Job 41-42
God demonstrates the divine mystery towards the end of Job 40 and then in Job 41 as God references the behemoth and the leviathan, two creatures of God's creation that terrify and captivate. Could Job have tamed them or kept them in check the way God has? The two creatures seem to represent the chaos of the world, a chaos that is present and disrupts life time and again, yet chaos that is not able to run rampant throughout Creation.
Now Job responds in Job 42 and he "knows" now. He knows that he has attempted at wisdom beyond his reach, but more importantly he knows because not only has he heard, but he has seen. God has made God available and accessible and even though wisdom escapes Job, he still "knows" God. Finally, this knowing leads to repentance of Job. He recognizes that while he might not have sinned previously, his challenge and despair over an "unjust" God has been a sin.
As it turns out, Job was right and his friends wrong. Job has affirmed that if God answered him and saw his circumstance, he would render him righteous and he has. Do not forget that this all began as a test of Job, would he curse God? In the end, he did not, God has been vindicated by Job and Job's faith. His friends, however, have only remained faithful to an idea about God, not God herself. May seem small, but it makes all the difference in the world.
So Job is restored, and through Job's prayers, his friends as well.
Philippians 3
Paul, ever the pastor, warns the church of Philippi to be wary of those who only seek to benefit themselves. There are those who try and convince them about the merits of circumcision, but they must not listen. Paul uses himself to show how those who turn to the flesh cannot achieve what is achieved in Christ. Paul, as one of the flesh, was truly a "son of Abraham" yet it was not until he found Christ that he found God. The Philippians need to turn away from the wolves of circumcision.
However, he is also very careful to demonstrate his journey is not complete. Just because he has found Christ does not mean he can rest on his laurels, not he must strive forward, for it will only be complete when he sees God face to face.
It is this example that Paul holds before the Philippians to encourage them to remain faithful. For God will provide for everything they need.
Backlogged Posts
2 Chronicles 16-17
Evidently the faithfulness of Asa was short lived. Israel (northern kingdom) and Aram have waged war against Judah. Asa sends a bribe to Aram to turn against Israel, which they do and Judah is able to claim land of Israel's and secure its borders.
However in 2 Chronicles 16, a seer Hanani, chastises Asa for forming an alliance with Aram instead of trusting in God. Did not God lead Judah to victory over the Ethiopians? Would not God have lead Judah to victory over Israel and Aram? Asa was angry at this challenge and puts Hanani in stocks.
God, however, has the last word as Asa develops a foot disease which spreads. Asa would not turn back to God, so God does not relent and Asa dies.
Asa's son, Jehoshaphat, succeeds him in 2 Chronicles 17 and follows in Asa's earlier ways. He remains faithful to God and does good works. Furthermore, he sends his own advisers into Judah to teach them the Law. The surrounding nations must also hear this word and they are in awe of God and leave Judah in peace. Jehoshaphat receives tributes from these nations and builds a mighty army, a sign of God's blessing.
Psalm 73
Psalm 73 is a very interesting Psalm for it speaks of one's faith in trust in God, yet admits to almost being lead astray, but finally gives thanks to God for delivering them from that fate.
After opening with a general statement of faith, the psalmist speaks of a time when he or she thought that the ways of the wicked were good ways. They saw how they prospered, how they had no troubles in the world. Their affluence was gained by violence and bloodshed and they rail against God.
The psalmist knows this to be wrong, yet seems to struggle with the reality of their success and the psalmist's struggles. He or she considers a life trying to keep their heart clean in vain. Their day's are plagued and morning brings no relief. That life of wickedness beckons.
Yet God intervenes, as the psalmist journeys to the sanctuary and finds truth. It is God's will that the wicked be punished. The psalmist sees his or her folly in their former doubts and knows that God's presence is with them even in turmoil and strife. God is near, and that is enough.
No comments:
Post a Comment