For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NASB So loved – Perhaps Job needed to have a conversation with John rather than with Eliphaz and Zophar. Maybe we do too. We’ve been plowing the ground of justice. Like…
And the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind and He said: Who is this who darkens counsel in words without knowledge?” Job 38:1 Robert Alter Darkens counsel – Robert Alter notes that this poetic response is a “manifestation of God’s transcendent power and also an image-for-image response to the death-wish poem that frames Job’s entire…
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NASB Prosperity – “I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” Really it should be something like, “I know…
Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, and do not punish me in Your burning anger. Psalm 38:1 NASB Do not rebuke – Have you ever prayed a prayer like this? Have you reached the point, long after the Lord has redeemed you, long after you recognize your sinful condition and your desperate need for…
And man wears away like rot, like a garment eaten by moths. Man born of woman, scant of days and sated with trouble, like a blossom he comes forth and withers, and flees like a shadow—he will not stay. Job 13:28-14:2 Robert Alter Wears away – Maybe you have to live a long time to…
He shall surely dispute with you if in secret you are partial. Job 12:10 Robert Alter Partial – The story of Job can be quite personal. Yes, there are academic issues involved. Who was the author? When was it written? What is the theological implication? Those are all important questions, but if they become the…
“But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and there will be no escape for them; and their hope is to breathe their last.” Job 11:20 NASB To breathe their last – Take a guess. וְ֜תִקְוָתָ֗ם מַֽפַּח־נָֽפֶשׁ (transliterated: ve-tikvatam mapach-nephish). You’ll recognize the word translated “breath” (nephesh), remembering that its umbrella includes “soul, creature, person, appetite” and “mind.”…
Then you would trust, because there is hope; and you would look around and rest securely. Job 11:18 NASB Hope – Do you trust God? Perhaps you’re surprised by the question. “Of course, I trust God,” would be the typical answer, as if the question itself is almost rhetorical. But notice what Zophar says about…
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NASB 1995 Search – Thirty days of self-examination. Thirty days of drawing closer, of recognizing the grace of the Father, the mystery of His care and concern, the depths of our need. Thirty days to begin something…
