Psalm 38 David; 22vs.; 38.11--Luke 23.49
David despised and miserable calls for help
38.1-8 David laments over the misery his sin caused him.
38.11 I am not sure that Luke 23.49 is a quote from or specific allusion to this verse, but the similar wording is worth noting.
38.9-16 a lament about those who deserted him and were against him
38.17-22 a plea for help esp. 20-22
Psalm 39 David; 13 vs.; --??
David bewails his despair.
Psalm 40 David; 17 vs.; 40.6-8--Hebrews 10.5-7
Psalm of deliverance
40.10 have not hidden ... have not concealed a good reminder to give public witness
Psalm 41 David; 13vs.; 41.9--John 13.18; 41.13--Luke 1.68
David bemoans betrayal and calls out the God for help.
41.10 raise me up that I may repay them. Is that something that God would do? for that reason anyway?
41.13 a pretty thin allusion.
BOOK TWO of Psalms
Psalm 42 Sons of Korah; 11vs.; 42.5--Matthew 26.38; Mark 14.34
42. This Psalm sounds a lot like some of the prayers David prayed.
42.5 The resemblance of the NT references is pretty tenuous in the ESV
42.11 repeats verse 5 and is a good prayer for the discouraged or depressed. Things are dark now, but I shall praise Him again.
Psalm 43 Anon.; 5 vs.; --??
Plea for deliverance and expectation to worship God.
43.5 Same verse as twice in chapter 42.
1 Corinthians 8
8.11 the brother for whom Christ died... This is a thought that we should keep in mind. If we did, we would get along much better if we had that in mind.
8.12 you sin against Christ... Strong statement. Hard preaching.
1 Corinthians 9
9.5 It is interesting that he pointed our Cephas specifically.
9.18 the Gospel free of charge... This is a principle that seems to get lost in the shuffle sometimes.
9.27 lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. That is one of my constant concerns. God please take be home to be with You before I do anything to dishonor Your name.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Fri 090717 pm 1Cor 6-7
1 Corinthians 6
6.1-8 Two things strike me in this section. The practical application of the natural conclusions of obeying the law. The second things was the importance that was put on maintaining a good reputation for the church and the Lord.
6.20 The verse tells us what not to do with our bodies. I am thinking about what I do do to glorify God with my body.
1 Corinthians 7
7.27 Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife. I find this to be a very interesting expression on a couple fronts. One, it seems odd to me that someone under Paul's teaching would think that dissolving a marriage would be an option. Second, I find the "free from a wife" an unusual since it could be thought to imply that being with a wife was bondage. There are aspects of that would that would apply, but it still seems a from my 20th century perspective to have some negative connotations.
7.40 have the Spirit of God. This is a place where a correct understanding of inspiration and the nature of Paul's apostleship is important. These are more than suggestions or personal feelings.
6.1-8 Two things strike me in this section. The practical application of the natural conclusions of obeying the law. The second things was the importance that was put on maintaining a good reputation for the church and the Lord.
6.20 The verse tells us what not to do with our bodies. I am thinking about what I do do to glorify God with my body.
1 Corinthians 7
7.27 Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife. I find this to be a very interesting expression on a couple fronts. One, it seems odd to me that someone under Paul's teaching would think that dissolving a marriage would be an option. Second, I find the "free from a wife" an unusual since it could be thought to imply that being with a wife was bondage. There are aspects of that would that would apply, but it still seems a from my 20th century perspective to have some negative connotations.
7.40 have the Spirit of God. This is a place where a correct understanding of inspiration and the nature of Paul's apostleship is important. These are more than suggestions or personal feelings.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thurs 090715 am/pm Psa 35-37
Psalm 35 David; 28 vs.; 35.19b--John 15:25
35.1-8 Calling on the Lord (the angel of the Lord in 5 &6) to shame and destruction
35.10 bones will say... An interesting expression.
35.11-16 I wept for them and they turned against me.
35.29 The hated me without a cause... Jesus applied this to himself. This is a theme of this chapter of being undeserving harsh treatment fits the Lord.
35.27-28 Asking God to bless his supporters.
Psalm 36 David; 12vs.; 36.1b--Rom. 3:18
Statements against the wicked begin and end with praise for the Lord and His steadfast kindness in the middle.
36.6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. It seems odd that God is like His mountains. An interesting expression.
36.11a is a great prayer for us.
Psalm 37 David; 40 vs.; 37.11a--Matthew 5.5
The Lord punishes the wicked and preserves the righteous.
37.3-5 These are all time favorites.
37.11 the meek...
37. the righteous is generous and gives... Another reminder that we should be givers. So what is it that causes us not to want to give?
35.1-8 Calling on the Lord (the angel of the Lord in 5 &6) to shame and destruction
35.10 bones will say... An interesting expression.
35.11-16 I wept for them and they turned against me.
35.29 The hated me without a cause... Jesus applied this to himself. This is a theme of this chapter of being undeserving harsh treatment fits the Lord.
35.27-28 Asking God to bless his supporters.
Psalm 36 David; 12vs.; 36.1b--Rom. 3:18
Statements against the wicked begin and end with praise for the Lord and His steadfast kindness in the middle.
36.6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. It seems odd that God is like His mountains. An interesting expression.
36.11a is a great prayer for us.
Psalm 37 David; 40 vs.; 37.11a--Matthew 5.5
The Lord punishes the wicked and preserves the righteous.
37.3-5 These are all time favorites.
37.11 the meek...
37. the righteous is generous and gives... Another reminder that we should be givers. So what is it that causes us not to want to give?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wed 090715 am Psa 34
Psalm 34 David; 22 vs.; 32.8--1 Pet 2.3 32.11-12--1 Peter 3.10-12
David praises the Lord after escaping from the Philistines by acting crazy.
34.8 God is good! All the time.
34.9-11 the fear of the Lord mentioned three times in three verses.
34.18 saves the crushed in spirit... It is amazing how pride can immunize us against a broken heart and crushed spirit.
David praises the Lord after escaping from the Philistines by acting crazy.
34.8 God is good! All the time.
34.9-11 the fear of the Lord mentioned three times in three verses.
34.18 saves the crushed in spirit... It is amazing how pride can immunize us against a broken heart and crushed spirit.
Tues 090714 pm 1Cor 4-5
1 Corinthians 4
4.5 Then each one's praise will come from God. This is an aspect of the whole judging thing that I had not thought about. When we opperate on a "judging system" we begin to look to men for approval. When we judge others (in the sense this passage speaks of) we are part of turning people from looking to God for His approval, to looking to us. This is a very subtle thing to contemplate.
4.13 being defamed, we entreat This is an amazing, Spirit-filled response. It reminds me of Paul's admonition to Timothy to be patient and gentle in dealing with those who oppose.
4.15 instructors ... fathers That is a real challenge. To have the care and committment of a father, rather than just teaching.
4.20 not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. This is an important distinction to be able to make.
1 Corinthians 5
5.1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you... It sounds like it was an unusual or scandalous things. O that it would be like that again.
5.12 those who are outside God judges. We should not be suprised when the world acts worldly.
4.5 Then each one's praise will come from God. This is an aspect of the whole judging thing that I had not thought about. When we opperate on a "judging system" we begin to look to men for approval. When we judge others (in the sense this passage speaks of) we are part of turning people from looking to God for His approval, to looking to us. This is a very subtle thing to contemplate.
4.13 being defamed, we entreat This is an amazing, Spirit-filled response. It reminds me of Paul's admonition to Timothy to be patient and gentle in dealing with those who oppose.
4.15 instructors ... fathers That is a real challenge. To have the care and committment of a father, rather than just teaching.
4.20 not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. This is an important distinction to be able to make.
1 Corinthians 5
5.1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you... It sounds like it was an unusual or scandalous things. O that it would be like that again.
5.12 those who are outside God judges. We should not be suprised when the world acts worldly.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sat 090711 pm Job's Accountability Questions Part 2
Job's Accountability Questions Part 2
Introduction:
Segway—
Ask congregation about Bible reading.
How are you doing on your Bible reading?
Do you still have a "Bible reading buddy?"
It is a good habit to meet with another believer on a regular basis to discuss spiritual things.
You can help each other with Bible reading or other issues you agree on.
Often there agreed upon list of “accountability questions” about their Christian walk they talk about.
These lists reflect what they consider important in their Christian walk.
Job 31 gives the list that Job used to give an account for himself.
Background—
A. For the book of Job
I. Prologue (narrative) ch. 1-2
A. HIS PROSPERITY (1:1-5)
B. HIS ADVERSITY (1:6-2:13)
C. HIS PERPLEXITY (3)
II. Dialogue (poetry) ch. 3-42
A. Three rounds of “debate”
1st Round (4-14)
1. Eliphaz (4-5) Job's reply (6-7)
2. Bildad (8)_Job's reply (9-10)
3. Zophar (11)_Job's reply (12-14)
2nd Round (15-21)
1. Eliphaz (15)_Job's reply (16-17)
2. Bildad (18)_Job's reply (19)
3. Zophar (20)_Job's reply (21)
3rd Round (22-37)
1. Eliphaz (22)_Job's reply (23-24)
2. Bildad (25)_Job's reply (26-31)
3. No Zophar
B. Elihu’s speech
1. Contradicting Job's friends (32)
2. Contradicting Job himself (33)
3. Proclaiming God's justice, goodness, and majesty (34-37)
C. God’s responses
GOD HUMBLES JOB (38:1-42:6)
1. Through questions too great to answer (38:1-41:34)
2. Job acknowledges his inability to understand (42:1-6)
III. Epilogue (narrative) ch. 42
GOD HONORS JOB (42:7-17)
1. God rebukes his critics (42:7-10)
2. God restores his wealth (42:11-17)
B. For Job chapter 31
Context of Job 31
29: Job remembers his happy past
30: Job describes his present humiliation
31: Job defends his innocence & looks ahead to God's vindication.
32–37: Elihu speaks
It is clear that Job knows that one is accountable not only for overt acts of sin but also for contemplating immoral behavior and cherishing cruel, vengeful thoughts against others. —John E Hartley in NICOT
...sin lies in the inward intentions of the heart, and not just in the outward act. —D. A Carson in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition
1. Lust/looking (1-4)
2. Integrity/honesty (4-8)
3. Seduction/adultery (9-12)
4. Respect/fairness (13-15)
5. Charity/generosity (16-24)
6. Coveting/idolatry (25-28)
7. Malice/"ill will" (29-32)
8. Secret sins/hypocrisy (33-37)
9. Injustice/oppression (38-40)
1. Lust/looking (1-4)
1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes;
then should I look upon a young woman?
2 For what is the allotment of God from above,
the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3 Is it not destruction for the wicked,
disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4 Does He not see my ways,
And count all my steps?
A. I have made a covenant with my eyes…
APPLICATION: "...if a man wishes to maintain purity of life, he must make just such a covenant as this with himself" —Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
look
בין Strong's H995 - biyn bene (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
ylt—attend to; kjv—think upon; nkjv—look upon; esv, nasb—gaze at; niv—look lustfully; nlt—look with lust
I like the King James Versions emphasis on the thought process here. It is even more a matter of what you think or how you look—than it is how long you look, though all play a part.
B. Sin has consequences.
destruction איד Strong's H343 - 'eyd ād —prop. a burden, load, by which one is oppressed, or crushed
C. God sees all.
Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
APPLICATION:
God is omniscient and just.
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, “Surely we did not know this,
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
“The fear of the Lord is the awareness that God is
watching, weighing, and rewarding
all that I do, say, or think.”
2. Integrity/honesty (4-8)
5 “If I have walked with falsehood,
if my foot has hastened to deceit,
6 Let me be weighed on honest scales,
God may know my integrity.
7 If my step has turned from the way,
my heart walked after my eyes,
if any spot adheres to my hands,
8 Then let me sow, and another eat;
, let my harvest be rooted out.
A. The nature of falsehood.
falsehood שוא Strong's H7723 - shav' shäv
1) wickedness, 2) falsehood 3) emptiness
ylt, kjv—vanity; nasb, nkjv, esv, niv—falsehood
ylt, kjv! empty vanity / nasb, nkjv, esv, niv! empty vanity
This word is used in the third command.
Ex 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain;
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Some commentators understand it in that sense (vanity),
but the synthetic parallelism in this verse clarifies it for us.
Cheating and deception are empty.
Dishonesty is a strong sin and very difficult to master. Keep your foot on the way.
B. The Lord weighs the heart.
6 Let me be weighed on honest scales,
God may know my integrity.
weighed שקל Strong's H8254 - shaqal shä·kal'
(Qal) 1) to weigh 2) to weigh out (a price) 3) of grief (fig)
Two things here:
Job knew that God would be true and just in his measurement.
He wanted to be judged by God's standard.
There are many places in God's Word that speak of God testing our hearts.
The picture here of weighing highlights the emptiness of dishonesty. Dishonest words and ways have no weight. They ar vanity and will come up light.
Pr 16:2 -
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
Pr 21:2 -
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.
The picture here of weighing highlights the emptiness of dishonesty. Dishonest words and ways have no weight. They will come up light.
Proverbs 14
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is favor.
C. The way of the eyes.
7 If my step has turned from the way,
my heart walked after my eyes,
if any spot adheres to my hands,
1)
Mingo Valley—Steve Saint—Waorani Indian's testimony
2)
...his mind has not been controlled by his lusts. —John E Hartley in NICOT
1 Timothy 6
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
We see in this verse that the prudent is a person who thinks and is not enamored by every thing that shimmers and shines.
In verse one he made a covenant with his eyes and here we see again the importance of controlling our eyes and thoughts..
Clean hands speak of our actions as shown in Psalm 24. Unblemished deeds are necessary to ascend to the Lord.
Psalm 24
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
D. The curse of falsehood.
8 Then let me sow, and another eat;
And, let my harvest be rooted out.
A declaration of innocence was a common element in legal proceedings that were being appealed to a judge for a public hearing. Since it was often impossible to gather sufficient evidence in this type of court case, the swearing of an oath took on great significance. —IVP Bible Background Commentary
APPLICATION:
God is holy and true.
Think about and focus on what lasts.
And the world is passing away,
and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. John 2:17
& 1 John 2
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
3. Seduction/adultery (9-12)
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 Then let my wife grind for another,
let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness;
, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
would root out all my increase.
& Proverbs 6 Turn to the classic passage in Proverbs on this subject and we will look back and forth.
A. The foolishness of this sin. (9)
Pr 6.25, 32
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
enticed פתה Strong's H6601 - pathah pä·thä' (Niphal) to be deceived, be gullible — to let oneself be persuaded or enticed
The basic verb idea is “be open, spacious, wide,” and might relate to the immature or simple one who is open to all kinds of enticement, not having developed a discriminating judgment as to what is right or wrong. —TWOT
ylt, nasb, nkjv, esv, niv—enticed; nlt—seduced;
kjv—deceived
lurked at my neighbor’s door
These words picture Job's observing a neighbor's house stealthily, watching for an opportune moment when, undetected, he would make intimate contact with the lady of the house. —John E Hartley in NICOT
B. The offence of this sin. (10-11) Pr 6.30,33-35
10 Then let my wife grind for another,
let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness;
it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
It is a crime against the husband.
Leviticus 18:16
You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife; it is your brother's nakedness.
speaks of the concept of a woman's nakedness belonging to her husband. The Law viewed adultery as a crime against the husband.
let my wife grind
Though this curse is strange to a modern audience, in the ancient world it would be viewed as an acrid curse against her husband, for a wife is so closely identified with her husband that his disgrace is as great as hers for letting this grave injustice happen to her. —John E Hartley in NICOT
Ex. 11:5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.
It is a wickedness against God.
wickedness זמה Strong's H2154 - zimmah zim·mä' —with a focus on behavior that is lewd, shameless in relation to sexual behavior —Logos DBL Hebrew
also has the thoughts of scheming or planning —Genenius's Lexicon
ylt—wicked thing; jkv, esv—heinous; nasb—lustful crime; nkjv—wickedness; niv, nlt—shameful
Genesis 39:9b
7it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." 8But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
C. The danger of this sin. (12) Pr 6.27-28, 32
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
would root out all my increase.
Fire represents two things about lust and adultery.
1) It cannot be satisfied. When you throw wood on a fire, it makes it hotter and wanting more.
Proverbs 30:15-17
15leech has two daughters-- Give and Give!
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four never say, "Enough!":
16The grave,
The barren womb,
The earth that is not satisfied with water--
And the fire never says, "Enough!"
2) Fire destroys. Adultery destroys lives.
Wealth Prov. 5.10
Health Prov. 5.11
Regrets Prov. 5.12-13
Proverbs 5
8your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house,
9you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
10Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
11And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12say: "How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
13have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
14was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
15water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
Abaddon/destruction. Along with Sheol, Abaddon is a name for the abode of the dead (see comment on 26:6), and is paralleled with the grave. The term literally means destruction. The term appears as Apollyon in Revelation 9:11, where it refers to the angel of the bottomless pit. —Bible Background Commentary
ylt, kjv, nkjv, niv—destruction;
nasb, esv—Abaddon; nlt—hell
I want to be very careful
to not overstate the application here.
APPLICATION:
God is faithful and pure.
Don’t be a fool!
Drink water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
Prov. 5:15
4. Respect/fairness (13-15)
13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant
they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
not the same One fashion us in the womb?
A. The meaning—(13)
13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant
they complained against me,
despised מאס Strong's H3988 - ma'ac mä·as' (Qal) 1) to reject, refuse 2) to despise
ylt, kjv, nkjv—despised the cause; nasb—despised the claim; esv—denied the claim;
niv—denied justice to; nlt—been unfair to
The word "despised" seems unthinkable when we see it, but our attitudes slide in that direction with an imperceptible ease that should cause great caution.
cause משפט Strong's H4941 - mishpat mish·pät'
judgment, justice, ordinance
judgment
act of deciding a case
place, court, seat of judgment
process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
case, cause (presented for judgment)
complained ריב Strong's H7379 - riyb rēb 1) strife, controversy, dispute a) strife, quarrel b) dispute, controversy, case at law
(with, against, to me)
ylt—contending with me; kjv—contended with me;
nasb—filed a complaint against me; nkjv—they complained against me; esv—brought a complaint against me; niv—had a grievance against me; nlt—brought their complaints to me
Job saw his position as a dispenser of God's justice as more important than his feelings, pride, or personal interests. This stands in contrast to his times and to human nature.
I am afraid that we forget what a leader is. Too often, we loose our generous nature and sense of nobility as God's regents and then become selfish, petty, and harsh.
"The goodness of a man or a woman is often best indicated by how they treat those thought to be inferior to them, not how they treat their person those thought to be superior to them." —David Guzik in The Enduring Word Commentary Series
B. Because of who God is. (14)
14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
God rises up
...in that time of judgment God, either as a judge or witness, will rise (qûm) to their defense… —John E Hartley in NICOT
This reminds me of the famous parent quote, "Do I need to get up and come over there?"
It is not a matter of if God will act, but when.
punishes פקד Strong's H6485 - paqad pä·kad'
1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for
a) (Qal)
1) to pay attention to, observe
2) to attend to 3) to seek, look about for 4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack
5) to visit
6) to visit upon, punish
7) to pass in review, muster, number 8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit
is "me" or "I" in there"
ylt—inspect
kjv—visiteth
nasb—calls me to account
nkjv—punishes
esv—makes inquiry
niv—called to account
nlt—questioned me
& Ephesians 6
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Colossians 4:1
Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
If we do not get it right with our employees or subordinates, God will overturn our verdict and dispense the proper consequences.
"I tremble," said President Jefferson, speaking of slavery in the United States, "when I remember that God is just." ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
C. Because of who men are. (15)
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
not the same One fashion us in the womb?
"The wonderous origin of human life is true for both slave and free, although their earthly status differs markedly."—John E Hartley in NICOT
Because of our respect for God, we should respect others He has created. (Gen. 9.6)
Proverbs 14.31
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Proverbs 22:2
Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Job 34.19
Yet He [God] is not partial to princes,
Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor;
For they are all the work of His hands.
1847; Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
"This sentiment, if fairly embraced and carried out, would soon destroy slavery every where."
APPLICATION:
God is our judge and creator
My brethren,
do not hold the faith
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory,
with partiality.
James 2.1
5. Charity/generosity (16-24)
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire,
caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
any poor man without covering;
20 If his heart has not blessed me,
if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
I saw I had help in the gate;
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
my arm be torn from the socket.
23 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
"Eliphaz had already accused Job of gross sins against the poor in 22:6-9, and in 29:12-17 Job had spoken positively about the depth of his social conscience." —Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
Job 22.6-10
6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason,
stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 You have not given the weary water to drink,
you have withheld bread from the hungry.
8 But the mighty man possessed the land,
the honorable man dwelt in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty,
the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
Job 29.12-17
12 Because I delivered the poor who cried out,
fatherless and the one who had no helper.
13 The blessing of a perishing man came upon me,
I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
justice was like a robe and a turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind,
I was feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor,
I searched out the case that I did not know.
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked,
plucked the victim from his teeth.
A. Job took pride in always sharing with the poor.
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire,
caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
16 desire חפץ Strong's H2656 - chephets khā'·fets desire or will
16 the eyes of the widow to fail
ylt—eye of the widow to consume;
kjv, nasb, nkjv, esv—eyes of the widow to fail
niv—eyes of the widow to grow weary;
nlt— crushed the hopes of the widows
That is, I have not frustrated her hopes, or disappointed her expectations, when she has looked intently upon me, and desired my aid. The "failing of the eyes" refers to failing of the object of their expectation; or the expression means that she had not looked on him in vain; see chap. xi. 20. ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
Job 11.20
But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
they shall not escape,
their hope—loss of life!”
Job had not seen the look of desperation turn to abject hopelessness.
Job inserts a parenthetical thought expressing the longevity of his compassionate treatment… —Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
The expression "from my mother's womb: is obviously hyperbolic. It is a way of saying "all his life." —translations notes in the NET Bible
From the earliest youth, so far back as he can remember, he was wont to behave like a father to the orphan, and like a child to the widow. —Delitzsch in Commentary of the Old Testament
B. Job took joy in receiving their gratitude.
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
any poor man without covering;
20 If his heart has not blessed me,
if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
20 heart חלץ Strong's H2504 - chalats khä·läts' loins-the region of the hips
ylt, kjv, nasb—loins; nkjv, niv—heart; esv—body
...loins is a synecdoche for the whole person. —John E Hartley in NICOT
The force of the parallelism is lost unless one can feel the pathos of a shivering body thankfully warmed by Job's fleece. —Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
20 blessed me
ylt, kjv, nkjv, esv, niv—blessed;
nasb—thanked;
nlt—praise
C. Job took honor in protecting the helpless.
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
When I saw I had help in the gate;
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
my arm be torn from the socket.
23 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
The expression "raised my hand" refers to a threatening manner or gesture in the court rather than a threat of physical violence in the street. —translations notes in the NET Bible
1 Heb "gate," referring to the city gate where judicial decisions were rendered in the curlture of the time. —translations notes in the NET Bible
The curse of the arm (that was raised against the fatherless) has a strong sense of poetic justice.
2 forearm ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
23 destruction איד Strong's H343 - 'eyd ād a burden, load by which one is oppressed, or crushed;
ylt, nasb, esv—clamity; kjv, nkjv, niv—destruction
He was deterred from this crime of oppressing the fatherless by the fear of God. ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
23 magnificence שאת Strong's H7613 - se'eth seh·āth' elevation, exaltation, dignity, swelling, uprising
ylt—because of His excellency I am not able
knv—by reason of his highness I could not endure
nasb—because of His majesty I can do nothing
nkjv—because of His magnificence I cannot endure
esv—I could not have faced his majesty
niv—for fear of his splendor I could not do such things
nlt—if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there
...I should not overcome His majesty, i.e. I should succumb to it. —Delitzsch in Commentary of the Old Testament
& 1 John 3.16-17
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
NIMY stands for "not in my backyard." That should describe our attitude to the poor, disenfranchised, and helpless. We don't need to be in a constant state of angst over all the "poor in the world," but we should be moved with compassion by those that cross our path.
APPLICATION:
The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
... let him labor, working
with his hands what is good,
that he may have something
to give him who has need.
Ephesians 4:28
Eph 4.17 & 28
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. . . .
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
6. Idolatry/covetousness (25-28)
24 “If I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
because my hand had gained much;
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines,
the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed,
my mouth has kissed my hand;
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,
I would have denied God who is above.
A. Trusting in riches (24)
24 “If I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
hope כסל Strong's H3689 - kecel keh'·sel 1) loins, flank 2) stupidity, folly 3) confidence, hope
ylt, nasb—confidence; kjv, nkjv—hope; esv, niv, nlt—trust
confidence מבטח Strong's H4009 - mibtach mib·täkh' object of confidence
ylt, nasb—trust; kjv, nkjv, esv—confidence; niv, nlt—security
Some put their trust in a "nest egg." or money set aside.
Others almost worship the monthly or weekly paycheck and "worship" hope in the company it comes from.
B. Rejoicing in wealth (25)
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
because my hand had gained much;
Proverbs 13:7
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
This is illustrated by a parable of Jesus.
Luke 12.13 ff
13one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
14He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
16Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
17he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." '
20But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
Why was he a fool? . . .
21So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
C. Slipping into idolatry. (26-27)
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines,
the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed,
my mouth has kissed my hand;
sun Hebew lit. "light" refers to the sun. The parallelism helps to make that evident.
enticed פתה Strong's H6601 - pathah pä·thä' (Qal) 1) to be open-minded, be simple, be naïve 2) to be enticed, be deceived SAME AS vs. 9
There is a close relationship spiritually between the love of money and worshipping idols. Most of us are much too sophisticated to bow down to a statue or leave food before an idol, but we have the same heart problem when we are covetous.
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,
I would have denied God who is above.
Colossians 3.5
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Proverbs 30
7Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Among the Hebrews idolatry was an offence punishable by death by stoning; Deut. xvii. 2-7. It is possible, also, that this might have been elsewhere in the patriarchal times a crime punishable in this manner. ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
APPLICATION:
God is my Provider.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
Psalm 49— 1st Timothy 6.1-10
This section (or sections since some separate verses 31-32) is related to the one about Jobs care for the poor and helpless. Here he talks about his attitude toward those who hate him and towards travelers or strangers.
7. Malice/"ill will" (29-32)
29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,
lifted myself up when evil found him
30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin
asking for a curse on his soul);
31 If the men of my tent have not said,
‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street,
I have opened my doors to the traveler);
A. Kindness to his enemies
29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,
lifted myself up when evil found him
30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin
asking for a curse on his soul);
evil רע Strong's H7451 - ra` rah 1) bad, evil a) bad, disagreeable, malignant b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
Proverbs 24:16-19
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
Everybody loves their friends (well most do :o), but Christ call on us to love everybody.
Luke 6.25-26
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Proverbs 17.5
5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
B. Generous care for strangers.
31 If the men of my tent have not said,
‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street,
I have opened my doors to the traveler);
Some understand verse 31 in the sense of his servants wanting revenge. "O that we had of his flesh!" Our master is satisfied to forgive him, but we cannot be so satisfied." —Matthew Henry unabridged.
APPLICATION:
God is Good to all.
But God demonstrates
His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
"I Want a Principle Within"
by Charles Wesley
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
From Thee that I no more may stray, no more Thy goodness grieve,
Grant me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make;
Awake my soul when sin is nigh, and keep it still awake.
Almighty God of truth and love, to me Thy power impart;
The mountain from my soul remove, the hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain my reawakened soul,
And drive me to that blood again, which makes the wounded whole.
8 & 9 will wait for another time.
Introduction:
Segway—
Ask congregation about Bible reading.
How are you doing on your Bible reading?
Do you still have a "Bible reading buddy?"
It is a good habit to meet with another believer on a regular basis to discuss spiritual things.
You can help each other with Bible reading or other issues you agree on.
Often there agreed upon list of “accountability questions” about their Christian walk they talk about.
These lists reflect what they consider important in their Christian walk.
Job 31 gives the list that Job used to give an account for himself.
Background—
A. For the book of Job
I. Prologue (narrative) ch. 1-2
A. HIS PROSPERITY (1:1-5)
B. HIS ADVERSITY (1:6-2:13)
C. HIS PERPLEXITY (3)
II. Dialogue (poetry) ch. 3-42
A. Three rounds of “debate”
1st Round (4-14)
1. Eliphaz (4-5) Job's reply (6-7)
2. Bildad (8)_Job's reply (9-10)
3. Zophar (11)_Job's reply (12-14)
2nd Round (15-21)
1. Eliphaz (15)_Job's reply (16-17)
2. Bildad (18)_Job's reply (19)
3. Zophar (20)_Job's reply (21)
3rd Round (22-37)
1. Eliphaz (22)_Job's reply (23-24)
2. Bildad (25)_Job's reply (26-31)
3. No Zophar
B. Elihu’s speech
1. Contradicting Job's friends (32)
2. Contradicting Job himself (33)
3. Proclaiming God's justice, goodness, and majesty (34-37)
C. God’s responses
GOD HUMBLES JOB (38:1-42:6)
1. Through questions too great to answer (38:1-41:34)
2. Job acknowledges his inability to understand (42:1-6)
III. Epilogue (narrative) ch. 42
GOD HONORS JOB (42:7-17)
1. God rebukes his critics (42:7-10)
2. God restores his wealth (42:11-17)
B. For Job chapter 31
Context of Job 31
29: Job remembers his happy past
30: Job describes his present humiliation
31: Job defends his innocence & looks ahead to God's vindication.
32–37: Elihu speaks
It is clear that Job knows that one is accountable not only for overt acts of sin but also for contemplating immoral behavior and cherishing cruel, vengeful thoughts against others. —John E Hartley in NICOT
...sin lies in the inward intentions of the heart, and not just in the outward act. —D. A Carson in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition
1. Lust/looking (1-4)
2. Integrity/honesty (4-8)
3. Seduction/adultery (9-12)
4. Respect/fairness (13-15)
5. Charity/generosity (16-24)
6. Coveting/idolatry (25-28)
7. Malice/"ill will" (29-32)
8. Secret sins/hypocrisy (33-37)
9. Injustice/oppression (38-40)
1. Lust/looking (1-4)
1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes;
then should I look upon a young woman?
2 For what is the allotment of God from above,
the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3 Is it not destruction for the wicked,
disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4 Does He not see my ways,
And count all my steps?
A. I have made a covenant with my eyes…
APPLICATION: "...if a man wishes to maintain purity of life, he must make just such a covenant as this with himself" —Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
look
בין Strong's H995 - biyn bene (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
ylt—attend to; kjv—think upon; nkjv—look upon; esv, nasb—gaze at; niv—look lustfully; nlt—look with lust
I like the King James Versions emphasis on the thought process here. It is even more a matter of what you think or how you look—than it is how long you look, though all play a part.
B. Sin has consequences.
destruction איד Strong's H343 - 'eyd ād —prop. a burden, load, by which one is oppressed, or crushed
C. God sees all.
Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
APPLICATION:
God is omniscient and just.
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, “Surely we did not know this,
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
“The fear of the Lord is the awareness that God is
watching, weighing, and rewarding
all that I do, say, or think.”
2. Integrity/honesty (4-8)
5 “If I have walked with falsehood,
if my foot has hastened to deceit,
6 Let me be weighed on honest scales,
God may know my integrity.
7 If my step has turned from the way,
my heart walked after my eyes,
if any spot adheres to my hands,
8 Then let me sow, and another eat;
, let my harvest be rooted out.
A. The nature of falsehood.
falsehood שוא Strong's H7723 - shav' shäv
1) wickedness, 2) falsehood 3) emptiness
ylt, kjv—vanity; nasb, nkjv, esv, niv—falsehood
ylt, kjv! empty vanity / nasb, nkjv, esv, niv! empty vanity
This word is used in the third command.
Ex 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain;
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Some commentators understand it in that sense (vanity),
but the synthetic parallelism in this verse clarifies it for us.
Cheating and deception are empty.
Dishonesty is a strong sin and very difficult to master. Keep your foot on the way.
B. The Lord weighs the heart.
6 Let me be weighed on honest scales,
God may know my integrity.
weighed שקל Strong's H8254 - shaqal shä·kal'
(Qal) 1) to weigh 2) to weigh out (a price) 3) of grief (fig)
Two things here:
Job knew that God would be true and just in his measurement.
He wanted to be judged by God's standard.
There are many places in God's Word that speak of God testing our hearts.
The picture here of weighing highlights the emptiness of dishonesty. Dishonest words and ways have no weight. They ar vanity and will come up light.
Pr 16:2 -
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
Pr 21:2 -
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.
The picture here of weighing highlights the emptiness of dishonesty. Dishonest words and ways have no weight. They will come up light.
Proverbs 14
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is favor.
C. The way of the eyes.
7 If my step has turned from the way,
my heart walked after my eyes,
if any spot adheres to my hands,
1)
Mingo Valley—Steve Saint—Waorani Indian's testimony
2)
...his mind has not been controlled by his lusts. —John E Hartley in NICOT
1 Timothy 6
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
We see in this verse that the prudent is a person who thinks and is not enamored by every thing that shimmers and shines.
In verse one he made a covenant with his eyes and here we see again the importance of controlling our eyes and thoughts..
Clean hands speak of our actions as shown in Psalm 24. Unblemished deeds are necessary to ascend to the Lord.
Psalm 24
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
D. The curse of falsehood.
8 Then let me sow, and another eat;
And, let my harvest be rooted out.
A declaration of innocence was a common element in legal proceedings that were being appealed to a judge for a public hearing. Since it was often impossible to gather sufficient evidence in this type of court case, the swearing of an oath took on great significance. —IVP Bible Background Commentary
APPLICATION:
God is holy and true.
Think about and focus on what lasts.
And the world is passing away,
and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. John 2:17
& 1 John 2
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
3. Seduction/adultery (9-12)
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 Then let my wife grind for another,
let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness;
, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
would root out all my increase.
& Proverbs 6 Turn to the classic passage in Proverbs on this subject and we will look back and forth.
A. The foolishness of this sin. (9)
Pr 6.25, 32
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
enticed פתה Strong's H6601 - pathah pä·thä' (Niphal) to be deceived, be gullible — to let oneself be persuaded or enticed
The basic verb idea is “be open, spacious, wide,” and might relate to the immature or simple one who is open to all kinds of enticement, not having developed a discriminating judgment as to what is right or wrong. —TWOT
ylt, nasb, nkjv, esv, niv—enticed; nlt—seduced;
kjv—deceived
lurked at my neighbor’s door
These words picture Job's observing a neighbor's house stealthily, watching for an opportune moment when, undetected, he would make intimate contact with the lady of the house. —John E Hartley in NICOT
B. The offence of this sin. (10-11) Pr 6.30,33-35
10 Then let my wife grind for another,
let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness;
it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
It is a crime against the husband.
Leviticus 18:16
You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife; it is your brother's nakedness.
speaks of the concept of a woman's nakedness belonging to her husband. The Law viewed adultery as a crime against the husband.
let my wife grind
Though this curse is strange to a modern audience, in the ancient world it would be viewed as an acrid curse against her husband, for a wife is so closely identified with her husband that his disgrace is as great as hers for letting this grave injustice happen to her. —John E Hartley in NICOT
Ex. 11:5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.
It is a wickedness against God.
wickedness זמה Strong's H2154 - zimmah zim·mä' —with a focus on behavior that is lewd, shameless in relation to sexual behavior —Logos DBL Hebrew
also has the thoughts of scheming or planning —Genenius's Lexicon
ylt—wicked thing; jkv, esv—heinous; nasb—lustful crime; nkjv—wickedness; niv, nlt—shameful
Genesis 39:9b
7it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." 8But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
C. The danger of this sin. (12) Pr 6.27-28, 32
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
would root out all my increase.
Fire represents two things about lust and adultery.
1) It cannot be satisfied. When you throw wood on a fire, it makes it hotter and wanting more.
Proverbs 30:15-17
15leech has two daughters-- Give and Give!
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four never say, "Enough!":
16The grave,
The barren womb,
The earth that is not satisfied with water--
And the fire never says, "Enough!"
2) Fire destroys. Adultery destroys lives.
Wealth Prov. 5.10
Health Prov. 5.11
Regrets Prov. 5.12-13
Proverbs 5
8your way far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house,
9you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
10Lest aliens be filled with your wealth,
And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;
11And you mourn at last,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12say: "How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
13have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
14was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
15water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
Abaddon/destruction. Along with Sheol, Abaddon is a name for the abode of the dead (see comment on 26:6), and is paralleled with the grave. The term literally means destruction. The term appears as Apollyon in Revelation 9:11, where it refers to the angel of the bottomless pit. —Bible Background Commentary
ylt, kjv, nkjv, niv—destruction;
nasb, esv—Abaddon; nlt—hell
I want to be very careful
to not overstate the application here.
APPLICATION:
God is faithful and pure.
Don’t be a fool!
Drink water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
Prov. 5:15
4. Respect/fairness (13-15)
13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant
they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
not the same One fashion us in the womb?
A. The meaning—(13)
13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant
they complained against me,
despised מאס Strong's H3988 - ma'ac mä·as' (Qal) 1) to reject, refuse 2) to despise
ylt, kjv, nkjv—despised the cause; nasb—despised the claim; esv—denied the claim;
niv—denied justice to; nlt—been unfair to
The word "despised" seems unthinkable when we see it, but our attitudes slide in that direction with an imperceptible ease that should cause great caution.
cause משפט Strong's H4941 - mishpat mish·pät'
judgment, justice, ordinance
judgment
act of deciding a case
place, court, seat of judgment
process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
case, cause (presented for judgment)
complained ריב Strong's H7379 - riyb rēb 1) strife, controversy, dispute a) strife, quarrel b) dispute, controversy, case at law
(with, against, to me)
ylt—contending with me; kjv—contended with me;
nasb—filed a complaint against me; nkjv—they complained against me; esv—brought a complaint against me; niv—had a grievance against me; nlt—brought their complaints to me
Job saw his position as a dispenser of God's justice as more important than his feelings, pride, or personal interests. This stands in contrast to his times and to human nature.
I am afraid that we forget what a leader is. Too often, we loose our generous nature and sense of nobility as God's regents and then become selfish, petty, and harsh.
"The goodness of a man or a woman is often best indicated by how they treat those thought to be inferior to them, not how they treat their person those thought to be superior to them." —David Guzik in The Enduring Word Commentary Series
B. Because of who God is. (14)
14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
God rises up
...in that time of judgment God, either as a judge or witness, will rise (qûm) to their defense… —John E Hartley in NICOT
This reminds me of the famous parent quote, "Do I need to get up and come over there?"
It is not a matter of if God will act, but when.
punishes פקד Strong's H6485 - paqad pä·kad'
1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for
a) (Qal)
1) to pay attention to, observe
2) to attend to 3) to seek, look about for 4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack
5) to visit
6) to visit upon, punish
7) to pass in review, muster, number 8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit
is "me" or "I" in there"
ylt—inspect
kjv—visiteth
nasb—calls me to account
nkjv—punishes
esv—makes inquiry
niv—called to account
nlt—questioned me
& Ephesians 6
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Colossians 4:1
Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
If we do not get it right with our employees or subordinates, God will overturn our verdict and dispense the proper consequences.
"I tremble," said President Jefferson, speaking of slavery in the United States, "when I remember that God is just." ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
C. Because of who men are. (15)
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
not the same One fashion us in the womb?
"The wonderous origin of human life is true for both slave and free, although their earthly status differs markedly."—John E Hartley in NICOT
Because of our respect for God, we should respect others He has created. (Gen. 9.6)
Proverbs 14.31
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Proverbs 22:2
Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Job 34.19
Yet He [God] is not partial to princes,
Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor;
For they are all the work of His hands.
1847; Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
"This sentiment, if fairly embraced and carried out, would soon destroy slavery every where."
APPLICATION:
God is our judge and creator
My brethren,
do not hold the faith
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory,
with partiality.
James 2.1
5. Charity/generosity (16-24)
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire,
caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
any poor man without covering;
20 If his heart has not blessed me,
if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
I saw I had help in the gate;
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
my arm be torn from the socket.
23 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
"Eliphaz had already accused Job of gross sins against the poor in 22:6-9, and in 29:12-17 Job had spoken positively about the depth of his social conscience." —Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
Job 22.6-10
6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason,
stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 You have not given the weary water to drink,
you have withheld bread from the hungry.
8 But the mighty man possessed the land,
the honorable man dwelt in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty,
the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
Job 29.12-17
12 Because I delivered the poor who cried out,
fatherless and the one who had no helper.
13 The blessing of a perishing man came upon me,
I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
justice was like a robe and a turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind,
I was feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor,
I searched out the case that I did not know.
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked,
plucked the victim from his teeth.
A. Job took pride in always sharing with the poor.
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire,
caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
16 desire חפץ Strong's H2656 - chephets khā'·fets desire or will
16 the eyes of the widow to fail
ylt—eye of the widow to consume;
kjv, nasb, nkjv, esv—eyes of the widow to fail
niv—eyes of the widow to grow weary;
nlt— crushed the hopes of the widows
That is, I have not frustrated her hopes, or disappointed her expectations, when she has looked intently upon me, and desired my aid. The "failing of the eyes" refers to failing of the object of their expectation; or the expression means that she had not looked on him in vain; see chap. xi. 20. ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
Job 11.20
But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
they shall not escape,
their hope—loss of life!”
Job had not seen the look of desperation turn to abject hopelessness.
Job inserts a parenthetical thought expressing the longevity of his compassionate treatment… —Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
The expression "from my mother's womb: is obviously hyperbolic. It is a way of saying "all his life." —translations notes in the NET Bible
From the earliest youth, so far back as he can remember, he was wont to behave like a father to the orphan, and like a child to the widow. —Delitzsch in Commentary of the Old Testament
B. Job took joy in receiving their gratitude.
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
any poor man without covering;
20 If his heart has not blessed me,
if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
20 heart חלץ Strong's H2504 - chalats khä·läts' loins-the region of the hips
ylt, kjv, nasb—loins; nkjv, niv—heart; esv—body
...loins is a synecdoche for the whole person. —John E Hartley in NICOT
The force of the parallelism is lost unless one can feel the pathos of a shivering body thankfully warmed by Job's fleece. —Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
20 blessed me
ylt, kjv, nkjv, esv, niv—blessed;
nasb—thanked;
nlt—praise
C. Job took honor in protecting the helpless.
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
When I saw I had help in the gate;
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
my arm be torn from the socket.
23 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
The expression "raised my hand" refers to a threatening manner or gesture in the court rather than a threat of physical violence in the street. —translations notes in the NET Bible
1 Heb "gate," referring to the city gate where judicial decisions were rendered in the curlture of the time. —translations notes in the NET Bible
The curse of the arm (that was raised against the fatherless) has a strong sense of poetic justice.
2 forearm ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
23 destruction איד Strong's H343 - 'eyd ād a burden, load by which one is oppressed, or crushed;
ylt, nasb, esv—clamity; kjv, nkjv, niv—destruction
He was deterred from this crime of oppressing the fatherless by the fear of God. ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
23 magnificence שאת Strong's H7613 - se'eth seh·āth' elevation, exaltation, dignity, swelling, uprising
ylt—because of His excellency I am not able
knv—by reason of his highness I could not endure
nasb—because of His majesty I can do nothing
nkjv—because of His magnificence I cannot endure
esv—I could not have faced his majesty
niv—for fear of his splendor I could not do such things
nlt—if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there
...I should not overcome His majesty, i.e. I should succumb to it. —Delitzsch in Commentary of the Old Testament
& 1 John 3.16-17
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
NIMY stands for "not in my backyard." That should describe our attitude to the poor, disenfranchised, and helpless. We don't need to be in a constant state of angst over all the "poor in the world," but we should be moved with compassion by those that cross our path.
APPLICATION:
The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
... let him labor, working
with his hands what is good,
that he may have something
to give him who has need.
Ephesians 4:28
Eph 4.17 & 28
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. . . .
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
6. Idolatry/covetousness (25-28)
24 “If I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
because my hand had gained much;
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines,
the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed,
my mouth has kissed my hand;
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,
I would have denied God who is above.
A. Trusting in riches (24)
24 “If I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
hope כסל Strong's H3689 - kecel keh'·sel 1) loins, flank 2) stupidity, folly 3) confidence, hope
ylt, nasb—confidence; kjv, nkjv—hope; esv, niv, nlt—trust
confidence מבטח Strong's H4009 - mibtach mib·täkh' object of confidence
ylt, nasb—trust; kjv, nkjv, esv—confidence; niv, nlt—security
Some put their trust in a "nest egg." or money set aside.
Others almost worship the monthly or weekly paycheck and "worship" hope in the company it comes from.
B. Rejoicing in wealth (25)
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
because my hand had gained much;
Proverbs 13:7
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
This is illustrated by a parable of Jesus.
Luke 12.13 ff
13one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
14He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
16Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
17he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." '
20But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
Why was he a fool? . . .
21So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
C. Slipping into idolatry. (26-27)
26 If I have observed the sun when it shines,
the moon moving in brightness,
27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed,
my mouth has kissed my hand;
sun Hebew lit. "light" refers to the sun. The parallelism helps to make that evident.
enticed פתה Strong's H6601 - pathah pä·thä' (Qal) 1) to be open-minded, be simple, be naïve 2) to be enticed, be deceived SAME AS vs. 9
There is a close relationship spiritually between the love of money and worshipping idols. Most of us are much too sophisticated to bow down to a statue or leave food before an idol, but we have the same heart problem when we are covetous.
28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,
I would have denied God who is above.
Colossians 3.5
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Proverbs 30
7Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Among the Hebrews idolatry was an offence punishable by death by stoning; Deut. xvii. 2-7. It is possible, also, that this might have been elsewhere in the patriarchal times a crime punishable in this manner. ——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
APPLICATION:
God is my Provider.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
Psalm 49— 1st Timothy 6.1-10
This section (or sections since some separate verses 31-32) is related to the one about Jobs care for the poor and helpless. Here he talks about his attitude toward those who hate him and towards travelers or strangers.
7. Malice/"ill will" (29-32)
29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,
lifted myself up when evil found him
30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin
asking for a curse on his soul);
31 If the men of my tent have not said,
‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street,
I have opened my doors to the traveler);
A. Kindness to his enemies
29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,
lifted myself up when evil found him
30 (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin
asking for a curse on his soul);
evil רע Strong's H7451 - ra` rah 1) bad, evil a) bad, disagreeable, malignant b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
Proverbs 24:16-19
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
Everybody loves their friends (well most do :o), but Christ call on us to love everybody.
Luke 6.25-26
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Proverbs 17.5
5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
B. Generous care for strangers.
31 If the men of my tent have not said,
‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street,
I have opened my doors to the traveler);
Some understand verse 31 in the sense of his servants wanting revenge. "O that we had of his flesh!" Our master is satisfied to forgive him, but we cannot be so satisfied." —Matthew Henry unabridged.
APPLICATION:
God is Good to all.
But God demonstrates
His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
"I Want a Principle Within"
by Charles Wesley
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
From Thee that I no more may stray, no more Thy goodness grieve,
Grant me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make;
Awake my soul when sin is nigh, and keep it still awake.
Almighty God of truth and love, to me Thy power impart;
The mountain from my soul remove, the hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain my reawakened soul,
And drive me to that blood again, which makes the wounded whole.
8 & 9 will wait for another time.
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