Month: June 2020

Job 6, words without nutrition!

Job 6:1-3, Then Job answered and said: “OH, THAT MY GRIEF WERE FULLY WEIGHED, AND MY CALAMITY LAID WITH IT ON THE SCALES! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea—Therefore my words have been rash.

Eliphaz words called for Job to repent from his sin against GOD, Yet completely missed the fact that Job lost his children. Job’s words were rash because of his pain!

Job 6:5, DOES THE WILD DONKEY BRAY WHEN IT HAS GRASS, OR DOES THE OX LOW OVER ITS FODDER?           (NO THEY DONT)

Animals cry out when they lack, JOB ALSO HAS A REASON TO CRY OUT!

Job 6:6-7, Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

The words of Eliphaz were tasteless, had no nutrients in them! He gained nothing from the words of Eliphaz. JOB WANTS TO HEAR THE WORDS OF THE ALMIGHTY WHOSE WORDS AND WISDOM HAVE FLAVOR!

Psa 119:103, HOW SWEET ARE YOUR WORDS TO MY TASTE, SWEETER THAN HONEY TO MY MOUTH!

Job 6:14, “TO HIM WHO IS AFFLICTED, KINDNESS SHOULD BE SHOWN BY HIS FRIEND, EVEN THOUGH HE FORSAKES THE FEAR OF THE ALMIGHTY.  

Again, Eliphaz completely missed the main point; Yes Job cursed the day of his birth, but those words came out of desperation! Eliphaz words had no compassion, no kindness, no wisdom, no grace!

Col 4:6, LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE WITH GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. 

SO MANY PEOPLE TODAY NEED ANSWERS, NOT CONDEMNATION. TELLING SOMEONE, “YOUR GOING TO HELL IF YOU DON’T REPENT FROM YOUR WAYS”; THIS MAY BE TRUE BUT COMPLETELY LACKS WISDOM AND GRACE!

2Ti 2:25, IN HUMILITY CORRECTING THOSE WHO ARE IN OPPOSITION, IF GOD PERHAPS WILL GRANT THEM REPENTANCE, SO THAT THEY MAY KNOW THE TRUTH, 

Job 5, Speaking truth in ignorance!

Job 5:2-4, FOR WRATH KILLS A FOOLISH MAN, And envy slays a simple one. I HAVE SEEN THE FOOLISH TAKING ROOT… HIS SONS ARE FAR FROM SAFETY, THEY ARE CRUSHED IN THE GATE, AND THERE IS NO DELIVERER.

An Indirect comment to Job calling him foolish! Eliphaz is basically saying “I HAVE SEEN THE FOOLISH AND THEIR SONS PERISH, AND YOUR ONE OF THEM!”

Job 5:6-7, FOR AFFLICTION DOES NOT COME FROM THE DUST, NOR DOES TROUBLE SPRING FROM THE GROUND; YET MAN IS BORN TO TROUBLE, As the sparks fly upward.

“Come-on Job, admit what you have done for affliction is the result of what you have sown!”

Gal 6:7, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP. 

Eliphaz is speaking truth, yet it doesn’t apply to Job! We would have thought the same if we didn’t have the in-sight of Chapter’s 1 and 2.

Job 5:8, “BUT AS FOR ME, I WOULD SEEK GOD, AND TO GOD I WOULD COMMIT MY CAUSE—

JOB THIS IS HOW I DO IT! I SEEK THE LORD MAYBE YOU SHOULD ALSO? AGAIN, SAID IN IGNORANCE OF THE SITUATION!

Job 5:17-18, “BEHOLD, HAPPY IS THE MAN WHOM GOD CORRECTS; THEREFORE DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE ALMIGHTY. FOR HE BRUISES, BUT HE BINDS UP; HE WOUNDS, BUT HIS HANDS MAKE WHOLE.

Eliphaz is his mind, is teaching Job about GOD! JOB, THE LORD IS CORRECTING YOUR SINFUL WAYS! LISTEN TO HIM; DON’T TURN YOUR BACK TO THE LORD!”

IT’S TRUE, THE LORD CORRECTS THOSE HE LOVES “PRO 3:11-12”. ELIPHAZ IS A WISE MAN GIVING WISE COUNCIL, YET DONE IN IGNORANCE OF THE SITUATION!

SOMETIMES THE BEST WE CAN DO IS JUST LISTEN,

Jas 1:19, SO THEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH; 

Job 4, Eliphaz failed to comfort Job!

Job 4:1, 3-4, Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: … SURELY YOU HAVE INSTRUCTED MANY, And YOU HAVE STRENGTHENED WEAK HANDS. YOUR WORDS HAVE UPHELD HIM WHO WAS STUMBLING, And YOU HAVE STRENGTHENED THE FEEBLE KNEES;.

Job was known as a Godly man WHOM MANY WENT TO IN TIMES OF TROUBLE; for Godly wisdom, for his generosity and strength!

Job 4-5-6, BUT NOW IT COMES UPON YOU, AND YOU ARE WEARY; IT TOUCHES YOU, AND YOU ARE TROUBLED. IS NOT YOUR REVERENCE YOUR CONFIDENCE? AND THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR WAYS YOUR HOPE? 

Eliphaz, basically said — “DO YOU PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FAITH, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD? WHERE IS YOUR STRENGTH?” —

Sometimes the best thing to do is just be there for your friend! Saying nothing, by your presence showing that your grieving his them Job 2:13! Eliphaz tried to comfort him, but this was an indirect attack on Job!

Job 4:17-19, ‘CAN A MORTAL BE MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN GOD? CAN A MAN BE MORE PURE THAN HIS MAKER? If He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error, HOW MUCH MORE THOSE WHO DWELL IN HOUSES OF CLAY, WHOSE FOUNDATION IS IN THE DUST…

IT’S TRUE, ALL MEN SIN, ALL HAVE FALLEN SHORT YET, what Eliphaz is saying here is “JOB WE ALL SIN, ADMIT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO DESERVE THIS FROM GOD?”

Eph 4:29, Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

THE LORD TEACHES, THOSE THAT FOLLOW HIM, HIS WAY NOT MAN’S WAY! EDIFY, NOT TEAR DOWN; LOVE, NOT TO ATTACK FOR THAT IS MANS WAY! BY BEING IN HIS WORD DAILY GIVES WISDOM TO THE READER!

Isa 50:4, “THE LORD GOD HAS GIVEN ME THE TONGUE OF THE LEARNED, THAT I SHOULD KNOW HOW TO SPEAK A WORD IN SEASON TO HIM WHO IS WEARY. HE AWAKENS ME MORNING BY MORNING, HE AWAKENS MY EAR TO HEAR AS THE LEARNED. 

Job 3, The battle in our mind!

Job 3:2-5, And Job spoke, and said: “MAY THE DAY PERISH ON WHICH I WAS BORN, And the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’ MAY THAT DAY BE DARKNESS; May God above not seek it, NOR THE LIGHT SHINE UPON IT. MAY DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH CLAIM IT; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it.

Satan was waiting on Job to curse GOD, Yet Job cursed the day of his birth! In Chapter 1, he lost his family, and his wealth. Chapter 2, he lost his physical health and gained relentless pain! Now Chapter 3, the battle in Job’s mind, deep depression takes over!

Psa 34:18 NLT, THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED; HE RESCUES THOSE WHOSE SPIRITS ARE CRUSHED. 

THE LORD KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS TO US, THE BATTLES WE FACE, THE DEPRESSION WE FEEL. THE LORD DOESN’T LEAVE US, BUT DRAWS CLOSER TO US!

Job 3:25, FOR THE THING I GREATLY FEARED HAS COME UPON ME, AND WHAT I DREADED HAS HAPPENED TO ME. 

His greatest fear was for his kids as is ours! HE WOULD OFFER THE LORD BURNT OFFERINGS JUST IN CASE HIS KIDS CURSED GOD!

Job 1:5, … AND OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS according to the number of them all. FOR JOB SAID, “IT MAY BE THAT MY SONS HAVE SINNED AND CURSED GOD IN THEIR HEARTS.” Thus Job did regularly.

Psa 94:11, THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF MAN, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE. 

Isa 26:3, YOU WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU.

IF WE TRULY TRUST IN THE LORD, THEN HE WILL KEEP US IN PERFECT PEACE BECAUSE THE LORD IS ALWAYS WITH OUR KIDS AND US! AS HE TAUGHT YOU SO HE WILL TEACH THEM! REMEMBER THE LORD DOESN’T SLEEP AND HE HEARS OUR PRAYERS! HE IS FAITHFUL!

Isa 54:13, ALL YOUR CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT BY THE LORD, AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN. 

Job 2, never lose sight of GOD!

Job 2:4-5, So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! YES, ALL THAT A MAN HAS HE WILL GIVE FOR HIS LIFE. BUT STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND NOW, AND TOUCH HIS BONE AND HIS FLESH, AND HE WILL SURELY CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE!”

Satan said that Job would give up everything as long as he keeps his life! There is some truth to this statement; remember Peter when he was scared; he denied knowing JESUS!

Mat 26:74, Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I DO NOT KNOW THE MAN!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 

Job 2:6-7, And the LORD said to Satan, “BEHOLD, HE IS IN YOUR HAND, BUT SPARE HIS LIFE.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and STRUCK JOB WITH PAINFUL BOILS FROM THE SOLE OF HIS FOOT TO THE CROWN OF HIS HEAD.

Job’s pain was relentless (Job 30:17), he lost his kids, his wealth, and he brought down to nothing! YET he still held fast to the LORD!

Job 2:9, THEN HIS WIFE SAID TO HIM, “DO YOU STILL HOLD FAST TO YOUR INTEGRITY? CURSE GOD AND DIE!” 

Job’s wife was also suffering, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS SATAN SPEAKING THROUGH HIS WIFE! REMEMBER WHEN PETER REBUKED CHRIST! JESUS SAID TO PETER!

Mat 16:23, BUT HE TURNED AND SAID TO PETER, “GET BEHIND ME, SATAN! YOU ARE AN OFFENSE TO ME, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” 

JOB HELD FAST TO THE LORD FOR HE KNEW HIS GOD! IN ALL HIS AFFLICTION HE DIDN’T SIN WITH HIS LIPS. JOB NEVER LOST SIGHT OF HIS GOD FOR HIS MIND WAS FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE LORD!

Col 3:2, SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.

Job 1, a view behind the curtains!

Job 1:7-8, And the LORD said to Satan, “FROM WHERE DO YOU COME?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” THEN THE LORD SAID TO SATAN, “HAVE YOU CONSIDERED MY SERVANT JOB, …

1Pe 5:8, BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR. 

We need to remember that the LORD is ALL KNOWING ALL SEEING. The LORD knows that Job has entered the mind of satan; THE LORD CAN CLEARLY SEE SATAN’S THOUGHTS!

Job 1:12, And the LORD said to Satan, “BEHOLD, ALL THAT HE HAS IS IN YOUR POWER; ONLY DO NOT LAY A HAND ON HIS PERSON.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

GOD had a hedge of protection around Job and all he had, but now GOD gave him permission to touch the life of HIS servant Job! Satan took his servants, his wealth and killed his kids! He lost everything in a single day!

Job 1:16,19, While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “THE FIRE OF GOD FELL FROM HEAVEN AND BURNED UP THE SHEEP AND THE SERVANTS, … and SUDDENLY A GREAT WIND CAME FROM ACROSS THE WILDERNESS AND STRUCK THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE HOUSE,

By their perspective this was a judgement of GOD; Fire from heaven, a great wind! For us, we are given a view of what was happening in the background! It was allowed by GOD, but the work was carried out by satan!

Job 1:20-22, THEN JOB AROSE, TORE HIS ROBE, AND SHAVED HIS HEAD; AND HE FELL TO THE GROUND AND WORSHIPED. And he said: “NAKED I CAME FROM MY MOTHER’S WOMB, AND NAKED SHALL I RETURN THERE. THE LORD GAVE, AND THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY; BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.” IN ALL THIS JOB DID NOT SIN NOR CHARGE GOD WITH WRONG.

Job lost everything, BUT HIS FAITH IN GOD REMAINED STRONG! Not everything that happens to us is from the LORD. We live in a fallen world filled with sinful people; YET OUR EYES SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOCUSED ON THE GOD WHO CAN CHANGE ANY CIRCUMSTANCE! NEVER LOSE YOUR FAITH IN HIM; FOR HE IS FAITHFUL!

Esther 10, HIS Providence!

Est 10:3, FOR MORDECAI THE JEW WAS SECOND TO KING AHASUERUS, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, SEEKING THE GOOD OF HIS PEOPLE AND SPEAKING PEACE TO ALL HIS COUNTRYMEN.

Mordecai came from nothing to be second in command of Persia. Like Joseph, who was sold as a slave to Egypt and became second in command of the land!

Psa 75:6-7, For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. BUT GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTS DOWN ONE, AND EXALTS ANOTHER.

And the story ends without the mention of GOD’s name, Yet we clearly see the work of HIS hands!

IT WASN’T MERE LUCK that Queen Vashti lost her position. IT WASN’T LUCK that Esther won a beauty contest and made Queen in Vashti’s place! IT WASN’T JUST COINCIDENCE that Mordecai heard of the plot to kill the king!

In a sleepless night GOD ARRANGED king Ahasuerus to read a book of records only to find that Mordecai wasn’t honored for saving the kings life!  

Spurgeon said “ESTHER IS A BOOK OF WONDERS WITHOUT A MIRACLE”, FOR GOD WORKS SUPERNATURALLY IN THE NATURAL!

Psa 77:14, YOU ARE THE GOD WHO DOES WONDERS; YOU HAVE DECLARED YOUR STRENGTH AMONG THE PEOPLES.

AS BELIEVERS WE SHOULD NEVER ATTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO LUCK FOR GOD IS ALWAYS WORKING ON OUR BEHALF! WE DON’T NEED TO SEE A MIRACLE HAPPEN JUST TO SAY THAT WAS FROM THE LORD; FOR HE ARRANGES EVERYTHING AROUND US! DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOD, HIS POWER HIS STRENGTH?

Dan 11:32b, … BUT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD SHALL BE STRONG, AND CARRY OUT GREAT EXPLOITS. 

Exo 33:14, And HE said, “MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” 

Joh 21:25, AND THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT JESUS DID, WHICH IF THEY WERE WRITTEN ONE BY ONE, I SUPPOSE THAT EVEN THE WORLD ITSELF COULD NOT CONTAIN THE BOOKS THAT WOULD BE WRITTEN. AMEN.

Esther 9, from Mourning to Joy

Est 9:2-3, The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, BECAUSE FEAR OF THEM FELL UPON ALL PEOPLE. And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king’s work, helped the Jews, BECAUSE THE FEAR OF MORDECAI FELL UPON THEM.

Deu 2:25, … I WILL BEGIN TO PUT THE DREAD AND FEAR OF YOU UPON THE NATIONS UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, WHO SHALL HEAR THE REPORT OF YOU, AND SHALL TREMBLE AND BE IN ANGUISH BECAUSE OF YOU.’ 

The LORD can put a thought in their head, and fear their hearts! YET BELIEVERS IN HIM SHOULD NEVER FEAR BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN US A DIFFERENT SPIRIT!

2Ti 1:7, FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND. 

Est 9:22, as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month WHICH WAS TURNED FROM SORROW TO JOY FOR THEM, AND FROM MOURNING TO A HOLIDAY;

Whatever situation that were in HE can change it for good! REMEMBER JOSEPH!

Gen 50:20, BUT AS FOR YOU, YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME; BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Psa 30:5, …WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING. 

We are limited in our thoughts and understanding, yet HE KNOWS ALL. We may not know why something has happened but HE can change use anything to HIS gain! HAVE FAITH IN TIMES OF TROUBLE FOR HE IS ALWAYS WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF!

Rom 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Psa 30:11-12, YOU HAVE TURNED FOR ME MY MOURNING INTO DANCING; YOU HAVE PUT OFF MY SACKCLOTH AND CLOTHED ME WITH GLADNESS, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD MY GOD, I WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU FOREVER.

Esther 8, He is always there!

Est 8:1-2, On that day King Ahasuerus GAVE QUEEN ESTHER THE HOUSE OF HAMAN, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. SO THE KING TOOK OFF HIS SIGNET RING, WHICH HE HAD TAKEN FROM HAMAN, AND GAVE IT TO MORDECAI…

Haman was a rich man who lost everything including his life because he was determined to kill the people of GOD! EVEN THOUGH THE LORDS NAME IS NEVER MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK, EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T SEE HIM, HE IS ALWAYS NEAR US WORKING FOR OUR GOOD!

Psa 121:4, BEHOLD, HE WHO KEEPS ISRAEL SHALL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP. 

The decree which Haman wrote is still hanging over every Jews head, but now they were giving the rights to defend themselves!

Isa 54:17, NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER, …

IN THIS WORLD WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES, AND WEAPONS WILL BE FORGED AGAINST US. WE MAY NOT SEE HIM NOR SENSE HIM, YET THE LORD IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP THOSE WHO SEEK HIS FACE! HE IS FAITHFUL!

Ecc 12:13-14, LET US HEAR THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS MAN’S ALL. FOR GOD WILL BRING EVERY WORK INTO JUDGMENT, INCLUDING EVERY SECRET THING, WHETHER GOOD OR EVIL.

Esther 7, the high price of sin!

Est 7:3-4, Then Queen Esther answered and said, “IF I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN YOUR SIGHT, O KING, and if it pleases the king, LET MY LIFE BE GIVEN ME AT MY PETITION, AND MY PEOPLE AT MY REQUEST. FOR WE HAVE BEEN SOLD, MY PEOPLE AND I, TO BE DESTROYED, TO BE KILLED, AND TO BE ANNIHILATED. …

The 2nd day of the banquet and Esther gives her request before the king!  

Est 7:5-6, So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, “WHO IS HE, and WHERE IS HE, WHO WOULD DARE PRESUME IN HIS HEART TO DO SUCH A THING?” And Esther said, “THE ADVERSARY AND ENEMY IS THIS WICKED HAMAN!” SO HAMAN WAS TERRIFIED BEFORE THE KING AND QUEEN.

Psa 7:14-16, Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.

Est 7:9, NOW HARBONAH, ONE OF THE EUNUCHS, SAID TO THE KING, “LOOK! THE GALLOWS, FIFTY cubits high, WHICH HAMAN MADE FOR MORDECAI, WHO SPOKE GOOD ON THE KING’S BEHALF, is standing at the house of Haman.” THEN THE KING SAID, “HANG HIM ON IT!” 

GUILTY HAMAN DIED IN PLACE OF INNOCENT MORDECAI, YET OUR KING JESUS DIED FOR THE GUILTY!

Rom 8:3, For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD DID BY SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH, ON ACCOUNT OF SIN: HE CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH, 

Psa 53:3, EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS TURNED ASIDE; THEY HAVE TOGETHER BECOME CORRUPT; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE. 

THE PRICE OF OUR SIN WAS PAID BY THE FATHERS ONLY SON!