Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Reflections on Job 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Zophar bluntly tells Job that he is guilty and needs to repent.  Job responds by saying that God reigns over all and brings death to all.  Consider:

  • God holds life – God holds the life of all in his hand (12:10). He has numbered our days (14:5).  We exist by his power and will.  Let us flee proud thoughts of our own sufficiency, and let us humble ourselves before our Creator.
  • God’s wisdom – God has wisdom, counsel, and understanding, and he has might to carry out his wise plans (12:13). In the midst of trials, will we trust his wisdom instead of leaning on our own understanding?

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood recently released the Nashville Statement.  The statement declares the Biblical teaching on human gender and sexuality.  It is helpful summary for the church today  living in the midst of our culture’s confusion about these issues – confusion that has invaded the church.  You can read the statement here.  And then follow up with several insightful posts on why it is needed and why different people signed it:

CBMW Releases Coalition Statement on Biblical Sexuality – Matt Damico

Why the Nashville Statement now, and what about article 10? – Denny Burk

Rosaria Butterfield: “Why I Signed the Nashville Statement” – Rosaria Butterfield

When Calling Yourself a “Christian” Isn’t Enough – Adam Parker

Why I, Peter Jones, signed the Nashville Statement on Sexuality – Peter Jones

Reflections on Job 8-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Bildad argues that sin leads to suffering, and so Job must repent.  Job again claims his innocence, wondering who can contend against God.  He feels as if God is contending against him.  Observe:

  • Great God – Job wonders how he can contend with God, going on to describe God’s greatness in his control over creation. Wander outside and ponder God’s great power over creation.
  • Mediator – Job longs for a mediator between God and himself (9:33). Jesus came to be that mediator (I Timothy 2:5) through whom we can approach God.

Job 8-14: Miserable Comfort and Slivers of Hope

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(8) How would you summarize Bildad’s main point?

To what authority does he appeal (v8-10)?

(9) His friends think Job’s suffering is because of his sin.  Job thinks God is unjust and uncaring (v20-24).  Who is right?  Why?

(9) Job argues that no one can contend with God (v1-12). Why not?

Unable to contend with God, Job needs an arbiter or mediator.  Who is our mediator (I Timothy 2:5-6, I John 2:1)?  Why is his role as your mediator important to you?

(11) How would you summarize Zophar’s main point?

(8, 11-13) How are Bildad and Zophar bad examples of how to comfort someone who is suffering (8:1-7, 11:1-6)?

How does Job’s response to his friends point further to their failure to comfort (12:1-6, 13:1-12)?

What lessons can we learn about how not to comfort others?

(12) How would you summarize Job’s point in v7-25?

How can this be an encouragement to you in your suffering?  Why might it discourage you (as it apparently discouraged Job)?

(13-14) In the midst of his struggling and questioning, Job passingly points to one thing we need as we face suffering (13:15a).  What is it, and why is it so important?

How can prolonged suffering erode our hope (14:19)?

What might we do to strengthen our hope?

(14) Job wants God to turn away from his wrath and cover Job’s sin (v13-17).  How does this need point to Jesus?  How can Jesus’ accomplishment give you hope in your suffering today?

Revelation Quote

On By BrianIn Revelation Quotes

RevQuotes

And is it possible, if we sought to model our own worship, whether individual or corporate, on what is portrayed here, that, as we declared the same truths about God as the heavenly beings do, the same Holy Spirit who is pictured as being before the throne would deepen and transform our understanding of God and His glory in a way that touches our whole being, in its spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and even physical components? 

– G.K. Beale on Revelation 4 in Revelation: A Shorter Commentary

Reflections on Job 4-7

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Eliphaz argues that Job must have sinned and is being disciplined by God.  Job should accept the discipline (acknowledging his sin) so that he might be restored.  Job denies that he has sinned, continuing to struggle with questions, and wishing God would let him die.

  • “Can mortal man be in the right before God?” – This question in 4:17 has three contexts to consider. In the context of Job, Job is indeed upright before God in a general sense.  He is suffering for his righteousness, not his sin.  In the context of all of Scripture – we cannot on our own be perfectly right before God – we all sin.  But in the context of the cross, our sins are forgiven so we can be perfectly right before God.  May we strive to be upright before God in the general sense in response to the cross!
  • God’s greatness – God does great, unsearchable, marvelous things (5:9). Where have you seen God’s great work in your life?  Praise him!

Reflections on Job 1-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Job is an upright man who feared God.  God allows Satan to bring suffering upon him.  Note Job’s response:

  • Trust/Submission – Job begins by showing an incredible trust in God – accepting both blessing and suffering. He worships God, submitting his life to him.  In what situations do you need to trust God and submit your life to him?
  • Questions – And yet, in his pain Job struggles with questions of why. He even wishes he wasn’t born!  Job is a real person struggling with his suffering.  Have you ever struggled like this?  How might that trust and submission Job showed earlier help in the midst of questions?