May 21 - Evening
"The Lord said to Job:
‘Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!’
Then Job answered the Lord:
‘I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.’
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
‘Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.’ “
- Job 40:1-14
‘Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!’
Then Job answered the Lord:
‘I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.’
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
‘Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.’ “
- Job 40:1-14
Job is Overwhelmed with the Lord's Wisdom, but Still Considers God Unjust
The Lord (Yahweh) has finished his first speech in response to Job’s accusations and so the Lord gives Job a chance to respond. In his first speech the Lord had shown that Job’s insight is not sufficient to challenge or correct the Lord. Now it is Job’s turn to respond.
Job had stated in 9:15-18 that God would crush him with power if God were to answer Job’s accusations:
“Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy. Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing. He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery.”
But, when the Lord did appear to speak with Job it was not the power, storm and misery that overwhelmed Job. Instead, the Lord used his far surpassing wisdom and eternal insight to confound Job.
As anticipated Job’s legal response to the Lord was frustrated. Job covered his mouth because he had no reply. Yet, Job does not retract his accusation stating that he has been treated unfairly. This accusation insinuates that the Lord of the universe has been unfair. Now the Lord must speak a second time in order to challenge Job’s ability to accuse with authority the Lord’s administration of justice and his balanced rule of the cosmos.
Aspazomai (Gr) – To Greet (Eng) – In Hebrews 11:13 it means to greet or to wave ‘hello’ from a distance away like people on board a ship would greet those who are yet on the shore.
Do I recognize the fact that my ability to accurately judge truth and analyze justice is limited by my experience and my human reasoning? Since so much of the eternal wisdom and universal knowledge is hidden from me, just as much of history was not experience by me, I will trust in the eternal God and rely on his divine character and revelation to being light and hope to my darkness and ignorance.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Opportunity to lead someone to Christ
Church
Confront liberalism
Nation
Gun control issues
World
Falkland Island
Someone to Quote
"It is not a scientific textbook seeking to answer the ever-changing inquiries of science, but rather a theological textbook seeking to reveal God and the means by which he saves us."
- Augustine of Hippo
(354-430 AD)
Something to Ponder
Jesus was likely born in a cave since this is where animals were kept for protection from the weather and intense heat.
In fact, the traditional place of Jesus birth in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is in an ancient cave.
In fact, the traditional place of Jesus birth in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is in an ancient cave.
Here’s a Fact
The Merneptah Stele is a stele from Pharaoh Merneptah’s funerary temple written in hieroglyphics from around 1210 BC. Within the text the Egyptian Pharaoh is boasting of his military conquest over cities and people including Ashkelon, Gezer, Israel and others. The mention of Israel being an important group of people settled in the land (as in the days after Exodus and in the book of Judges), but yet not a kingdom (as in the days of David) agrees with the details and timing of the Bible.
Proverb
"The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them."
- Proverbs 21:10
their neighbors get no mercy from them."
- Proverbs 21:10
Coach’s Corner
When you truly find your individual self, your social group will find you. But, if you use a social group to find yourself, then it is not your true self you have found.
Amos 2
New International Version (NIV)
2 This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent. Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom’s king,
2
I will send fire on Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.
3
I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him,” says the Lord.
4 This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed,
5
I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”
Judgment on Israel
6 This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
7
They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
8
They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.
9
“Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below.
10
I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land of the Amorites.
11
“I also raised up prophets from among your children and Nazirites from among your youths. Is this not true, people of Israel?” declares the Lord.
12
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
13
“Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14
The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.
15
The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.
16
Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
2 This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent. Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom’s king,
2
I will send fire on Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.
3
I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him,” says the Lord.
4 This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed,
5
I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”
Judgment on Israel
6 This is what the Lord says:
“For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
7
They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.
8
They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.
9
“Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below.
10
I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land of the Amorites.
11
“I also raised up prophets from among your children and Nazirites from among your youths. Is this not true, people of Israel?” declares the Lord.
12
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
13
“Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14
The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.
15
The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.
16
Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the Lord.
2 Samuel 23
New International Version (NIV)
David’s Last Words
23 These are the last words of David:
“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:
2
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.
3
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,
4
he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’
5
“If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.
6
But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.
7
Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”
David’s Mighty Warriors
8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors:
Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
24 Among the Thirty were:
Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,
25 Shammah the Harodite,
Elika the Harodite,
26 Helez the Paltite,
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,
27 Abiezer from Anathoth,
Sibbekai the Hushathite,
28 Zalmon the Ahohite,
Maharai the Netophathite,
29 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite,
Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash,
31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite,
Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
the sons of Jashen,
Jonathan 33 son of Shammah the Hararite,
Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite,
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35 Hezro the Carmelite,
Paarai the Arbite,
36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,
the son of Hagri,
37 Zelek the Ammonite,
Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
38 Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite
39 and Uriah the Hittite.
There were thirty-seven in all.
New International Version (NIV)
David’s Last Words
23 These are the last words of David:
“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:
2
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.
3
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,
4
he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’
5
“If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.
6
But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.
7
Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”
David’s Mighty Warriors
8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors:
Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.
20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
24 Among the Thirty were:
Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,
25 Shammah the Harodite,
Elika the Harodite,
26 Helez the Paltite,
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,
27 Abiezer from Anathoth,
Sibbekai the Hushathite,
28 Zalmon the Ahohite,
Maharai the Netophathite,
29 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite,
Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash,
31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite,
Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
the sons of Jashen,
Jonathan 33 son of Shammah the Hararite,
Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite,
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35 Hezro the Carmelite,
Paarai the Arbite,
36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,
the son of Hagri,
37 Zelek the Ammonite,
Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
38 Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite
39 and Uriah the Hittite.
There were thirty-seven in all.