Job 20:1-22:30 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 ~ Psalm 40:11-17 ~ Proverbs 22:2-4
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Old Testament - Today in Job chapter 21 verses 7 through 13 we read these words of Job: ""The truth is that the wicked live to a good old age. They grow old and wealthy. They live to see their children grow to maturity, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves without miscarriage. Their children skip about like lambs in a flock of sheep. They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace." How do these words of Job speak to you? Is there truth in these words? If the wicked go to the grave in peace, what happens to them after the grave? Honestly, I'm not so sure about the wicked living to a good old age and going to the grave in peace... I personally would not take this chance. I think living a wicked life leads to inner conflict and an unhealthy life and potentially an early grave. I understand why Job said these words in his circumstances (he was experiencing suffering without committing the great sins his friends accused him of), but I personally would not bet on a wicked life delivering a long lifetime of wealth or peace...
New Testament - Today we begin Paul's Second Letter to the church in Corinth! Corinth was a city known in the 1st century for its wealth and lust. It was a trade center with thousands of sailors who disembarked there. Its pagan temples encouraged the practice of sexual immorality along with idol worship. Thus, this was not an easy place for the early church! But clearly a place where the church was so needed! Below is a map of where Corinth is in Greece - it is about 48 miles west of Athens. And below that is a modern day photo of ancient remains of the pagan temple to Apollo from ancient Corinth:
~ Second Corinthians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 57
Content: Paul’s earlier letter to the Corinthians had not settled all of the problems. It had some good effect upon them but much more remained to be done. In particular, Paul had to settle the problem concerning his own authority. Deep suspicions had been aroused concerning him, for what reasons we do not fully understand. But in great anguish Paul writes to reestablish his own apostolic authority. He also attempts to deal with some more practical matters, like supporting the poor believers elsewhere.
Theme: Triumph over adversity is seen throughout this letter. It is a very personal one, written by one who loved his people but had been deeply wronged by them. As Paul catalogs the experiences of his life and the nature of the Christian ministry, it is possible to see the grace of God at work bringing good from evil. Satan is active, seeking to destroy God’s work, but God is greater still, establishing those who trust in him. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 25) More commentary on Second Corinthians is at this link. Below is "The Apostle Paul", by the artist Rembrandt from the year 1657:
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians chapter 1 titled "Why Bad things happen to God's people" is at this link. Below is a great image for 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 from today's readings from what looks to be Guatemala to me. (though maybe this picture is more South America/Andes region?) I had the good fortune to travel to Guatemala two years ago - and I miss it! It is a beautiful country with beautiful people!
Psalms - Today Psalm 40 verse 16 stood out to me for it's pure joy and praise: "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"" Does this verse resonate with you today? Have you searched for God in your life? Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search? Do you love God's salvation? Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you?
Maybe if verse 16 does not resonate for you today, hopefully verse 17 can encourage you: "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God." Do you believe that Jesus is thinking about you right now? Do you believe that Jesus is your helper and your savior?
Proverbs - Proverbs 22 verse 2 is a great reminder that our wealth or status does not affect who we are in God's eyes or in God's very hands: "The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both." As we are all created by God, we should not ever consider ourselves better than anyone - nor lesser than anyone - because someone else has a different set of finances than we do. If you think about it, every single person you meet has a different set of finances than you do. Some are richer, some are poorer. And yet we all have this in common - God made us. How might this affect how you view others in this world? Do you literally and consciously realize that God made each and every one of us? Below is Michelangelo's "Creation" from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, circa 1505-1513:
Worship God: Today's readings in Psalm 40 reminded me of The After's wonderful song called "Light Up the Sky." Here's a great live version of this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UpWVQbbKVo
Has God lit up the sky for you? Click here for Light!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray a prayer of praise to God, our Father of compassion and comfort! Pray that you will comfort those in your life who are in any trouble, with the comfort you yourself have received from God through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
Job 20-22:30
Mike I will attempt to give a brief answer to your question about Job’s perspective on the wicked. The problem with Job’s observation is just that, it is his observation and his own conclusion. Since we look at things with our own eyes, we have our perspective not God’s. People can witness the same accident, and depending on where they are standing, whether their view is obstructed, and throw into this mix, partiality, we will testify on a stack of bibles that what we have seen is true, but each saw things differently.
Job is experiencing internally the pain of what happened to him, his three friends are observing from the outside and making their own conclusion of the cause, all four are wrong because none has God’s point of view and none understands that it was not God that brought Job down, albeit, temporarily but it was Satan, though God allowed it.
Several things have crossed my mind as I read this, Job’s three “friends” are judging him by what they see and judge themselves by their intentions. That is something we do. They have set themselves “higher” then Job, thus they believe they have the “right” to make judgments against Job by saying he must have sinned because of his state, so they are unable to hear Job’s rebuke of them. They consider themselves wiser than Job because Job is destitute and they are not. There are those who believe their wealth, multiple degrees, etc. make them smarter, wiser and above reproach, so they can give advice, ungodly advice, to everyone they deem beneath them.
Job and his friends see the same things, yet hold differing views because each has a different perspective; however, seeing “effects” and then judging what they think is the “cause,” sin, is dangerous business
What I also find in this by all four men are a lot of truth in their speech with a little bit of untruth mixed in. So trying to ascertain which part of their speech is true and/or false, with some assumptions thrown in is kind of like trying to remove the cup of saltwater that has been mixed in with a barrel full of fresh water, impossible. The whole barrel must be emptied and then filled with fresh water again, sans the seawater.
II Corinthians 1:1-11
Interesting how the trial Job is experiencing is dealt with by Paul. If Paul’s words had been available to Job while he was experiencing this “test”, Job might have had a brighter disposition. However, we today are able to read Paul’s words so we need to stop murmuring and complaining every time something doesn’t go our way.
3 All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God's comfort.
Psalm 40:11-17
The 16th verse is the one that caught my attention just like it did to Mike and Vance.
But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"
Usually we shout Amen, Hallelujah and the Lord is great when something wonderful happens but even if something bad happens the Lord is Still Great! When a natural disaster comes upon the earth and tens of thousands die, the Lord is Great. When we lose our job, the Lord is Great. God’s greatness doesn’t depend on us having a great day, God is great because He IS Great! Great is part of His Character.
Proverbs 22:2-4
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.
Another verse in God’s Word that proves no one’s wealth seats them in a higher position or place in life as far as God is concerned. Man is the one who operates in a “class” system. We all want to think we are better than someone else is. Even the poorest of the poor, the lowest on man’s social scale, will observe someone’s behavior and say, “Even I don’t do that,” as if they, me, I, we, set the High Mark for righteousness and social decorum. God have mercy.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | August 25, 2012 at 11:44 PM