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In chapter 40 the Almighty continues His challenge to Job. In verse 1 the LORD accuses Job of being a faultfinder without a cause. From verses 2-5 Job acknowledges his fault and promises that he will listen   in silence. Again, out of the whirlwind His Sovereign says, dress like a man in a contest and answer if you're able. Begin by considering the awesome majesty of the Almighty. God will abase all who are lifted up in pride. From verses 15-24 Job's attention is drawn to the wild river ox - most likely the hippopotamus. The hippo symbolises untameable h...

In chapter 39 of Job the Almighty continues challenging Job to reply if he has any understanding of the marvels of creation put before him. The first example questions whether Job knows the gestation cycle of the wild goats. Then why is the wild donkey so free and stubborn? Or can you domesticate the wild ox? Despite its strength the ostrich is completely lacking in understanding for the care of its own. God has created all these animals, that we as humans, may learn care and responsibility. The warhorse shows no fear of the battle; on the contrary, he...

Yahweh puts before Job in chapter 38, several of His mighty creative acts and dares the patriarch to explain how his Sovereign performed these marvels. Tell me about the foundations of the earth, if you can. Modern science has some ideas related to our earth's core; however, some hypotheses still surround certain aspects of this. Job is told that the creative work was the task of the angels - the sons of God. What about assigning the sea its boundaries? Or can you explain the delicate balance of the clouds and the water cycle? What do you make of the...

The Life Of Christ # 116 The Feast of Dedication pt 2 by John Martin

Elihu concludes his speech in Job 37 by proclaiming the majesty of the Almighty. The final speeches of the book are delivered by our Sovereign God. And so, in a sense, Elihu is God's forerunner just as John the Baptist was of our Lord Jesus Christ as Malachi 3 prophesied he would so do. In the final chapter Job is asked by the Almighty to make intercession in prayer for his 3 friends. As no such intercession is requested for Elihu it is reasonable to conclude that Yahweh had accepted what Elihu had said. Like with Moses and Elijah at Mount Sinai...

In Job chapter 35 Elihu condemns Job. If we wonder about whether Elihu is a brash upstart, or whether he is a faithful younger man whose speech demonstrates the wisdom of God - this chapter provides us with the answer to that puzzle. And the answer is that the second statement represents Elihu's character. Every accusation against Job, which Elihu makes, is endorsed by the Almighty in His final speeches. Elihu contests that whether you're right, or whether you sin, God is no way advantaged. However, the LORD is pleased with children whose pleasure it is to please Him...

Having rebuked Job's 3 friends in chapter 32, Elihu turns his focus to rebuking Job in chapter 33. Elihu says that he is not influenced by important people, but he will speak the truth as it is. Nor will he be intimidated by older men. Elihu acknowledges that his respect for the Almighty will temper his response. Elihu declares that his words are acceptable before God and like those engaging in the debate, he "too was pinched off from the clay" (verse 6 ESV). Don't be frightened by what I say. He condemns Job's self- vindication and the idea that the Almighty has...

Zechariah 8 gives us a beautiful picture of a Jerusalem - whose name means "frame, or city of peace". The chapter portrays a Jerusalem at rest, and blessed by Messiah's tranquil rule. What a contrast to the city we now see. Zion will be the head, as the metropolis, of the Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom embracing all nations in the rejuvenated and new earth, as fulfilling the terms of the promise made to Abraham (Genesis 12verses1-3; Romans 4verses13; Jeremiah 3verses15-17). The chastisement of the LORD has passed and Zion's time to be favoured is in its ascendancy (Psalm 102...

n chapters 29 and 30 Job summarised his defence to his friends; before making his final appeal in chapter 31. In the opening verses of chapter 29 Job reflected on former years when everything was well and then all blessed him, including the Almighty. He reminisces about his lost family. As well as the message, let us enjoy the majestic and poetic language in this part of Scripture. At that time all strata within his society were in awe of him, and showed their respect in his presence. The poor and the disabled blessed his care and charity. He was the protector of...

We are told in 2 Timothy 3verses16 that "all Scripture has been breathed out by God". This includes the book of Revelation which is known in the Greek as 'the Apocalypse'. It was as its first verse tells us given to the Lord Jesus Christ by his Father who showed our Lord the matters "revealed" in that book. But having received those wonderful matters Jesus 'reveals' those matters via his angel through John the Apostle to all believers. In Revelation we have the only book in the Bible directly given to believers by the Lord Jesus Christ (1verses1) and encompassing...

The Life Of Christ # 115 The Feast of Dedication by John Martin

In Job 25 we have Bildad's third round of argument. His contention is the impossibility of humans being righteous before the Almighty. And at one level this is absolutely true. There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3verses9-11); but the same chapter in Romans tells of a righteousness from God. Remember, we were already told, in the 1st chapter of the book, that Job was an upright man - 1verses1. Bildad's reckoning was still coming from the viewpoint that since Job was suffering, it was because of Job's evil deeds. Bildad speaks of the immense power of...

Job's reply to Eliphaz' accusations is found in chapters 23 and 24, where Job asks, "Where is God when the righteous need Him?". Job remains downcast because of his health and the constant carping criticism of his friends. These verbal attacks have, Job says, become unbearable. If only I could talk with God and find some answers. Job seeks for a mediator who could take his cause to the Almighty. Job saw himself in an impossible position and needing the "goel" (near kinsman to be his 'daysman'). Job knew that in being tried he would eventually emerge as purified gold (see...

Job chapter 22 resumes with the third round of debate which is commenced by Eliphaz. His contention is that Job's wickedness is great. Eliphaz says that humans are not able to do anything that profits God, but at least they should show respect by admitting their wicked ways. He says, "Are you, Job? Job why aren't you fearful to enter a contest with the Almighty?" Eliphaz next lays a series of accusations against Jobverses including not sustaining the starving; sending widows away with any help. This is why you now suffer. Consider Yahweh's greatness and capacity to behold all...

Job replies in chapter 21 that the wicked do prosper. You must listen before you mock me, Job says. Are you not repulsed by my appearance and sickness? Consider the evidence around you. Many wicked prosper into an untroubled old age. The families of the wicked live in peace; their farms and livestock thrive. The evil feast joyfully until they go to their grave (Sheol). These people take no notice of the Almighty and scorn the Almighty without consequences. The time for dealing with the evil will come; maybe trouble will come on their descendants. The LORD does not seem...

In Job 20 Zophar advances his second round of argumentation. He contends, that the wicked always suffer; and since you, Job, are suffering it follows that you must be wicked. The arguments are going round in circles and getting nowhere. Job, says Zophar, you insult our understanding. From the time of Creation, he says, it has been evident that the wicked have always suffered. They're scorning for the ways of the LORD is but momentary. And the wealth that the scorners have accumulated is merely laid in store for the just. How exotic and colourful is the language that Zophar...

Job 18 deals with Bildad's 2nd round of arguments. Job says, "God punishes the wicked", and since you seem to be suffering punishment you, too, must be wicked. Job, Bildad says, "you keep looking for words to justify yourself. "Do you consider us to be merely stupid cattle? “Settle down, stay calm, and submit to your deserved discipline. No matter how much you protest and struggle you cannot escape the discipline of the Almighty. If you do not learn from your chastening you will disappear into obscurity with the rest of the wicked". Chapter 19 contains the most magnificent statement in th...

In Habakkuk 3 the prophecy becomes a confident psalm of trust in the Almighty and a prophecy of Yahweh's future judgments at the time of the setting up of Christ's kingdom. It was through this psalm that the writer J. W. Thirtle was able to unravel the structure of the superscripts and subscripts in the Psalms. The expression, "upon Shigionoth" is an instruction as to the musical director of this psalm. Psalms are prayers and this chapter is a Psalm. The report that the prophet heard was of the "wonders" (Hebrew "pala" miracles) which God did on his triumphal march...

The Life Of Christ # 114 The slaughtered Galileans by John Martin

The second round of arguments is led by Eliphaz in Job 15. He accuses Job of not fearing God. Job, he says, your sayings are just straws in the wind - you don't know what you are talking about. Have respect before you when you open your mouth, says Eliphaz. Your sins have affected your thinking and speech. Ponder the counsel of the Almighty which we are putting to you. Man cannot be pure, says Eliphaz, even the angels of God cannot be trusted (this that he says is so wrong). Man, says his friend, is one of the worst...