ELIPHAZ REPEATS HIMSELF Job 15

ELIPHAZ REPEATS HIMSELF

   Then Elipaz the Temanite replied: 

   "Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind?  Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value?  But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God.  Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty.  Your own mouth condemns you, not mine' your own lips testify against you.

   "Are you the first man ever born?  Were you brought forth before the hills?  Do you listen in on God's council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?  What do you know that we do not know?  What insights do you have that we do not have?  The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men even older than your father.  Are God's consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you?  Why has your hear carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God and pour our such words from your mouth?

   "What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous?  If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!

   "Listen to me and I will explain to you; let me tell you what I have seen, what wise men have declared, hiding nothing received from their fathers (to whom alone the land was given when no alien passed among them); All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him.  Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him.  He despairs of escaping the darkness; hi is marked for the sword.  He wanders about--food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.  Distress and anguish fill him with terror; they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack, because he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield. 

  "Though his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh, he will inhabit ruined towns and houses where no one lives, houses crumbling to rubble.  He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land.  He will not escape the darkness; a flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God's mouth will carry him away.  Let him get nothing in return.  Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish.  He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree shedding its blossoms.  For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.  They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit."  Job 15 (NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   With the first round of talks concluded, each friend, in the same order, pressed the argument further.  Again Job answered each argument.  This time Eliphaz was more rude, more intense, and more threatening, but he said nothing new.  He began by saying that Job's words were empty and useless; then he restated his opinion that Job must be a great sinner.  according to Eliphaz, the experience and wisdom of their ancestors were more valuable than Job's individual thoughts.  Eliphaz assumed that his words were as true as God's.  It is easy to spot his arrogance.

   "Even the heavens are not pure in his eyes."  Eliphaz was repeating his argument that anything created, whether angels or man is not a sufficient basis for trust and hope.  Only in God can we be sure.

MY THOUGHTS

   If I have done wrong, tell me what I have done, so I can fix it.  Punishment without explanation is futile.

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WHY JESUS WAS BORN, TEBOW'S GAME JOHN 12:20-33

WHY JESUS WAS BORN

   Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request.  "Sir,"  they said, "we would like to see Jesus."  Philip went to tell Andrew;  Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

   Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me. 

   "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?  'Father, save me from this hour'?  NO, IT WAS FOR THIS VERY REASON I CAME TO THIS HOUR, FATHER, GLORIFY YOUR NAME!"

   Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."  the crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

  Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.  But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."  He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.  John 12:  20-33 (NIV)

 

 LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   These Greeks probably were converts to the Jewish faith.  They may have gone to Philip because, though he was a Jew, he had a Greek name.    
   This is a beautiful picture of the necessary sacrifice of Jesus.  Unless a kernel of wheat is buried in the ground, it will not become a blade of wheat producing many more seeds.  Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin, but also to show his power over death.  His resurrection proves he has eternal life.  Because Jesus is God, Jesus can give this same eternal life to all who believe in him.

   We must be so committed to living for Christ that we "hate" our lives by comparison.  This does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ.  We must disown the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness.  By laying aside our striving for advantage, security, and pleasure, we can serve God lovingly and freely.  Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Christ bring eternal life and genuine joy.

   Many believed  that Jesus came for the Jews only.  But when Jesus said,
"Whoever serves me must follow me," he was talking to these Greeks as well.  No matter who the sincere seekers are, Jesus welcomes them.  His message is for everyone.  Don't allow social or racial differences to become barriers to the gospel.  Take the Good News to all people.

   JESUS KNEW HIS CRUCIFIXION LAY AHEAD, AND BECAUSE HE WAS HUMAN HE DREADED IT.  He knew he would have to take the sins of the world on himself, and he knew this would separate him from his Father.  He wanted to be delivered from this horrible death, but HE KNEW THAT GOD SENT HIM INTO THE WORLD TO DIE FOR OUR SINS, IN OUR PLACE.  Jesus said no to his human desires in order to obey his Father and glorify him.  Although we will never have to face such a difficult and awesome task, we are still called to obedience.  Whatever the Father asks, we should do his will and bring glory to his name.

   The prince of this world is Satan, an angel who rebelled against God.  Satan is real, not symbolic, and is constantly working against God and those who obey him.  Satan tempted Eve in the garden and persuaded her to sin; he tempted Jesus in the desert and did not persuade him to fall.  Satan has great power, but people can be delivered from his reign of spiritual darkness because of Christ's victory on the cross.  Satan is powerful, but Jesus is much more powerful.  Jesus' resurrection shattered Satan's deathly power.  To overcome Satan we need faithful allegiance to God's Word, determination to stay away from sin, and the support of other believers.

   The crowd could not believe what Jesus was saying about the Messiah.  they were waving palm branches for a victorious Messiah who would set up a political, earthly kingdom that would never end.  From their reading of certain Scriptures, they thought the Messiah would never die.  Other passages however, showed that he would.  Jesus' words did not mesh with their concept of the Messiah.  First he had to suffer and die--then he would one day set up his eternal kingdom.  What kind of Messiah, or Savior, are you seeking?  Beware of trying to force Jesus into your own mold--he won't fit.

MY THOUGHTS

   What kind of stress would it be to know the time and the way you were going to die.  If I knew I would be killed in a home invasion, I would be shopping all my life, and never go home.  If I knew I would be killed in a car crash, I would never drive, etc.  Jesus knew from the time he was born what his purpose in life was.  Thank you God, Jesus for all your love and sacrifice.

   Now, while the Jews and everyone who knew the story of the Messiah were expecting Jesus to set up his kingdom and rule the world, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways.  How many of us were praying fervently for Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos to win this past weekend?  Was his purpose to draw us near to God?  Maybe we should all be praying just as fervently for our country, our families, our friends, etc.  We have been told the time is short.  Let us pray while there is still time. 

THOU SHALT NOT COVET

THOU SHALT NOT COVET

   You shall not covet your neighbor's house.  You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.  Exodus 20: 17.  This is the tenth of the ten commandments.  Why are we suddenly looking at this?  Can you say, "Occupy Wall Street" and others who support and sympathize with them?

   LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   To covet is to wish to have the possessions of others.  It goes beyond simply admiring someone else's possessions or thinking, "I'd like to have one of those."  Coveting includes envy--resenting the fact that others have what you don't.  God knows, however, that possessions never make anyone happy for long.  Since only God can supply all our needs, true contentment is found only in Him.  When you begin to covet, try to determine if a more basic need is leading you to envy.  For example, you may covet someone's success, not because you want to take it away from him, but because you would like to feel as appreciated by others as he is.  If this is the case, pray that God will help you deal with your resentment and meet your basic needs.

MY THOUGHTS

   We only have a little while on this earth, then we die.  My focus is on promoting my Lord and King while there is still time.  There is no time to covet.  I have the best gift that has ever been.   Those who steal and lie to achieve what they refer to as success don't realize the treasure they are passing up.  What about you?  What have you done for God?

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SHEPHERDS VISIT JESUS LUKE 2: 8-20

SHEPHERDS VISIT JESUS

   And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you' he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

   Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

   "Glory to God in the highest,

     and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

   When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

   So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.   Luke 2:8-20  Life Application Study Bible  (NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   What a birth announcement!  The shepherds were terrified, but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiah's birth.  First the shepherds ran to see the baby; then they spread the word.  Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior.  Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day?  Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you can't help sharing your joy with your friends?

   The greatest event in history had just happened!  The Messiah had been born!  For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds.  The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary to accept him. Whoever you are, what ever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.  Don't think you need extraordinary qualifications--he accepts you as you are.

   Some of the Jews were waiting for a savior to deliver them from Roman rule' others hoped the Christ (Messiah) would deliver them from physical ailments.  But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin.  His work is more far-reaching than anyone could imagine.  Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.  He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes--he offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.

MY THOUGHTS

   Joseph and Mary must have known that the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem.  However, they did not take it upon themselves to just go to Bethlehem when Mary had the visit from the angel announcing that she would have Jesus.  They allowed God to work His plan.  How many times have I decided God needed help.  This is just another reminder to wait upon the Lord.

   And how would you imagine the God of the universe would announce the birth of His only begotten son?  Talk about a heavenly fanfare!  I wonder how many people all around the world was told?  The Bible covers the birth locally, but I just wonder about the international announcement.  We know about some of the "wise men" receiving the news.  But that is a story for another time.

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Happy New Year everybody!