September 11 - Morning
THE LORD: “But God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?’ ”
JONAH: “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
THE LORD: “But the Lord said, ‘You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right
hand from their left—and also many animals?’ ”
- Jonah 4:9-12
Destroy 120,000 People, but Save the Plant!!
The lesson to be learned from the story of Jonah is found when comparing:
- Jonah’s anger for Nineveh being spared with Jonah’s anger with the plant perishing.
- God’s question to Jonah concerning his anger for Nineveh’s salvation (“Do you do well to be angry?”) with God’s question to Jonah concerning his anger for the plant perishing
(Do you do well to be angry for the plant?”) - Jonah’s consideration that death was better than life when he realized Nineveh had been spared with Jonah’s thinking that it was better to die than to live when he realized the plant had perished.
- The Lord’s “concern” for 120,000 people plus all the animals in “the great city of Nineveh”with Jonah’s “concern” for a single “this plant."
Jonah became concerned for a plant and emotional with “pity” when it died, yet:
1. Jonah did not design plans for it
2. Jonah did not plant seeds for it
3. Jonah did not water it
4. Jonah did not cause it to grow
5. The plant grew up quickly overnight
6. The plant existed for less than 24 hours
7. The plant was only a plant
Yet, Jonah was so invested and interested in the plant that he responded emotionally to the fact that it perished when invaded by a worm. Realize that even before the plant grew, Jonah had already built himself a shelter to provide himself shade in the scorching sun. The loss of the shade from the plant was not the loss of Jonah’s shelter and its shade! Jonah was “concerned” about the plant and Jonah took “pity” on the plant. When the plant perished Jonah became just as angry and emotional as when God spared 120,000 people and their animals from invasion by a foreign army. Jonah was concerned about a single plant and a single worm instead of being concerned about God’s 120,000 people and invading militaries of the nations. Jonah had lost touch with reality and was more interested in his theological agenda and his own trivial interests than with the people he was sent to warn. Warning people and turning them to the Truth was the very reason God sent prophets in the first place.
Why does God mention the animals in the last line of the book of Jonah? Maybe because even the animals were more important and more valuable than Jonah's dead plant.
Tsiytsiyt (Hb) - Tassel (Eng), Fringe (KJ) - Israel was to put Tsiytsiy (Numbers 15:38-40) on the corner of their clothes so that they would remember God's Word.
Tsiytsiyt is derived from the root tsiyts meaning a blossom which grows on a branch before the fruit is formed. Just as blossoms turn to fruit, the application of God's Word produces fruit in our lives.
Tsiytsiyt is derived from the root tsiyts meaning a blossom which grows on a branch before the fruit is formed. Just as blossoms turn to fruit, the application of God's Word produces fruit in our lives.
Is my selfishness preventing me from doing or saying the right thing?
I will replace a selfish thought or action with an act of love that considers others before myself.
I will replace a selfish thought or action with an act of love that considers others before myself.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Relaxation and refreshing
Church
Testimony to the power of God
Nation
ACLU
World
Namibia - liberal theology in Lutheran and Anglican churches started in the 1800's
The clay impressions from Gedaliah son of Pashhur and Jehucal son of Shelemiah. Both these men (Gedaliah and Jehucal) are mentioned in Jeremiah 38:1 when they threw Jeremiah into a cistern in the courtyard of the royal palace. These dime-size pieces of clay were used to seal documents in the palace of the king of Judah until the Babylonian fires of 586 destroyed the documents and glazed the clay into these hardened remains we have today called bullae.
(click on image for larger size)
(click on image for larger size)
Someone to Quote
“There is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him.”
- Sir Isaac Newton
Something to Ponder
“It is hard to resist the impression that the present structure of the universe, apparently so sensitive to minor alterations in numbers, has been rather carefully thought out.”
– Paul Davies, Australian Cosmologist
– Paul Davies, Australian Cosmologist
Here’s a Fact
Tacitus (56-117 AD), a Roman senator and historian, wrote of Jesus:
“Nero punished with the utmost refinement of cruelty, a class hated for their abominations, who were commonly called Christians. Chrestus (Christ), from whom their name derived, was executed at the hands of the Procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.”
“Nero punished with the utmost refinement of cruelty, a class hated for their abominations, who were commonly called Christians. Chrestus (Christ), from whom their name derived, was executed at the hands of the Procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.”
Proverb
"Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves."
- Proverbs 11:17
- Proverbs 11:17
Coach’s Corner
Failure is difficult and loss is painful, but neither are as deadly as giving up.
Daniel 4
New International Version (NIV)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
4 King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:
May you prosper greatly!
2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3
How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.
“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.
17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.
23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’
24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
The Dream Is Fulfilled
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
New International Version (NIV)
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Tree
4 King Nebuchadnezzar,
To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:
May you prosper greatly!
2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3
How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)
9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.
“‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.
17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”
Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— 22 Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.
23 “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’
24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
The Dream Is Fulfilled
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Matthew 7
New International Version (NIV)
Judging Others
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
New International Version (NIV)
Judging Others
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Job 29-30
New International Version (NIV)
Job’s Final Defense
29 Job continued his discourse:
2
“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,
3
when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!
4
Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
5
when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
6
when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.
7
“When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square,
8
the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet;
9
the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;
10
the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
11
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,
12
because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13
The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.
14
I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.
15
I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16
I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.
17
I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.
18
“I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand.
19
My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches.
20
My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’
21
“People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
22
After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.
23
They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.
24
When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.
25
I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.
30
“But now they mock me, men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.
2
Of what use was the strength of their hands to me, since their vigor had gone from them?
3
Haggard from want and hunger, they roamed the parched land in desolate wastelands at night.
4
In the brush they gathered salt herbs, and their food was the root of the broom bush.
5
They were banished from human society, shouted at as if they were thieves.
6
They were forced to live in the dry stream beds, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.
7
They brayed among the bushes and huddled in the undergrowth.
8
A base and nameless brood, they were driven out of the land.
9
“And now those young men mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.
10
They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
11
Now that God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off restraint in my presence.
12
On my right the tribe attacks; they lay snares for my feet, they build their siege ramps against me.
13
They break up my road; they succeed in destroying me. ‘No one can help him,’ they say.
14
They advance as through a gaping breach; amid the ruins they come rolling in.
15
Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud.
16
“And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.
17
Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest.
18
In his great power God becomes like clothing to me; he binds me like the neck of my garment.
19
He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.
20
“I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.
21
You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me.
22
You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm.
23
I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.
24
“Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress.
25
Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?
26
Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness.
27
The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.
28
I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.
29
I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of owls.
30
My skin grows black and peels; my body burns with fever.
31
My lyre is tuned to mourning, and my pipe to the sound of wailing.
New International Version (NIV)
Job’s Final Defense
29 Job continued his discourse:
2
“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,
3
when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!
4
Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
5
when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
6
when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.
7
“When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square,
8
the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet;
9
the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;
10
the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
11
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,
12
because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13
The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.
14
I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.
15
I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16
I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.
17
I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.
18
“I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand.
19
My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches.
20
My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’
21
“People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
22
After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.
23
They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.
24
When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.
25
I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.
30
“But now they mock me, men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.
2
Of what use was the strength of their hands to me, since their vigor had gone from them?
3
Haggard from want and hunger, they roamed the parched land in desolate wastelands at night.
4
In the brush they gathered salt herbs, and their food was the root of the broom bush.
5
They were banished from human society, shouted at as if they were thieves.
6
They were forced to live in the dry stream beds, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.
7
They brayed among the bushes and huddled in the undergrowth.
8
A base and nameless brood, they were driven out of the land.
9
“And now those young men mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.
10
They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
11
Now that God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off restraint in my presence.
12
On my right the tribe attacks; they lay snares for my feet, they build their siege ramps against me.
13
They break up my road; they succeed in destroying me. ‘No one can help him,’ they say.
14
They advance as through a gaping breach; amid the ruins they come rolling in.
15
Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud.
16
“And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.
17
Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest.
18
In his great power God becomes like clothing to me; he binds me like the neck of my garment.
19
He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.
20
“I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.
21
You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me.
22
You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm.
23
I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.
24
“Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress.
25
Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?
26
Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness.
27
The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.
28
I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.
29
I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of owls.
30
My skin grows black and peels; my body burns with fever.
31
My lyre is tuned to mourning, and my pipe to the sound of wailing.