December - Reading 9

Good evening -

Our Scriptures for today were:

John 16:25-33

Revelation 6

Job 31:24-40

Amos 3-4

May God bless this reading of His Word.

 

Job

Sunday School 7/2/06 continued

Job 31:24-28 If I Have Made Gold My Trust

Make no mistake, money and wealth can become an idol. Job flatly denies that this has occurred in his life and goes on to add the common practice of idolatry in the form of worshipping the sun and moon. The phrase in verse 28 “mouth has kissed my hand” refers to the gesture of placing one’s hand over one’s mouth in reverent silence. Some scholars have conjectured that this was part of the ritual of some of the sun and moon cults. Job recognizes that any recognition of deity in anything but God is an act of apostasy and denies any act that put God in a secondary role.

Job 31:29-34 If I Have Rejoiced At Ruin

This section contains a list of potential sins which are denied without the consequence of perjury. Once again, this section is rare in the Old Testament as we see much rejoicing over the ruin of enemies despite the admonition not to do so in Exodus 24:4-5; Leviticus 19:18 and Proverbs 20:22.

The phrase “had of his flesh” in verse 31 refers to sexual abuse of slaves within the household. Once again we see Job as one who treated his servants kindly and with respect.

Job did not make the mistake of Adam by attempting to hide his sin from God. He also never failed to speak the truth for fear of the multitude.

Job 31:35-37 Where Is My Indictment?

Here Job breaks the long line of oaths of innocence with a wish for an audience with God. Having stated his case clearly and repeatedly under oath an acquittal should be forthcoming. He asks poetically for it to be delivered to him in the form of a book that he could wear on his shoulder or his head as something of which he could be proud. The suffering Job has been enduring these 30 chapters seems secondary now to his desire to be shown innocent.

Job 31:38-40 If My Land Cries Out Against Me

Interpreters are unanimous in agreeing that these verses are out of place at this juncture. It is believed by some that they originally were placed earlier in the chapter. Job is basically stating that he has not sinned against the land or its owners.

The editorial note at the end, however, stating that Job’s words end here, marks an important turn in the Book. At one time this may have been the end of the story. Job has survived his suffering, his friends have been silenced and the advesary has been proven wrong.

A later author would be filled with the Spirit once again, however, to pick up the story and the loose theological ends still out there. Job has not really established his right to challenge God. By allowing his friends to persuade him that his suffering was the object of a legal case, he put himself in the impossible situation of being opposed to God. True, he established his “right” in showing that that he was a genuine and morally straight worshipper, but this has caused other problems that will be addressed by God in chapters 38-41. A new character, the young Elihu will first bring these issues to light beginning in chapter 32.

 

Our Scriptures for 12/10:

John 17:1-5

Revelation 7

Job 32

Amos 5-6

 

Our Scriptures for 12/10:

John 17:1-5

Revelation 7

Job 32

Amos 5-6

 

Our Scriptures for 12/10:

John 17:1-5

Revelation 7

Job 32

Amos 5-6

 

Our Scriptures for 12/10:

John 17:1-5

Revelation 7

Job 32

Amos 5-6

 

Our Scriptures for 12/10:

John 17:1-5

Revelation 7

Job 32

Amos 5-6