Job 38 – 39 and Joyful Noise

Job 38 - 39

It’s time now for Job to sit up and pay attention; the first verse of chapter 38 begins with “Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:” Wow, how do you suppose this worked? Was this whirlwind a big tornado-like object or something small like a dust devil? Whatever it was, I imagine it was very impressive, but I can’t imagine how Job felt.

How would you feel if God said He had some questions for you and then told you you must answer them?

God made a clear distinction between Himself and Job. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me. if you know so much.” (Job 38:4) He then continues to show Job that Job is a mere mortal whose understanding is minimal, at best. By asking questions about a number of things about the world, thus displaying how powerful the Almighty is and how powerless Job is, God makes His point to Job.

Tomorrow, we’ll read the last three chapters – 40 – 42. I love the way this book ends and hope you do also.

Joyful Noise

Today Karen and I went to see Joyful Noise, the new film starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. What a spectacular movie! It was one of the most uplifting movies I’ve seen in a long time. Hope you all get a chance to see it. I liked the music so much, I tried to download the soundtrack from iTunes., but had some trouble with it. Oh, well, tomorrow is another day.

Until next time…

Job 35 – 37 and Parksdale Farms

Job 35 – 37

Yesterday we encountered Elihu, another of Job’s friends, who had held back because he was younger. In chapter 35, Elihu continues his words, basically telling Job that he is talking nonsense and has spoken like a fool.

In chapter 36, we see Elihu sees himself as a man of great knowledge. He sounds like some of the prosperity preachers we see on television: Job 36:11 “If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.”

He certainly gives some good advice, telling Job to “glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise.” Paul agrees with Elihu when he tells the Ephesians (5:20) “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

He does speak eloquently of God’s power. The picture he paints of God filling his hands with lightning bolts and hurling each at its target is very vivid and colorful.

He continues in chapter 37 with this portrait of God. The last verse is very interesting: “No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.”

Romans 1 talks about God showing his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness, insisting that “they know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through every thing God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:19 – 20)

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading chapters 38 – 39 and then we will only have 3 more chapters in Job to study (40 – 42). After that it’s back to Genesis. Just think, by the day after tomorrow, we will have already read 53 chapters. Awesome, isn’t it?

Parksdale Farms

Today, my nephew David came to check out the electrical system on my camper and to see what was needed to be done to fix the camper’s breakaway switch.

We went to lunch at Applebee’s and stopped at Parksdale Farms for strawberry shortcake afterward. If you are wondering, they are just as good as ever. They were very busy, but they’ve added a bunch of additional parking spaces.

Tomorrow, Karen and I are going to see Joyful Noise, the new film starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. It should be a great movie.

Until next time…

Job 32 – 34 and Gun Games

Job 32 – 34

Job’s three friends (Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite) finally give up trying to convince Job “because he kept insisting on his innocence.” However, Job has another friend or acquaintance, Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, who is not only angry at Job because Job refuses to admit he has sinned, but is also angry at Job’s three friends for making “God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments.”

He tears into the three friends, saying he could do it better. And he certainly tries. He asks Job to make his case and take his stand. He asserts that God will forgive and restore Job and rescue him from the grave if he will only admit his sin and repent. He speaks of God receiving the penitent with joy and restoring him to good standing. Of course, his argument is basically the same as the other three: Job is suffering because of his sin. In other word, if you live well, you will do well. If you don’t, you won’t.

Elihu apparently hasn’t paid attention to Job’s life. He speaks of Job’s “thirst for irreverent talk” and how he “chooses evil people as companions” and “spends his time with wicked men.” He paints a picture of the Almighty as one who “watches how people live” and “sees everything they do.” He then passes judgment on Job saying “you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked. For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect and you speak many angry words against God.”

Have you ever been guilty of judging someone in the way Elihu judged Job? Yes, we are supposed to discern between good and evil and, of course, choose to do good. I also think we should recognize evil that others do, but it is up to God to pass judgment and deal with it. We certainly shouldn’t assume someone is suffering because they are guilty of something.

Tomorrow, in Job 35 – 37, we’ll hear some more from Elihu.

Gun Games by Faye Kellerman

Yesterday, I downloaded Faye Kellerman’s latest Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel called Gun Games. I started listening to it as soon as I downloaded it, took some time out to watch The Middle, Suburgatory, and Harry’s Law then started listening again. At 5 this  morning, I turned off the book and slept until 7:30 then listened until it was done. She is such a great writer; all of the books I have read of hers have been page turners. Her character development is flawless. Looking for a good read, this is one of them, but you might really want to start with her first and read them in order. By the time you are done, you will probably consider yourself part of the Decker/Lazarus family.

Until next time…

Job 29 – 31 and Weird Chili

Job 29 – 31

Chapter 29 gives us a real picture of what Job’s life was like before God allowed Satan to attack him. It looks as if one of the things Job misses most is God’s friendship was felt in his home, that the Almighty was still with him. True, he had a place in the community, was respected by the community leaders. He helped the poor and strangers who needed help. He comforted those who mourn.

But, in chapter 30, we see he is now mocked by “…people younger than I. by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.” It wasn’t just Job’s three friends who were giving him a hard time, but almost everyone else.

He starts a litany of things he was careful about, sins he had not committed, misdeeds he had not done, and even good things he had done.

Tomorrow, we’ll meet another of Job’s “friends” when we read chapters 32 – 34.

Some Really Weird Chili

This morning, I made some really weird chili, not on purpose, but because I didn’t check the label on the spice bottle before I dumped a couple of teaspoons into the pot. Then, I noticed it was cinnamon. I had thought it was chili powder. I scooped as much of it as possible, but from the taste of it, I could have made a little more effort.

It doesn’t really taste bad, just weird.

I downloaded a new Audible book today: Gun Games by Faye Kellerman. I’ve already listened to about half of the first of two parts. It’s a great book – another Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus book.

Until next time…

Job 24 – 28 and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Job 24 – 28

Have you ever wondered, as Job does in chapter 24:1 “Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment? Why must the godly wait for him in vain?” He then lists a whole bunch if evil things the wicked are guilty of. I don’t know about you but I’m glad God doesn’t watch us and pounce on us if we are not living according to His wishes.

Did you ever think that, before you trusted Christ, you were among the wicked? Maybe your sin was not manifested the way Job describes the wicked, but as Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

Bildad asks Job, “How can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone born of a woman be pure?” Romans 3:22 says “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes no matter who we are.”

Job then asks if people know where to find wisdom and then answers his own question in Job 28:28 “…The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”

Tomorrow we will be reading Job 29 – 31.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

After playing Euchre at the clubhouse today (I actually had high score), I went to AMC and saw the movie Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The story was written by John LeCarre, a true master writer. The movie, starring Gary Oldman, John Hurt, and Colin Firth, involves trying to identify a mole planted in the highest circles of British intelligence.

It is an excellent movie though I picked out the mole right away, but his identity was not verified until very near the end of the movie.

Until next time…

Job 21 – 23

Job responds to Zophar’s latest criticisms by pointing out that the logic in his argument is unfounded. He asks him why the wicked prosper. He speaks of the wicked and the righteous “both are buried in the same dust, both are eaten by the same maggots.” He then demands in 21:34 “How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!”

Now, Eliphaz starts doubling up on what he said before, even to the point of naming the sins Job must have committed:

• Lending money to a friend but demanding clothing as security
• Refusing water for the thirsty and food for the hungry
• Sending widows away empty-handed
• Crushing the hopes of orphans
• His lust for money

Job again says he wants to talk with God (Job 23:3-4: “If I only knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present any arguments.”) He insists he has stayed on God’s path.

Tomorrow we will be reading Job 24 – 28 (Job 25 is only 6 verses.)

Lunch with Esther

Since I had to go to Tampa drop off some documentation for my nephew David, I called Esther and arranged to meet her for lunch. My niece Jane has hurt her back and didn’t feel up to joining us. We had a great lunch at Luigi’s on Gandy east of Himes.

David is looking into switching my electrical system in my camper so my 12-volt DC stuff will work even if the 120-volt AC power is off.

well, I think it might be time for a nap.

Until next time…

Job 17 – 20

Poor old Job is really depressed: “No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We will rest together in the dust.” Job 17:16

Thankfully, one of his dear friends is there to set him straight. Oops, I got that wrong didn’t I. We, in our wisdom, often look for someone to blame when something happens to someone we know and/or care about. Bildad the Shuhite is no exception. He has Job’s problems all figured out: Job sinned greatly and is now being punished.

Job’s answer is interesting. He is now asserting that God has wronged him, that his friends have forsaken him. He begs for the mercy of his friends.

And then, with tremendous insight and faith, Job talks about the bodily resurrection: “But, as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes…” Job 19:25-26. Wow!

Zophar tells Job why he is convinced that Job’s wickedness has led to his losses and his ill health. He points to history. While I believe that the end of the wicked will be trouble and that God will give them a belly full of trouble, I don’t think it’s logical that if someone has trouble, it’s because God is seeking to punish them.

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Job 21 – 23

Tried and True Meatloaf

Today, I experimented making meatloaf in my crock pot. Sounds strange, doesn’t it. I’m not especially fond of meatloaf, but wanted to try making it in my crock pot.

It was surprisingly good. Of course, I didn’t exactly follow the recipe exactly. I added 2 minced jalapenos and used quick cooking oatmeal instead of the bread crumbs it called for. There was a lot of grease on top of the meat loaf, but it didn’t burn like I thought it might. Of course it took 2 cups of milk  so that probably helped and I cooked it on slow.

Last night, my Kindle Fire locked up. I couldn’t get the screen to change. The time stayed the same. It wouldn’t even turn off. After a while though, I think the battery ran out. I plugged it in and everything has been working fine ever since. I can’t believe how much I have come to rely on my Kindle Fire already. Between that and my cell p0hone, to say nothing of my computer, I am at the mercy of my electronics.

Until next time…