How to gain understanding...

without really trying! Listen more speak less!

 Faith is not some pie in the sky nebulous something it is evidence!

 

Gentle reader,

We have been looking a the subject "How to be good without really trying" subtitled "Why do bad things happen to good people" and using the Book of Job:

We mention last time that Elihu was discerning in seeing that Job needed to realize his (Job’s) own impotence and ignorance [I’ve heard it said that an expert is one who is 50km from home!].

Elihu appeal is also for submissive patience. All God’s judgements proceed from His absolute understanding (Chapter 34 verses 21-23 ) "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God." and are both right ( Chapter 34:10-12) Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

‘But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men." And resistless (verses 13-20, 29 )"Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand." Verse 29 "When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:"

Therefore Elihu concludes that it is wisdom in a man to submit and have patience to learn As he says in Chapter 35:15 " The cause is before Him; therefore wait thou for Him (see R.V. margin. This also is discerning!

Yet again, Elihu’s appeal is for Job to have faith in God Himself rather than in some demanded explanation. The true wisdom is to have faith in God Himself despite the lack of all explanation, seeing that God is all-kn owing and all-righteous (Chapter 36 verse 5, etc.) His closing words " Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart." This is also discerning.

When those who have rejected justice, and righteousness that question and cry out (but I'm am getting ahead of myself-I do that a lot according to Marti) when all else fails "Why God? Why Me?" Those who have never felt the Spirit of the living God move them to act in kindness towards someone who deserves far worse. Then there are those who have made science and scientific evidence their God. But for now Gentle Reader let us consider the deeper things and how God ways are beyond our mortal comprehension. " For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart"

Hang in there Gentle Reader, we have yet to hear from the author of this book. Next time....

Love,

Denis

Now faith is the substance [uJpovstasiß Hupostasis (hoop-os'-tas-is); thing put under, substructure, foundation ] of things hoped for, the evidence [e[legcoß Elegchos (el'-eng-khos

1. a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested
2. conviction ) ]of things not seen. (Book of Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 1)

A review for those with short memories

 Part 13

Gentle Reader,

Without a doubt as we look around at our (corporate) situation. We see just chaos! Which reminds me of the Kingston Trio and a song called the merry minute "They're rioting in Africa. They're starving in Spain. There's hurricanes in Florida, and Texas needs rain.

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls. The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles.

Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch. And I don't like anybody very much!

But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud, for man's been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud.

And we know for certain that some lovely day, someone will set the spark off... and we will all be blown away.

They're rioting in Africa. There's strife in Iran. What nature doesn't do to us... will be done by our fellow man."

But what is even worse Gentle Reader, is that you having some sort of melt down even as I write or if not going on it’s coming I think it was that great philosopher Yoga Berra who said "Things are dark before they get black.

Our representive human JOB is once on top of the world Rich, famous, "good looking" everything thing going for him only to have the bottom fall out of hiw little world and find everything he valued was lost (stolen from him) Now here's the rub is that JOB was God fearing man, not the run of the mill scumb bag that we watch parade across the news each night. He wasn’t like the woman who sells her children for sex. Or that crooked politico who buys favors to dispense to the people who do his bidding. Job is not even a "religious " person who trades on the lives of others for his own pleasure. Job is everyman (just plain old JOB) [no pun intended] But when he cries out "Why God has this happen to me?" Along come 3 friends who while perhaps mean well give more hurt that help. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar who I have nicknamed the 3 stooges! "Job, You know what your trouble is..." and they begin to heap fault after fault and lay these sins at Job’s feet. Quite like the hebetudinous minister who blamed the Hurricane Katrina on the impending "Gay Pride" parade that was to be held in New Orleans!

And Job cries out and protests his innocency for that which he is blamed. Please note Gentle Reader, that Job does not claim to be sinless! But he does protest that he has done nothing to warrant his lost of his children, and all of his rich possessions. "Oh that I would have a mediator between Me and GOD" Job cries and so On the scene is the youngest silent up to this point Elihu who will bring us up to date.

Next time....

Love,

Denis

 

Job study Chapter 34

 

Gentle Reader, Part 12

Yes, I know your thinking "This is a Mini Study?" Gentle Reader, It’s taken me over more years than many of you have been alive to get to where I am now in understanding the Bible those who are illiterate in the study of great books are the ones that give you sound bites.

"We must not believe the many, who say that only free people ought to be educated, but we should rather believe the philosophers who say that only the educated are free" Epictetus [Greek philosopher associated with the Stoics, AD 55-c.135]

I am at once reminded of my first Bible Teacher Joe Watkins who started a new study of the Gospel of John, it was shortly after that I was called to my first charge (church) and after 3 years my wife and I got back for a visit Joe was just beginning verse 2 on the First Chapter! So if your thinking that I am taking a long time on this wee study that I call "Why to Bad things happen to Good people" just remember that I am rushing through this book like a locomotive before those who have the attention span of a 30 second commercial flip over to "you tube" to watch some mind numbing nescient trying to get your attention.

It’s rather like trying to get information about the potential presidential candidate. When all we can get is a media blitz on Rev. Wright who like every other American is entitled to his opinion. What was overlooked in the mad scramble was that much of what Rev. Wright had to say (in sound bites) was totality accurate! Taking the land from Native Americans, the enslavement of the Blacks to name just a few. While I do not ascribe to Black Liberation Theology,  I at least understand it But to have an intelligent discussion would require that the "news" people have a qualified Theologian ( and you know I wasn't contacted). While the Media Circus tries to promote more hatred to get people to watch "As the Stomach turns T.V. News " Each channel has so called "Experts" who parse every word to catch someone misstating themselves. Well I have taken up my allotted time to write today so if you are wanting to know how this book ends you just have to see below .... Sorry about that.

Elihu argument is that God’s Government besides being sovereign and gracious (as in Chapter 33) must of necessarily be absolutely righteous and impartial (verse 10-19 ) [ Note the perception and insight of the writer, and compare that with what is taught today in the understanding of Christian people]"Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?

If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.

Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?-

[Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked;

That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands."

 [We still see men trying to advise God how to deal with things] It is also perferct in it’s discernment (verse 23 ) "For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment." which makes quite superfluous Job’s demand for an audience with God, [ I used to joke about if only God would call me , collect] in which to state his case . God knows all the facts absolutely. Special trial is unnecessary. It is just because of this that some of God’s doings seem so mysterious (verses 24-26 ) He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.

Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;

Yet Gentle readers, God’s ways are always with good moral purpose aaccording to Elihu (verse 27-30 ) "Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:

So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.

When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether [it be done] unto a nation, or unto a man:

That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people."

And so Elihu moves to the final development of his answer to Job in Chapters 36 and 37 Which we’ll take up next.

 Love Denis

The 4th man theme

Denis notes avaliable here

Gentle Reader,

The fourth man to be heard from is perhaps the youngest. Elihu by name [Elihu = God is Jehovah or My God is He]. The last verse of Chapter 31 marks a major break- " The words of Job are ended." And with Chapter 32 we are introduced to a new speaker, Elihu. He has evidently heard all the debate and has held his tongue until now in deference to seniority (verses 4, 6, 7) "JOB 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.

JOB 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.

JOB 32:7 I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom." Now, however as he hears Job still stubbornly justifying himself while the trio (Larry, Curly, and Mo) increasingly condemn him without being able to answer him, he can not stand it any longer, silently biting his tongue (he must now speak "JOB 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

JOB 32:3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. JOB 32:5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled." So Elihu breaks forth in the spirit of "The Lone Ranger" "Elihu to the rescue." However again it’s not so easy as it looks. But He does add and contributes a valuable corrective to the discussion "You know what your problem is?" Ever heard that Gentle Reader? I know I have! There is one aspect of Job’s problem which has been overlooked, and it is to this that our new speaker calls to Job’s and our (we are ease dropping you know).

Ehihu’s discourse which fills no less that 6 chapters has be criticized as being disrespectful, verbose and as the speech of a conceited young man. Disrespectful in tone and adding nothing to the arguments. But a more careful reading refutes this unkindly misjudgement. It is in fact Gentle reader, the most courteous speech of the debate, and surpasses all of the proceeding speeches in spiritual grasp.

For we are Gentle Readers of all things a spiritual people (whether you acknowledge this to be true or not!)

First we are introduced to 3 new factors. First, there is a new approach,. Second, there is a new answer. Third there is a new appeal. And we’ll address those next time (groan from the readership) Sorry but like all good soap operas. I want to leave you hungry for the next episode.

Love,  Denis

 

The 3rd Stooge"

Third stooge

Ancient Hebrew text

 

Gentle Reader,

We are having a mini study on the Book of Job and we have been looking at Zophar the third stooge.

Let’s take this time to compare and contrast the three. Look at the differences first. ELIPHAZ rest his views on observation; Bildad rest on tradition; Zophar rest on assumption. Eliphaz is the religious moralist. Bildad is the religious legalist. Zophar is the religious dogmatist. Eliphaz is an apologist. Bildad is the lecturer. Zophar is the bigot; he is full of convictions, but they are assumptions, not reasoned conclusions. In a harsh sort of way, we have Eliphaz, the voice of philosophy; Bildad, the voice of history; and in Zophar,  the voice of orthodoxy; but none is able to give a satisfying answer to a problem like that which confronts Job. These three men can be represented by the three words "IF", "Must" "IS". Eliphaz takes the hypothetical attitude that IF Job were not sinful, the trouble would not have come. Bildad takes the inferential attitude that Job MUST be sinful seeing that the trouble had indeed come. Zophar begins with the assumption that Job IS a sinful man and deserves his affliction.

 What we find Gentle Reader, is that "Religion" cannot take the place to answer, nor can men comprehend the ways of God! ISA 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
ISA 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Next time, Gentle reader bring your thinking cap!

Love, Denis