"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
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Mon 091123 am Prov 26-29
Proverbs 26
Lots of cerebral in this chapter too.
26.4-5 The side be setting of these two "opposite" proverbs is food for thought.
26.16 in his own eyes... O, that I can have the insight to see myself as others.
26.20 For lack of wood... This proverbs alludes to the whole "fuel for the fire" idea. If nobody is talking about it, the controversy will wither.
Proverbs 27
A few more cerebral cartoons.
27.2 Let another praise you... Don't toot your own horn and let others toot if they must. Enough said.
27. 10 your father's friend... A great resource that is often overlooked and under-cultivated by young people.
27.21 a man is tested by his praise... The danger in people's praise is when you start believing it. Praise is to be (modestly) enjoyed and and then put into perspective. You have your critics too. The important assessment will not happen on this side of glory.
Proverbs 28
28.1 when no one pursues... A guilty conscience needs no accusing.
28.8 generous to the poor... A recurring theme in this book.
28.15 a chilling picture in today's America.
28.21 for a piece of bread... A reminder of how easily we sell out.
Proverbs 29
29.2 the people groan...
29.7 the wicked does not understand... which explains why it is so hard for them to figure out.
29.17 discipline your son and he will give you rest... This goes in the pay me now or pay me latter category.
29.25 The fear of man lays a snare... It is interesting to see trusting the Lord as the opposite instead of the less imaginative fear of the Lord. If I understand this correctly, this implies a close relationship between trusting the Lord and fearing the Lord.
Lots of cerebral in this chapter too.
26.4-5 The side be setting of these two "opposite" proverbs is food for thought.
26.16 in his own eyes... O, that I can have the insight to see myself as others.
26.20 For lack of wood... This proverbs alludes to the whole "fuel for the fire" idea. If nobody is talking about it, the controversy will wither.
Proverbs 27
A few more cerebral cartoons.
27.2 Let another praise you... Don't toot your own horn and let others toot if they must. Enough said.
27. 10 your father's friend... A great resource that is often overlooked and under-cultivated by young people.
27.21 a man is tested by his praise... The danger in people's praise is when you start believing it. Praise is to be (modestly) enjoyed and and then put into perspective. You have your critics too. The important assessment will not happen on this side of glory.
Proverbs 28
28.1 when no one pursues... A guilty conscience needs no accusing.
28.8 generous to the poor... A recurring theme in this book.
28.15 a chilling picture in today's America.
28.21 for a piece of bread... A reminder of how easily we sell out.
Proverbs 29
29.2 the people groan...
29.7 the wicked does not understand... which explains why it is so hard for them to figure out.
29.17 discipline your son and he will give you rest... This goes in the pay me now or pay me latter category.
29.25 The fear of man lays a snare... It is interesting to see trusting the Lord as the opposite instead of the less imaginative fear of the Lord. If I understand this correctly, this implies a close relationship between trusting the Lord and fearing the Lord.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sun 091122 pm Prov 23-25
Proverbs 23
23.4 Do not toil to acquire wealth, be discerning enough to desist. I'm sorry, but the wording of that verse in the esv just seems odd to me. Some of the versions combine verses 4 & 5. I think that I like nasv and the nlt best. And the irony of that is that the nasv is one of the most literal and the nlt is one of the most dynamic. I will have to check K&D, etc. sometime to look into it.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2023:4-5&version=NASB
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2023:4-5&version=NLT
23.11 I wonder if the "Redeemer" in this passage is God or some advocate in the Hebrew system of justice.
23.17 the fear of the Lord... does not go along with enying sinners.
23.22-25 Do not despise your mother when she is old... Some sage advice for children of aging parents (like me :o).
This chapter has a lot more context (with the groups of verses that go together) than most chapters.
Proverbs 24
24.10 When the going gets tough... I wonder if this verse stands by itself or goes with 12 & 13?
24.21 fear the Lord and the king... An interesting insight to see the fear of the Lord put alongside fear of the king like that. Hmmmm.
24.27 Grandma's rule
Proverbs 25
25.5 So much for the idea that you have to use wicked men to get someone competent enough to govern.
25.9 mediation
10+ cerebral cartoons in this chapter!
23.4 Do not toil to acquire wealth, be discerning enough to desist. I'm sorry, but the wording of that verse in the esv just seems odd to me. Some of the versions combine verses 4 & 5. I think that I like nasv and the nlt best. And the irony of that is that the nasv is one of the most literal and the nlt is one of the most dynamic. I will have to check K&D, etc. sometime to look into it.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2023:4-5&version=NASB
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2023:4-5&version=NLT
23.11 I wonder if the "Redeemer" in this passage is God or some advocate in the Hebrew system of justice.
23.17 the fear of the Lord... does not go along with enying sinners.
23.22-25 Do not despise your mother when she is old... Some sage advice for children of aging parents (like me :o).
This chapter has a lot more context (with the groups of verses that go together) than most chapters.
Proverbs 24
24.10 When the going gets tough... I wonder if this verse stands by itself or goes with 12 & 13?
24.21 fear the Lord and the king... An interesting insight to see the fear of the Lord put alongside fear of the king like that. Hmmmm.
24.27 Grandma's rule
Proverbs 25
25.5 So much for the idea that you have to use wicked men to get someone competent enough to govern.
25.9 mediation
10+ cerebral cartoons in this chapter!
Friday, November 20, 2009
”I Want a Principle Within”
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.
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.
by Charles Wesley
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Church's One Foundation
Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OFWINDSOR
-------------------------------------
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF
-------------------------------------
ARTICLE IX.
-------------------------------------
“...the Holy Catholic* Church: the communion of the saints...”
"He is the Head of the Body, the Church."
-------------------------------------
(Tune No. 142.)
1. THE Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word:
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride,
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.
2. She is from every nation
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth,
One Holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one Holy Food,
And to one Hope she presses
With every grace endued.
3. The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.
4. Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song!
5. 'Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest!
6. Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master's Hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden-land.
7. O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
For ever shall abide!
SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE IX
I believe that the Church of Christ is, has been, and will be one and the same: that it is holy in respect of (1) its Author and End, (2) the vocation of all the baptized, (3) the true saints within it: that it is One, by unity of origination, of faith, of hope, of charity, of sacraments, of discipline: that it is Catholic, as being universally disseminated, as teaching all truth, as possession all graces: that its truly sanctified members have communion with the Holy Trinity, with the Angels, and with all Saints on earth and in Paradise.
1.
"OTHER foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS Christ."
"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
"Even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctity and cleanse it."
"The Church of God which He purchased with His Own Blood."
2.
"Out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation."
"We being many are one Bread and one Body."
"One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism."
"There is none other Name under Heaven...whereby we must be saved."
"We all are partakers of that one Bread."
"Called in one hope of our calling."
"...grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."
"OTHER foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS Christ."
"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
"Even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctity and cleanse it."
"The Church of God which He purchased with His Own Blood."
2.
"Out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation."
"We being many are one Bread and one Body."
"One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism."
"There is none other Name under Heaven...whereby we must be saved."
"We all are partakers of that one Bread."
"Called in one hope of our calling."
"...grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."
3.
"Upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."
"Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world."
"Marvel not if the world hate you."
"False brethren."
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! when I fall I shall arise."
4.
"By reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
"I hear that there be divisions among you."
"Watch unto prayer."
"Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."
"Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting..."
"The redeemed of the Lord...shall come with singing unto Zion."
"Upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."
"Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world."
"Marvel not if the world hate you."
"False brethren."
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! when I fall I shall arise."
4.
"By reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
"I hear that there be divisions among you."
"Watch unto prayer."
"Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."
"Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting..."
"The redeemed of the Lord...shall come with singing unto Zion."
5.
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and against powers,"&c.
"In all these things we are more than conquerors."
"The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
"We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
6.
"Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son JESUS Christ." - "...the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you."
"Ye are come unto the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels, and to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn...and to the spirits of just men made perfect."
""When thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee."
"...with Me in Paradise."
7.
"Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."
"Humble yourselves...that He may exalt you in due time."
"He carried me...to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem."
"The Lamb...shall lead them unto the living fountains of waters."
"The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them."
"Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."
"Humble yourselves...that He may exalt you in due time."
"He carried me...to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem."
"The Lamb...shall lead them unto the living fountains of waters."
"The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them."
* The word "catholic" in this context does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church but means "universal or including people all around the world."
Colossians 1.18-20 notes
William Barclay - The New Daily Study Bible
4. What Jesus Christ is to the Church
(1) He is the head of the body, that is, of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ, that is the organism through which he acts and which shares all his experiences. But, humanly speaking, the body is the servant of the head and is powerless without it.
(2) He is the beginning of the Church. The Greek word for beginning is arche, which has a double meaning. ... It means first in the sense of time... It means first in the sense of the source from which something came, the moving power which set something in operation. We will see more clearly wht Paul is getting at if we remember what he has just said. The world is the creation of Christ. In words from that fine hymn 'the Church's One Foundation', Christ is the source of the Church's life and being and the director of its continued activity.
She is his new creation
By water and the word.
(3) He is the first-born from among the dead. ... He is someone who, because of his resurrection, is alive for evermore and whom we meet and experience. Christ is not a dead hero or a past founder, but a living presence.
(4) The result of this is that he has the supremacy in all things. ... By his resurrection, he has shown that he has conquered every opposing power and that there is nothing in life or in death which can bind him.
5. What Jesus Christ is to All Things
(1) The object of his coming was reconciliation. The New Testament never talks ofgod being reconciled to the world, but always of the world being reconciled to God. ... It was God who began the whole process of salvation.
(2) The medium of reconciliation was the blood of the cross.
(3) We must note that Paul says that in Christ God was reconciling all things to himself. the Greek word is a neuter (panta). The point is that the reconciliation of God extends not only to all persons but to all creation, animate and inanimate. ... Too often in Christianity, there has been suspicion of the world. ... Far from being Christian, this attitude is in fact heresy. It was the very attitude of the Gnostic heretics who threatened to destroy the faith.
4. What Jesus Christ is to the Church
(1) He is the head of the body, that is, of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ, that is the organism through which he acts and which shares all his experiences. But, humanly speaking, the body is the servant of the head and is powerless without it.
(2) He is the beginning of the Church. The Greek word for beginning is arche, which has a double meaning. ... It means first in the sense of time... It means first in the sense of the source from which something came, the moving power which set something in operation. We will see more clearly wht Paul is getting at if we remember what he has just said. The world is the creation of Christ. In words from that fine hymn 'the Church's One Foundation', Christ is the source of the Church's life and being and the director of its continued activity.
She is his new creation
By water and the word.
(3) He is the first-born from among the dead. ... He is someone who, because of his resurrection, is alive for evermore and whom we meet and experience. Christ is not a dead hero or a past founder, but a living presence.
(4) The result of this is that he has the supremacy in all things. ... By his resurrection, he has shown that he has conquered every opposing power and that there is nothing in life or in death which can bind him.
5. What Jesus Christ is to All Things
(1) The object of his coming was reconciliation. The New Testament never talks ofgod being reconciled to the world, but always of the world being reconciled to God. ... It was God who began the whole process of salvation.
(2) The medium of reconciliation was the blood of the cross.
(3) We must note that Paul says that in Christ God was reconciling all things to himself. the Greek word is a neuter (panta). The point is that the reconciliation of God extends not only to all persons but to all creation, animate and inanimate. ... Too often in Christianity, there has been suspicion of the world. ... Far from being Christian, this attitude is in fact heresy. It was the very attitude of the Gnostic heretics who threatened to destroy the faith.
Thurs 091119 pm Prov 19-21 1Jn1
Proverbs 19
19.1 a poor person who walks in his integrity... A poor person who walks in integrity is a fine thing.
19.2 Desire without knowledge can be dangerous.
19.11 Good sense makes one slow to anger...
19.17 I wonder if we really believe this.
Proverbs 20
20.3 aloof from strife... This is just the opposite from the wisdom of man. The less honorable men are the more they talk about their honor and the importance of defending it.
20.11 even a child... And they often do not realize how long that reputation will follow them.
20.22 Vengance belongs to the Lord.
20.29 strength ... gray hair... Both are important.
Proverbs 21
21.1 in the hand of the Lord... God is sovereign
21.17 whoever love pleasure... This is an intriguing verse to think about. People always thing of pleasure as being the purpose of riches.
21.19 the upright gives thought... We typically just think of righteousness in terms of doing the do's and not doing the don'ts. Thoughtful is another thing.
1 John 1
1.1 first hand knowledge
1.5 God is light.
1.9 An often used verse.
19.1 a poor person who walks in his integrity... A poor person who walks in integrity is a fine thing.
19.2 Desire without knowledge can be dangerous.
19.11 Good sense makes one slow to anger...
19.17 I wonder if we really believe this.
Proverbs 20
20.3 aloof from strife... This is just the opposite from the wisdom of man. The less honorable men are the more they talk about their honor and the importance of defending it.
20.11 even a child... And they often do not realize how long that reputation will follow them.
20.22 Vengance belongs to the Lord.
20.29 strength ... gray hair... Both are important.
Proverbs 21
21.1 in the hand of the Lord... God is sovereign
21.17 whoever love pleasure... This is an intriguing verse to think about. People always thing of pleasure as being the purpose of riches.
21.19 the upright gives thought... We typically just think of righteousness in terms of doing the do's and not doing the don'ts. Thoughtful is another thing.
1 John 1
1.1 first hand knowledge
1.5 God is light.
1.9 An often used verse.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wed 091118 am 2Pt 3 Prov 17-18
2 Peter 3
3.5 deliberately... This is a good reminder since we often have this "noble savage" view of the lost that they (with the exception of a few diabolical dictators and that person that is mean to me) really want the Lord, but just don't understand.
3.8 So this guy thinks to himself, if a day is like a thousand years to God, I ought to ask Him for a couple dollars. So, that night in his prayers he, feeling rather smart, asks God for a few dollars. The voice from heaven replies, "Sure, I'll get that to you in a couple days."
3.9 toward you... Hmmm... That doesn't sound nearly as universal has this verse is often thought to be.
Proverbs 17
17.3 the Lord tests the hearts... I like to think about this in the context of Psalm 139.23-24.
17.5 It seems to me that insulting your Maker is pretty foolish.
17.21 the father of a fool has no joy... A sad, sad, tragic verse.
17.28 This is just all around good advise.
Proverbs 18
18.2 Understanding is more important than expressing your opinion.
18.12 humility comes before honor... As per Phil. 2.5-9.
18.19 We sometimes loose sight of this truth. Often doing things the slow way to avoid offending is quicker and better than getting something done in a hurry and then working through the arduous process of restoring an offended brother.
3.5 deliberately... This is a good reminder since we often have this "noble savage" view of the lost that they (with the exception of a few diabolical dictators and that person that is mean to me) really want the Lord, but just don't understand.
3.8 So this guy thinks to himself, if a day is like a thousand years to God, I ought to ask Him for a couple dollars. So, that night in his prayers he, feeling rather smart, asks God for a few dollars. The voice from heaven replies, "Sure, I'll get that to you in a couple days."
3.9 toward you... Hmmm... That doesn't sound nearly as universal has this verse is often thought to be.
Proverbs 17
17.3 the Lord tests the hearts... I like to think about this in the context of Psalm 139.23-24.
17.5 It seems to me that insulting your Maker is pretty foolish.
17.21 the father of a fool has no joy... A sad, sad, tragic verse.
17.28 This is just all around good advise.
Proverbs 18
18.2 Understanding is more important than expressing your opinion.
18.12 humility comes before honor... As per Phil. 2.5-9.
18.19 We sometimes loose sight of this truth. Often doing things the slow way to avoid offending is quicker and better than getting something done in a hurry and then working through the arduous process of restoring an offended brother.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tues 091117 pm 2Pt 2 Prov 15-16
2 Peter 2
2.6 Sodom and Gomorrah... "having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh" Jude 7
2.7 righteous Lot... I get really tired of preachers who trash Lot and say he made a wicked choice to move toward Sodom and Gomorrah. Whatever his mistakes may have been, he is clearly identified as righteous.
2.14 hearts trained in greed... What a sobering thought.
Proverbs 15
15.8 This is an interesting verse because we always seem to think that God is desperate for any praise he can get.
15.16 fear of the Lord... is contrasted with trouble that comes with great treasure.
15.18 "Slow to anger" is good.
15.33 the fear of the Lord...
Proverbs 16
16.2 the Lord weighs the heart... and we should too. Something to keep in mind.
16.6 the fear of the Lord... An important benefit of the fear of the Lord.
16.9 the Lord establishes his steps... Man proposes, but God disposes.
16.32 better than the mighty... "Ruling your own spirit" is a huge advantage.
15.
2.6 Sodom and Gomorrah... "having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh" Jude 7
2.7 righteous Lot... I get really tired of preachers who trash Lot and say he made a wicked choice to move toward Sodom and Gomorrah. Whatever his mistakes may have been, he is clearly identified as righteous.
2.14 hearts trained in greed... What a sobering thought.
Proverbs 15
15.8 This is an interesting verse because we always seem to think that God is desperate for any praise he can get.
15.16 fear of the Lord... is contrasted with trouble that comes with great treasure.
15.18 "Slow to anger" is good.
15.33 the fear of the Lord...
Proverbs 16
16.2 the Lord weighs the heart... and we should too. Something to keep in mind.
16.6 the fear of the Lord... An important benefit of the fear of the Lord.
16.9 the Lord establishes his steps... Man proposes, but God disposes.
16.32 better than the mighty... "Ruling your own spirit" is a huge advantage.
15.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday 091116 pm Prov 13-14 2Pt 1
Proverbs 13
13.13 despises the Word...
13.20 the companion of fools will suffer... Nowhere is this truer than in marriage.
13.24 Not too P.C. anymore.
Proverbs 14
14.15 The simple believes everything..
14.23 A step further than "Talk is cheap."
14.26 has strong confidence... The fear of the Lord
14.27 a fountain of life... The fear of the Lord
14.30 envy makes his bones rot... I think it was Booker T. Washington that said something like, "I will allow no man to demean my soul by causing me to hate him."
14.31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker.
2 Peter 1
1.10 make your own calling and election sure... I always like thinking about this verse. It is mind blowing to think about confirming what God has predestined in eternity past.
1.21 What's with no "holy" in some of the "new" versions!? I'll have to check that out sometime.
13.13 despises the Word...
13.20 the companion of fools will suffer... Nowhere is this truer than in marriage.
13.24 Not too P.C. anymore.
Proverbs 14
14.15 The simple believes everything..
14.23 A step further than "Talk is cheap."
14.26 has strong confidence... The fear of the Lord
14.27 a fountain of life... The fear of the Lord
14.30 envy makes his bones rot... I think it was Booker T. Washington that said something like, "I will allow no man to demean my soul by causing me to hate him."
14.31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker.
2 Peter 1
1.10 make your own calling and election sure... I always like thinking about this verse. It is mind blowing to think about confirming what God has predestined in eternity past.
1.21 What's with no "holy" in some of the "new" versions!? I'll have to check that out sometime.
Sun 091115 pm
Proverbs 11
11.10 When it goes well with the righteous... An interesting perspective in a society today that worries so much about Wall Street, skid row, and the "freak shows" a lot more that how normal righteous people are doing.
11.11 by the mouth of the wicked...
11.14b a good principle
11.17 I wish that I had had this one on the short list when I was teaching school.
Proverbs 12
12.1 This is a classic!!
12.10 I don't think that this is a verse that improves the status of animals, but says that a righteous man has regard for all God's creation, even the lowly parts.
12.16 Lord, give me prudence.
12.25 a good word makes him glad... The old saying is that rumors and gossip will get around just fine without you help, but a kind word needs all the help it can get.
11.10 When it goes well with the righteous... An interesting perspective in a society today that worries so much about Wall Street, skid row, and the "freak shows" a lot more that how normal righteous people are doing.
11.11 by the mouth of the wicked...
11.14b a good principle
11.17 I wish that I had had this one on the short list when I was teaching school.
Proverbs 12
12.1 This is a classic!!
12.10 I don't think that this is a verse that improves the status of animals, but says that a righteous man has regard for all God's creation, even the lowly parts.
12.16 Lord, give me prudence.
12.25 a good word makes him glad... The old saying is that rumors and gossip will get around just fine without you help, but a kind word needs all the help it can get.
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