Job 18-19 & Luke 19 plus 1 Chronicles 17-18 & Galatians 1

Job 18-19

Job had made a pretense in Job 17 for the earth to maintain his innocent blood as testimony to his cause if he should die unjustly. In Job 18, Bildad continues in the same vein as the others, how can the earth maintain Job's blood for Job is like the wicked. The very nature of the universe dictates that the wicked and unjust must be wiped from the cosmos. (It is important to keep in mind that one is determined wicked, in this instance, if he suffers in the world. The assumption underlying the argument of Bildad and others is faulty, but it was conventional wisdom then and for many today.)

Job responds wondering why he has been falsely accused now ten times by his friends, whose words harm him in ways that even Satan was not allowed to according to God. Job even admits, in Job 19, that if he did do something wrong, it was clearly minor, yet now he is being counted among the most wicked of the world. Is there justice in that? Job wonders.

But Job is abandoned. No one will come to his aid, not kin redeemer has shown. Friends, family, even servants have deserted him. Yet even in this midst of this abandonment and isolation, Job knows "that his redeemer lives." His hope is not lost, one will come to his aid. His avenger will show.

Luke 19

The author opens the chapter with a rather powerful demonstration of grace which then leads into several stories related to the Kingdom and the Parousia, the return of Christ.

Zaccheaus is a tax collector but not just a collector, he is chief collector which means he is complicit in the frequently corrupt and abusive tax system that existed. The taxes were used to support Roman occupation so a tax collector was also considered a traitor. Jesus knew this, yet did not hesitate to seek out Zaccheaus. While others scoffed at Jesus, he choose to show grace and compassion. Zacchaeus response was one of thanksgiving, not only would he make proper restititution but he also was willing to give half of what he had to the poor. Zacchaeus found grace and offered it.

The author follows on this example by sharing the Parable of the Ten Pounds, which is different to the Parable of the Ten Talents. Here the master goes away to become king and then returns, what will he find? The question to us is, what will Christ find when he returns? Will he find those who follow Zacchaeus' example, or will he find us sitting in our homes or churches, too afraid to do anything?

The author is challenging the reader to live out of grace, and the challenge is further demonstrated by the entrance into Jerusalem. Yes the crowds rejoice when Jesus comes, but has Jerusalem been living out of grace for God has done for Israel? No, Christ mourns this indifference, and then demonstrates his anger in the temple.

Again, what will Christ find when he returns? Only we can answer that question.

Backlogged Posts:

1 Chronicles 17-18

For the most part, the story of David's desire to build a temple for the Lord in 1 Chronicles 17 follows the original story in 2 Samuel 7. David finds it unfair that he resides in a nice home, but the Ark rests in a tent. He inquires of Nathan whether he should build a temple and Nathan assure him that this would be a good thing. God then objects and promises to build a "house" for David. The primary difference in the stories is that 2 Samuel speaks of God giving David rest but the author of Chronicles does not. David is the warrior who will create the nation of Israel, Solomon on the other hand is the one who will have rest and shall build the temple.

Again the author tends to follow along with the original work provided by Samuel, so 1 Chronicles 18 provides the battles that help David to solidify the borders of Israel. Many of the tributes that are brought to David after his victories will be used by Solomon to build the temple.

Galatians 1

Perhaps written about 50 CE, (the Common Era, which would be after the birth of Jesus) the Letter to the Galatians is similar to the Second Letter to the Corinthians. Both of the churches were founded by Paul, and both are being challenged by new "missionaries" carrying a message that counters many of Paul's arguments. The most pressing of these arguments was Paul's insistence that Gentiles need not become circumcised in order to follow Christ. These new missionaries believed not only should they get circumcised but they should adopt many Jewish traditions. This will be heart of the debate found in Galatians.

The region that was called Galatia is located in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. The Roman region of Galatia tended to be a northern potion of central Asia Minor. But some consider Galatia to be a more southern region which might incorporate such communities as Iconium and Lystra which are two communities that Paul and Barnabas evangelized in. Today there is much discussion over which churches might have constituted the "Galatians".

Paul opens the letter with a typical introduction but notice how he quickly points out his commission is not from humans but God. He then quickly follows on this reality as he attacks the church for heeding the teachings of others, a teaching that runs counter to what Paul has taught them. There is only one gospel, and the gospel is what Paul preached, anything else is false and accursed.

Paul then provides great biographical information about himself and how he came to be a bearer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He speaks of his own background, persecuting the early church but then he tells of he Christ appeared to him, after first appearing to others. It was this commission from Christ that sent Paul into Asia Minor and other places. This is not a human endeavor, Paul is on a divine mission.