Job 28:1-30:31
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Job chapter 28 is incredible!  It could be my favorite chapter of Job so far this year.  I kind of forgot about this chapter from my previous readings of this book.  It seems to me to a large degree this chapter builds up and gets at one of the most important points in the Old Testament Wisdom / Poetry Books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) in the closing verse 28 of this chapter: “And this is what God says to all humanity: `The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”  Beautiful!  We do hear this theme over and over again in the other Wisdom / Poetry books of the Old Testament.  It is a powerful and true point.  I love the way Job builds up to this point early on in this chapter 28.  Verses 12 through 14 I found to be particularly great: “”But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. `It is not here,’ says the ocean. `Nor is it here,’ says the sea.”  So, how about for you?  Where do you find wisdom?  Where do you find understanding?  What does it mean to you that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom?  Do you believe this is true?  Do you believe that forsaking evil is real understanding?

In Job chapter 29 today we read about his former blessings, including these in verses 7 through 10: “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.”

Worship Video:  Our readings today reminded me of the Delirious song “Majesty.”  I had the good fortune to worship to this song with Delirious many years ago just before it was released.  They were playing some of their “new stuff” and this was a great song to worship to live!  You’ll notice the crowd in this video is definitely worshiping.

Do you know our Majestic Lord? Click here for your Majesty!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 23:1-27:23
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In chapter 23 verse 12 today Job makes such a powerful statement about his relationship with God!  “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” (NIV)  The first statement is of course powerful – Job has not departed from the commands of God’s.  But the second statement is the one that really stood out to me today – Job has treasured God’s words more than food!  This may sound like nice high holy talk from the Old Testament…  but I think each of us should stop and meditate on this one in our lives today.  Do we treasure God’s Word, The Bible, more or do we treasure the food we eat each day more?  I’m sure most of us would say the Bible…  But let me put this another way for us to really think about this.  How many minutes a day do you spend eating?   And how many minutes a day do you spend reading the Bible?  What might make this whole equation even a little bit more interesting to consider is how many minutes a day do you think about food?  Prepare food?  Talk about food?  And then how many minutes a day do you think about the Bible?  Prepare for reading the Bible?  Talk about the Bible?  I am afraid that we may be a people today who (when the rubber meets the road and we look at actual time spent in each activity) treasure our food more than we treasure God’s Word.  However, the first step in realizing we have a problem is admitting we have a problem!  🙂  When it comes to amount of time you spend with food when compared to the amount of time you spend with God’s Word, do you have a problem?  Can you learn something from Job’s word’s today in verse 12: “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (ESV)

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminds me of the Matt Redman song “10,000 Reasons:”:

How many reasons to you have to follow Jesus? Click here for 10,000 Reasons!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 20:1-22:30
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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…

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of The After’s wonderful song called “Light Up the Sky.” Here’s a great live version of this song:

Has God lit up the sky for you? Click here for Light!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 16:1-19:29
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“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives!”  Whoo-hoo!  Awesome words from Job today in chapter 19 verse 25!

Job chapter 19 verses 23 through 27 are some of the best known and well loved verses of the book of Job.  These verses seem to be where Job hits his high point in his understanding of his relationship with God:  “Oh, that my words could be written. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock. “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”  How powerful are these verses??  Great stuff.  Job starts off saying that he hopes his words could be written and engraved forever – and indeed they were as we are reading them in the Bible!  Then Job makes the incredible statement that even in the midst of all of his suffering and perceived distance from God, he knows that God lives!  The closing two verses are powerful in that they actually indicated a belief in the resurrection by Job.  He says that even after his body has decayed – after his death here on this earth – he will see God with his own eyes in his own body!  How could this possibly be?  Well, only if he believed in a resurrected body after death – as we’ve been reading about in First Corinthians chapter 15 the past couple of days!  I’ve read some various commentaries on who is the “Redeemer” that Job is referring to in verse 25.  Jesus?  Could be.  But it seems like most commentaries seem to suggest Job is referring to God himself, rather than Jesus.  Though, of course Jesus is God so maybe this is a moot point!  🙂 Job does talk about his desire for a mediator in other parts of this book, which could be references to Jesus as well.  I found this great artwork below that was painted based on the chapter of Job 19.   Re-read the entire chapter of Job 19 again and I think you’ll see the beauty of this artwork…

Worship Video: For our Job readings today, here’s a YouTube for “My Redeemer Lives” by Nicole C. Mullen: (she sings the first verse in Spanish, then transitions to English)

Do you know that our Redeemer lives? Click here to meet our Redeemer!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 12:1-15:35
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I forgot how much trash-talking goes on here in the book of Job! It occurred to me that all of this bickering back and forth between Job and his friends keeps transpiring without Satan coming up in their comments at all. Meaning, no one seems to realize that Satan is the one who has afflicted Job! And I’m wondering if this happens in our lives today as well? Do we sometimes miss it when Satan is literally attacking us? Do we blame others? Blame ourselves? Maybe even blame God? When the blame should be directed at the Deceiver? I think Job and his friends could have used Michael the Archangel to come into the picture here and whoop up on Satan like he’s doing in this painting below from the year 1518 by the Italian artist Raphael:

There are some great words of wisdom from Job in today’s readings. I love the poetry of his words in chapter 14. A lot of it reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes, which we’ll read later this year. Below is an illustration of Job and his three friends from the Book of Hours of Etienne Chevalier by the 15th century French painter Jean Fouquet:

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Chris Tomlin song “Home:”

Are you looking forward to heaven as your home? Click here to find your way Home!

Comments from You: 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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 8:1-11:20
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Okay, so I am sure that most of us have heard the old adage “patience of Job.” (As in, “she has the patience of Job.” etc.) Well, today’s chapters 9 & 10 are probably not where this adage came from!  🙂  Job is not showing a lot of patience in these chapters.  Can you blame him?  Would you speak differently if you were in Job’s situation?  Or perhaps would your language be worse?  It is important to note that Job does not curse God directly, as Satan said Job would do in the beginning of the book.  Job is certainly complaining about his situation – and, well, not to spoil the book of Job here for you… but Job will repent of what he says to God later in the book.  In Job chapter 10 today we read Job’s plea to God, including this in verses 18 through 22: “`Why, then, did you bring me out of my mother’s womb? Why didn’t you let me die at birth? Then I would have been spared this miserable existence. I would have gone directly from the womb to the grave. I have only a little time left, so leave me alone–that I may have a little moment of comfort before I leave for the land of darkness and utter gloom, never to return. It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of utter gloom where confusion reigns and the light is as dark as midnight.’”

The other adage, in addition to “patience of Job”, that I was thinking about in today’s readings is “with friends like these, who needs enemies??”  🙂   Zophar in chapter 11 seems to really have compassion-deficiency!  I do think that Zophar and Bildad in chapter 8 were trying to say the things they thought Job needed to hear.  But they overstated the case I think in a few places.  I don’t agree w/ Zophar saying in chapter 11 verse 3 that Job mocked God: “When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?”  Here’s my question for us today.  Are we sometimes like Zophar and Bildad?  Do we jump to conclusions about maybe why bad things are happening to our friends?   Do we offer up our big advice and big words and big bluster before really listening to our friends and understanding their situation fully?  I am afraid that sometimes we jump to conclusions far too quickly.  I always try to remember the old Stephen Covey adage (wow, 3 adages here in 1 post! 🙂 from the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”:  “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood.”  Let us seek first to really understand our friends or family members issues before we start offering our prescriptions for them.  Let us first try walking a mile in their shoes!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Josiah Queen’s song “The Prodigal:”

Are you a prodigal? Click here to return to Jesus!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 4:1-7:21
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Today in Job chapter 4 we read about Eliphaz the Temanite’s first response to Job, including these words in verses 3 through 6: “In the past you have encouraged many a troubled soul to trust in God; you have supported those who were weak. Your words have strengthened the fallen; you steadied those who wavered. But now when trouble strikes, you faint and are broken. Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn’t you believe that God will care for those who are upright?” How do these words of Eliphaz’s speak to you?  Are these fair words for him to be saying to Job?  Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?

Then in chapter 6 Job responds to Eliphaz as follows in verse 2 through 6: “If my sadness could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would be heavier than all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke so rashly. For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. He has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my spirit. All God’s terrors are arrayed against me. Don’t I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food. People complain when there is no salt in their food.”  How do these words of Job’s speak to you?  Are these fair words for him to be saying in reply to Eliphaz?  Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?

Below is a powerful image for Job’s words in chapter 7 verse 11:

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Mountain People Worship’s song “My Heart Wants You:”

What does your heart want? Click here for your true desire!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Blessed are those whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” Job 5:17 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are blessed by the gift of God’s discipline. Pray for holy correction from God to make you more and more like Jesus each day.

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 1:1-3:26
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Yesterday we wrapped up Esther and today we begin Job! We are jumping back in time from 5th century B.C. (Esther) to 10th century B.C. (Job).  Below is an image of Job with his friends by artist Guy Rowe:

~ Job ~
Author: Unknown
Date: Tenth century B.C.
Content: This long narrative poem deals with one of the deepest problems of man: How do we explain sin and suffering, if there exists a God powerful enough to do something about them? The book begins with the suffering of Job being given three sets of speeches by some friends of his: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, each of whom tries to explain Job’s misery in a different way. A fourth man, Elihu, tries to summarize the situation, offering yet another explanation of why Job was suffering. Finally, the Lord himself speaks to Job, and Job recognizes that we do not so much need “answers” to life’s problems, as we need God himself. Job is then healed and given material and spiritual blessings far beyond his former state.
Theme: The mystery that surrounds human existence and the need to trust in God runs throughout the book. Mankind simply does not have enough knowledge to explain why things happen the way they do. It is possible to rise above our limitations by faith in God, however, because God does know why everything happens and will work good for those who love him. We may thus learn the profound truth that when we have nothing left but God, God is enough. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 9-10)  More commentary on Job titled “The Ideal of Submission” is at this link.  Below is an image from 15th century German artist Mittelalter of Job being smitten by sores by Satan from today’s readings and Job’s wife saying to him in chapter 2 verse 9: “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

Today Job has a very interesting chapter 1 discussion between God and Satan. Do you believe in the existence of Satan? Demons? Evil? In the introduction to the wonderful book, “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis writes: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which the human race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” I’ll be honest – in my early Christian walk, I did not really believe in the existence of Satan, demons, evil. I believed in God and Christ and Love, and thought that was enough – evil didn’t need to exist in my universe.  🙂  Unfortunately, I’ve heard another quote that: “Satan’s greatest trick is to convince a person that Satan does not exist.” I now could not agree more. If you don’t believe in Satan or evil’s existence then you are left open to subtle attacks, without even realizing it. God is so much more powerful than anything Satan can throw at you. But, keep in mind, Satan is throwing temptations at you. How do you combat the devil’s temptations? Read Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-18 at this link. Do you believe in the existence of Satan? Demons? Evil?

Worship Video:  Yep, as we’re starting the book of Job it seems the most appropriate time to share with you Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name”.  Matt wrote this song just after September 11th when the world was in mourning for the U.S.  (Matt lives in England)  The song includes the line: “Blessed Be Your name, When I’m found in the desert place, Though I walk through the wilderness, Blessed Be Your name.”  I think we’ll find Job singing a similar song to God when we get to the very end of this powerful book we’re embarking on today… Below is this song performed live:

Is God’s name blessed to you? Click here for your true Blessings!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Esther 8:1-10:3
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We wrap up the book of Esther today!  Job begins tomorrow!  Okay, somehow I forgot that the book of Esther ended with the Jewish holiday of Purim being instituted.  A good FAQ from a Jewish website about Purim is at this link.  In doing a google image search on Purim I quickly realized that folks dress up for this celebratory Jewish holiday!  Below is a modern day Purim mask:

There is also a device called the Purim “gragger”, which is a noisemaker.  When the Purim story is read aloud from the book of Esther everyone boos and shakes their graggers whenever Haman’s name is mentioned!  (I’m not kidding – it sounds like fun to me! 🙂  More on Purim graggers, including how you can make your own, is online here. Below is a picture of a gragger, and below that is a picture of a woman shaking a gragger at the sound of Haman’s name being read during Purim!

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of this beautiful song by Brandon Heath called “Love Never Fails:”

Are you experiencing love that never fails? Click here for true Love!

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Esther 4:1-7:10
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Today in Esther chapter 4 we read about Mordecai persuading Queen Esther to help save the Jews from Haman’s evil plot. In verse 14 we read these amazing words of Mordecai’s to Esther: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” For such a time as this. Powerful words to consider. You’ll recall similar words were used in the narrative of Joseph in Genesis – Joseph was sent ahead to Egypt by God to save his family from famine “for such a time as this.” Esther was married to the Persian King for such a time as this. And I believe that you and I have been placed on this earth this very day for such a time as this. Do you believe it is true that you really have been placed on this earth by God for such a time as this? Do you believe that there is a definite purpose for your life that God has called you to? Do you realize that you have the choice – as Esther had the choice – to move forward with God’s vision and plan for your life or to say no to God? Our time on this life is short. We can live our lives in accordance with God’s will and purpose for us or we can waste away our life with useless distractions. Trust me – the devil wants nothing more than to distract you from what God has called you to for such a time as this. So, what say you? Will you live your life wholly and purposefully for God for such a time as this? Will you leave the distractions behind?

Below is an amazing painting by Rembrandt from the year 1660 of Esther revealing the evil plans of Haman to King Xerxes at the banquet in chapter 7.  Check out how Haman is off in the left in the shadows… apropos!

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Esther titled “Esther’s Dilemma and Decision” is at this link and “Sleepless in Susa” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Third Day’s great song “Your Love Oh Lord!”

Do you know God’s love that reaches to the heavens? Click here to reach for faithfulness that reaches to the sky!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for God to reveal to you why you are on the planet right now, for such a time as this. Pray for God’s perfect will in your life each and every day. Pray that you will stay in the center of God’s will for your life, for such a time as this.

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!