Day 182: NT Colossians C3-4 (END); Unity of Christ; Family; Masters; & Slaves.

How is one to interpret this—”Slaves, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service seeking to please men, but in singleness of heart from fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it from the heart as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Serve the Lord Christ. For he who does a wrong will reap the wrong he did, and there is no respect of persons…”

 

“Masters, give your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven… At the same time pray for us also, that God may give us an opportunity for the word, to announce the mystery of Christ (for which also I am in chains), that I may openly announce it as I ought to speak.”

Not only is this in the Bible but it is in the New Testament!

Is this being related to Paul in chains—a slave in prison? Or we are all slaves of the flesh until we are saved and let go of the sins that Christ released us from in the Resurrection?

Remember that Moses was a Hebrew slave born in Egypt.

All one can say is that the Word, the Scriptures in other parts of the Bible inspired leaders and followers to make slavery obsolete in the modern world.

But there are still slaves to sin within at times and all about too!

Another point of contention in the modern world:

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is becoming in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for that is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, that they may not be discouraged.”

 

Love being the key word and highest standard of human conduct. How can you love someone and not treat them as an equal?

Find this love in the Unity of Christ:

“Strip off the old man with his deeds and put on the new, one that is being renewed unto perfect knowledge “according to the image of his Creator.” Here there is not “Gentile and Jew,” “circumcised and uncircumcised,” “Barbarian and Scythian,” “slave and freeman”; but Christ is all things and in all.”

Of course, beyond love and unity, it is individual “Salvation—Deliverance from Sin—Redemption” that we all seek in this life and beyond—True Spiritual Freedom!

“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive.”

“But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.”

“And may peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body.”

“Show yourselves thankful.”

 

Be joyous in God’s Design of Life and grateful to have the opportunity to experience it day-by-day!

Amen! Al-le-lu-ia!!

 

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Chapters 3–4 (END); XXX

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, during his first Roman imprisonment, heard that some at Colossae were denying the supreme dignity of Christ. In this letter he points out that Christ is above all creatures and denounces anyone who would belittle Him. He adds that the new life of a Christian must be a break from his former life as a pagan.

Colossians Chapter 3: Mystical Death and Resurrection; Christian Renunciation of Vices; Practice Virtues; The Christian Family; Slaves and Masters

Mystical Death and Resurrection:

Therefore, if you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Christian Renunciation of Vices:

Therefore mortify your members, which are on earth: immortality, uncleanness, lust, evil desire and covetousness (which is a form of idol-worship). Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the unbelievers, and you yourselves once walked in them when they were your life. But now do you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, abusive language and foul-mouthed utterances. Do not lie to one another, Strip off the old man with his deeds and put on the new, one that is being renewed unto perfect knowledge “according to the image of his Creator.” Here there is not “Gentile and Jew,” “circumcised and uncircumcised,” “Barbarian and Scythian,” “slave and freeman”; but Christ is all things and in all.

Mortify—to humiliate or shame, as by injury to one’s pride or self-respect—to subjugate (the body, passions, etc.) by abstinence, ascetic discipline, or self-inflicted suffering.

Immortality—immortal condition or quality; unending life—enduring fame.

“Salvation—Deliverance from Sin—Redemption”

Practice Virtues:

Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive.

But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.

And may peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body.

Show yourselves thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom teach and admonish one another by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing in your hearts to God by his grace. Whenever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

NOTE:   No mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

The Christian Family:

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is becoming in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for that is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, that they may not be discouraged.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service seeking to please men, but in singleness of heart from fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it from the heart as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Serve the Lord Christ. For he who does a wrong will reap the wrong he did, and there is no respect of persons.

Colossians Chapter 4: Prayer and Prudence; Tychicus and Onesimus; From Paul’s Co-Workers; A Message for the Laodiceans; Conclusion.

Prayer and Prudence:

Masters, give your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven…

At the same time pray for us also, that God may give us an opportunity for the word, to announce the mystery of Christ (for which also I am in chains), that I may openly announce it as I ought to speak.

Tychicus and Onesimus:

All my circumstances Tychius, our dearest brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord will tell you… With him is Onesimus, our most dear and faithful brother, who is one of you.

From Paul’s Co-Workers:

Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, sends you greetings; so does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin…and Jesus who is called Justus… Epaphras, who is one of you… Luke, our most dear physician, and Damaas send you greetings.

A Message for the Laodiceans:

And say to Archippus: ”Look to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.”

Conclusion:

I, Paul, greet you by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Day 183: Job C8–17; Life is Short; from a Flower to a Shadow; Live Life Fully!

“Man born of woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state.”

The poor saga of Job continues, After Eliphaz gives his first speech and condemns him as a sinner in need of repentance now his other two friends Baldad and Sophar take their turns. Then Eliphaz begins Round Two. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be funny as in reality friends do occasionally let friends down. I guess this is not the biblical version of Friends the TV sitcom show.

What I have realized is that Job’s friends are coming from the outside-in on this one. Job’s life is in shambles after the loss of his seven children and his wealthy assets. Not only that but he is afflicted with grievous ulcers from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. They see that and assume Job must have sinned grossly to deserve such wrath of God.

Job, on the other hand, is an innocent victim of some sort of God-Satan setup to see if he will crack and abandon God. Coming from his inside-out he knows his innocent and is taking the high road and proclaiming some very inspirational but previously unheard words for someone in his condition.

Job telling his wife that “if we have received good things at the hand of God, why should we not receive evil?” is quite revolutionary and so against the human “avoid pain at all costs” instinct.

Here is my interpretation and translation of the Scriptures noted in the Bible Notes below:

Baldad Speaks to Job: Listen Job, God’s punishments are just. If you will seek God, confess your sins, and turn from them then God will give you peace and prosperity for the rest of your life. Look back to your fathers and previous generations. We are here for such a short period of time; our life is like a shadow. Do not forget God; seek him so that your hope will not perish! Come out of your confusion, rejoice and be saved!

Job Responds to Baldad: Indeed Baldad, I know God is just and all powerful! Man cannot be justified compared with God. Who has resisted God and found peace? God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; He does countless great, incomprehensible, and wonderful things!

No man can resist the wrath of God. He can crush me in a whirlwind, and multiply my wounds, even without cause. If I would justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me. If I would show myself innocent, He shall prove me wicked. Although I am a simple man avoiding evil, my soul might not know and I will be weary for the rest of my life.

Baldad, I know both the good and the evil suffer. If I am to suffer I hope to die at once. Time is flying by and I know my life is coming to its end. But I am innocent. I don’t have to prove that I am innocent to you. One thing I do know is that While I a God-fearing man I cannot live my life in fear.

God, please do not condemn me! Please tell me why You judge me so evil that I have lost everything and am sick all over my body. I have done no wicked thing, but accept Your Judgment for I am your servant and You my Master.

God, you granted me life and mercy and have preserved my spirit. With all due respect, why was I ever born. I wish to die now.

Sophar Speaks to Job: Listen Job, you talk too much? Maybe you need to listen more?

God knows us, knows our vanity. Our vanity lifts us up into pride and we think we are free to do as we please but we are not. Repent!

Job Responds to Sophar: You three turkeys, my so-called friends lack wisdom! My heart has not hardened. I am praying to God for relief of my illness. Don’t mock me as God is watching!

Who is ignorant of God? Not me!

I know he is wise and strong, that He can counsel and understand me. He can change the hearts of people sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad when in their vanity they walk in the dark unable to find the light!

Job goes on to consider further his situation:

You, my three friends, are lying. Why do you think I am inferior to you? How dare you judge me? God knows everything; nothing can be concealed from Him! I trust in Him. If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

Dear God, what are my iniquities and sins? Are you condemning me for the sins of my youth?

Life is so very, very short. We come in like a flower and leave like a shadow, never to be and live again.

Death is final. Unlike a tree that when cut can grow again, springing forth leaves like it was first planted; people who die do not rise up and walk again.

When God calls me I shall come. He indeed has numbered my days. I ask Him for mercy to be spared of my sins. I will be grateful to leave the flesh and this pain behind.

Eliphaz Speaks to Job a Second Time: Job, my friend, you say things that are not good for you. When you blaspheme the Lord your own mouth condemns you.

Who are you- the first man to be born? A man with wisdom is greater than God’s counsel? What don’t we know? Who made you smarter than us?

Your wicked words hinder God from comforting you. Why does your heart elevate you and you look like you are thinking great things? Stop sinning like you are drinking water.

You must confess. Otherwise you will not be enriched by God. Neither will you have a legacy on this earth. You will die earlier than need be. Stop conceiving sorrow, being deceitful, and sinning.

Job Responds to Eliphaz a Second Time: Look, Eliphaz I have heard this before. You, Baldad, and Sophar are troublesome comforters. Why are you speaking falsely and contradicting me? I used to be so wealthy but all of a sudden it is gone; all broken into pieces. Why are you beating me up when I am so down?

I have suffered all this without sinning. I don’t deserve this. God in Heaven is my witness; He knows my conscience. I am innocent I tel you!

I am walking on a path by which I shall not return. I will be dying soon. Only the grave remains for me yet I have not sinned. All good people should be astonished that this has happened to me.

Stay tuned for more of the Book Of Job and remember we come in as a flower and leave as a shadow so enjoy each day!

Bible Notes:

Day 183: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective;

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Job, Chapters 8–17: Life is Short; from a Flower to a Shadow; Live Life Fully!

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job Chapter 8: The First Speech of Baldad; God’s Punishments are Just; The Evil Fate of the Wicked; God’s Treatment of the Good and the Evil.

The First Speech of Baldad:

Then Baldad the Suhite answered, and said:

God’s Punishments are Just:

Doth God pervert judgment, or doth the Almighty overthrow that which is just?

Although thy children have sinned against him, and he hath left them in the hand of their iniquity: yet if thou wilt arise early to God, and wilt beseech the Almighty, if thou wilt walk clean and upright, he will presently awake unto thee, and will make the dwelling of thy justice peaceable. Insomuch, that if thy former things were small, thy latter things would be multiplied exceedingly.

The Evil Fate of the Wicked:

For inquire of the former Generation, and search diligently into the memory of the fathers (for we are but of yesterday, and are ignorant that our days upon earth are but a shadow), and they shall teach thee:

When it is yet in flower, and is not plucked up with the hand, it withered before all herbs. Even so are the ways of all that forget God, and the hope of the hypocrite shall perish.

His roots shall be thick upon a heap of stones, and among the stones he shall abide. If one swallow him up out of his place, he shall deny him, and shall say: I know thee not. For this is the joy of his way, that others may spring again out of the earth.

God’s Treatment of the Good and the Evil:

God will not cast away the simple, nor reach out his hand to the evildoer, until thy mouth be filled with laughter, and thy lips with rejoicing. They that hate thee, shall be clothed with confusion: and the dwelling of the wicked shall not stand!

Job Chapter 9: Job’s Reply to Baldad; God is All Powerful; No One Can Resist God; The Good and the Evil Suffer; Job’s Life Coming to its End; Job Pleads His Innocence.

Job’s Reply to Baldad:

And Job answered, and said:

God is All Powerful:

Indeed I know it so, and that man cannot be justified compared with God… He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath resisted him, and hath had peace?

He commandeth the sun and it riseth not: and shutteth up the stars as it were under a seal.

He doth things great and incomprehensible, and wonderful, of which there is no number.

If he come to me, I shall not see him: if he depart I shall not understand.

No One Can Resist God:

God, whose wrath no man can resist, and under whom they stoop that bear up the world.

And if he should hear me when I call, I should not believe that he had heard my voice. For he shall crush me in a whirlwind, and multiply my wounds, even without cause.

If I would justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I would show myself innocent, he shall prove me wicked.

Although I should be simple, even this my soul shall be ignorant of, and I shall be weary of my life.

The Good and the Evil Suffer:

One thing there is that I have spoken, both the innocent and the wicked he consumeth. If he scourge, let him kill at once, and not laugh at the pains of the innocent.

Job’s Life Coming to its End:

My days have been swifter than a post… as an eagle flying to its prey…

I change my face, and am tormented with sorrow. I feared all my works, knowing that thou didst not spare the offended.

Job Pleads His Innocence:

But is so also I am wicked, why have I labored in vain?… for I shall not answer a man that is like myself: nor one that may be heard with me equally in judgment.

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me. I will speak, and will not fear him: for I cannot answer while I am in fear.

Job Chapter 10: Job Asks the Reason for His Suffering; God’s Past Favors to Job; Job Again Asks for Release.

Job Asks the Reason for His Suffering:

I will say to God: Do not condemn me: tell me why thou judges me so… I have done no wicked thing, whereas there is no man that can deliver out of thy hand.

God’s Past Favors to Job:

Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me wholly round about, and dost thou this cast me down headlong on a sudden?

…thou hast made me as the clay, and thou wilt bring me into dust again.

…thou hast granted me life and mercy, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

Job Again Asks for Release:

…I know that thou rememberest all things…

…why dost thou not suffer me to be clean from my iniquity?

Why didst thou bring me forth out of the womb?

Shall not the fewest of my days ended shortly?

Job Chapter 11: The First Speech of Sophar; Job Talks too Much; The Infallible Wisdom of God; Job Urged to Repent.

The First Speech of Sophar:

THEN Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

Job Talks too Much:

Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? Or shall a man full of talk be justified?

For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight…

…and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee than thy iniquity deserved.

The Infallible Wisdom of God:

Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?

For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it? A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass’s colt.

Job Urged to Repent.

But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him. If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and let not injustice remain in thy tabernacle, then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shall be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

Job Chapter 12: Job’s Reply to Sophar; Job’s Three Friends Lack Great Wisdom; Sophar’s Knowledge is Possessed by All; Power and Wisdom of God.

Job’s Reply to Sophar:

THEN Job answered, and said:

Job’s Three Friends Lack Great Wisdom:

Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you? I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?

He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.

The lamp, despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.

Mock—to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision—to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively—to mimic, imitate, or counterfeit.

Scorn—open or unqualified contempt; disdain—an object of derision or contempt—a derisive or contemptuous action or speech.

Sophar’s Knowledge is Possessed by All:

Who is ignorant of the hand of the Lord hath made all these things? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man

In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.

Prudence—the quality or fact of being prudent, or wise in practical affairs, as by providing for the future—caution with regard to practical matters; discretion—regard for one’s own interests—provident care in the management of resources; economy; frugality.

Power and Wisdom of God:

With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

He knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived.

He changeth the speech of true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.

He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.

He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.

He changeth the heart of the princes if the people of the earth, and deceiveth them, that they walk in vain where there is no way. They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.

Job Chapter 13: Job Charges His Friends with Lying; God Cannot be Deceived; Job’s Trust in God; Job’s Miseries.

Job Charges His Friends with Lying:

According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you. But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. Having first shown that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions. And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.

God Cannot be Deceived:

Hath God any need of you lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him? Do you accept his person, and do you endeavor to judge for God? Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed?

Job’s Trust in God:

Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight. And he shall be my savior: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.

Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths. If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.

Job’s Miseries:

How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my crimes and offences. Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?

For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.

Job Chapter 14: The Brevity of Life; Death is Final; Job Asks Mercy for His Sins.

The Brevity of Life:

Man born of woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state.

Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed?

Depart a little from him, that he may rest, until his wished for day come, as that of the hireling.

Death is Final:

A tree hath hope: if it be cut, it groweth green again, and the boughs thereof sprout… it shall spring, and bring forth leaves, as when it was first planted.

But man when he shall be dead, and stripped, and consumed, I pray you where is he?

…so man when he has fallen asleep shall not rise again: till the heavens be broken, he shall not awake, nor rise up out of his sleep.

Shall man that is dead, thinkest thou, live again?

All the days in which I am now in warfare, I expect until my change come. Thou shalt call me, and I will answer thee: to the work of thy hands thou shalt reach out thy right hand.

Job Asks Mercy for His Sins:

Thou indeed hast numbered my steps, but spare my sins… but last cure my iniquity… so in this manner thou shalt destroy man.

Whether his children come to honor or dishonor, he shall not understand. But yet his flesh, while he shall live, shall have pain, and his soul shall mourn over him.

Job Chapter 15: The Second Speech of Eliphaz; Insincerity of Job; Pride of Job; The Wicked are Always Punished.

The Second Speech of Eliphaz:

AND Eliphaz the Themanite answered, and said:

Insincerity of Job:

Thou reprovest him bywords, who is not equal to thee, and thou speakest that which is not good for thee.

For thy iniquity hath taught thy mouth, and thou imitatest the tongue of blasphemers. Thy own mouth shall condemn thee, and not I: and thy own lips shall answer thee.

Pride of Job:

Art thou the first man that was born, or wast thou made before the hills? Hast thou heard God’s counsel, and shall his wisdom be inferior to thee? What knowest thou that we are ignorant of? What dost thou understand that we know not?

Is it a great matter that God should comfort thee? But thy wicked words hinder this. Why doth thy heart elevate thee, and why dost thou stare with thy eyes, as if they were thinking great things? Why doth thy spirit swell against God, to utter such words out of thy mouth?

What is a man that he should be without spot, and he that is born of a woman that he should appear just? Behold among the none is unchangeable, and the heavens are not pure in his sight. How much more is man abominable and unprofitable, who drinketh iniquity like water?

The Wicked are Always Punished:

Wise men confess…

The sound of dread is always in his ears: and when there is peace, he always suspecteth treason.

Tribulation shall terrify him, and distress shall surround him…

He hath run against him with his neck raised up, and is armed with a fat neck. Fatness hath covered his face, and the fat hangeth down on his sides.

He shall not be enriched, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he push his root in the earth… before his days be full he shall perish.

For the congregation of the hypocrite is barren… he hath conceived sorrow, and hath brought forth iniquity, and his womb prepareth deceits.

Job Chapter 16: Job’s Second Reply to Eliphaz; Eliphaz is Repeating Old Charges; Job Describes His Sad Condition; Job Places His Trust in God.

Job’s Second Reply to Eliphaz:

THEN Job answered, and said:

Eliphaz is Repeating Old Charges:

I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters.

I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul’

NOTE: Unclear what “God your soul were for my soul” means.

Job Describes His Sad Condition:

But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.

…and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me.

God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked. I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces…

I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes. My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim. These things Have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.

Job Places His Trust in God:

For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.

And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companions! For behold short years pass away, and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return.

Job Chapter 17: Job Appeals from Men to God; Job Expects Rest in Death.

Job Appeals from Men to God:

My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened, and only the grave remaineth for me. I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness.

Deliver me O Lord, and set me beside thee…

Thou have set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be exalted…

He hath made me as it were a byword of the people, and I am an example before them.

The just shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall be raised up against the hypocrite. And the just man shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Job Expects Rest in Death:

My days have passed away, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart. They have turned night into day, and after darkness I hope for light again. If I wait hell is my house, and I have made my bed in darkness.

All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit: thinkest thou that there at least I shall have rest?

Day 184 NT 1 Thessalonians C1-3; May The Holy Spirit Create in Us an Evangelist like Paul & Timothy!

I pray that we are able to extract the inspiration from these Scriptures and ask The Holy Spirit to create in us the Evangelical abilities of Paul and Timothy along with the faith of the Thessalonians…

...being mindful before God our Father of your work of faith, and labor, and charity, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know brethren, beloved of God, how you were chosen. For our gospel was not delivered to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much fullness… And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit…

May we be mindful of the Power and Joy of The Holy Spirit with humbleness and gratitude…

…and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God…

For from you the word of the Lord has been spread abroad, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth…

May we turn completely away from the idols and sin in our lives to serve the living and true God in every place in the world where our faith in God leads us…

…we had confidence in our God to preach to you the gospel of God amid much anxiety.

But as approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not as pleasing man, but God, who proves out hearts.

God is witness, nor have we sought glory from men, neither from you not from others.

May we preach amid much anxiety to please God and not to please man or seek glory from man. Strengthen our heart dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore we too give thanks to God without ceasing, because when you heard and received from us the word of God, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the Word of God, who works in you who have believed.

May we preach without ceasing, not as the word of man, but as it truly is, the Word of God.

But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short time, in sight, not in heart… but Satan hindered us… Yes, you are our glory and joy.

…we sent Timothy, our brother and a servant of God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and comfort you in your faith, lest any should be shaken by these tribulations… we should suffer tribulations, as also it has come to pass, and you know.

I sent in order to know your faith, lest perhaps, the Tempter might have tempted you, and our labor might come to naught.

May Satan not hinder us, may we not be shaken by the trials and tribulations of our human life

For this I pray to GOD: Our Father, The Holy Spirit, and Jesus… Amen. Al-le-lu-ia!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapters 1-3; May The Holy Spirit Create in Us an Evangelist like Paul & Timothy!

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, having heard of the persecution of the Christians at Thessalonica, wrote this letter to console them. He assures them of his love, even though he is unable to come to them, and urges them to practice chasity, charity, and industry, reminding them of the second coming of Christ.

First Thessalonians Chapter 1: Greeting; Paul Offers Thanks to God for the Faith of the Thessalonians.

Greeting:

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace.

Paul Offers Thanks to God for the Faith of the Thessalonians:

…being mindful before God our Father of your work of faith, and labor, and charity, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know brethren, beloved of God, how you were chosen. For our gospel was not delivered to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much fullness.

…And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit…

For from you the word of the Lord has been spread abroad, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth…

…and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God…

 

First Thessalonians Chapter 2: His Mission Among the Thessalonians; God and They are His Witnesses; Thanksgiving for Their Constancy; Paul’s Desire to Return to Them.

His Mission Among the Thessalonians:

…know that our coming among you was not in vain…

…we had confidence in our God to preach to you the gospel of God amid much anxiety.

But as approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not as pleasing man, but God, who proves out hearts.

God is witness, nor have we sought glory from men, neither from you not from others.

Although, as the apostles of Christ we could have claimed a position of honor among you… so in our love for you would gladly have imparted to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls; because you had become most dear to us.

God and They are His Witnesses:

We worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you while we preached the gospel of God. You are witnesses and God also, how holy and just and blameless was our conduct towards you who have believed… acting towards you as a father towards his children, declaring to you that you should walk worthily of God, who called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Thanksgiving for Their Constancy:

Therefore we too give thanks to God without ceasing, because when you heard and received from us the word of God, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the Word of God, who works in you who have believed.

For you, brethren, have become imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, in that you also have suffered the same things from your own countryman as they have have from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and have persecuted us.

They are displeasing to God, and are hostile to all men, because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles, that they may be saved. Thus they are always filling up the measure of their sins, for the wrath of God has come upon them to the utmost.

Paul’s Desire to Return to Them:

But we, brehtren, being bereaved of you for a short time, in sight, not in heart… but Satan hindered us… Yes, you are our glory and joy.

 

First Thessalonians Chapter 3: Timothy Sent in His Place; Paul’s Joy Over Timothy’s News; A Prayer for Paul’s Return to Them.

Timothy Sent in His Place:

…we sent Timothy, our brother and a servant of God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and comfort you in your faith, lest any should be shaken by these tribulations… we should suffer tribulations, as also it has come to pass, and you know.

I sent in order to know your faith, lest perhaps, the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor might come to naught.

Paul’s Joy Over Timothy’s News:

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has made known to us your faith and charity… we have accordingly found comfort in you, brethren, amid all our trials and tribulations, on account of your faith; because now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we return to God for you for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sakes before our God? Night and day we pray more and more that we may see you again, and may supply those things that are lacking in your faith.

A Prayer for Paul’s Return to Them:

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus direct our way unto you. And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men just as we do towards you, that he may strengthen your hearts, blameless in holiness before God our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.

Day 185: OT Job C18–28; How do We Know We are not Walking in Darkness?

How do We Know We are not Walking in Darkness?

Where does one find True Wisdom and a Place of Understanding?

“…and they have not known the light. If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them the shadow of death: and they walk in darkness as if it were in light.”

“They have violently robbed the fatherless, and stripped the poor common people.

Out of the cities they have made men to groan, and the soul of the wounded hath cried out, and God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged.”

NOTE: Not sure what the phrase “God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged;” remove two double ‘not-un;’ God doth suffer it to pass the revenged; it hurts God to see the innocent be hurt yet his compassion is there to comfort us?

How do I know that I am not walking in darkness thinking it is the light? Especially when I can’t comprehend all parts of the Bible? Isn’t it written in English my native language of understanding?

Yet I see the foretelling of the Son of Man being born of a Virgin!

“Can man be justified compared with God, or he that is born of a woman appear clean? Behold even the moon doth not shine, and the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man that is rottenness, and the son of man who is a worm?”

True Wisdom Comes Only From God:

“But where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of them that live in delights… High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom is drawn out of secret places…

Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?

It is hid from the eyes of all living, and the fowls of the air know it not… God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he beholdeth the ends of the world: and looketh on all things that are under heaven. Who made a weight for the winds, and weighed the waters by measure. When he gave a law for the rain, and a way for the sounding storms.

Then he saw it, and declared, and prepared, and searched it. And he said to man: Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding.”

More of the ongoing dialogue between Job and his three friends Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar is found in the Bible Notes below… Seek the wisdom and understanding of God and know that you are walking in the light! Amen! Alleluia!

Bible Notes:

Day 185: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective;

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Job, Chapters 18–28: How do We Know We are not Walking in Darkness?

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job Chapter 18: The Second Speech of Baldad; Job’s Fury Reproved; The Wicked Always Suffer.

The Second Speech of Baldad:

THEN Baldad the Suhite answered, and said:

Job’s Fury Reproved:

How long will you throw out words? Understand first, and so let us speak.

Thou that destroyed thy soul in thy fury, shall the earth be forsaken for thee?

The Wicked Always Suffer:

Shall the light of the wicked be extinguished, and the flame of his fire not shine?

Let his strength be wasted with famine, and let hunger invade his ribs. Let it devour the beauty of his skin, let the firstborn death consume his arms.

Let the memory of him perish from the earth, and let not his name be removed in the streets.

His seed shall not subsist, not his offspring among his people, nor any remnants in his country.

These then are tabernacles of the wicked, and this the place of him that knoweth not God.

Note: These are an example of 30 bad things that happen to the wicked according to Baldad.

Job Chapter 19: Job’s second Reply to Baldad; The Cruelty of Job’s Friends; God’s Punishments; Job Forsaken by Brethren and Kinsman; Job’s Hope in a Redeemer.

Job’s second Reply to Baldad:

THEN Job answered, and said:

The Cruelty of Job’s Friends:

How long do you afflict my soul, and break me in pieces with words? Behold, these ten times you confound me, and are not afraid to oppress me. For I have been ignorant, my ignorance shall be with me. But you set yourselves up against me, and reprove me with my reproaches, At least now, understand that God hath not afflicted me with an equal judgment, and compassed me with his scourges.

God’s Punishments:

Behold I shall cry suffering violence, and no one will hear… He hath hedged in my path round about, and I cannot pass, and in my way he hath set darkness…He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am lost, and he hath taken away my hope, as from a tree that is plucked up. His wrath is kindled against me, and he hath counted me as his enemy.

Job Forsaken by Brethren and Kinsman:

He hath put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintances like strangers have departed from me. My kinsman have forsaken me, and they that knew me, have forgotten me.

My wife hath abhorred my breath, and I entreated the children of my womb. Even fools despise me, and when I was gone from them, they spoke against me.

…whom I loved most is turned against me.

The flesh being consumed, my bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing but lips are left about my teeth.

Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me.

Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh?

Job’s Hope in a Redeemer:

Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book with an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone? For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this is my hope laid up in my bosom.

When then do you say now: Let us persecute him, and let us find occasion of word against him? Flee then from the face of the sword, for the sword is the revenger of iniquities: and know ye that there is a judgment.

Job Chapter 20: The Second Speech of Sophar; The Joy of the Wicked is Short-Lived; God’s Wrath Against Evildoers.

The Second Speech of Sophar:

THEN Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

The Joy of the Wicked is Short-Lived:

…I will hear and the spirit of my understanding shall answer for me.

This I know from the beginning, since man was placed upon this earth, that the praise of the wicked is short, and they joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.

His children shall be oppressed with want, and his hands shall render to him his sorrow.

His bones shall be filled with the vices of his youth, and they shall sleep with him in the dust.

For when evil be sweet in his mouth, he will hide it under his tongue. He will spare it, and not leave it, and will hide it in his throat. His bread in his belly shall be turned into the gall of asps within him. The riches which he hath swallowed, he shall vomit up, and God shall draw them out of his belly. He shall suck the head of the asps, and the viper’s tongue shall kill him. (Let him not see the streams of the river, the brooks of honey and of butter.)

He shall be punished for all that he did, and yet shall not be consumed: according to the multitude of his devices so also shall he suffer.

God’s Wrath Against Evildoers:

The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him. The offspring of his house shall be exposed, he shall be pulled down in the day of God’s wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the inheritance of his doings from the Lord.

Job Chapter 21: Job’s Second Reply to Sophar; Job Asks for a Hearing; The Wicked Often Prosper; All Sins are not Punished Immediately; Evildoers Often Honored Even After Death.

Job’s Second Reply to Sophar:

THEN Job answered, and said:

Job Asks for a Hearing:

Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance. Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words. Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled? Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth. As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

The Wicked Often Prosper:

Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?

Their houses are secure and peaceful, and the rod of God in not upon them.

They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell, who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what doth it profit us if we pray to him?

All Sins are not Punished Immediately:

God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know. His eyes shall see his own destruction and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half?

Shall anyone teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high?

One man dieth strong, and hale, rich, and happy. His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches, and yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.

Evildoers Often Honored Even After Death.

Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.

Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath. Who shall reprove his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done? He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.

How then do you comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?

Job Chapter 22: The Third Speech of Eliphaz; Job Being Punished for His Crimes; Job’s Dishonesty. Harshness, and Cruelty; Prosperity Will Follow Job’s Repentance.

The Third Speech of Eliphaz:

THEN Eliphaz the Themanite answered, and said:

Job Being Punished for His Crimes:

Can man be compared with God, even though he were of perfect knowledge? What doth it profit God if thou be just? Or what dost thou give him if thy way be unspotted? Shall he reprove thee for fear, and come with thee into judgment, and not for thy manifold wickedness, and thy infinite iniquities?

Job’s Dishonesty, Harshness, and Cruelty:

For thou hast taken away the pledge of thy brethren without cause… Therefore art thou surrounded with snares, and sudden fear troubleth thee…Dost thou think that God is higher than heaven, and is elevated above the height of the stars? And thou sayst: What doth God know?

The clouds are his covert, and he doth not consider our things, and he walketh about the poles of heaven… Who said to God: Depart from us: and looked upon the Almighty as if he could do nothing…

The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and the innocent shall laugh them to scorn. Is not their exaltation cut down, and hath not fire devoured the remnants of them?

Scorn—open or unqualified contempt; disdain—an object of derision or contempt—a derisive or contemptuous action or speech—to reject, refuse, or ignore with contempt or disdain—to mock; jeer.

Prosperity Will Follow Job’s Repentance:

Submit thyself then to him, and be at peace: and thereby thou shalt have the best fruits. Receive the law of his mouth, and lay up his words in thy heart.

If thou wilt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, and shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacle. He shall give for earth flint, and for flint torrents of gold.

And the Almighty shall be against thy enemies, and silver shall be heaped together for thee. Then shalt thou abound in delights in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face to God. Thou shalt pray to him, and he will hear thee, and thou shalt pay vows. Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall come to thee, and light shall shine in thy ways.

For he that hath been humbled shall be in glory: and he that shall bow down his eyes, he shall be saved. The innocent shall be saved, and he shall be saved by the cleanness of his hands.

Job Chapter 23: Job’s Third Reply to Eliphaz; Job Longs to be Judged by God; God Knows Job’s Innocence.

Job’s Third Reply to Eliphaz:

THEN Job answered, and said:

Job Longs to be Judged by God:

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning,

That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

God Knows Job’s Innocence:

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire. My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it. I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

For he is alone, and no man can turn away from his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done. And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear. God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me. For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.

Job Chapter 24: God Knows that the Innocent Suffer; The Wicked are not Punished.

God Knows that the Innocent Suffer:

Times are not hid from the Almighty: but they that know him, know not his days.

They reap the field that is not their own, and gather the vintage of his vineyard whom by violence they have oppressed.

They have violently robbed the fatherless, and stripped the poor common people.

Out of the cities they have made men to groan, and the soul of the wounded hath cried out, and God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged.

NOTE: Not sure what the phrase “God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged;” remove two double ‘not-un;’ God doth suffer it to pass the revenged; it hurts God to see the innocent be hurt yet his compassion is there to comfort us?

The Wicked are not Punished:

They have been rebellious to the light, they have not known his ways, neither have they returned by his paths.

The murderer riseth at the very break of day, he killeth the needy, and the poor man: but in the night he will be as a thief.

The eye of the adulterer observeth darkness, saying: No eye shall see me: and he will cover his face.

…and they have not known the light. If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them the shadow of death: and they walk in darkness as if it were in light.

Let mercy forget him: may worms be his sweetness; let him be remembered no more, but be broken in pieces as an unfruitful tree.

For he hath fed the barren that beareth not, and to the widow he hath done no good.

He hath pulled down the strong by his might: and when he standeth up, he shall not trust to his life.

God hath given him place for penance, and he abuseth it unto pride: but his eyes are upon his ways.

And if it be not so, who can convince me that I have lied, and set my words before God?

Job Chapter 25: The Third Speech of Baldad; No Man can be Just Before God.

The Third Speech of Baldad:

THEN Baldad the Suhite answered, and said:

No Man can be Just Before God:

Power and terror are with him, who maketh peace in his high places. Is there any numbering of his soldiers? And upon whom shall not his light arise? Can man be justified compared with God, or he that is born of a woman appear clean? Behold even the moon doth not shine, and the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man that is rottenness, and the son of man who is a worm?

Note: The Foretelling of the Son of Man being born of a Virgin!

Job Chapter 26: Job’s Third Reply to Baldad; Job Scoffs at Baldad; The Power of God is Everywhere Manifest.

Job’s Third Reply to Baldad:

THEN Job answered, and said:

Job Scoffs at Baldad:

To whom hast thou given counsel? Perhaps to him that hath no wisdom. And thou hast shown thy very great prudence. Whom hast thou desired to teach? Was it not him that made life?

Prudence—the quality or fact of being prudent, or wise in practical affairs, as by providing for the future—caution with regard to practical matters; discretion—regard for one’s own interests—provident care in the management of resources; economy; frugality.

The Power of God is Everywhere Manifest:

He stretched out the north over the empty space, and hangeth the earth upon nothing… He withholdeth the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud over it. He hath set bounds about the waters, till light and darkness come to an end… By his power the seas are suddenly gathered together, and his wisdom has struck the proud one.

His spirit hath adorned the heavens, and his obstetic hand brought forth the winding serpent. Lo, these things are said in part of his ways: and seeing we have heard scarce a little drop of his word, who shall be able to behold the thunder of his greatness?

Obstetic—of or relating to the care and treatment of women in childbirth and during the period before and after delivery—of or relating to childbirth or obstetrics.

Job Chapter 27: Job’s Final Reply to His Three Friends; The Hypocrite is Without Hope; The Fate of the Wicked.

Job’s Final Reply to His Three Friends:

Job also added, taking up his parable, and said: As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath brought my soul to bitterness, as long as breath remaineth in me, and the spirit of God in my nostrils, my lips shall not speak iniquity, neither shall my tongue contrive lying. God forbid that I should judge you to be just: till I die I will not depart from my innocence. My justification, which I have begun to hold, I will not forsake: for my heart doth not reprehend me in all my life.

Parable—a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson—a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.

Allegorical—Allegory—a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another—a symbolical narrative:

The Hypocrite is Without Hope:

Let my enemy be as the ungodly, and my adversary as the wicked one. For what is the hope of the hypocrite if through covetousness he take by violence, and God deliver not his soul? Will God hear his cry, when distress shall come upon him? Or can he delight himself in the Almighty, and call upon God at all times?

The Fate of the Wicked:

I will teach you by the hand of God, what the Almighty hath, and I will not conceal it. Behold you all know it, and why do you speak vain things without cause?

This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the inheritance of the violent, which they shall receive of the Almighty. If his sons be multiplied, they shall be for the sword, and his grandsons shall not be filled with bread.

Job Chapter 28: Man’s Knowledge and Industry; True Wisdom Comes Only From God.

Man’s Knowledge and Industry:

He hath set a time for darkness, and the end of all things he considereth, the stone also that is in the dark and the shadow of death…

True Wisdom Comes Only From God:

But where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of them that live in delights… High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom is drawn out of secret places…

Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?

It is hid from the eyes of all living, and the fowls of the air know it not… God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he beholdeth the ends of the world: and looketh on all things that are under heaven. Who made a weight for the winds, and weighed the waters by measure. When he gave a law for the rain, and a way for the sounding storms.

Then he saw it, and declared, and prepared, and searched it. And he said to man: Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding.

Saint Paul, having heard of the persecution of the Christians at Thessalonica, wrote this letter to console them. He assures them of his love, even though he is unable to come to them, and urges them to practice chastity, charity, and industry, reminding them of the second coming of Christ.

Here is what struck me after reading this part of the Bible:

There was repetition in the phrase “to make even greater progress” which to me means it is very important! ‘Continuous Improvement’ was first present in Biblical Times in terms of improving oneself not a product or service!

“Moreover, brethren, even as you have learned from us how you ought to walk to please God—as indeed you are walking—we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus to make even greater progress.”

“But we exhort you, brethren, to make even greater progress. Strive to live peacefully, minding your own affairs, working with your own hands, as we charged you, so that you may walk becomingly towards outsiders, and may need nothing.”

Let’s all make greater progress from the inside out!

Then the part about obedience, patience, and charity struck me hard too!

“Now we beseech you, brethren, to appreciate those who labor among you, and who are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Esteem them with a more abundant love on account of their work. Be at peace with them. And we exhort you, brethren, reprove the irregular, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that no one renders evil for evil to any man; but always strive after good towards one another and towards all men.”

This is the New Testament “turn the other cheek” rebuking the Old Testament “an eye for an eye.” Love, compassion, and mercy, both inwardly and outwardly is the way to live life according to God’s Design!

Not sure what or who “and who are over you in the Lord” refers to? I don’t believe that anyone is between me and my personal relationship with Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and God. Yes there are those that intercede, inspire and bring me closer to my Divine Foursome but none in an organizational sort of way.

Here are some powerful words if you want to know what the Will of God is for you in your life:

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus regarding you all. Do not extinguish the (Holy) Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. But test all things; hold fast that which is good. Keep yourselves from every kind of evil.”

And once again we do not know the hour of our death. Assume nothing. Expect nothing. Start right now, this very moment, saying that you turn from Satan and Sin, accept Jesus into your heart to be your heart, and will walk in a new direction, in a new relationship with the love, compassion, and mercy of Jesus; the power of The Holy Spirit; surrendering your will to God in every breath, every heartbeat, and every thought!

Could the Second Coming of Christ, although intended to reference coming to the world, really be about our death and us coming to Christ instead of Him coming the world?

“But of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that we write you, for you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord is to Come as a thief in the night. For when they shall say. “Peace and security,” even then sudden destruction will come upon them, as birth pangs upon her who is with child, and they will not escape.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Don’t forget the grace, remember the grace that we have been gifted, be the grace! Amen! Alleluia!

PS: The First Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Philippians is so pure a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom that it is presented verbatim in its entirety below in the Bible Notes section. Rejoice!

Day 186: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Make even Greater Progress… Continuous Improvement in Christ!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapters 4-5 (END).

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, having heard of the persecution of the Christians at Thessalonica, wrote this letter to console them. He assures them of his love, even though he is unable to come to them, and urges them to practice chastity, charity, and industry, reminding them of the second coming of Christ.

First Thessalonians Chapter 4: Exhortation to Chasity; Exhortation to Charity; At the Second Coming the Dead will Rise.

Exhortation to Chasity:

Moreover, brethren, even as you have learned from us how you ought to walk to please God—as indeed you are walking—we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus to make even greater progress. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you abstain from immorality; that every one of you learn how to possess his vessel in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and overreach his brother in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified. For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Therefore, he who rejects these things rejects not man but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to us.

Exhortation to Charity:

But concerning brotherly charity there is no need for us to write to you, for you yourselves have learned from God to love one another. For indeed you practise it towards all the brethren all over Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, to make even greater progress. Strive to live peacefully, minding your own affairs, working with your own hands, as we charged you, so that you may walk becomingly towards outsiders, and may need nothing.

At the Second Coming the Dead will Rise:

But we would not, brethren, have you ignorant concerning those that are asleep, lest you should grieve, even as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so with him God will bring those also who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we who live, who survive until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself with cry of command, with voice of archangel, and with trumpet of God will descend from heaven; and the dead in Christ will rise up first. Then we who live, who survive, shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.

First Thessalonians Chapter 5: The Time is Unknown; Be Always Prepared; Obedience, Patience, and Charity; General Admonition; Final Blessing and Greeting.

The Time is Unknown:

But of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that we write you, for you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord is to Come as a thief in the night. For when they shall say. “Peace and security,” even then sudden destruction will come upon them, as birth pangs upon her who is with child, and they will not escape.

Be Always Prepared:

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief; for you are all children of the light and children of the day. We are not of night, nor of darkness.

Therefore, let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us be wakeful and sober. For they who sleep, sleep at night, and they who are drunk, are drunk at night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober. Let us put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God has not destined us unto wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who dies for us in order that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore, comfort one another and edify one another, even as indeed you do.

Obedience, Patience, and Charity:

Now we beseech you, brethren, to appreciate those who labor among you, and who are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Esteem them with a more abundant love on account of their work. Be at peace with them. And we exhort you, brethren, reprove the irregular, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that no one renders evil for evil to any man; but always strive after good towards one another and towards all men.

General Admonition:

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus regarding you all. Do not extinguish the (Holy) Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. But test all things; hold fast that which is good. Keep yourselves from every kind of evil.

Final Blessing and Greeting:

And may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound, blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who called you is faithful and will do this.

Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job experienced good and bad times; really bad times!

Good Times:

“I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and a diadem.”

“They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel…”

“They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower…”

Bad Times:

“And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me. In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do not sleep…”

“Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword. They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.”

“I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.”

Times were so bad Job was wishing that his time would come and he would be dead:

“I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that liveth. I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and darkness broke out. My harp is turning to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.”

“Doth not he consider my ways, and number my steps? For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not abler to bear.”

“Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself judgeth would write a book, that I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?”

Eliu knew the answer; why a righteous man like Job would be suffering.

“So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself. And Eliu… now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God. And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.”

Eliu, the young whipper-snapper, was insightful as to the origin of wisdom.

“I am younger in days, and you are more ancient; therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to show you my opinion. For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom. But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment. Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will show you my wisdom.”

Eliu knows that man is not level with God.

“ also will answer my part, and will show my knowledge. For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me. Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels. I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer. I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man. For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my maker may take me away.”

Eliu is sort of a prophet to Job.

“Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words… My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence. The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life… Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.”

Eliu reiterates that God is God and we are not! We are sinners all!

“Now thou hast said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy (Job’s) words: I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me… Now this is the thing in which thou (Job) art not justified: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Dost thou strive against him, because he (God) hath not answered thee to all words?”

Eliu says that God instructs man through suffering and that there is a redemptive process through obedience to God!

“If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man’s uprightness, he shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him… let him return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man justice… He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see light. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.”

Eliu knows that God is just!

“Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me; far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty… For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment… If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes… Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? And how dost thou so far condemn him that is just? Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who called rulers ungodly…”

Eliu knows Job is not God and tells him so!

“But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline. My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity. Because he added blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches… Therefore I will answer thy words and thy friends with thee. Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.”

Trust God to judge fairly…

“There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men. God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one. Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him. For he doth not bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.”

Amen. Alleluia!

Bible Notes:

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job Chapter 29: Job’s Monologue; His Former Happiness; Respect Formerly Enjoyed by Job.

Job’s Monologue:

Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:

His Former Happiness:

…When God was secretly in my tabernacle? When the Almighty was with me…

The ear that heard me blessed me, and the eye that saw me gave witness to me, because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless, that had no helper. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow. I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and a diadem.

And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm tree shall multiply my days.

My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.

Respect Formerly Enjoyed by Job:

They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel…

They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower…

If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that mourned.

Job Chapter 30: Job now Scorned; Job now Suffers Great Afflictions; Job’s Cry for Help.

Job now Scorned:

But now the younger in time scorn me, whose fathers I would not have set with the dogs of my flock. The strength of whose hands was to me as nothing, and they were thought unworthy of life itself.

The children of the foolish and base men, and not appearing at all upon the earth. Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword. They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.

They have destroyed my ways, they have lain in wait against me, and they have prevailed, and there was none to help.

I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.

Job now Suffers Great Afflictions:

And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me. In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do not sleep… I am compared to dirt.

I cry to thee, and thou hearest em not: I stand up, and thou dost not regard me. Thou art changed to be cruel toward me, and in the hardness of thy hand thou art against me. Thou hast lifted me up, and set me as it were upon the wind, and thou hast mightily dashed me. I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that liveth.

Job’s Cry for Help:

I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and darkness broke out.

My harp is turning to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.

Job Chapter 31: Job again Protests His Innocence; Job Recalls His Justice to All; Job’s Dislike of Avarice and Meanness; Job Asks God to be His Judge.

Job again Protests His Innocence:

I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.

Doth not he consider my ways, and number my steps?

If my step hath turned out pf the way, and if my heart hath followed my eye, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands, then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out… It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.

Job Recalls His Justice to All:

…for what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? And when he shall examine, what shall I answer him?

…for from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and It came out with me from my mother’s womb…

For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not abler to bear.

Job’s Dislike of Avarice and Meanness:

If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going into brightness, and my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth, which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.

…for I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul…

Job Asks God to be His Judge:

Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself judgeth would write a book, that I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?

Job Chapter 32: Eiiu’s Anger; The First Speech of Eliu; Eliu Apologizes for His Boldness; Eliu Reproves Job’s Friends; Eli’s Zeal.

Eli’s Anger:

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself. And Eliu… now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God. And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.

The First Speech of Eliu:

Then Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, and said:

Eliu Apologizes for His Boldness:

I am younger in days, and you are more ancient; therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to show you my opinion. For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom. But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment. Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will show you my wisdom.

Eliu Reproves Job’s Friends:

…but, as I see, there is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words. Lest you say: We have found wisdom. God hath cast him down, not man. He (God or Job?) hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your words.

Eliu’s Zeal:

I also will answer my part, and will show my knowledge. For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me. Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels. I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer. I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man. For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my maker may take me away.

Job Chapter 33: Eliu Calls upon Job to Listen; Job’s Claim to Innocence is False; God Instructs Men by Visions; God Instructs Man by Suffering; Eliu Demands Job’s Attention.

Eliu Calls upon Job to Listen:

Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words… My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence. The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life… Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.

Job’s Claim to Innocence is False:

Now thou hast said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy (Job’s) words: I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me… Now this is the thing in which thou (Job) art not justified: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Dost thou strive against him, because he (God) hath not answered thee to all words?

God Instructs Men by Visions:

God speaketh once, and repeateth not the selfsame thing the second time. By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds, then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn. That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride. Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.

God Instructs Man by Suffering:

If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man’s uprightness, he shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him… let him return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man justice… He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see light. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.

Eliu Demands Job’s Attention:

Attend, Job, and hearken to me: and hold thy peace, whilst I speak… hear me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

Job Chapter 34: The Second Speech of Eliu; Eliu Reproves Job for Judging God; God is Just; God is Wise and Powerful; Eliu Concludes His Speech.

The Second Speech of Eliu:

An Eliu continued his discourse, and said:

Eliu Reproves Job for Judging God:

Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me… Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best. For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment. For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin… For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.

God is Just:

Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me; far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty… For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment… If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes… Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? And how dost thou so far condemn him that is just? Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who called rulers ungodly…

Pervert—to lead astray morally—to turn away from the right course—to lead into mental error or false judgment.

God is Wise and Powerful:

For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps. There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity. For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God… For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed… Who marketh a man that is a hypocrite to reigh for the sins of the people?

Eilu Concludes His Speech:

But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline. My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity. Because he added blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.

Job Chapter 35: The Third Speech of Eliu; Human Conduct Cannot Help or Hurt God; God Will Not Hear the Proud.

The Third Speech of Eliu:

Moreover Eliu spoke these words:

Human Conduct Cannot Help or Hurt God:

Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God? For thou saidist: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?

Therefore I will answer thy words and thy friends with thee. Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.

If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? And it thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?

And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?

Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.

God Will Not Hear the Proud:

There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men. God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.

Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him. For he doth not bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.

Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge,

Day 188 NT: 2 Thessalonians C1–3 (END); The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Love Truth & Be Saved!

Saint Paul, learned that some among the Thessalonians expected the Second Coming of Christ very soon, and were either disturbed at the prospect or idle in waiting. In this letter he points out that before Christ, Antichrist must appear.

Wow, this is a short 3-chapter book of the Bible but potent in many ways!

The definition, method, and timing of the Antichrist being the biggest revelation. Isn’t there a Book of Revelations?

“…not to be hastily shaken from right mind, nor terrified, whether by spirit, or by utterance, or by letter attributed to us, as though the day of the Lord were near at hand.”

“Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God.”

“And now you know what restrains him, that he may be revealed in his proper time. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: provided only that he who is present restraining it, does still restrain, until he is gotten out of the way.”

“And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and will destroy with the brightness of of his coming. And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all wicked deception to those who are perishing. For they have not received the love of truth that they might be saved. Therefore God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe falsehood, that all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have preferred wickedness.”

Sounds to me like the Antichrist will come in human form whereas I always thought that the fight against Satan, Tempter, Evil, and Sin was always primarily on a spiritual basis. Hence I am not GOD and neither are you!

Seems as though present day coercive methods and beliefs come from biblical times! Even though the above “sense-of-urgency” concern was debunked. The human enemy, whoever that is, will get his or hers you know what; the ‘pacesetter’ leadership mentality (or is it spirituality?); meddling, and the old “isolate and shame” techniques; use one of them or all of them; situation-dependent.

“Indeed it is just on the part of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give you who are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus, who will come from heaven with the angels of his power, in flaming fire, to inflict punishment on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These will be punished with eternal ruin, away from the face of the Lord and the glory of his power, when on that day he shall come to be glorifies in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all those who have believed.”

“…but we worked night and day in labor and toil, so that we might not burden any of you. Not that we did not have the right to do so, but that we might make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.”

“For indeed when we were with you we used to charge you: if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard that some among you are living irregularly, doing no work but busy at meddling.”

“But you, brethren, do not grow tired of well-doing. And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, note that man and do not associate with him, that he may be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.“

What would Jesus do?

What would The Holy Spirit empower us to do?

Try to change their hearts through love, compassion, and mercy?

Wouldn’t Jesus would change our hearts first and let that be an example, not under our control and judgment, to others in ways we may not even conceive?

Go within to one’s Splendid Spiritual Self so that indeed, from the inside-out come to know— “the love of truth” and that we may be one of those that—“might be saved.”

Amen. Al-le-lu-ia!!!

Day 188: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective;

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapters 1–3 (END). The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Love Truth & Be Saved!

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, learned that some among the Thessalonians expected the Second Coming of Christ very soon, and were either disturbed at the prospect or idle in waiting. In this letter he points out that before Christ, Antichrist must appear.

Second Thessalonians Chapter 1: Paul’s Greeting to the Thessalonians; Their Faith and Constancy; Prayer for their Glorification.

Paul’s Greeting to the Thessalonians:

…grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

Their Faith and Constancy:

We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren. It is fitting that we should, because your faith grows exceedingly and your charity each one for the other increases.

And because of this we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and the tribulations that you are enduring.

Indeed it is just on the part of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give you who are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus, who will come from heaven with the angels of his power, in flaming fire, to inflict punishment on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These will be punished with eternal ruin, away from the face of the Lord and the glory of his power, when on that day he shall come to be glorifies in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all those who have believed.

For our testimony before you has been believed.

Prayer for their Glorification:

To this end also we pray always for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and may fulfill with power every good purpose and work of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

Second Thessalonians Chapter 2: Preludes to the Second Coming of Christ; The Antichrist; Thanksgiving for their Election.

Preludes to the Second Coming of Christ:

…not to be hastily shaken from right mind, nor terrified, whether by spirit, or by utterance, or by letter attributed to us, as though the day of the Lord were near at hand.

Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God.

Apostasy—a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.

Perdition—a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation—the future state of the wicked—hell—utter destruction or ruin.

And now you know what restrains him, that he may be revealed in his proper time. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: provided only that he who is present restraining it, does still restrain, until he is gotten out of the way.

The Antichrist:

And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and will destroy with the brightness of of his coming. And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all wicked deception to those who are perishing. For they have not received the love of truth that they might be saved. Therefore God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe falsehood, that all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have preferred wickedness.

Thanksgiving for their Election:

…because God has chosen you as first-fruits unto salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold the teachings that you have learned, whether by word or by letter of ours.

And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us through grace everlasting consolation and good hope, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

Second Thessalonians Chapter 3: Request for Mutual Prayer; Against Idleness; Desire for their Progress in Virtue; Final Blessing and Greeting.

Request for Mutual Prayer:

…pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified even as among you, and that we may be delivered from troublesome and evil men; for not all men have the faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from evil.

And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ.

NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

Against Idleness:

…to withdraw yourselves from every brother who lives irregularly, and not according to the teaching received from us.

…but we worked night and day in labor and toil, so that we might not burden any of you. Not that we did not have the right to do so, but that we might make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.

For indeed when we were with you we used to charge you: if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard that some among you are living irregularly, doing no work but busy at meddling.

Desire for their Progress in Virtue:

But you, brethren, do not grow tired of well-doing. And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, note that man and do not associate with him, that he may be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Final Blessing and Greeting:

And may the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace in every place. The Lord be with you all… The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Day 189: Job C36–42 (END); God Speaks to Job; Job Submits to God; God Blesses Job Abundantly!

God Speaks to Job; Job Submits to God; God Blesses Job Abundantly!

The friendly Eliphaz-Baldad-Sophar Merry-Go-Round goes around three times and the song playing is “We don’t believe you; you are suffering; you must have sinned; so be honest and repent and all will be fine.” At least Sophar only pierced his friend’s soul only two times.

Then another; Eliu renounces Job in a series of four speeches.

The highlights and summaries of these conversations and speeches, nearly 7,000 words, are included below.

A terrifying combination of Rod Serling’s ‘Twilight Zone’ and Bill Murray’s ‘Groundhog Day.’ Job is stuck in a recurring nightmare but does not stop trusting or having faith in God that somehow this is all a big mistake or minimally something that can be resolved directly with God.

After the eight speeches by Job’s so-called friends Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar. After the nine responses to these three friends. After the four unanswered speeches by Eliu to Job, God finally speaks to Job two times. Job repents, confesses his ignorance, submits, and reprehends himself to God. Then God blesses Job abundantly, more so at the end of his life than at the beginning!

This is a troubling passage of the Old Testament to me. Why would God cut a deal with Satan and let this tragedy happen to Job? Not only has Job suffered but his seven sons and three daughters are dead. BUT THEN GOD SPEAKS!!!

God first speaks to Job and us in a series of questions:

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Didst thou since thy birth command the morning, and show the dawning of the day its place?

Have the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome doors?

Hast thou considered the breadth of the earth?

Tell me, if thou knowest all things?

Didst thou know then that thou shouldest be born?

And did thou know the number of thy days?

Canst thou bring forth the day star in its time, and make the evening star to rise upon the children of the earth?

Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason thereof on the earth?

Who hath put wisdom in the heart of man?

Who can declare the order of the heavens, or who can make the harmony of heaven to sleep?

God can surely put us in our place, especially the part about knowing when we should be born. No fair there!

Then Job Confesses His Ignorance:

And the Lord went on, and said to Job: Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? Surely he that reproveth God, ought to answer him.

Then Job answered the Lord and said: What can I answer, who hath spoken inconsiderately? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more.

Then Job submits to the Lord:

Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that thou canst do all things and no thought is hid from thee. Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge.

Hear, and I will speak: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee.

Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.

Then God declares Job innocent and makes his three friends Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar basically apologize to Job:

He said to Eliphaz the Themanite: My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends (Baldad and Sophar), because you have not spoken the thing that is right before me, as my servant Job hath.

Take unto you therefore seven oxen, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you; for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath.

So Eliphaz the Themanite, and Baldad the Suhite, and Sophar the Naamathite went, and did as the Lord had spoken to them, and the Lord accepted the face of Job.

What about Eliu?

Then the Lord blessed Job ever so greatly:

The Lord also was turned at the penance of Job, when he prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

And all his brethren came to him, and all his sisters, and all that knew him before, and they ate bread with him in his house: and bemoaned him, and comforted him upon all the evil that God had brought upon him. And every man gave him one ewe, and one earring of gold.

And the Lord blesses the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

And he had seven sons, and three daughters. And he called the name of one Dies, and the name of the second Cassia, and the name of the third Cornustibii. And there were not found in all the earth women so beautiful as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

And Job lived after these things, a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children’s children, unto the fourth generation, and he died an old man, and full of days.

So what exactly did Job say in the Book of Job? From reviewing his nearly 10,000 words, word-by-word, spoken in the Book of Job here are the questionable statements that I see:

In Job 3:1-10 where Job curses the day of his birth. We should never question God’s creations or His Will, especially on a personal level such as our life.

In Job 3:11-19 where Job wishes he had died. Our life is divine and sacred in the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and should never be taken for granted or extinguished by our own means.

In Job 7:17-21 where Job questions God. God is God and we are not, even in our personal life where we endeavor to do God’s Will instead of our own will. One should never question the Will of God in one’s life, rather to seek and understand it more fully and deeply and then to find the power to accomplish what God wants us to do with our lives.

In Job 16:18 where Job seems to say that he is so just and so righteous, that he is perfect and has not sinned: “These things I have suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.”

In Job 10:6 where Job questions God’s judgment. God is God and we are not. “At least now, understand that God hath not afflicted me with an equal judgment, and compassed me with his scourges.”

Lesson learned for Andy? Be careful to not make judgments of others, their person and their actions, that only God is rightly justified to make. Be persistent in seeking God and when found be honest, forthright, and humble.

In the end the goal is to seek and receive God’s Redemption & Salvation! Alleluia!

Here are the highlights and summaries (nearly 7,000 words) of earlier conversations of Job and his friends:

Background: Job was a simple, upright, God-fearing man who avoided evil. Satan had a conversation with God questioning if Job feared God in vain and question if Job’s faith and trust in God was authentic. God allowed Satan’s Evil upon Job wiping out all his possessions and killing his seven sons and three daughters. After a second conversation, Job was allowed to inflict Job with grievous ulcers from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Job’s wife tells Job to Bless God and die. He responds stating that they had received good things from God, so why shouldn’t they receive evil as well? Job’s three friends—Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar come to visit him for a week but only sit in silence realizing that Job’s grief was very great. Later they come back individually and speak to Job and Job responds to each one of them.

Eliphaz Speaks to Job: Job, I have to get this out and say that I had a dream about man being justified in comparison to God or more pure than his maker? Nothing happens on earth without a reason. Sorrow does not spring out of the ground. You must be suffering for your sins. Blessed is the man who God corrects, accepting the punishment, and repents! Afterwards you will find peace and abundance. Think about this thoroughly!

Job Responds to Eliphaz: Listen Eliphaz, this wrath and calamity that I suffer is much more than I deserve for my sins. I am in tough shape and do not know if I have the strength to overcome these physical ailments. Why do you criticize me? Why don’t you have mercy for me? I will not say anything evil of God. I am hopeless and want to die. Why did God do this to me? Why hasn’t he removed my sin and healed me of these grievous ulcers?

Baldad Speaks to Job: Listen Job, God’s punishments are just. If you will seek God, confess your sins, and turn from them then God will give you peace and prosperity for the rest of your life. Look back to your fathers and previous generations. We are here for such a short period of time; our life is like a shadow. Do not forget God; seek him so that your hope will not perish! Come out of your confusion, rejoice and be saved!

Job Responds to Baldad: Indeed Baldad, I know God is just and all powerful! Man cannot be justified compared with God. Who has resisted God and found peace? God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; He does countless great, incomprehensible, and wonderful things!

No man can resist the wrath of God. He can crush me in a whirlwind, and multiply my wounds, even without cause. If I would justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me. If I would show myself innocent, He shall prove me wicked. Although I am a simple man avoiding evil, my soul might not know and I will be weary for the rest of my life.

Baldad, I know both the good and the evil suffer. If I am to suffer I hope to die at once. Time is flying by and I know my life is coming to its end. But I am innocent. I don’t have to prove that I am innocent to you. One thing I do know is that While I a God-fearing man I cannot live my life in fear.

God, please do not condemn me! Please tell me why You judge me so evil that I have lost everything and am sick all over my body. I have done no wicked thing, but accept Your Judgement for I am your servant and You my Master.

God, you granted me life and mercy and have preserved my spirit. With all due respect, why was I ever born. I wish to die now.

Sophar Speaks to Job: Listen Job, you talk too much? Maybe you need to listen more?

God knows us, knows our vanity. Our vanity lifts us up into pride and we think we are free to do as we please but we are not. Repent!

Job Responds to Sophar: You three turkeys, my so-called friends lack wisdom! My heart has not hardened. I am praying to God for relief of my illness. Don’t mock me as God is watching!

Who is ignorant of God? Not me!

I know he is wise and strong, that He can counsel and understand me. He can change the hearts of people sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad when in their vanity they walk in the dark unable to find the light!

Job goes on to consider further his situation:

You, my three friends, are lying. Why do you think I am inferior to you> How dare you judge me? God knows everything; nothing can be concealed from Him! I trust in Him. If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

Dear God, what are my iniquities and sins? Are you condemning me for the sins of my youth?

Life is so very, very short. We come in like a flower and leave like a shadow, never to be and live again.

Death is final. Unlike a tree that when cut can grow again, springing forth leaves like it was first planted; people who die do not rise up and walk again.

When God calls me I shall come. He indeed has numbered my days. I ask Him for mercy to be spared of my sins. I will be grateful to leave the flesh and this pain behind.

Eliphaz Speaks to Job a Second Time: Job, my friend, you say things that are not good for you. When you blaspheme the Lord your own mouth condemns you.

Who are you- the first man to be born? A man with wisdom is greater than God’s counsel? What don’t we know? Who made you smarter than us?

Your wicked words hinder God from comforting you. Why does your heart elevate you and you look like you are thinking great things? Stop sinning like you are drinking water.

You must confess. Otherwise you will not be enriched by God. Neither will you have a legacy on this earth. You will die earlier than need be. Stop conceiving sorrow, being deceitful, and sinning.

Job Responds to Eliphaz a Second Time: Look, Eliphaz I have heard this before. You, Baldad, and Sophar are troublesome comforters. Why are you speaking falsely and contradicting me? I used to be so wealthy but all of a sudden it is gone; all broken into pieces. Why are you beating me up when I am so down?

I have suffered all this without sinning. I don’t deserve this. God in Heaven is my witness; He knows my conscience. I am innocent I tel you!

I am walking on a path by which I shall not return. I will be dying soon. Only the grave remains for me yet I have not sinned. All good people should be astonished that this has happened to me.

Baldad Speaks to Job a Second Time: Listen Job, how long will you keep talking. You don’t understand what is happening to you. You destroyed your soul in your fury. Shouldn’t God extinguish your life for your sins, your wickedness?

Many bad things happen to the wicked. Here are some of the thirty that I know of: famine and hunger will find and haunt you; your original legacy will be forgotten; no one will remember your name; or you will not have any descendants.

These are the tabernacles of the wicked. Repent now and be saved!

Job Responds to Baldad a Second Time: Baldad, how long will you attack me and pierce my heart with your wicked words? Why do you oppress me? If I am wrong I will pay the price, not you. Please understand that my afflictions are not of equal weight as my sins.

I understand that these are God’s punishments. I cry and no one hears me. I am stuck. I cannot get out of this darkness. I am lost without hope.

You are right. My relatives and friends like you have deserted me. They are like strangers now. Even my wife abhors me and that I am still alive. Fools despise me and speak against me in my absence.

Everyone whom I have loved has turned against me.

My flesh is being consumed, my bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing but my lips are left about my teeth.

Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because I am being afflicted by the hand of the Lord.

Why do you persecute me as though you were God?

Who will promise me that my experience will be written down and published in a hard cover book, not just one of those e-books?

For I know that my Redeemer is alive, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not Satan: this is my hope laid up in my heart.

Why then are you persecuting me?

Remember that one who lives by the sword also dies by the sword. What if our places were opposite what they are now? I would have love, compassion, and mercy for you. What have you given to me?

Sophar Speaks to Job a Second Time: Job, I know what you are saying, that you are innocent, that your afflictions far outweigh your sins.

But why would God do this?

I will hear you and the spirit of my understanding shall answer for me.

This I know from the beginning, since man was placed upon this earth, that the praise of the wicked is short, and they joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.

His children shall be oppressed with want, and his hands shall render to him his sorrow.

His bones shall be filled with the vices of his youth, and they shall sleep with him in the dust.

Everyone likes evil and we try to hide it from God but He sees it all.

He shall be punished for all that he did, and yet shall not be consumed: according to the multitude of his devices so also shall he suffer.

Sadly, this sounds a lot like you my friend. Repent now and be saved!

Job Responds to Sophar a Second Time: Sophar, please be quiet and listen to me. After you hear me you can laugh at my words but please, first, be quiet, let me speak and just listen to me.

The wicked live and prosper. Their homes are secure and peaceful. They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth. But in a moment they go down to hell.

If you say to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what doth it profit us if we pray to him?

These people go down to hell.

But not all sins are punished immediately.

God shall delay the sorrow of the father for his children. He will know their sorrow. His eyes shall see his own destruction and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

Even though he thinks it does not matter to him, it does, and too his children and future generations too.

Shall anyone teach God knowledge, who judges those in power?

One man dies strong, healthy, rich, and happy. His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

But another dies in bitterness of soul without any riches.

Yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.

Everything is confusing for us human beings. But for those of us with belief, faith, and trust in God it is not so confusing.

Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.

Why can’t you simply comfort me?

Your judgments are not based on the truth. They are not just.

Eliphaz Speaks to Job a Third Time: Job, you are being punished for your crimes; for being dishonest, harsh, and cruel. If you repent now, prosperity will follow!

The clouds are his covert, and he doth not consider our things, and he walketh about the poles of heaven… Who said to God: Depart from us: and looked upon the Almighty as if he could do nothing…

The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and the innocent shall laugh them to scorn. Is not their exaltation cut down, and hath not fire devoured the remnants of them?

Submit thyself then to him, and be at peace: and thereby thou shalt have the best fruits. Receive the law of his mouth, and lay up his words in thy heart.

If thou wilt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, and shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacle. He shall give for earth flint, and for flint torrents of gold.

And the Almighty shall be against thy enemies, and silver shall be heaped together for thee. Then shalt thou abound in delights in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face to God. Thou shalt pray to him, and he will hear thee, and thou shalt pay vows. Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall come to thee, and light shall shine in thy ways.

For he that hath been humbled shall be in glory: and he that shall bow down his eyes, he shall be saved. The innocent shall be saved, and he shall be saved by the cleanness of his hands.

Job Responds to Eliphaz a Third Time: I long to be judged by God! God knows that I am innocent! God knows that the innocent suffer and the wicked are not punished.

Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning… That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me… Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.

But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire. My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it. I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom.

For he is alone, and no man can turn away from his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done. And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him.

And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear. God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me. For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.

They have been rebellious to the light, they have not known his ways, neither have they returned by his paths.

…and they have not known the light. If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them the shadow of death: and they walk in darkness as if it were in light.

Baldad Speaks to Job a Third Time: Job, this is the third time I am telling you so I will be brief. Repent you sinner; you are not born of a virgin, you are not the son of man, you are a rotten soul. Repent you sinner!

THEN Baldad the Suhite answered, and said: Power and terror are with him, who maketh peace in his high places. Is there any numbering of his soldiers? And upon whom shall not his light arise? Can man be justified compared with God, or he that is born of a woman appear clean? Behold even the moon doth not shine, and the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man that is rottenness, and the son of man who is a worm?

Job Responds to Baldad a Third Time: Listen Baldad you do not know what you are speaking about. God’s Power is everywhere including my woeful experience since my children died and I lost everything. God is doing this for a reason for which we may never understand. But unlike you I do not live in fear not think that I think like God and can explain everything that is happening to me or anyone else. I trust and believe in God and in His Salvation of my soul! Alleluia!

His spirit hath adorned the heavens, and his obstetic hand brought forth the winding serpent. Lo, these things are said in part of his ways: and seeing we have heard scarce a little drop of his word, who shall be able to behold the thunder of his greatness?

NOTE: There was no third Sophar speech to Job?

Job’s Final Reply to His Three Friends Eliphaz, Baldad, and Sophar:

Listen friends; I am not a hypocrite and I am not wicked. God loves me and I will continue to speak His Truth until the day that I die.

Job also added, taking up his parable, and said: As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath brought my soul to bitterness, as long as breath remaineth in me, and the spirit of God in my nostrils, my lips shall not speak iniquity, neither shall my tongue contrive lying. God forbid that I should judge you to be just: till I die I will not depart from my innocence. My justification, which I have begun to hold, I will not forsake: for my heart doth not reprehend me in all my life.

I will teach you by the hand of God, what the Almighty hath, and I will not conceal it. Behold you all know it, and why do you speak vain things without cause?

An Angry Eliu Takes Over Speaking Four Times to Job

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself. And Eliu… now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God. And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.

The First Speech of Eliu: Job, forgive my boldness but listen to me! Your claim to innocence in false. God instructs men by visions and by suffering. Pay attention to me, listen to me!

But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment. Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will show you my wisdom.

Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words… My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence. The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life… Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.

God speaketh once, and repeateth not the selfsame thing the second time. By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds, then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn. That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride. Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.

If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man’s uprightness, he shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him… let him return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man justice… He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see light. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.

The Second Speech of Eliu: Job do not judge God for He alone is just, wise, and powerful!

Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me… Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best. For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment. For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin… For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.

Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me; far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty… For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment…

For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God…

But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline. My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity. Because he added blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.

The Third Speech of Eliu: Job, you foolish man, don’t you know that human conduct cannot help or hurt God. For certain, God will not hear the prayers of the proud man!

Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God? For thou saidist: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?

Therefore I will answer thy words and thy friends with thee. Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.

Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.

There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men. God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.

Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him. For he doth not bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.

Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.

The Fourth Speech of Eliu: Job, listen closely my friend, even though I have judged you without merit, without knowing your sin, I know God is just and merciful.

He also shall open their ear, to correct them: and shall speak, that they may return from iniquity. If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and their years in glory…

He shall deliver the poor out of his distress, and shall open his ear in affliction.

Job, do not continue to sin:

Thy cause hath been judged as that of the wicked, cause and judgment thou shalt recover.

Lay down thy greatness without tribulation, and all the mighty of strength…

Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow after misery.

Job, God’s Power is a mystery in men and nature:

Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers. Who can search out his ways? Or who can say to him:Thou hast wrought iniquity? Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung. All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.

Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is inestimable…

If he will spread out clouds as his tent, and lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea…

In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come back again. He showeth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession, and that he may come up to it.

The nearly 10,000 spoken words of Job in the Book of Job in their entirety:

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job 1:21-22: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.” (In all these things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing against God.)

Job 2:9-10: (And his wife said to him: Dost thou still continue in thy simplicity? Bless God and die. And he said to her:) “Thou hast spoken like one of the foolish women: if we have received good things at the hand of God, why should we not receive evil?” (In all these things Job did not sin with his lips.)

Job 3:1-10: (Job curses the Day of his Birth.) (After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day and said:) “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it is said: A man child is conceived. Let that day be turned into darkness, let not God regard it from above, and let not the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death cover it, let a mist overspread it, and let it be wrapped up in bitterness. Let a darkness whirlwind seize upon that night, letit not be counted in the days of the year, nor numbered in the months. Let that night be solitary, and not worthy of praise. Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to raise up a leviathan. Let the stars be darkened with the mist thereof: let it expect light and not see it, nor the rising of the dawning of the day, because it shut not up the doors of the womb that bore me, not took away evils from my eyes.”

Job 3:11-19: (Job wishes he had Died.) “Why did I not die in the womb, why did I not perish when I came out of the belly? Why received upon thy knees? Why suckled at the breasts? For now I should have been asleep and still, and should have rest in my sleep with kings and consuls of the earth, who build themselves solitudes: or with princes, that possess gold, and fill their houses with silver; or as a hidden untimely birth I should not be, or as they that being conceived have not seen the light. There the wicked cease from tumult, and there the wearied in strength are at rest. And they sometime bound together without disquiet, have not heard the voice of the oppressor. The small and the great are there, and the servant is free from his master.”

Job 3:20-26: (Death would be a Blessed Release) “Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to them that are in bitterness of soul? That look for death, and it cometh not, as they that dig for a treasure, and they rejoice exceedingly when they have found a grave. To a man whose way is hidden, and God hath surrounded him with darkness? Before I eat I sigh: and as overflowing waters, so is my roaring, for the fear which I feared hath come upon me: and that which I was afraid of, hath befallen me. Have I not dissembled? Have I not kept silence? Have I not been quiet? And indignation is come upon me.”

Indignation—strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger.

Job 6:1-7: (Job’s Suffering Outweighs His Sins) (But Job answered and said:) “O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in balance. As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow. For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me. Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger? Or can an unsavory thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? Or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death? The things which before my soul would not touch, now through anguish are my meats.”

Job 6:8-13: (Job Longs for Death) “Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for? And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off? And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One. For what is my strength, that I can hold out? Or what is my end that I should keep patience? My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.”

Job 6:14-20: (Job’s Friends Lack Mercy) “He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord. My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys. They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them. At eh time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place. The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish. Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while. They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered in shame.”

Job 6:21-30: (No consolation from his Friends) “Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid. Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance? Or: Deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of they hand of the mighty? Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me. Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me? You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind. You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavor to overthrow your friend. However finish what you have begun: give ear, and see whether I lie. Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye. And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.”

Job 7:1-10: (Job Declares His Miseries) “The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling. As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his work; so I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights. If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall I arise? And again I shall look for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness. My flesh is clothed with rottenness and the filth of dust, my skin is withered and drawn together. My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope. Remember that my life is but wind, and my eyes shall not return to see good things. Nor shall the sight of man behold me: they eyes are upon me, and I shall be no more. As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down to hell shall not come up. Nor shall he return any more into his house, neither shall his place know him any more.”

Job 7:11-16: (Job’s Hopelessness.) “Wherefore I will not spare my mouth, I will speak in the affliction of my spirit. I will talk with the bitterness of my soul. Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou hast enclosed me in a prison? If I say: My bed shall comfort me, and I shall be relieved speaking myself on my couch, thou will frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions. So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death. I have done with hope, I shall now live no longer: spare me, for my days are nothing.”

Job 7:17-21: (Job Questions God) “What is a man that thou shouldest magnify him? Or why dost thou set thy heart upon him? Thou visitest him early in the morning, and thou provest him suddenly. How long will thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle? I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? Why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself? Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity? Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.”

Job 9:1-12: (God is All Powerful) (And Job answered, and said:) “Indeed I know it is so, and that man cannot be justified compared with God. If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him for a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath resisted him, and hath had peace? He hath removed mountains, and they whom he overthrew in his wrath, knew it not. He shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. He commandeth the sun and it riseth not: and shutteth up the stars as it were under a seal. He alone spreadeth out the heavens, and walketh upon the waves of the sea. He maketh Archurus, and Orion, and Hyades, and the inner parts of the south. He doth things great and incomprehensible, and wonderful, of which there is no number. If he come to me, I shall not see him: if he depart I shall not understand. If he examine on a sudden, who shall answer him? Or, who can say: Why dost thous so?”

Job 9:13-21: (No One can Resist God) “God, whose wrath no man can resist, and under whom they stoop to bear up the world. What am I then, that I should answer him, and have words with him? I who although I should have any just thing, would not answer, but would make supplications to my judge. And if he should hear me when II call, I should not believe that he had heard my voice. For he shall crush me in a whirlwind, and multiply my wounds, even without cause. He alloweth not my spirit to rest, and he filleth me with bitterness. If strength be demanded. He is most strong: if equity of judgment, no man dare bear witness for me. If I would justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I would show myself innocent, he shall prove me wicked. Although I should be simple, even this my soul shall be ignorant of, and I shall be weary of my life.”

Job 9:22-24: (The Good and the Evil Suffer) “One thing there is that I have spoken, both the innocent and the wicked he consumeth. If he scourge, let him kill at once, and not laugh at the pains of the innocent. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, he covereth the face of the judges thereof: and if it be not he, who is it then?

Job 9:25-28: (Job’s Life Coming to its End) “My days have been swifter than a post: they have fled away and have not seen good. They have passed by as ships carrying fruits, as an eagle flying to the prey. If I say: I will not speak so: I change my face, and am tormented with sorrow. I feared all my works, knowing that thou dist not spare the offender.”

Job 9:29-35: (Job Pleads His Innocence) “But if so also I am wicked, why have I labored in vain? If I be washed as it were with snow waters, and my hands shall shine over so clean; yet thou shalt plunge me in filth, and my garments shall abhor me, for I shall not answer a man that is like myself: not one that may be heard with me equally in judgment. There is none that may be able to reprove both, and to put his hand on both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me. I will speak, and will not fear him: for I cannot answer while I am in fear.”

Job 10:1-7: (Job Asks the Reason for His Suffering) “My soul is weary of my life, I will let go my speech against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God: Do not condemn me: tell me why thou judgest me so. Doth it seem good to thee that thou shouldest calumniate me, and oppress me, the work of thy own hands, and help counsel of the wicked? Hast thou eyes of flesh: or, shalt thou see as man seeth? Are thy days as the days of man, and are thy years as the times of men, that thou shouldest inquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin? And shouldst know that I have done no wicked thing, whereas there is no man that can deliver out of thy hand.”

Job 10:8-12: (God’s Past Favors to Job) “Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me wholly round about, and dost thou thus cast me down headlong on a sudden? Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay, and thou will bring me into dust again. Hast thou not milked me as milk, and curdled me like cheese> Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh: thou hast put me together with bones and sinews: thou hast granted me life and mercy, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.”

Job 10:13-22: (Job Again Asks for Release) “Although thou conceal these things in thy heart, yet I know that thou rememberest all things. If I have sinned and thou hast spared me for an hour: why dost thou not suffer me to be clean from my iniquity? And if I be wicked, woe unto me: and if just, I shall not life up my head, being filled with affliction and misery. And for pride thou wilt take me as a lioness, and returning thou tormentest me wonderfully. Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and multipliest thy wrath upon me, and pains war against me. Why didst thou bring me forth out of thy womb? O that I had been consumed that eye might not see me! I should have been as if I had not been, carried from the womb to the grave, Shall not the fewness of my days be ended shortly? Suffer me, therefore that I may lament my sorrow a little before I go, and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death, a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror dwelleth.”

Job 12:1-6: (Job’s Reply to Sophar) (Then Job answered and said;) (Job’s Three Friends Lack Great Wisdom) “Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you? I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know? He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn. The lamp, despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed. The tabernacle of robbers abound, and they provoke God bodily; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands.”

Job 12:7-12: (Spphar’s Knowledge is Possessed by All) “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee. Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell. Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man, Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste> In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.”

Job 12:13-25: (Power and Wisdom of God) “With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding. If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a man, there is none that can open. If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth. With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is deceived. He bringeth counselors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility. He looseth the belt of kings. And girdeth their loins with a cord. He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles. He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged. He poureth contempt upon princes, and reliveth them that were oppressed.”

Job 13:1-5: (Job Charges His Friends with Lying) “BEHOLD my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all. According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you. But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. Having first shown that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions. And I wise you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.”

Job 13:6-12: (God Cannot be Deceived) “Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips. Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him? Do you accept his person, and do you endeavor to judge for God? Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings? He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person. As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you. Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.”

Job 13:13-22: (Job’s Trust in God) “Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me. Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands? Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight. And he shall be my savior: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence. Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths. If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just. Who is he that will plead against me? Let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace? Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid. Withdraw my hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me. Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.”

Job 13:23-28: (Job’s Miseries) “How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my crimes and offences. Why hidest thou thy face and thinkest me thy enemy? Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou showest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw, For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth. Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet, who am I to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is motheaten?”

Job 14:1-6: (The Brevity of Life) “Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state. And dost thou think it meet to open thy eyes upon such an one, and to bring him into judgment with thee? Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed? Is it not thou who only art? The days of men are short, and the number of his months is with thee: thou hast appointed his bounds which cannot be passed. Depart a little from him, that he may rest, until his wished for day come, as that of the hireling.”

Job 14:7-15: (Death is Final) “A tree hath hope: if it be cut, it groweth green again, and the boughs thereof sprout. If its root be old in the earth, and its stock be dead in the dust, at the scent of water, it shall spring, and bring forth leaves, as when it was first planted. But man when he shall be dead, and stripped, and consumed, I pray you where is he? As if the waters should depart out of the sea, and an emptied river should be dried up, so man when he is fallen asleep shall not rise again: till the heavens be broken, he shall not awake, nor rise out of his sleep. Who will grant me this, that thou mayst protect me in hell, and hide me till thy wrath pass, and appoint me a time when thou wilt remember me? Shall man that is dead, thinkest thou, live again? All the days in which I am now in warfare, I expect until my change come. Thou shalt call me, and I will answer thee: to the work of thy hands thou shalt reach out thy right hand.”

Job 14:16-22: (Job asks Mercy for his Sins) “Thou indeed hast numbered my steps, but spare my sins. Thou hast sealed up my offences as it were in a bag, but hast cured my iniquity. A mountain falling cometh to nought, and a rock is removed out of its place. Waters wear away the stones, and with inundation the ground by little and little is washed away: so in like manner thou shalt destroy man. Thou hast strengthened him for a little while, that he may pass away for ever: thou shalt change his face, and shalt send him away. Whether his children come to honor or dishonor, he shall not understand. But yet his flesh, while he shall live, shall have pain, and his soul shall mourn over him.”

Job 16:1-6: (Job’s second reply to Eliphaz) THEN Job answered, and said: (Eliphaz is Repeating Old Charges) “I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters. Shall windy words have no end? Or is it any trouble to thee to speak? I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were were for my soul. I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you. I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you.”

Job 16:7-18: (Job Describes His Sad Condition) “But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me. But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing. My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me. He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes. They have opened their mouths against me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek; they are filled with my pains. God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked. I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark. He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth. He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant. I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes. My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim. These things I have suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.”

Job 16:19-23: (Job Places Trust in God) “O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let me cry find a hiding place in thee. For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high. My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God. And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion! For behold short years pass away, and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return.”

Job 17:1-9: (Job Appeals from Men to God) “My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened, and only the grave remaineth for me. I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness. Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man’s hand fight against me. Thou hast set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be exalted. He promised a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail. He has made me as ift were a byword of the people, and I am an example before them. My eye is dim through indignation, and my limbs are brought as it were to nothing. The just shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall be raised up against the hypocrite. And the just man shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

Job 17:10-16: (Job Expects Rest in Death) “Wherefore be you all converted, and come, and I shall not find among you any wise man. My days have passed away, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart. They have turned night into day, and after darkness I hope for light again. If I wait hell is my house, and I have made my bed in darkness. I have said to rottenness: Thou art my father: to worms, My mother and my sister. Where is now then my expectation, and who considereth my patience? All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit: thinkest thou that there at least I shall have rest?

Job 19:1-6: (THEN Job answered, and said:) (The Cruelty of Job’s Friends) “How long do you afflict my soul, and break me in pieces with words? Behold, these ten times you confound me, and are not ashamed to oppress me. For if I had been ignorant, my ignorance shall be with me. But you set yourselves up against me, and reprove me with my reproaches. At least now, understand that God hath not afflicted me with an equal judgment, and compassed me with his scourges.”

Job 19:7-12: (God’s Punishments) “Behold I shall cry suffering violence, and no one will hear: I shall cry aloud, and there is none to judge. He hath hedged in my path round about, and I cannot pass, and in my way he hath set darkness. He hath stripped me of my glory, and hath taken the crown from my head. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am lost, and he hath taken away my hope, as from a tree that is plucked up. His wrath is kindled against me, and he hath counted me as his enemy. His troops have come together, and have made themselves a way by me, and have besieged my tabernacle round about.”

Job 19:13-22: (Job Forsaken by Brethren and Kinsman) “He hath put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintances like strangers have departed from me. My kinsmen have forsaken me, and they that knew me, have forgotten me. They that dwell in my house, and my maidservants have counted me as a stranger, and I have been like an alien in their eyes. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer. I entreated him with my own mouth. My wife hath abhorred my breath, and I entreated the children of my womb. Even fools despised me, and when I was gone from them, they spoke against me. They that were sometime my counselors have abhorred me: and he whom I loved most is turned against me. The flesh being consumed, my bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing but lips are left about my teeth. Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me. Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh?”

Job 19:23-29: (Job’s Hope in a Redeemer) “Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book with an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone? For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; this my hope is laid up in my bosom. Why them do you say now: Let us persecute him, and let us find occasion of word against him? Flee then from the face of the sword, for the sword is the revenger of iniquities: and know ye that there is a judgment.”

Job 21:1-6: (Job Asks for a Hearing) (THEN Job answered and said:) “Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance. Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words. Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled? Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth. As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh.”

Job 21:7-15: (The Wicked Often Prosper) “Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches? Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children’s children in their sight. Their homes are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them. Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit. Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play. They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell, who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what doth it profit us if we pray to him?”

Job 21:16-26: (All Sins are not Punished Immediately) “Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me. How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath? They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth. God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know. His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half? Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high? One man dieth strong, and hale, rich, and happy. His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow. But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches, and yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.”

Job 21:27-34: (Evildoers Often Honored Even After Death) “Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me. For you say: Where is the house of the prince? And where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things. Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath. Who shall reprove his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done? He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in a heap of the dead. He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are innumerable before him. How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?

Job 23:1-9: (THEN Job answered, and said:) (Job Longs to be Judged by God) “Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more grievous than my mourning. Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come to his throne? I would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints. That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. I would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me with the weight of his greatness. Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory. But if I go to the east, he appeareth not; if to the west, I shall not understand him. If to the left hand, what shall I do? I shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see him.”

Job 23:10-17: (God Knows Job’s Innocence) “But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire. My foot hath followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not declined from it. I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his mouth I have hid in my bosom. For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul hath desired, that hath he done. And when he has fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are also at hand with him. And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made pensive with fear. God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me. For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither hath the mist covered my face.”

Job 24:1-12: (God Knows that the Innocent Suffer) “Times are not hid from the Almighty: but they that know him, know not his days. Some have removed landmarks, have taken away flocks by force, and fed them. They have driven away the ass of the fatherless, and have taken away the widow’s ox for a pledge. They have overturned the way of the poor, and have oppressed together the meek of the earth. Others like wild asses in the desert go forth to their work: by watching for a prey they get bread for their children. They reap the field that is not their own, and gather the vintage of his vineyard whom by violence they have oppressed. They send men away naked, taking away their clothes who have no covering in the cold, who are wet with the showers of the mountains, and having no covering embrace the stones. They have violently robbed the fatherless, and stripped the poor common people. From the naked and them that go without clothing, and from the hungry they have taken away the ears of corn. They have taken their rest at noon among the stores of them, who after having trodden the winepresses suffer thirst. Out of the cities they have made men to groan, and the soul of the wounded hath cried out, and God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged.”

Job 24:13-25: (The Wicked are not Punished) “They have been rebellious to the light, they have not known his ways, neither have they returned to his paths. The murderer riseth at the very break of day, he killeth the needy, and the poor man: but in the night he will be a thief. The eye of the adulterer observeth darkness, saying: No eye shall see me: and he will cover his face. He diggeth through houses in the dark, as in the day they had appointed themselves, and they had not known the light. If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them the shadow of death: and they walk in darkness as if it were the light. He is light upon the face of the water” cursed be his portion on the earth, let him not walk by the way of the vineyards. Let him pass from the snow waters to excessive heat, and his sin even to hell. Let mercy forget him: may worms be his sweetness: let him be remembered no more, but be broken in pieces as an unfruitful tree. For he hath fed the barren that beareth not, and to the widow he hath done no good. He hath pulled down the strong by his might: and when he standeth up, he shall not trust to his life. God hath given him place for penance, and he abused, and he abused it unto pride: but his eyes are upon his ways. They are lifted up for a while and shall not stand, and shall be brought down as all things, and shall be taken away, and as the tops of the ears of corn they shall be broken. And if it be not so, who can convince me that I have lied, and set my words before God?

Job 26:1-4: (THEN Job answered, and said:) (Job Scoffs at Baldad) “Whose helper are thou? Is it of him that is weak? And dost thou hold up the arm of him that has no strength? To whom hast thou given counsel? Perhaps to him that hath no wisdom, and thou hast shown thy very great prudence. Whom hast thou desired to teach? Was it not him that made life?

Job 26:5-14: (The Power of God is Everywhere Manifest) “Behold the giants groan under the waters, and they dwell with them. Hell is naked before him, and there is no covering for destruction. He stretched out the north over the empty space, and hangeth the earth on nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his clouds, so that they break not out and fall down together. He withholdeth the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud over it. He hath set bounds about the waters, till light and darkness come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble, and dread at his beck. By his power the seas are suddenly gathered together, and his wisdom has struck the proud one. His spirit hath adorned the heavens, and his obstetric hand brought forth the winding serpent. Lo, these things are said in part of his ways: and seeing we have heard scarce a little drop of his word, who shall be able to behold the thunder of his greatness.”

Job 27:1-6: (Job’s Final Reply to his Three Friends) (Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:) “As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath brought my soul to bitterness, as long as breath remaineth in me, and the spirit of God in my nostrils, my lips shall not speak iniquity, neither shall my tongue contrive lying. God forbid that I should judge you to be just: till I die I will not depart from my innocence. My justification, which I have begun to hold, I will not forsake: for my heart doth not reprehend me in all my life.”

Job 27:7-10: (The Hypocrite is Without Hope) “Let my enemy be as the ungodly, and my adversary as the wicked one. For what is the hope of the hypocrite if through covetousness he take by violence, and God deliver not his soul? Will God hear his cry, when distress shall come upon him? Or can he delight himself in the Almighty, and call upon God at all times?

Job 27:11-23: (The Fate if the Wicked) “I will teach you by the hand of God, what the Almighty hath, and I will not conceal it. Behold you all know it, and why do you speak vain things without cause? This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the inheritance of the violent, which they will receive from the Almighty. If his sons be multiplied, they shall be for the sword, and his grandsons shall not be filled with bread. They that shall remain of him, shall be buried in death, and his widows shall not weep. If he shall heap together silver as earth, and prepare raiment as clay, he shall prepare indeed, but the just man shall be clothed with it: and the innocent shall divide the silver. He hath built his house as a moth, and as a keeper he hath made a booth. The rich man when he shall sleep shall take away nothing with him: he shall open his eyes and find nothing. Poverty like water shall take hold on him, a tempest shall oppress him in the night, a burning wind shall take him up, and carry him away, and as a whirlwind shall snatch him from his place. And he shall cast upon him, and shall not spare: out of his hand he would willingly flee. He shall clasp his hands upon him, and shall hiss at him, beholding his place.”

Job 28:1-11: (Man’s Knowledge and Industry) “SILVER hath beginnings of its veins, and gold hath a place wherein it is melted. Iron is taken out of the earth, and stone melted with heat is turned into brass. He hath set a time for darkness, and the end of all things he considereth, the stone also that is in the dark and the shadow of death. The flood divideth from the people that are on their journey, those whom the food of the needy man hath forgotten, and who cannot be come at. The land, out of which bread grew in its place, hath been overturned with fire. The stones of it are the place of sapphires, and the clods of it are gold. The bird hath not known the path, neither hath the eye of the vulture beheld it. The children of the merchants have not trodden it, neither hath the lioness passed by it. He hath stretch forth his hand to the flint, he hath overturned mountains from the roots. In the rocks he hath cut out rivers, and his eye hath seen every precious thing. The depths also of rivers he hath searched, and hidden things he hath brought forth to light.”

Job 28:12-28: (True Wisdom Comes Only from God) “But where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of them that live in delights. The depth saith: It is not in me: and the sea saith: It is not with me. The finest gold shall not purchase it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it. It shall not be compared to the dyed colors of India, or with the most precious stone sardonyx, or the sapphire. Gold or crystal cannot equal it., neither shall any vessels of gold be changed for it. High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom is drawn out of secret places. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equal to it, neither shall it be compared to the cleanest dyeing. Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? It is hid from the eyes of all living, and the fowls of the air know it not. Destruction and death have said: With our ears we have heard the fame thereof. God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he beholdeth the ends of the world: and looketh on all things that are under heaven. Who made a weight for the winds, and weighed the waters by measure. When he gave a law for the rain, and a way for the sounding storms. Then he saw it, and declared, and prepared, and searched it. And he said to man: behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding.”

Job 29:1-20: (Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:) (His Former Happiness) “Who will grant me that I might be to the months past, according to the days in which God kept me, when his lamp shined over my head, and I walked by his light in darkness? As I was in the days of my youth, when God was secretly in my tabernacle? When the Almighty was with me: and my servants round about me? When I washed my feet with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil? When I went out to the gate of the city, and in the street they prepared me a chair? The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the old men rose up and stood. The princes ceased to speak, and laid the finger on their mouth. The rulers held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to their throat. The ear that heard me blessed me, and the eye that saw me gave witness to me, because I had delivered the poor man that cried out: and the fatherless, that had no helper. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow. I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and diadem. I was an eye to the blind, and a foot to the lame. I was the father of the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out most diligently. I broke the jaws of the wicked man, and out of his teeth I took away the prey. And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm tree shall multiply my days. My root is opened beside the waters, and dew shall continue in my harvest. My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.”

Job 29:21-25: (Respect Formerly Enjoyed by Job) “They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel. To my words they durst add nothing, and my speech dropped upon them. They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower. If at any time I laughed on them, they believed not, and the light of my countenance fell not on earth. If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that mourned.”

Job 30:1-15: (Job Now Scorned) “But now the younger in time scorn me, whose fathers I would not have set with the dogs of my flock. The strength of whose hands was to me as nothing, and they were thought unworthy of life itself. Barren with want and hunger, they gnawed in the wilderness, disfigured with calamity and misery. And they ate grass, and barks of trees, and the root of junipers was their food. Who snatched up these things out of the valleys, and when they had found any of them, they ran to them with a cry. They dwelt in the desert places of torrents, and in caves of earth, or upon the gravel. They pleased themselves among these kind of things, and counted it delightful to be under the briers. The children of the foolish and base men, and not appearing at all upon the earth. Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword. They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face. For he hath opened his quiver, and hath afflicted me, and hath put a bridle into my mouth. At the right hand of my rising, my calamities forthwith arose: they have overthrown my feet, and have overwhelmed me with their paths as with waves. They have destroyed my ways, they have lain in wait against me, and they have prevailed, and there was none to help. They have rushed in upon me, as when a wall is broken, and a gate opened, and have rolled themselves down to my miseries. I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.”

Job 30:16-23: (Job Now Suffers Great Affliction) “And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me. In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do not sleep. With the multitude of them my garment is consumed, and they have girded me about, as with the collar of my coat. I am compared to dirt, and am likened to embers and ashes. I cry to thee, and thou hearest me not: I stand up, and thou does not regard me. Thou art changed to be cruel toward me, and in the hardness of thy hand thou art against me. Thou hast lifted me up, and set me as it were upon the wind, and thou hast mightily dashed me. I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that liveth.”

Job 30:24-31: (Job’s Cry for Help) “But yet thou stretchest not forth thy hand to their consumption: and if they shall fall down thou wilt save. I wept heretofore for him that was afflicted, and my soul had compassion for the poor. I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for the light, and darkness broke out. My inner parts have boiled without any rest, the days of affliction have prevented me. I went mourning without indignation; I rose up, and cried in the crowd. I was the brother of dragons, and companion of ostriches. My skin is become black upon me, and my bones are dried up with heat. My harp is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.”

Job 31:1-12: (Job again Protests His Innocence) “I MADE a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin. For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on High? Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity? Doth not he consider my ways and number all my steps? If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit, let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity. If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot had cleaved to my hands, then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out. If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend’s door, let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her. For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity. It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.”

Job 31:13-23: (Job Recalls His Justice to All) “If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me, for what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? And when he shall examine, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did mot one and the same form me in the womb? If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait, if I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof (for from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother’s womb), If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering, if his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warned with the fleece of my sheep, If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate, let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm with its bones be broken. For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear.”

Job 31:24-34: (Job’s Dislike of Avarice and Meanness) “If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to find gold: My confidence, if I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much. If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness, and my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth, which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God. If I have been glad at the downfall of him who hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him. For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul. If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled? The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveler. If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom. If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsman hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out the door.”

Job 31:35-40: (Job Asks God to be his Judge) “Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself that judgeth would write a book, that I may carry it on my shoulder. And put it about me as a crown? At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince. If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn, if I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof, let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.”

Job 39:31-35: (Job Confesses His Ignorance) “And the Lord went on, and said to Job: Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? Surely he that reproveth God. Out to answer him.”

Then Job answered the Lord, and said: “What can I answer, who hath spoken inconsiderately? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more.”

Job 42:1-6: (Job Submits to God) (THEN Job answered the Lord, and said:) “I know that thou canst do all things, and no thought is hid from thee. Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge. Hear, and I will speak: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee. Therefor I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:10-15: (Job Becomes Prosperous and Happy) The Lord also was turned at the penance of Job, when he prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. And all his brethren came to him, and all his sisters, and all that knew him before, and they ate bread with him in his house: and bemoaned him, and comforted him upon all the evil that God had brought upon him. And every man gave him one ewe, and one earring of gold. And the Lord blesses the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. And he had seven sons, and three daughters. And he called the name of one Dies, and the name of the second Cassia, and the name of the third Cornustibii. And there were not found in all the earth women so beautiful as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

Job 42: 16: (Death of Job) And Job lived after these things, a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children’s children, unto the fourth generation, and he died an old man, and full of days.

Bible Notes:

Day 189: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective;

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Job, Chapters 36-42 (END): God Speaks to Job; Job Submits to God; God Blesses Job Abundantly!

This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.

Job Chapter 36: The Fourth Speech of Eliu; Justice and Mercy of God; Eliu Warns Job not to Continue to Sin; Mystery of God’s Power; God’s Power in Nature.

The Fourth Speech of Eliu:

Eliu also proceded, and said:

Justice and Mercy of God:

God does not cast away the mighty, whereas he himself is mighty. But he saved not the wicked, and he giveth judgment to the poor…

He also shall open their ear, to correct them: and shall speak, that they may return from iniquity. If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and their years in glory…

He shall deliver the poor out of his distress, and shall open his ear in affliction.

Eliu Warns Job not to Continue to Sin:

Thy cause hath been judged as that of the wicked, cause and judgment thou shalt recover.

Lay down thy greatness without tribulation, and all the mighty of strength…

Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow after misery.

Mystery of God’s Power:

Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers. Who can search out his ways? Or who can say to him: Thou hast wrought iniquity? Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung. All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.

God’s Power in Nature.

Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is inestimable…

If he will spread out clouds as his tent, and lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea…

In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come back again. He showeth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession, and that he may come up to it.

Job Chapter 37: Thunder, Sign of God’s Power; Job Overwhelmed by God’s Power in Nature.

Thunder, Sign of God’s Power:

At this my heart trembleth… After it a noise shall roar, he shall thunder with the voice of his majesty, and shall not be found out, hen his voice shall be heard. God shall thunder wonderfully with his voice,,,

He sealeth up the hand of all men, that every one may know his works…

When God bloweth there cometh frost, and again the waters are poured out abundantly…

… the will of him that governeth them shall lead them, to whatsoever he shall command them upon the face of the whole earth… in what place soever of his mercy he shall command them to be found.

Job Overwhelmed by God’s Power in Nature:

Hearken to these things, Job: Stand and consider the wondrous works of God…

Cold cometh out of the north, and to God praise with fear. We cannot find him worthily: he is great in strength, and in judgment, and in justice, and he is ineffable. Therefore men shall fear him, and all that seem to themselves to be wise, shall not dare to behold him.

Job Chapter 38: God Intervenes; His First Speech; God Proves His Power and His Wisdom; The Mysteries of Nature; Mysteries in the Heavens; Divine Providence in Feeding Animals.

God Intervenes; His First Speech:

Then the Lord answered Job out of a whirlwind, and said:

God Proves His Power and His Wisdom:

Who is this that wrapped up sentences in unskillful words? Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if thou hast understanding…

Or who laid the corner stone thereof, when the morning stars praised me together, and all the sons of God made a joyful melody?

Hitherto thou shall come, and shalt go no further, and here thou shalt break thy swelling waves.

The Mysteries of Nature:

Didst thou since thy birth command the morning, and show the dawning of the day its place?

From the wicked their light shall be taken away, and the high arm shall be broken…

Have the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome doors?

Hast thou considered the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if thou knowest all things?

Didst thou know then that thou shouldest be born? And did thou know the number of thy days?

Who is the father of rain? Or who begot the drops of dew?

Mysteries in the Heavens:

Canst thou bring forth the day star in its time, and make the evening star to rise upon the children of the earth?

Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason thereof on the earth?

Who hath put wisdom in the heart of man? Or who gave the cock understanding?

Who can declare the order of the heavens, or who can make the harmony of heaven to sleep?

Divine Providence in Feeding Animals:

Who provideth food for the raven, when her young ones cry to God, wandering about, because they have no meat?

Job Chapter 39: Instincts of Goats and Hinds; The Wild Ass; The Rhinoceros; The Ostrich; The Horse; The Hawk and the Eagle; Job Confesses His Ignorance.

Instincts of Goats and Hinds:

Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?

Hind—situated in the rear or at the back; posterior: the hind legs of an animal.

The Wild Ass:

Who hath sent out the wild ass free, and who hath loosed his bonds?

The Rhinoceros:

Shall the rhinoceros be willing to serve thee, or will he stay at thy crib?

The Ostrich:

The wing of the ostrich is like the wings of the heron, and of the hawk…

She hath labored in vain, no fear constraining her. For God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he given her understanding.

The Horse:

Wilt thou give strength to the horse, or clothe his neck with neighing? Wilt thou life him up like the locusts? The glory of his nostrils is terror. He breaketh up the earth with his hoof, he pranceth boldly, he goeth forward to meet armed men…

The Hawk and the Eagle:

Doth the hawk wax feathered by thy wisdom, spreading her wings to the south? Will the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest in high places? She abideth among the rocks, and dwelleth among cragged flints, and stony hills, where there is no access… and wheresoever the carcass shall be, she is immediately there.

Job Confesses His Ignorance:

And the Lord went on, and said to Job: Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? Surely he that reproveth God, ought to answer him.

Then Job answered the Lord and said: What can I answer, who hath spoken inconsiderately? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more.

Job Chapter 40: The Second Speech of God; Job Ironically Invited to Rule the World; The Behemoth Described; The Leviathan Described.

The Second Speech of God:

And the Lord answering Job out of the whirlwind, said:

Job Ironically Invited to Rule the World:

Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. Wilt thou make void my judgment: and condemn me, that thou mayst be justified?

And hast thou an arm like God, and canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Clothe thyself with beauty, and set thyself up on high, and be glorious, and put on goodly garments.

Scatter the proud in thy indignation, and behold every arrogant man, and humble him? Look on all that are proud, and confound them, and crush the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dist together, and plunge their faces into the pit.

Then I will confess that thy right hand is able to save thee.

The Behemoth Described:

Behold behemoth whom I made with thee, he eateth grass like an ox… He is the beginning of the ways of God, who made him, he will apply his sword… In his eyes as with a hook he shall take him, and bore through his nostrils with stakes…

Behemoth—an animal, perhaps the hippopotamus, mentioned in Job 40:15–24—any creature or thing of monstrous size or power:

The Leviathan Described:

Canst thou draw out the leviathan with a hook, or canst thou tie his tongue with a cord?

Leviathan—Bible: a sea monster—any huge marine animal, as the whale—anything of immense size and power, as a huge, oceangoing ship.

Will he make many supplications to thee, or speak soft words to thee? Will he make a covenant with thee, and wilt thou take him to be a servant for ever?

Supplications—an act or instance of supplicating; humble prayer, entreaty, or petition

Lay thy hand upon him: remember the battle, and speak no more. Behold his hope shall fail him, and in the sight of all he shall be cast down.

Job Chapter 41: Further Description of the Leviathan; No Earthly Power Can Conquer the Leviathan.

Further Description of the Leviathan:

I will not stir him up, like one that is cruel: for who can resist my countenance? Who hath given me before that I should repay him? All things that are under heaven are mine…

His breath kindleth coals, and a flame cometh forth out of his mouth…

His heart shall be as hard as a stone, and as firm as a smith’s anvil.

No Earthly Power Can Conquer the Leviathan:

When he shall raise him up, the angels shall fear, and being affrighted shall purify themselves…

The beams of the sun shall be under him, and he shall strew gold under him like mire. He shall make the deep sea to boil like a pot, and shall make it as when ointments boil. A path shall shine after him, he shall esteem the deep as growing old. There is no power upon earth that can be compared with him who was made to fear no one. He beholdeth every high thing, he is king over all the children of pride.

Job Chapter 42: Job Submits to God; God Describes the Innocence of Job; Job Becomes Prosperous and Happy; Death of Job.

Job Submits to God:

Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that thou canst do all things and no thought is hid from thee. Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge.

Hear, and I will speak: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee.

Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.

Reprehend—to reprove or find fault with; rebuke; censure; blame.

God Describes the Innocence of Job:

And after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Themanite: My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends (Baldad and Sophar), because you have not spoken the thing that is right before me, as my servant Job hath.

Take unto you therefore seven oxen, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you; for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath.

So Eliphazx the Themanite, and Baldad the Suhite, and Sophar the Naamathite went, and did as the Lord had spoken to them, and the Lord accepted the face of Job.

Job Becomes Prosperous and Happy:

The Lord also was turned at the penance of Job, when he prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

And all his brethren came to him, and all his sisters, and all that knew him before, and they ate bread with him in his house: and bemoaned him, and comforted him upon all the evil that God had brought upon him. And every man gave him one ewe, and one earring of gold.

And the Lord blesses the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

And he had seven sons, and three daughters. And he called the name of one Dies, and the name of the second Cassia, and the name of the third Cornustibii. And there were not found in all the earth women so beautiful as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

Death of Job

And Job lived after these things, a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children’s children, unto the fourth generation, and he died an old man, and full of days.