Tag: Christianity

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?

Job 1-7: The Problem of Suffering

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-2) What do you learn about Job in 1:1-5, 1:8, and 2:3?

(1-2) One major question this book addresses is: “Why do good people suffer?” What is the partial answer in chapters 1-2?

(1-2) A second major question is: “How should we respond to suffering?” How would you describe Job’s initial responses to his suffering (1:20-21, 2:9-10)? How is this a good example for us?

(1-2) Satan raises a third major question in 1:9-11: “Will people follow God apart from his material and physical blessings?” How does Job’s initial responses to his suffering begin to answer that question?

What other Biblical characters or Christians that you have known have answered this question in the affirmative?

What about you? Are you following God for earthly blessings you might get out of it or because God is worth following simply because of who he is?

(3) How does Job’s response to his suffering change in chapter 3? Is it honest? Is it healthy?

(4-5) Eliphaz and his friends hold to the general truth in wisdom literature that God blesses the wise and righteous, but sends calamity upon the foolish and wicked (see especially 4:7-9). So if you are suffering, it must be punishment for some sin you committed. Is this always true? Is it true here in Job’s case? Can you think of New Testament examples where this was not true?

What warning is implicit here as we suffer or seek to comfort others who suffer?

(6-7) What is Job’s response in chapter 6 to Eliphaz’s accusation that Job must have sinned?

How does Job further respond to his suffering in chapter 7? Are these good responses for us to follow or not?

Sermon Songs: Revelation 4:8

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Behold our God is glorious, Come with awe and endless praise
He created and sustains us, Submit now in all your ways
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our glorious God

Behold God is fully righteous, Rejoice – wickedness can’t win
We are sinners – woe now to us, Give thanks – Jesus saves from sin
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our righteous Savior

Behold our Lord God Almighty, Come to Him with every need
He reigns over all completely, To His ev’ry word take heed
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship the Lord Almighty

Behold our God lives forever, Come and ponder your short life
Come with hope that none can sever, A future eternal life
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship our eternal God

To the tune of “Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Revelation Quote

On By BrianIn Revelation Quotes

RevQuotes

God is revealing himself in glory to you right now as we consider what chapters 4, 5 show us about the Creator and Redeemer. God reveals himself to you in his creation, which reflects his glory, and God reveals himself in a uniquely precise way in the Bible that he inspired.  With the glory of God in creation all around you and with the Bible before you, you are surrounded by God’s glory.  Drink it in and pray that God will set you free from the world’s idolatry, immorality, and godless way of interpreting life.

– James M Hamilton, Jr. on Revelation 4-5 in Revelation (PTW)

Reflections on Song of Solomon 5-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Today’s passage speaks of love within marriage.

  • Delight in one another – These chapters speak clearly of the couple’s delight in one another. Why is this important in marriage?  If you are married, in what ways do you delight in your spouse?
  • Strength of love – Real love is strong; it cannot be quenched (8:6-7). Real love endures.  How is this truth an important complement to the book’s focus on love as a desire for one another?  If you are married, how do you need to apply both romance and endurance to your marriage?