Job 39

Job 39  

FRIDAY  Reflections

Throughout this chapter, God demands of Job questions he can’t answer. God even asks, “Can you do these things?” The answer is no he can’t.  The idea is if Job can’t understand these things how can he understand why God has allowed what He has. God has Job looking all over creation at the intricacies of life. Even today with the use of modern science we can’t answer many of these questions and we definitely can’t reproduce them. So how do we think we can understand why God allows some of the things He does?

 

There are some answers to the question of why, but when you are facing the challenge and emotions run wild it is hard to get past them. At the end of the day, we are left with the question are we going to trust God or not. If your condition for trusting is everything going the way you think it should then you’re going to have a hard time trusting anyone in life. 

Job 39:1-30
(1)  Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
(2)  Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
(3)  They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
(4)  Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
(5)  Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
(6)  Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
(7)  He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
(8)  The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
(9)  Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
(10)  Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
(11)  Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
(12)  Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
(13)  Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
(14)  Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
(15)  And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
(16)  She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
(17)  Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
(18)  What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
(19)  Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
(20)  Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
(21)  He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
(22)  He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
(23)  The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
(24)  He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
(25)  He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
(26)  Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
(27)  Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
(28)  She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
(29)  From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
(30)  Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

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Galatians 1

Unity>Truth?

WEEK 18                                                 Galatians 1

THURSDAY  Reflections

 

Though there is some disagreement over when Paul’s books were written many scholars believe Paul wrote Galatians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians at Corinth. Therefore, we are going to pause our travel through the book of Acts and study these books. Could it have been that besides ministry at Corinth the time not moving from place to place gave Paul time to pen what would be recognized as God inspired?

Love and tolerance are important virtues in the Christian faith but so also is steadfastness in the Faith (the truths of Salvation). Paul makes it very clear in Galatians 1:8-9 he has no tolerance for those that pervert the gospel of salvation. He says not that he is cursing them but he will allow them to be cursed.

The words are strong because the end results are so catastrophic. Paul is saying if they refuse to teach the truth of the gospel (salvation through faith in Christ) then they are going to hell. The idea here is if someone refuses to change let them go but don't follow them.

These words aren't words filled with hate as some would read them but a warning. Like hollering at a child getting ready to fall into traffic. We yell because we are concerned and want the child to know the danger. If we didn't care we wouldn't say a word.

The abuse of this chapter is found in those who condemn everyone who doesn't agree perfectly with their interpretation of the Bible. It is those churches or people who say you don't agree with me then you’re going to hell. There are areas where we can disagree and be tolerant, but there are also groups which say they are Christian but they preach, as Paul would put it, "another gospel."

Gal 1:1  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 

Gal 1:2  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 

Gal 1:3  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Gal 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 

Gal 1:5  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

No Other Gospel

Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 

Gal 1:7  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 

Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 

Gal 1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 

Paul Called by God

Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 

Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Gal 1:13  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 

Gal 1:14  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 

Gal 1:15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 

Gal 1:16  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 

Gal 1:17  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 

Gal 1:18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 

Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 

Gal 1:20  Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 

Gal 1:21  Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 

Gal 1:22  And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 

Gal 1:23  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 

Gal 1:24  And they glorified God in me. 

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Psalm 35

Psalm 35  

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Psalm 35 is one of the many cries for deliverance in the Psalms. The verse which stands out to me is verse 13. In this verse, the Psalmist points out that when his enemies had suffered he was fasting and praying for them. We are reminded in the Proverbs and in the New Testament that we need to treat our enemies differently than they would treat us.

Consider these scriptures as you read Psalm 35: Proverbs 25:22-23 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”  Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Romans 12:20 “On the contrary, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.’"

Psa 35:1-28
(1)  A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
(2)  Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
(3)  Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
(4)  Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
(5)  Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
(6)  Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
(7)  For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
(8)  Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
(9)  And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
(10)  All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
(11)  False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
(12)  They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
(13)  But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
(14)  I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
(15)  But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
(16)  With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
(17)  Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
(18)  I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
(19)  Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
(20)  For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
(21)  Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
(22)  This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
(23)  Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
(24)  Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
(25)  Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
(26)  Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
(27)  Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
(28)  And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

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Exodus 40

Exodus 40  

TUESDAY  Reflections

As we end the book of Exodus, we see the presence of God filling the tabernacle and sitting over the tabernacle for the rest of their journey. I am reminded of the faithfulness of God here. For forty years, the pillar of fire/cloud would be with them. It was with them in obedience, in faith, in sin, and in doubt. While they traveled through the wilderness God gave direction.

The other thing I notice is that God in the wilderness journey was their only guide. He decided when it was time to move and when it was time to stay. There was no board meeting, no conference of moving in the wilderness, and no vote. It was always God’s decision.

We need to remember it is still God’s decision when we should stay or go. We stay when God says to stay. If He isn’t prompting then don’t move, don’t do anything. On the other side if God says to get going, then get moving.

There are two dangers in many churches, though to be honest usually the first is more often found. The first is the danger to stay where we are doing what we are doing and not move. The second is just as bad, change for the sake of change. Both can be argued from good intentions and good reasons. We have never done it that way before or we have to change with the time. The people who lean one way or the other see the other side as wrong, but both end up without the presence of God.

Consider where is the presence of God? Also remember, God doesn’t need your advice on when it is time to stay or move. He knows best. 

Exo 40:1-38
(1)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
(2)  On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
(3)  And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
(4)  And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
(5)  And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
(6)  And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
(7)  And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
(8)  And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
(9)  And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
(10)  And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
(11)  And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
(12)  And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
(13)  And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
(14)  And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
(15)  And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
(16)  Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
(17)  And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
(18)  And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
(19)  And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(20)  And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
(21)  And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(22)  And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
(23)  And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
(24)  And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
(25)  And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(26)  And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
(27)  And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(28)  And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
(29)  And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(30)  And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
(31)  And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
(32)  When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(33)  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
(34)  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
(35)  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
(36)  And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
(37)  But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

(38)  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 39

Exodus 39  

MONDAY  Reflections

The clothing the priest wore was both beautiful and functional. As far as being functional, much of the clothing was made of linen which would have been lighter than other materials and less hot to work in. One pastor said this might have made it a “no-sweat” ministry. I’m not sure that ministry is supposed to be easy, but I do believe ministry done in God’s way shouldn’t be a greater burden than any other work.

 

One very clearly beautiful aspect of the garments was the ornate pomegranates and bells worn. The pomegranates and bells were evenly spaced one then the other. This for most scholars is a picture of the fruits (Galatians 5:22-23 )and gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4) which should be in Christian ministry. Ministry in the church needs both gifts and fruit. Love without gifts is limited. Gifts without love bring pride. Both are needed and both are seen in the garments of the priest.  

Exo 39:1-43
(1)  And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(2)  And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
(3)  And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
(4)  They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
(5)  And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(6)  And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
(7)  And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(8)  And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
(9)  It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.
(10)  And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.
(11)  And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
(12)  And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
(13)  And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
(14)  And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.
(15)  And they made upon the breastplate chains at the ends, of wreathen work of pure gold.
(16)  And they made two ouches of gold, and two gold rings; and put the two rings in the two ends of the breastplate.
(17)  And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
(18)  And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it.
(19)  And they made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon the border of it, which was on the side of the ephod inward.
(20)  And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
(21)  And they did bind the breastplate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(22)  And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
(23)  And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.
(24)  And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
(25)  And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
(26)  A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(27)  And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
(28)  And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,
(29)  And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(30)  And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
(31)  And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(32)  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
(33)  And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,
(34)  And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
(35)  The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,
(36)  The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,
(37)  The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
(38)  And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
(39)  The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
(40)  The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
(41)  The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
(42)  According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.

(43)  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

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Isaiah 43

Isaiah 43

SATURDAY  Reflections

There is no Savior other than God. This is what God is trying to say to the people of Israel. This isn’t just true for Israel but for the whole world. Jesus isn’t some other god, he is God. Through Him alone there is salvation. Just as God judged Israel, God will judge the rest of the world for rejecting Jesus. 

On the other side of this is a beautiful promise for those who do trust God. We see here a God who loves, delivers, and protects. A God who has and will save. A God with a track record of faithfulness. 

Isa 43:1-28
(1)  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
(2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
(3)  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
(4)  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
(5)  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
(6)  I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
(7)  Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
(8)  Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
(9)  Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
(10)  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
(11)  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
(12)  I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
(13)  Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
(14)  Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
(15)  I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
(16)  Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
(17)  Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
(18)  Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
(19)  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
(20)  The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
(21)  This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
(22)  But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
(23)  Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.
(24)  Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
(25)  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
(26)  Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
(27)  Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.
(28)  Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

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Job 38

Book without words/ words without knowledge

Job 38

FRIDAY  Reflections

God’s first words to Job are get up and quit feeling sorry for yourself. Okay, maybe they aren’t exactly the words used, they seem to carry that feeling.

Before telling Job to get up, God uses the same words Elihu used against Job, that he has spoken words without knowledge. God is saying they have all got it wrong.

Once we all get to heaven, we will find out that is some of our views were wrong? Maybe we weren’t in gross error but we just didn’t have the whole picture. Let’s be honest, we rarely do, which ought to keep us humble.  

Job 38:1-41

(1)  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

(2)  Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

(3)  Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

(4)  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

(5)  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

(6)  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

(7)  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

(8)  Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

(9)  When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

(10)  And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

(11)  And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

(12)  Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

(13)  That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

(14)  It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

(15)  And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

(16)  Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

(17)  Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

(18)  Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

(19)  Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

(20)  That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

(21)  Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

(22)  Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

(23)  Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

(24)  By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

(25)  Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

(26)  To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

(27)  To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

(28)  Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

(29)  Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

(30)  The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

(31)  Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

(32)  Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

(33)  Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

(34)  Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

(35)  Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

(36)  Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

(37)  Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

(38)  When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

(39)  Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

(40)  When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

(41)  Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Acts 18

Sometimes there isn't an easy answer.

Acts 18

THURSDAY  Reflections

It seemed when Paul had issues with the Jews who refused to accept Jesus as Messiah, there were problems. Usually, the problems ended with Paul leaving town either by force or stealth. Yet here is Corinth, when the trouble came the Lord specifically told Paul to stay because there were people there God wanted to save.

It might be easy to assume that since God wanted Paul to stay the church that would rise up there would be a powerhouse. Corinth was anything but a church reflecting Christian principles. When you read the letters to the Corinthians, one might be shocked at the sin, selfishness, and immaturity. This is the place God told Paul to stay? This group of misfits? Yes, and I am glad he did. For me, it is a reminder that God wants to save not just the spiritual rock stars, as it were, but the spiritual wimps as well. God loves and wants to save them all. This might also be a reminder to those pastors that are struggling with Corinth-style churches that God wants to save these people too. 

Act 18:1-28

(1)  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

(2)  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

(3)  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

(4)  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

(5)  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

(6)  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

(7)  And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

(8)  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

(9)  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

(10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

(11)  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

(12)  And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

(13)  Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

(14)  And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

(15)  But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

(16)  And he drave them from the judgment seat.

(17)  Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

(18)  And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

(19)  And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

(20)  When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

(21)  But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

(22)  And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

(23)  And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

(24)  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

(25)  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

(26)  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

(27)  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

(28)  For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

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