions, we cannot always expect to hear the sort of answer we’re looking for. In the end, when God appears on the scene, he does not answer even one of Job’s questions. By presenting to Job His majesty, power and presence, God might be saying, “Here I am, Job; am I enough for you?” If I am, repent!
Tomorrow, we begin the Psalms!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
MAY 30 JOB 38-39
Job 38-39
GOD ENTERS (Elihu has disappeared!)
After all Job had been through—the inexplicable loss of his possessions, his children and his health—you’d expect God to say something, even if it’s something short of the whole account of God’s “bargain” with Satan. That might be what we call nowadays TMI (Too Much Information!). But surely God would say something comforting about Job’s losses, something encouraging about Job’s future, something applicable to Job’s situation. But He doesn’t, at least, not directly.
Instead of answering questions, God asks them. And nowhere does God pause long enough for Job to attempt any answers. In fact, these questions that need no answers fall under the category of questions we call “rhetorical.” God asks questions, you will remember, NOT because God needs answers, but because of something good God designs to do in us through the questions themselves.
The only slight reference God makes to Job’s specific situation is right at the start: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge (Job 38:2). In other words, “You really don’t know what you’re talking about, Job!” Sound tough? It only gets tougher. God goes on to say, “Gird your loins like a man, and I will question you! (Job 38:3) In other words, “Fasten your seatbelt, Job, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
Then, the barrage hits; question after question, such as: Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Who determined its measurements? Who laid its cornerstone? Who set limits for the seas? What is the way to the dwelling of light? Has the rain a father? Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades? Can you send forth lightnings? Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Do you give the horse his might?
Had Job time to say so, his answers would either be: I don’t know; or No!
What affect will these questions have upon Job? How would you feel? See you tomorrow, as we finish Job.
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
GOD ENTERS (Elihu has disappeared!)
After all Job had been through—the inexplicable loss of his possessions, his children and his health—you’d expect God to say something, even if it’s something short of the whole account of God’s “bargain” with Satan. That might be what we call nowadays TMI (Too Much Information!). But surely God would say something comforting about Job’s losses, something encouraging about Job’s future, something applicable to Job’s situation. But He doesn’t, at least, not directly.
Instead of answering questions, God asks them. And nowhere does God pause long enough for Job to attempt any answers. In fact, these questions that need no answers fall under the category of questions we call “rhetorical.” God asks questions, you will remember, NOT because God needs answers, but because of something good God designs to do in us through the questions themselves.
The only slight reference God makes to Job’s specific situation is right at the start: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge (Job 38:2). In other words, “You really don’t know what you’re talking about, Job!” Sound tough? It only gets tougher. God goes on to say, “Gird your loins like a man, and I will question you! (Job 38:3) In other words, “Fasten your seatbelt, Job, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
Then, the barrage hits; question after question, such as: Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Who determined its measurements? Who laid its cornerstone? Who set limits for the seas? What is the way to the dwelling of light? Has the rain a father? Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades? Can you send forth lightnings? Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Do you give the horse his might?
Had Job time to say so, his answers would either be: I don’t know; or No!
What affect will these questions have upon Job? How would you feel? See you tomorrow, as we finish Job.
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, May 29, 2014
MAY 29 JOB 35-37
Job 35-37
ELIHU prepares to EXEUNT (stage right!)
Elihu has commanded CENTER STAGE for three chapters, but after one last shot at Job’s stubborn pride (Job 35), Elihu begins to point to the “coming of the Lord.” Yes, after multiple tragedies, many days of silence, followed by interminable philosophical discussions, God is coming! How do we know?
Beginning in the fifth chapter of Elihu’s speech-making, he begins to refer to God’s exalted power and greatness (Job 36:22, 26), likening them to God’s power in nature to pour down rain (Job 36:37-38), and cause thunder and lightning and violent storms. In chapter 37, Elihu’s last, this imagery gets stronger.
ELIHU prepares to EXEUNT (stage right!)
Elihu has commanded CENTER STAGE for three chapters, but after one last shot at Job’s stubborn pride (Job 35), Elihu begins to point to the “coming of the Lord.” Yes, after multiple tragedies, many days of silence, followed by interminable philosophical discussions, God is coming! How do we know?
Beginning in the fifth chapter of Elihu’s speech-making, he begins to refer to God’s exalted power and greatness (Job 36:22, 26), likening them to God’s power in nature to pour down rain (Job 36:37-38), and cause thunder and lightning and violent storms. In chapter 37, Elihu’s last, this imagery gets stronger.
Here’s a list of his introductory cries:
- Keep listening to the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling of His mouth!
- Under the whole of heaven, He lets it go, and His lightning to the corners of the earth!
- He thunders wondrously with His majestic voice!
To the snow He says: Fall to the earth! Likewise to the downpour, the mighty downpour!
AS if to say, look out, Job! Look out, friends! God is coming! God is approaching, every bit as certainly as you see this storm approach! And, sure enough, Job 38 begins: And the Lord answered Job out of the storm (the whirlwind) and said…
We’ll wait till tomorrow before parsing what God has to say. In the meantime, let’s remember: it’s out of the storm itself that God often choses to speak to His people! Through which storm is God speaking to you right now?
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
MAY 28 JOB 32-34
Job 32-34
ENTER ELIHU (stage right!)
We didn’t know he was there; until this moment (Job 32:2) he hadn’t been mentioned. It bothers some scholars that the chapters he speaks are the only places in Job where he is mentioned. So let’s begin with some thoughts concerning “why” this is so.
First of all, the text itself gives us a perfectly rational explanation for why Elihu has not been mentioned up to this point: He had waited before stepping forward because “they were older than he.” Honoring the ages of Job and his three peers, he kept his mouth shut and his ears open, until he had seen the discussion wind down.
One argument for why Elihu is not mentioned again in Job, after his speech (Job 32-37) is because his words were essentially right. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are mentioned again in Job 42, because the Lord rebuked them. Job is mentioned again because he is our main character; and must be humbled and vindicated by the Lord. One would think that Elihu might need a bit of humbling himself, but then, this is not Elihu’s story.
So, for six chapters Elihu speaks; today we look at the first three!
Elihu begins with a full awareness of his youthfulness, how he kept silent because of their age, and how he’s begun to wonder if age really brings wisdom after all (Job 32:9). He tells the “friends” how disappointed he was that they ran out of things to say. He would try not to repeat their arguments, but move on from them.
He speaks to Job and essentially does repeat one of the friends’ arguments: “How then can a man be made right before God?” (Job 25:4) He berates human pride and sinfulness. Yet, he does seem to introduce one new concept: Read Job 33:24-30 and just see if you aren’t reading about GRACE, the unmerited love of God toward sinful people! Elihu concludes part one of his remarks by extolling the justice (the rightness) of God.
Your brother in the Word, who wonders, How Elihu will finish?
Pastor Gary
ENTER ELIHU (stage right!)
We didn’t know he was there; until this moment (Job 32:2) he hadn’t been mentioned. It bothers some scholars that the chapters he speaks are the only places in Job where he is mentioned. So let’s begin with some thoughts concerning “why” this is so.
First of all, the text itself gives us a perfectly rational explanation for why Elihu has not been mentioned up to this point: He had waited before stepping forward because “they were older than he.” Honoring the ages of Job and his three peers, he kept his mouth shut and his ears open, until he had seen the discussion wind down.
One argument for why Elihu is not mentioned again in Job, after his speech (Job 32-37) is because his words were essentially right. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are mentioned again in Job 42, because the Lord rebuked them. Job is mentioned again because he is our main character; and must be humbled and vindicated by the Lord. One would think that Elihu might need a bit of humbling himself, but then, this is not Elihu’s story.
So, for six chapters Elihu speaks; today we look at the first three!
Elihu begins with a full awareness of his youthfulness, how he kept silent because of their age, and how he’s begun to wonder if age really brings wisdom after all (Job 32:9). He tells the “friends” how disappointed he was that they ran out of things to say. He would try not to repeat their arguments, but move on from them.
He speaks to Job and essentially does repeat one of the friends’ arguments: “How then can a man be made right before God?” (Job 25:4) He berates human pride and sinfulness. Yet, he does seem to introduce one new concept: Read Job 33:24-30 and just see if you aren’t reading about GRACE, the unmerited love of God toward sinful people! Elihu concludes part one of his remarks by extolling the justice (the rightness) of God.
Your brother in the Word, who wonders, How Elihu will finish?
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
MAY 27 JOB 29-31
Job 29-31
If this were court, we’ call it “Job’s Summary Defense.” His summary actually began in Job 26-28, where we saw Job’s first three points:
- God is too great for us to understand.
- I will maintain my integrity before God.
- I will never cease to search for God’s wisdom.
In these last chapters, Job opens up and gets personal. Why hadn’t he gotten personal before this? It may have something to do with the assumption of Job’s friends, that his sinfulness was directly connected with his misfortune.
Job takes time to remember what life was like before Job’s calamities, when he was “in his prime” and “God seemed like a friend” and “his children were still all around him.” He also remembers his life of service to the poor and needy, how men “listened to him, and waited and kept silence before his counsel!” (present company, NOT included!)
But that was then and this is now. Before men listened, now they laughed. Before they honored him as an elder; now they mocked him for his infirmity. Before he had lots of friends; now he was the brother of jackals. Before he had health; now his skin is blackened and falling from him.
All this, after a lifetime of service and holiness! What gives? He had never looked at pornography (Job 31:1), or committed adultery (Job 31:9), or withheld his hand from the poor (Job 31:16), or trusted too much in gold (Job 31:24), or rejoiced at the ruin of his enemies (Job 31:29), or failed to confess his sins (Job 31:33). What gives?
Some sort of an answer is coming; I can feel it!
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Monday, May 26, 2014
MAY 26 JOB 25-28
Job 25-28
Job 25 is the shortest chapter in the book of Job; it is also Bildad’s final shot across Job’s bow, and the last words of any of Job’s three friends. Job barely allows Bildad to ask one question, before he is off to the races, and will not hit the finish line for 6 long, grueling chapters.
Bildad’s final question is easy to ask and hard to answer: How can a small sinful man [like you, Job] be in the right before God? (Job 25:4)
Job’s answer is “all over the place” and summarizes much of he has said. Part One of Job’s “final response” is contained in Job 26-28 and follows these points:
God is beyond our reach; his majesty beyond searching. Even the greatest of his creative works are like “walking on the outskirts of his ways.” (Job 26:14)
I will stay honest before God: no lies, no deceit, no cover-up, no compromise. (Job 27:3-5)
In God’s majesty and my honesty, I will not cease to search for wisdom. (Job 28:12)
Job knows that whatever wisdom is available to human beings, it’s all connected with the Lord, that is, the fear of the Lord.
We finish Job’s words, tomorrow, but somehow, I don’t think that Job’s words will be the last words of the book of Job.
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
Job 25 is the shortest chapter in the book of Job; it is also Bildad’s final shot across Job’s bow, and the last words of any of Job’s three friends. Job barely allows Bildad to ask one question, before he is off to the races, and will not hit the finish line for 6 long, grueling chapters.
Bildad’s final question is easy to ask and hard to answer: How can a small sinful man [like you, Job] be in the right before God? (Job 25:4)
Job’s answer is “all over the place” and summarizes much of he has said. Part One of Job’s “final response” is contained in Job 26-28 and follows these points:
God is beyond our reach; his majesty beyond searching. Even the greatest of his creative works are like “walking on the outskirts of his ways.” (Job 26:14)
I will stay honest before God: no lies, no deceit, no cover-up, no compromise. (Job 27:3-5)
In God’s majesty and my honesty, I will not cease to search for wisdom. (Job 28:12)
Job knows that whatever wisdom is available to human beings, it’s all connected with the Lord, that is, the fear of the Lord.
We finish Job’s words, tomorrow, but somehow, I don’t think that Job’s words will be the last words of the book of Job.
Your brother in the Word,
Pastor Gary
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