God continues in his description of creation in Job 39 as he speaks in more detail about animals and their behavior. Notice that most are wild animals, that have their own special quirks, yet God cares for all of them. God has set Creation in motion with all sorts of interesting and wonderful things and cares for each one. Does Job recognize this, or is he just concerned with himself? In some ways, God is charging Job with being self absorbed, not selfish per se, but just unable to see the larger picture.
As God opens Job 40, he challenges Job, do you think to instruct me? This is sometimes used as a challenge to prophets and others who have grown discouraged or disillusioned. For Job, it is a matter of God challenging Job who has attempted to place human constructs of justice on God. This cannot be done, God acts justly by God's standards.
Now Job can respond but a question of translation comes into play. Some translate the passage as "Behold..." and seems to suggest a very submissive Job. On the other hand, it can be translated at "If..." which allows Job to suggest a submissive tone but to hold onto his own questions. It is really hard to think of Job as being submissive so perhaps "if" is the better choice.
But this wishy-washy response of Job does not sit well with God. God returns to the original challenge, "Gird your loins", defend yourself. God questions Job whether he could balance all the opposing powers like God has done, and if so, then perhaps Job could do it. By extension, God is making a claim that there is a certain freedom in the world in which evil does exist. But God works to keep it at bay as much as possible, yet suffering still continues.
Philippians 2
Paul opens the second chapter with one of the great hymns of the New Testament, emphasizing the humility of Jesus to lower himself for those that he loved. Paul encourages the community at Philippi to follow this example, to be of one mind in their love and care for one another. He challenges them to put away the behavior that marks this world and to live in the newness that is offered in Jesus Christ. While Paul is presently enduring great tribulation of imprisonment, he is able to rejoice in them.
Paul is sending Timothy to Philippi, since he cannot go and he sends Epaphroditus back to them as he has been unwell and misses home. The Philippians should welcome home these two servants of Christ who have ministered with Paul and have remain true to their calling.
As God opens Job 40, he challenges Job, do you think to instruct me? This is sometimes used as a challenge to prophets and others who have grown discouraged or disillusioned. For Job, it is a matter of God challenging Job who has attempted to place human constructs of justice on God. This cannot be done, God acts justly by God's standards.
Now Job can respond but a question of translation comes into play. Some translate the passage as "Behold..." and seems to suggest a very submissive Job. On the other hand, it can be translated at "If..." which allows Job to suggest a submissive tone but to hold onto his own questions. It is really hard to think of Job as being submissive so perhaps "if" is the better choice.
But this wishy-washy response of Job does not sit well with God. God returns to the original challenge, "Gird your loins", defend yourself. God questions Job whether he could balance all the opposing powers like God has done, and if so, then perhaps Job could do it. By extension, God is making a claim that there is a certain freedom in the world in which evil does exist. But God works to keep it at bay as much as possible, yet suffering still continues.
Philippians 2
Paul opens the second chapter with one of the great hymns of the New Testament, emphasizing the humility of Jesus to lower himself for those that he loved. Paul encourages the community at Philippi to follow this example, to be of one mind in their love and care for one another. He challenges them to put away the behavior that marks this world and to live in the newness that is offered in Jesus Christ. While Paul is presently enduring great tribulation of imprisonment, he is able to rejoice in them.
Paul is sending Timothy to Philippi, since he cannot go and he sends Epaphroditus back to them as he has been unwell and misses home. The Philippians should welcome home these two servants of Christ who have ministered with Paul and have remain true to their calling.
Backlogged Posts
2 Chronicles 13-15
Now Rehoboam's son Abijah, Abijam in Kings, reigns and in 2 Chronicles 13 seeks to unite the people of Israel. Abijah lines up against Jeroboam, the king of Israel (north), who outnumbers Abijah two to one. Abijah then preaches to Jeroboam, telling him that it is God's will that the line of David reign, and the Jeroboam will be defeated because he has turned away from God. (This speech is strictly a construct of the chronicler.)
Even though Jeroboam's numbers and seems to have a better strategy, seen in his ability to surround Abijah, God leads Judah to a tremendous victory in which Judah recovers lost territory.
God's favor towards Abijah is seen in his many wives and children. Line of David still prospers.
Asa now reigns in Jerusalem and peace, rest, comes; peace is a sign of divine favor. OF course this does not agree with the account in Kings in which Asa and King Baasha of Israel had continual warfare. The chronicler demonstrates Asa's pious behavior and his commitment to the covenant and he destroys the high places and other pagan worship rituals in 2 Chronicles 14.
When the Ethiopians come against Judah with a mighty host, Asa gathers his army and prays to God. God then delivers Judah from certain defeat, which is attributed to Asa's piety. The prophet, Azariah, comes and offers words of exhortation to Asa to continue with his zealous love of God and rid Israel of all pagan traditions. Asa heeded the advice and even removed his own mother from court because of her worship of Asherah. Asa did well, even though he did not go far enough in his reforms, but is recorded as being faithful in 2 Chronicles 15.
Now Rehoboam's son Abijah, Abijam in Kings, reigns and in 2 Chronicles 13 seeks to unite the people of Israel. Abijah lines up against Jeroboam, the king of Israel (north), who outnumbers Abijah two to one. Abijah then preaches to Jeroboam, telling him that it is God's will that the line of David reign, and the Jeroboam will be defeated because he has turned away from God. (This speech is strictly a construct of the chronicler.)
Even though Jeroboam's numbers and seems to have a better strategy, seen in his ability to surround Abijah, God leads Judah to a tremendous victory in which Judah recovers lost territory.
God's favor towards Abijah is seen in his many wives and children. Line of David still prospers.
Asa now reigns in Jerusalem and peace, rest, comes; peace is a sign of divine favor. OF course this does not agree with the account in Kings in which Asa and King Baasha of Israel had continual warfare. The chronicler demonstrates Asa's pious behavior and his commitment to the covenant and he destroys the high places and other pagan worship rituals in 2 Chronicles 14.
When the Ethiopians come against Judah with a mighty host, Asa gathers his army and prays to God. God then delivers Judah from certain defeat, which is attributed to Asa's piety. The prophet, Azariah, comes and offers words of exhortation to Asa to continue with his zealous love of God and rid Israel of all pagan traditions. Asa heeded the advice and even removed his own mother from court because of her worship of Asherah. Asa did well, even though he did not go far enough in his reforms, but is recorded as being faithful in 2 Chronicles 15.
Ephesians 2
The author speaks of the two ways of living, which Paul usually referred to as life of the flesh and life of the spirit. For the letter's purposes, before Christ, the world, humanity and Gentiles in particular were left to the whims of the ruler of the spirit of the air, who is viewed as Satan. But there is a new way.
God has shown great mercy, even to those who lived under the influence of the flesh, to offer new life. This mercy is a free gift through grace. The action of Jesus Christ was to bring reconciliation, to God and one another. The author speaks of divides, divides between Jew and Gentile and divides between humanity and God. Jesus bridges both, he brings the far and near back to God, to life.
The author speaks of the two ways of living, which Paul usually referred to as life of the flesh and life of the spirit. For the letter's purposes, before Christ, the world, humanity and Gentiles in particular were left to the whims of the ruler of the spirit of the air, who is viewed as Satan. But there is a new way.
God has shown great mercy, even to those who lived under the influence of the flesh, to offer new life. This mercy is a free gift through grace. The action of Jesus Christ was to bring reconciliation, to God and one another. The author speaks of divides, divides between Jew and Gentile and divides between humanity and God. Jesus bridges both, he brings the far and near back to God, to life.
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