O Lord, You have deceived me and I was deceived; You have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. Jeremiah 20:7 NASB Deceived – I am sure you remember our investigation of Jeremiah’s use of the words pātâ and ḥāzaq. We recounted Heschel’s analysis: “This standard rendition…
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8 NASB Remember – One thing we have learned from the text of Job is the absolute necessity of an other-worldly solution to the temporal limits of human living. Without the promise of redemption from this mortal domain, religious zeal becomes elective ethical duty, ultimately rendered…
“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 NASB Blood, sweat, and tears – In Rabbi Michael L. Munk’s book, The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet, zayin, the seventh letter of…
They who sow in tears in glad song will reap. Psalm 126:5 Robert Alter In tears – Since we’re thinking about the difference between Job and John, we should review our examination of David’s idea of hope. We looked at this verse more than a year ago. Remember? Don’t take this verse out of context. …
I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and [h]perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 1:9 NASB Patmos – What do you know about Patmos? I will arrive there in a few days, but what I’ll see now isn’t at all what…
Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” Matthew 26:38 NASB Keep watch – We know the story all too well. Yeshua makes a request that the disciples are unable to handle. In spite of his obvious need and emotional state, the disciples…
For He carries out what is destined for me, and many such destinies are with Him. Job 23:14 NASB Destined – What is your destiny? The question might imply that there is some fixed goal designed for you. Wouldn’t that be nice? If each of us has a destiny determined by God, then all the steps along…
Villa Valmarana ai Nani, Vicenza, Italy
One person dies full of innocence, completely tranquil and at peace . . . Another dies with a bitter heart, and he has never enjoyed good. Together in the dust they lie, and the worm will cover them. Job 21:23, 25-26 Robert Alter The worm – Alter’s sobering remark puts Job and Qohelet on the…
But I know my redeemer lives, and in the end he will stand up on earth and after they flay my skin, from my flesh I shall behold God. Job 19:25-26 Robert Alter My redeemer – Job never met Samuel Medley, but if he had, perhaps we would have corrected the lyrics Medley used in…
