Q & A 1 Peter 4.12-19

In one of my daily readings the passage was 1 Peter 4:12-19.  I became confused at verse 17 and 18 where Peter doesn't seem to answer his question in vs 17 then quotes a passage from Proverbs 11 and moves on to vserse 19. I am having a hard time understanding verse 18 in particular also how it corrlates to Proverbs 11:31. I have read McArthers comentary, basicly saying if we the church, whom Jesus loves, suffers how much more will the unsaved suffer. but that still doesnt seem to answer the question in vs 17. Also, I am not quite seeing the quote from Proverbs 11:31. in NKV it says the righteous will be recompensed on earth, but the NASB says rewared on earth. but then following how much more the ungodly and the sinner. That almost sounds like the sinner will be rewarded. but that would contradict 1 Peter 4:18.

• The point of the passage (vrs. 12-19) is that Christians can expect suffering, either for Christ’s sake (vrs. 16) or as discipline (as in Hebrews 12.5-11 or 1 Corinthians 11).
• Verse 16 speaks of the suffering for Christ and verse 17 refers to the suffering under God’s discipline.
•  Verse 17 asks, if things are bad for Christians, how will it be for unbelievers under God’s wrath?  Verse 18 uses the proverb to answer that it will be worse.
•  The word in the Proverbs 11.31, Strong's H7999 - shalam, in the Pual stem as it is there generally means “1) to be performed 2) to be repaid, be requited.” –BlueletterBible.org  The decision about its meaning a good or bad reward will probably need to come from the context.
• Proverbs, especially in Hebrew, don't tend to have the precision that some of the more theologically technical language of the epistles have.
• Below is the entry from the Bible Knowledge Commentary and the 1 Peter in seven versions ranging from literal on the left to dynamic on the right.

1Peter

4:16. There is no shame if one suffer(s) as a Christian rather than as a criminal. On the contrary, that name should be a source of praise to God for it identifies the bearer with the blessings of salvation (cf. v. 11). The term “Christian” (Christianos) occurs only three times in the Bible (here and Acts 11:26; 26:28). It may have been used derisively by unbelievers, as an insult.

4:17-18. Peter had referred to persecution and suffering as trials that refine and prove one’s faith (1:6-7) if reacted to in the will of God (3:17). Now he added that God allows persecutions as disciplinary judgment to purify the lives of those in the family of God. If believers need disciplinary earthly judgments (if it begins with us, a first-class condition which assumes the reality of the premise), how much more will those who do not obey the gospel (cf. 2:7) the ungodly and the sinner, deserve everlasting judgment? Peter quoted the Septuagint rendering of Proverbs 11:31, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, to emphasize God’s disciplinary demands on His children. The vicissitudes of life are a part of God’s constant care, yet from a human perspective discipline is always “hard.” Peter is not teaching that salvation is earned through personal trials or works, but simply that those who are saved are not exempt from temporal disciplinary judgments which are the natural consequences of sin. The writer of Hebrews also supports Peter: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons” (Heb. 12:7).

4:19. Believers could be sure that they were being called on to suffer according to God’s will (cf. 2:15; 3:17; 4:2) if, having committed no crimes, they were suffering solely because they bore Christ’s name. Peter encouraged suffering saints to endure through the exercise of Christlike faith. Just as Christ trusted Himself to His Father who judges justly (2:23), so should believers commit (paratithesthōsan, an accounting term, “to deposit or entrust”) themselves (psychas autōn, lit., “their souls”) to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (cf. 2:15, 20). ---The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Young's Literal	KJV	NASB 1995	The New KJV	ESV	NIV	Wuest  Expanded	New Living
12 Beloved, think it not strange at the fiery suffering among you that is coming to try you, as if a strange thing were happening to you,	12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:	12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;	12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;	12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.	12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.	12 Divinely loved ones [divinely loved by God], stop thinking that the smelting process which is [operating] among you and which has come to you for the purpose of testing [you], is a thing alien to you, but insofar as you share in common with the sufferings of Christ,	12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
13 but, according as ye have fellowship with the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice ye, that also in the revelation of his glory ye may rejoice—exulting;	13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.	13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.	13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.	13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.	13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.	be rejoicing, in order that also at the time of the unveiling of His glory, you may rejoice exultingly.	13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 if ye be reproached in the name of Christ—happy are ye, because the Spirit of glory and of God upon you doth rest; in regard, indeed, to them, he is evil-spoken of, and in regard to you, he is glorified;	14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.	14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.	14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.	14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.	14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.	In view of the fact that you have cast in your teeth, as it were, revilings because of the Name of Christ, spiritually prosperous [are you], because the Spirit of the Glory, even the Spirit of God, is resting with refreshing power upon you.	14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
15 for let none of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil-doer, or as an inspector into other men’s matters;	15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.	15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;	15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.	15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.	15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.	15 Now, let no one of you continue to be suffering [reproach] as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a self-appointed overseer in other men’s matters.	15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.
16 and if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; and let him glorify God in this respect;	16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.	16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.	16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.	16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.	16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.	But if he suffer [reproach] as a Christian, let him not continue to be ashamed, but let him be glorifying God because of this name,	16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
17 because it is the time of the beginning of the judgment from the house of God, and if first from us, what the end of those disobedient to the good news of God?	17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?	17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?	17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?	17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?	17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?	for the time is now, of the judgment beginning at the house of God. But if it start first with us, what shall be the end of those who are not obeying the good news of God?	17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
18 And if the righteous man is scarcely saved, the ungodly and sinner—where shall he appear?	18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?	18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?	18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”	18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”	18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”	And if he who is righteous is with difficulty being saved, he that is impious and a sinner, where shall he appear?	18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”
19 so that also those suffering according to the will of god, as to a stedfast Creator, let them commit their own souls in good doing.	19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.	19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.	19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.	19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.	19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.	Therefore, also let those who are suffering according to the will of God be constantly committing the safekeeping of their souls by a continuance in the doing of good to a faithful Creator.	19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Sat 091128 am Rev 1-4

Revelation 1
1.2 & 9  the Word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ... This is an interesting expression to be repeated here, 6.9, 20.4.
The "word of God" may refer to God the Father's word to Jesus Christ. "The testimony of Jesus" probably refers to the Lord Jesus' faithful communication of God's word to John (mainly through angels, messengers) who passed it on to his readers.  ----Dr. Constable's Notes on Revelation
1.17  This a typical reaction to seeing Christ and his response.
    
Revelation 2-3
1. The words of him who...
2. I know...
3. I have this against you...
4. repent...
5. if not I will remove your lampstand...
6. He who has an ear...
7. To the one who conquers...
   
Ephesians 2.1-7
1. him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven olden lampstands
2. toil, endurance, cannot bear evil, test "apostles"
3. abandoned first love, 
4. do the first works, 
5.I will remove your lampstand
6.
7. to eat of the tree of life
    
Smyrna 2.8-11
1. the first and the last, who did and came to life.

2. your tribulation and your poverty and the slander

3. I have this against you...

be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

6. He who has an ear...

7. will not be hurt by the second death

   
Peramum  2.12-17
1. him who has the sharp two-edged sword

2. you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith, 

3. some hold the teachings of Balaam, and Nicolaitans

4. repent...

5. if not I will come and war against you soon and war against them

6. He who has an ear...

7. I will give some of the hidden manna, a whit stone, with a new name written on the stone

  
Thyatira  2.18-28
1. the Son of God, who has eyes life a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze

2. love, faith, service, endurance, and later words exceed the first

3. you tolerate Jezebel, sexual immorality and eating food offered to idols

4. repent of her words

5. I will throw them into great tribulation and strike her children dead

those who do not hold her teaching hold fast till I come

7. I will give authority over the nations... and I will give him the morning star

6. He who has an ear...

  
Sardis  3.1-6
1. Him who has seven spirits fo God and the seven stars

2.  have the reputation of being alive

3.  you are dead spoke incomplete words

4.  wake up, strengthen what remains, remember what you have heard and keep it

5. I will come like a thief against you

a few names havenot soilded their garments and they will walk with me in white

6. He who has an ear...

7. will be clothed in while and I will never blot his name out of the book of life

  
Philadephia  3.7-13
 1. the holy one and true, who has the key of Davie, who opens and shuts

2. you have little power yet you have kept my word and not denied my name 

I have set before you an open door, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan bow before you, I will keep you fromthe hour of traial 

3. 

4.

hold fast what you have

5. if not I will remove your lampstand...

7. i will make him a pillar in the temple of my God

6. He who has an ear...

  

Laodicea  3.14-22
1. the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation
2. you are neither hot nor cold

3. I have this against you...

4. buy from me gold refined by fire, white garments, salve to anoint your eyes.

5. 

open the door, I will come in...

7. I will grant him to sit with me on my throne

6. He who has an ear...
   
Revelation 4
4.2  in the spirit...  I am not sure that I would capitalize this.  I think he was probably not in his body in a traditional sense.
4.8 The harkens back to Isaiah 6.
4.11  From heaven's chorus book.

Fri 091127 am - pm Eccl

Ecclesiasties  A two sitting read through.
I knew that vanity fwas a big theme in the book, but I had forgotten how often Solomon referred to himself.  I also did not realize how often the words "wise", "wisdom", etc. were in the book.
3.11  He has put eternity in man's heart...  This is an interesting statement.  What does it mean for man to have eternity in his heart.  How does that effect how we think and respond to the gospel?  How is that effected by our spiritual blindness?
3.12  there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good...  It's so simple and down to earth. 
4.13  who no longer knew how to take advice...  A good reminder for us old coots.  We are still a work in progress-learning and growing.
5.1-7  to listen is better...  A  good passage about being careful what you promise God. 
5.10  He who loves money will not be satisfied...  It is vanity to love something that will never satisfy you.
6.9  Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite...  A wryly proverb in an interesting context.  This is an insightful and intricate one to ponder on for a while.
7.8  Better is the end of a thing than its beginning...  Starting is just a little harder than quiting.  Finishing well, now that is the jewel.
7.9b anger lodges in the bosom of fools...  That pretty well sums it up.
8.8  no man has power to...  This is a good reminder to trust the Lord with this important day.
8.14  This is a vanity that I am waiting for the Lord to explain to me.
9.4  a living dog is better than a dead lion...  Hmmm
9.10  I am trying to decide whether this verse describes diligence or determination.  Maybe both.
10.10  Work smart not hard.
10.14  a fool mulitiplies words...  Yet another good reminder.
11.1  Cast your bread upon the waters...

“What is Solomon’s point?” I would suggest that the word “cast”⁴²⁵ is better rendered “send” (NRSV).⁴²⁶ This verb refers to the commercial enterprises of sea trade.⁴²⁷ Furthermore, the term “bread” refers to grain and wheat from which bread is produced.⁴²⁸

Solomon was deeply involved in international trade with countless merchants.⁴²⁹ Then as now, one of the main trade commodities was grain. The merchants of Solomon’s day would load their grain ships and send them off. The Israelites were “casting [their] bread upon the water.” But notice that with Solomon, the word is plural: “cast your bread on the waters.” In other words, don’t put all your grain in one ship. Put your wheat in several ships, and send it out in a diversified way so that if one of the ships should sink, you’ll not be ruined.⁴³⁰ In others words, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Diversify your portfolio.   ---Kieth Krell in "No Risks, No Rewards (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)"

 http://bible.org/seriespage/no-risks-no-rewards-ecclesiastes-111-6

Casting one's bread on the water (v. 1) probably refers to commercial transactions involving the transportation of commodities by ship, not to charitable acts.* If you follow the advice in this verse literally you will experience disappointment. It probably refers to buying and selling. Verse 2 advocates diversifying your resources in one investment.
"'Seven or eight' is a Hebrew numerical formula called X, X + 1. It occurs frequently in Proverbs (chaps. 6, 30) and in the first two chapters of Amos. Here it is not to be taken

literally but means 'plenty and more than plenty,' 'the widest possible diversification within the guidelines of prudence. . . .' Seven means 'plenty,' and eight means, 'Go a bit beyond that.'"** 
*J. S. Wright, "Ecclesiastes," pp. 1189.
**Hubbard, p. 227.
Dr. Constable's Notes http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/ecclesiastes.pdf
12.13-14  A strong ending with a few good reminders.

Thurs 091126 am 2Jn-Jude

2 John
8 Watch yourselves...  "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest..."
12 talk face to face...  Some things are better handled in person.
   
3 John
4   no greater joy...  for parents too.
9  who likes to put himself first... like Jude verse 12
   
Jude
7  Sodom and Gomorrah ... indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire...  If God wants the church to ignore the sin of homosexuality, He will need to apologize to S & G.
10  like unreasoning animals...  
12  shepherds feeding themselves...  Self interest and greed is at the core of many sins and sinful lives.

Tues 091124 am Prov 30-31 & 1Jn

Proverbs 30
30.8  remove from me...  The combination of falsehood and lying and poverty and riches is courious.  Lying and falsehood have some relation to people's attitude about money.  This will be a good one to think about.
30.12  clean in their own eyes... 
30.15  Three things never satisfied...
30.18  Three things are too wonderful...
30.21  Under three things the world trembles...
30.24  Four things on earth are small...
30.29  Three things are stately...
30.32  put your hand on your mouth...  Good advice in general.

Proverbs 31
31.1  his mother...  The hand that rocks the cradle...
31.4  it is not for kings to drink wine...  I guess that Washington has not gotten this far in reading this book.
31.5 & 7  forget...  One of the evils of strong drink.  The lesson is that we should remember.
31.9 & 20  the poor...  Both kings and moms should be mindful of the poor.

1 John quick read - favorite verses
1.5 God is light
1.7b  old CEF favorite
1.9  confess our sins
2.1  an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous...
2.15-17  classic passage about loving the world
3.2-3  everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself...
3.12  This verse "rocks" in the KJV.
4.2  every spirit that confesses...
4.6 God is love
4.10  propitiation
4.16 God is love
5.13  that you may know that you have eternal life.
5.21  A timely word for us today too.

Sunday AM 11/22/09 sermon @ TBC

"Job's Accountability Questions Part 3"

Introduction:
Segway—


Background—


A. CONTEXT FOR THE BOOK OF JOB
——OVERVIEW——
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”
        Eliphaz,  Bildad, &  Zophar
             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 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. CONTEXT FOR 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 rbukes Job and friends and affirms God's justice.
 
C. CONTEXT FOR TODAY'S PASSAGE
---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
! Mark the If's in chapter 31.
1. Lust/looking (1-4)
2. Integrity/honesty (4-8)
3. Seduction/adultery (9-12)
4. Respect/fairness (13-15)
5. Charity/generosity (16-23)
6. Coveting/idolatry (24-28)
7. Malice/"ill will" (29-32)
8. Secret sins/hypocrisy (33-37)
9. Injustice/oppression (38-40)
 
These are ...
...not just historical of cultural curiosities.
...not irrelevant to the New Testament believer.
Some of the particulars may have changed in their application, but the core values still stand.
 
C. REVIEW
1. Lust/looking (1-4)
 1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes;
      Why then should I look upon a young woman?
 2 For what is the allotment of God from above,
      And the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
 3 Is it not destruction for the wicked,
      And disaster for the workers of iniquity?
 4 Does He not see my ways,
      And count all my steps?
"...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
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,
      Or if my foot has hastened to deceit,
 6 Let me be weighed on honest scales,
      That God may know my integrity.
 7 If my step has turned from the way,
      Or my heart walked after my eyes,
      Or if any spot adheres to my hands,
 8 Then let me sow, and another eat;
      Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.
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
- - - -  - - -- - - - -  - - -  
3. Seduction/adultery (9-12)
 9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
      Or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
 10 Then let my wife grind for another,
      And let others bow down over her.
 11 For that would be wickedness;
      Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
 12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
      And would root out all my increase.
God is faithful and pure.
Don’t be a fool!
Drink water from your own cistern,
And running water from your own well.
Proverbs 5:15
 
 4. Respect/fairness (13-15)
 13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant
      When they complained against me,
 14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
      When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
 15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
      Did 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
      When 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 can drift 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
 
TE: What motivates someone to care about what his or her subordinates thought or felt?
 
B. Because of who God is. (14)
 14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
      When 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"
KJV—visiteth
NASB—calls me to account; NIV—called to account
NKJV—punishes
YLT—inspect; ESV—makes inquiry; 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
TE:     The nature of ourselves and our fellowman gives us a second reason.
 
C. Because of who men are. (15)
 15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
      Did 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,
      Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
 17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
      So that the fatherless could not eat of it
 18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
      And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
 19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
      Or any poor man without covering;
 20 If his heart has not blessed me,
      And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
 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,
      Let my arm be torn from the socket.
 23 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
      And 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,
      And stripped the naked of their clothing.
 7 You have not given the weary water to drink,
      And you have withheld bread from the hungry.
 8 But the mighty man possessed the land,
      And the honorable man dwelt in it.
 9 You have sent widows away empty,
      And the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
Job 29.12-17
 12 Because I delivered the poor who cried out,
      The fatherless and the one who had no helper.
 13 The blessing of a perishing man came upon me,
      And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
      My justice was like a robe and a turban.
 15 I was eyes to the blind,
      And I was feet to the lame.
 16 I was a father to the poor,
      And I searched out the case that I did not know.
 17 I broke the fangs of the wicked,
      And 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,
      Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
 17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
      So that the fatherless could not eat of it
 18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
      And 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,  And they shall not escape,
      And their hope—loss of life!”
Job had not seen the look of desperation turn to abject hopelessness.
 
 18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
      And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
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
APPL: What do we teach our children about the poor?
 
B.  Job took joy in receiving their gratitude.
 19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
      Or any poor man without covering;
 20 If his heart has not blessed me,
      And 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;1
 22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
      Let my arm2 be torn from the socket.
 23 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
      And 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 culture 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 For destruction from God is a terror to me,
      And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.
 
 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 - sĕ'eth  seh·āth'  elevation, exaltation, dignity, swelling, uprising
YLT—because of His excellency I am not able
KJV—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?

NIMBY stands for "not in my backyard." That should describe our attitude to the poor, disenfranchised, and helpless.
It is not the keep the poor out, but lift the poor up.
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
 
What is your motivation to be rich? Is it to have or to give?
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.
 
"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,
 
From Thee that I no more may stray,
    no more Thy goodness grieve,
Grant me the filial* awe,   [fil-ee-uhl]
    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.
*Having or assuming the relationship of child or offspring to parent.
 
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.
 
Bibliography
——John E Hartley in NICOT     The New International Commentary on the Old Testament
——Matthew Henry
——Delitzsch in Commentary of the Old Testament
——Albert Barnes in Notes on the Old Testament
——D. A Carson in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition
——Warren Wiersbe in Be Patient
——Roy B. Zuck in Bible Knowledge Commentary
——David Guzik in The Enduring Word Commentary Series
——Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa in Talk Thru the Old Testament
——Elmer Smick in Expositor's Bible Commentary
——translations notes in the NET Bible