This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Job 33:25-28
25 His flesh [basar] shall be fresher [ruwtaphash] than a child's [no`ar]: he shall return [shuwb] to the days [yowm] of his youth [`aluwm]:
26 He shall pray [`athar] unto God ['elowahh], and he will be favourable [ratsah] unto him: and he shall see [ra'ah] his face [paniym] with joy [taruw`ah]: for he will render [shuwb] unto man ['enowsh] his righteousness [tsadaqah].
27 He looketh [shuwr] upon men ['enowsh], and if any say ['amar], I have sinned [chata'], and perverted [`avah] that which was right [yashar], and it profited [shavah] me not;
28 He will deliver [padah] his soul [nephesh] from going [`abar] into the pit [shachath], and his life [chay] shall see [ra'ah] the light ['owr]. KJV-Interlinear
25 Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; 26 Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man. 27 'He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me. 28 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.' NASB
Given that there is a unique person in this universe, that is, the one in a thousand previously mentioned, who is both the messenger from God, an advocate before God in our behalf, a redeemer and the one who has paid the ransom for mans imprisonment in order to gain mans release, and, is also equal with God, then these next verses describe the results of mans acceptance of this fact and principle of life.
Then let his flesh become newer than that of a baby. How is that so? He must be reborn, or born all over again into a new creature. And that is the meaning of this expression. To be born all over again, to return to ones childhood, to start life fresh and anew, then this is the description of salvation for all who suffer (unbelievers) in this life, who hear the message of the messenger, or the gospel of Christ as we know it, and believe in it.
Then, the person who has been born again, shall pray 'continually,' which means shall have a new relationship with God, and will function within his spiritual life. The life which he did not have before (as an unbeliever lacking a spiritual life), but now possesses because he has been born anew and now possesses a life which gives him access to God.
In the spiritual life, man has access to God, man can see His face (in principle) through the scriptures and truths which God has spread throughout history.
It is he, the believer who has been born again, who God accepts and restores (provides something which man did not have before) His righteousness, Gods righteousness, to man.
And man will sing his song of freedom, function in his spiritual life, confessing his sins and failures in life as he admits to God his flaws (sins). Things which the man has pursued in life. Things which are not right for humanity, such as untruths, false beliefs, false principles, deceitfulness, lusts, greeds, indifference, apathy, and so forth.
And for this, God 'continually' redeems man out from the bondage of sin, or from his 'out of fellowship' status, back into fellowship, back into Gods righteousness, back from the destructive life of a failed relationship. And into a life of light, or one of spiritual growth, of prosperity, of wealth, of a continuation of ones relationship with God and all of the positives that accompany it both now in time and in the next life in eternity.
In these last few verses, Elihu has described salvation by means of belief in the one and only unique messenger from God, the spiritual life, failure in ones spiritual life, restoration to ones fellowship status through confession, and the many benefits of advancing in ones spiritual life.
The primary benefit of salvation is deliverance from eternal destruction.
The primary benefit of ones spiritual life is deliverance from loss of benefit or the destruction of blessings. Blessings which are reserved for spiritually advancing believers only.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Job 33:23-24
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Job 33:23-24
23 If there [yesh] be a messenger [mal'ak] with him, an interpreter [luwts], one ['echad] among a thousand ['eleph], to shew [nagad] unto man ['adam] his uprightness [yosher]:
24 Then he is gracious [chanan] unto him, and saith ['amar], Deliver [pada`] him from going down [yarad] to the pit [shachath]: I have found [matsa'] a ransom [kopher]. KJV-Interlinear
23 'If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him, 24 Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; NASB
If there is someone suffering a great hardship?
And if there is someone who might be able to mediate between that one suffering, and God? Someone, a messenger, who might turn out to be the one blessing in a thousand (today we would say one in a gazillion, because such a person is a rare find, therefore extremely, extremely valuable).
That someone who is able to show, to that suffering person, the reasons behind their sufferings, the way out of their sufferings, and therefore save the suffering person from a destiny of ultimate doom and disaster.
Then, if that suffering person responds in a positive fashion to Gods message, then God Himself will respond in kind with relief for that suffering person. And Why? Because God already has a ransom for that person.
Someone who has already stepped forward to pay the price of suffering in behalf of the suffering person.
And here Elihu adds to what Job has already referred to as his mediator, his redeemer, his advocate to God the Father. His advocate, redeemer, mediator who himself too is God and man. Now Elihu describes this intermediary as the one who is the messenger (an equal with God and man), relaying the message from God to man, and who has provided a ransom, paying the price demanded for suffering.
Therefore, since life in this world is one of suffering, regardless of your circumstances, since we all face a destiny of doom and gloom if we do not discover a way out of it. Then by discovering or recognizing Gods Savior, Gods messenger, sent into this world for the very purpose of purchasing our worthless lives out of the bondage of sin and death, then we will be the recipients of delivery from our condition of suffering.
The question is posed as if it were true, and the rhetorical aspect of it is that it is true, then anyone who finds themselves in a difficult predicament, need only respond to Gods message and thereby all of their difficulties will be removed.
This is a long-term solution. This does not mean that your problems will instantly go away, but what it does mean is that you now have the opportunity to see and understand why suffering exists in this world.
This is the devils world. Jesus Christ had to go to the Cross and suffer in order for you to be relieved from your suffering. Your suffering is, in a fashion, symbolic of your identification with Christ in His suffering.
To feel the pains and pressures, and anxieties, even the hopelessness's of life, then you should be able to better appreciate that which has been done for you by Christ, that one in a gazillion, who through all of the angels, through all of the children of Adam, through all things that have and do and will exist, no other messenger can be found.
Elihu understood this. Job understood this. The question now is, 'Do you really comprehend it?' And then, 'What will you do about it?'
When will your spiritual life (your one in a gazillion possessions) become more important to you than all of the other things you embrace in this world?
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Job 33:23-24
23 If there [yesh] be a messenger [mal'ak] with him, an interpreter [luwts], one ['echad] among a thousand ['eleph], to shew [nagad] unto man ['adam] his uprightness [yosher]:
24 Then he is gracious [chanan] unto him, and saith ['amar], Deliver [pada`] him from going down [yarad] to the pit [shachath]: I have found [matsa'] a ransom [kopher]. KJV-Interlinear
23 'If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him, 24 Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; NASB
If there is someone suffering a great hardship?
And if there is someone who might be able to mediate between that one suffering, and God? Someone, a messenger, who might turn out to be the one blessing in a thousand (today we would say one in a gazillion, because such a person is a rare find, therefore extremely, extremely valuable).
That someone who is able to show, to that suffering person, the reasons behind their sufferings, the way out of their sufferings, and therefore save the suffering person from a destiny of ultimate doom and disaster.
Then, if that suffering person responds in a positive fashion to Gods message, then God Himself will respond in kind with relief for that suffering person. And Why? Because God already has a ransom for that person.
Someone who has already stepped forward to pay the price of suffering in behalf of the suffering person.
And here Elihu adds to what Job has already referred to as his mediator, his redeemer, his advocate to God the Father. His advocate, redeemer, mediator who himself too is God and man. Now Elihu describes this intermediary as the one who is the messenger (an equal with God and man), relaying the message from God to man, and who has provided a ransom, paying the price demanded for suffering.
Therefore, since life in this world is one of suffering, regardless of your circumstances, since we all face a destiny of doom and gloom if we do not discover a way out of it. Then by discovering or recognizing Gods Savior, Gods messenger, sent into this world for the very purpose of purchasing our worthless lives out of the bondage of sin and death, then we will be the recipients of delivery from our condition of suffering.
The question is posed as if it were true, and the rhetorical aspect of it is that it is true, then anyone who finds themselves in a difficult predicament, need only respond to Gods message and thereby all of their difficulties will be removed.
This is a long-term solution. This does not mean that your problems will instantly go away, but what it does mean is that you now have the opportunity to see and understand why suffering exists in this world.
This is the devils world. Jesus Christ had to go to the Cross and suffer in order for you to be relieved from your suffering. Your suffering is, in a fashion, symbolic of your identification with Christ in His suffering.
To feel the pains and pressures, and anxieties, even the hopelessness's of life, then you should be able to better appreciate that which has been done for you by Christ, that one in a gazillion, who through all of the angels, through all of the children of Adam, through all things that have and do and will exist, no other messenger can be found.
Elihu understood this. Job understood this. The question now is, 'Do you really comprehend it?' And then, 'What will you do about it?'
When will your spiritual life (your one in a gazillion possessions) become more important to you than all of the other things you embrace in this world?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Job 33:19-22
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Job 33:19-22
19 He is chastened [yakach] also with pain [mak'ob] upon his bed [mishkab], and the multitude [rob] [riyb] of his bones [`etsem] with strong ['eythan] pain:
20 So that his life [chay] abhorreth [zaham] bread [lechem], and his soul [nephesh] dainty [ta'avah] meat [ma'akal].
21 His flesh [basar] is consumed away [kalah], that it cannot be seen [ro'iy]; and his bones [`etsem] that were not seen [ra'ah] stick out [shaphah] [shaphiy].
22 Yea, his soul [nephesh] draweth near [qarab] unto the grave [shachath], and his life [chay] to the destroyers [muwth]. KJV-Interlinear
19 'Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones; 20 So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food. 21 'His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out. 22 'Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death. NASB
Providence, fate, chance, external circumstances, luck, outside influences, all of these and more from our daily lives, will have an impact on our lives. All of which point to Gods message to us which we can either consider or ignore.
Here Elihu's example is that of a man who is deathly sick. Illness can fall upon each one of us. None of us are exempt from the many illnesses that this world has to offer. Sometimes it may be a simple cold. Other times we may succumb to something far more deadly.
And in our illness, our education, our intellect, our far advanced logic concerning life, do us no good. Our treatments may vary from throughout the ages. Instead of rubbing leaves and ointments on ourselves as in ancient times, we may take medicines, get shots, undergo surgical treatments and such. But there are still many illnesses for which we have no cure. Even a simply cold can turn into pneumonia and then sudden death if untreated.
But the treatments which have changed over the centuries are not the issue, it is our exposure to illness which has never been defeated, even in these times of advanced medical science.
The common cold, the flu, cancers of various types, genetic disorders and so forth, all pose a very real threat to each one of us.
And often times it takes a real tough illness, one that lays us on our back, sicker than a dog, as it goes, in order to get us to realize that we are not invincible, that we are not the one in ultimate control over our life.
Even death can come knocking, pushing us right up to its edge, before some folks get the message.
Life is not confined to this world alone, but extends on into the next life. And, it is that next life which will last far longer than this one. And, it is that next life for which we should prepare ourselves while we are living in this one.
Ageing and illness, these two characteristics of life are two things over which we have no control.
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Job 33:19-22
19 He is chastened [yakach] also with pain [mak'ob] upon his bed [mishkab], and the multitude [rob] [riyb] of his bones [`etsem] with strong ['eythan] pain:
20 So that his life [chay] abhorreth [zaham] bread [lechem], and his soul [nephesh] dainty [ta'avah] meat [ma'akal].
21 His flesh [basar] is consumed away [kalah], that it cannot be seen [ro'iy]; and his bones [`etsem] that were not seen [ra'ah] stick out [shaphah] [shaphiy].
22 Yea, his soul [nephesh] draweth near [qarab] unto the grave [shachath], and his life [chay] to the destroyers [muwth]. KJV-Interlinear
19 'Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones; 20 So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food. 21 'His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out. 22 'Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death. NASB
Providence, fate, chance, external circumstances, luck, outside influences, all of these and more from our daily lives, will have an impact on our lives. All of which point to Gods message to us which we can either consider or ignore.
Here Elihu's example is that of a man who is deathly sick. Illness can fall upon each one of us. None of us are exempt from the many illnesses that this world has to offer. Sometimes it may be a simple cold. Other times we may succumb to something far more deadly.
And in our illness, our education, our intellect, our far advanced logic concerning life, do us no good. Our treatments may vary from throughout the ages. Instead of rubbing leaves and ointments on ourselves as in ancient times, we may take medicines, get shots, undergo surgical treatments and such. But there are still many illnesses for which we have no cure. Even a simply cold can turn into pneumonia and then sudden death if untreated.
But the treatments which have changed over the centuries are not the issue, it is our exposure to illness which has never been defeated, even in these times of advanced medical science.
The common cold, the flu, cancers of various types, genetic disorders and so forth, all pose a very real threat to each one of us.
And often times it takes a real tough illness, one that lays us on our back, sicker than a dog, as it goes, in order to get us to realize that we are not invincible, that we are not the one in ultimate control over our life.
Even death can come knocking, pushing us right up to its edge, before some folks get the message.
Life is not confined to this world alone, but extends on into the next life. And, it is that next life which will last far longer than this one. And, it is that next life for which we should prepare ourselves while we are living in this one.
Ageing and illness, these two characteristics of life are two things over which we have no control.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Job 33:18
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Job 33:18
18 He keepeth back [chasak] his soul [nephesh] from the pit [shachath], and his life [chay] from perishing [`abar] by the sword [shelach]. KJV-Interlinear
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. NASB
There are four key words in this verse - soul, pit, life, and sword. Each has a specific reference to your existence or the quality of your existence in this world.
What you think is what you really are. Your thinking processes exists within your soul. The real you is your human life which resides within your soul. Neither are a part of your biological self.
Life, is a reference to your physical being. It is your body, flesh and bones and such, which acts as a vessel or platform where your soul can reside during you time on this earth.
Pit, is a reference to the potential destruction which threatens your soul. And the sword is a reference to the potential destruction which threatens your physical self - your flesh and bones, etc.
And so God speaks to you once, and twice. The first time he speaks is a reference to all of the many times the scriptures, or truth in whatever form, are communicated to you during your life. You have ample opportunities to listen and learn, or not.
God speaks to you a second time. That is a reference to the may times throughout your life whereby your day-to-day experiences serve as teaching platforms, intended to get you on the right track back in your spiritual life.
You can look up at the sky at night and see its vastness and consider your smallness. You can see the order of this world through authority, family life, right and wrong, etc., and see the foundations for truth in those concepts. You can witness violence in many forms on the news, in the weather, in accidents, in birth defects, in employment, and so forth, and see the many limitations that mankind has in his life.
In fact, there isn't anywhere in life that you can look and not see the influence of God or his principles in life.
The truth is everywhere in some form or another. The only place which will prevent your seeing it is within your own mental attitude.
And in the last verse, that is why God attempts to keep your arrogance to a minimum. It is your arrogance, which can prove to be extremely subtle, which will prevent your seeing truth, and consequently send your life in its entirety, both body and soul, into the pit of self-destruction or failure, both now and in eternity.
No one has any excuse in life. You do not have any excuse in life for not advancing in your spiritual life.
The only thing that can prevent you from advancing is your own self. There is no power, set of circumstances, environment, nothing in this world, which can prevent God from getting you to spiritual maturity, if you genuinely desire it.
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Job 33:18
18 He keepeth back [chasak] his soul [nephesh] from the pit [shachath], and his life [chay] from perishing [`abar] by the sword [shelach]. KJV-Interlinear
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. NASB
There are four key words in this verse - soul, pit, life, and sword. Each has a specific reference to your existence or the quality of your existence in this world.
What you think is what you really are. Your thinking processes exists within your soul. The real you is your human life which resides within your soul. Neither are a part of your biological self.
Life, is a reference to your physical being. It is your body, flesh and bones and such, which acts as a vessel or platform where your soul can reside during you time on this earth.
Pit, is a reference to the potential destruction which threatens your soul. And the sword is a reference to the potential destruction which threatens your physical self - your flesh and bones, etc.
And so God speaks to you once, and twice. The first time he speaks is a reference to all of the many times the scriptures, or truth in whatever form, are communicated to you during your life. You have ample opportunities to listen and learn, or not.
God speaks to you a second time. That is a reference to the may times throughout your life whereby your day-to-day experiences serve as teaching platforms, intended to get you on the right track back in your spiritual life.
You can look up at the sky at night and see its vastness and consider your smallness. You can see the order of this world through authority, family life, right and wrong, etc., and see the foundations for truth in those concepts. You can witness violence in many forms on the news, in the weather, in accidents, in birth defects, in employment, and so forth, and see the many limitations that mankind has in his life.
In fact, there isn't anywhere in life that you can look and not see the influence of God or his principles in life.
The truth is everywhere in some form or another. The only place which will prevent your seeing it is within your own mental attitude.
And in the last verse, that is why God attempts to keep your arrogance to a minimum. It is your arrogance, which can prove to be extremely subtle, which will prevent your seeing truth, and consequently send your life in its entirety, both body and soul, into the pit of self-destruction or failure, both now and in eternity.
No one has any excuse in life. You do not have any excuse in life for not advancing in your spiritual life.
The only thing that can prevent you from advancing is your own self. There is no power, set of circumstances, environment, nothing in this world, which can prevent God from getting you to spiritual maturity, if you genuinely desire it.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Job 33:14-17
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Job 33:14-17
14 For God ['el] speaketh [dabar] once ['echad], yea twice [shanayim], yet man perceiveth [shuwr] it not.
15 In a dream [chalowm], in a vision [chizzayown] of the night [layil], when deep [tardemah] sleep falleth [naphal] upon men ['enowsh], in slumberings [tanuwmah] upon the bed [mishkab];
16 Then he openeth [galah] the ears ['ozen] of men ['enowsh], and sealeth [chatham] their instruction [mocar],
17 That he may withdraw [cuwr] man ['adam] from his purpose [ma`aseh], and hide [kacah] pride [gevah] from man [geber]. KJV-Interlinear
14 'Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. 15 'In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride; NASB
God speaks to each one of us, not once but twice, so that we can know for certain what our choices are and what the repercussions of our decisions will be.
But God does not come to us in dreams and visions in our present day as He did from time to time in ancient times. God speaks to us through the scriptures, through our day-to-day experiences, through providences, through the various afflictions we might encounter.
God makes us rich and He makes us poor, He makes us sick and He makes us well. God exposes us to our own conscience, to the thoughts and activities of other people, to bureaucracies, to disasters and ordeals in this world.
God speaks to us once through His teaching instruction through the scriptures.
He speaks to us twice through the many worldly activities we will face during our life.
In the first course, God gives us doctrine. Doctrine can come to us through various means. It can come to us from our parents, from other people, from teachers, coaches, employers, from television, from written media and so forth. Truth saturates our environment and influences all social standards and morals of society.
Even if you had never heard of the Bible, you would still be thoroughly exposed to Gods teaching through His doctrinal influences on society. All principles of honor, of authority, of parenthood, of honesty, of due process and so forth, originate from the scriptures.
The dreams and visions back in Jobs day, are references to deep sleep states, whereby a person is sleeping beyond the surface or semi-conscious dream state.
When we daydream, or when we lie in bed thinking or dreaming of our fantasies or activities and such, we are not processing wisdom. But when we slip deeper into the unconscious, such that our conscious activities are not in control of our dreams, then this is a reference to our pondering, our considering, to our deeper thought process where we are actually considering the meanings and intents of Gods Word.
The nighttime is a good time for reflection and deep thought.
Back ins Jobs day, this deep sleep communication process seems to have been more common, though not universal. One cannot think his way to maturity, however. But the content of thought does require scriptural content before spiritual growth can occur.
But Elihu is not suggesting that you can grow up by means of sleep. He is beginning a discourse on the how's and why's of mans inability to learn doctrine.
And those how's and why's are summarized easily. Man simply does not listen. 'No one notices.'
And why is this? Because people do not take Gods Word or their spiritual life seriously.
So God repeats His doctrine. He repeats it by means of the many influences truth has on society. He repeats it by means of our everyday activities.
Some learn quickly and some refuse to learn, even in disaster.
By far the best environment to learning, pondering, wondering, is in the quiet of your own thoughts while you lay in bed at night. The lights are out and there are no distractions that might break your concentration.
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Job 33:14-17
14 For God ['el] speaketh [dabar] once ['echad], yea twice [shanayim], yet man perceiveth [shuwr] it not.
15 In a dream [chalowm], in a vision [chizzayown] of the night [layil], when deep [tardemah] sleep falleth [naphal] upon men ['enowsh], in slumberings [tanuwmah] upon the bed [mishkab];
16 Then he openeth [galah] the ears ['ozen] of men ['enowsh], and sealeth [chatham] their instruction [mocar],
17 That he may withdraw [cuwr] man ['adam] from his purpose [ma`aseh], and hide [kacah] pride [gevah] from man [geber]. KJV-Interlinear
14 'Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. 15 'In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride; NASB
God speaks to each one of us, not once but twice, so that we can know for certain what our choices are and what the repercussions of our decisions will be.
But God does not come to us in dreams and visions in our present day as He did from time to time in ancient times. God speaks to us through the scriptures, through our day-to-day experiences, through providences, through the various afflictions we might encounter.
God makes us rich and He makes us poor, He makes us sick and He makes us well. God exposes us to our own conscience, to the thoughts and activities of other people, to bureaucracies, to disasters and ordeals in this world.
God speaks to us once through His teaching instruction through the scriptures.
He speaks to us twice through the many worldly activities we will face during our life.
In the first course, God gives us doctrine. Doctrine can come to us through various means. It can come to us from our parents, from other people, from teachers, coaches, employers, from television, from written media and so forth. Truth saturates our environment and influences all social standards and morals of society.
Even if you had never heard of the Bible, you would still be thoroughly exposed to Gods teaching through His doctrinal influences on society. All principles of honor, of authority, of parenthood, of honesty, of due process and so forth, originate from the scriptures.
The dreams and visions back in Jobs day, are references to deep sleep states, whereby a person is sleeping beyond the surface or semi-conscious dream state.
When we daydream, or when we lie in bed thinking or dreaming of our fantasies or activities and such, we are not processing wisdom. But when we slip deeper into the unconscious, such that our conscious activities are not in control of our dreams, then this is a reference to our pondering, our considering, to our deeper thought process where we are actually considering the meanings and intents of Gods Word.
The nighttime is a good time for reflection and deep thought.
Back ins Jobs day, this deep sleep communication process seems to have been more common, though not universal. One cannot think his way to maturity, however. But the content of thought does require scriptural content before spiritual growth can occur.
But Elihu is not suggesting that you can grow up by means of sleep. He is beginning a discourse on the how's and why's of mans inability to learn doctrine.
And those how's and why's are summarized easily. Man simply does not listen. 'No one notices.'
And why is this? Because people do not take Gods Word or their spiritual life seriously.
So God repeats His doctrine. He repeats it by means of the many influences truth has on society. He repeats it by means of our everyday activities.
Some learn quickly and some refuse to learn, even in disaster.
By far the best environment to learning, pondering, wondering, is in the quiet of your own thoughts while you lay in bed at night. The lights are out and there are no distractions that might break your concentration.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Job 33:12-13
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:12-13
12 Behold, in this thou art not just [tsadaq]: I will answer [`anah] thee, that God ['elowahh] is greater [rabah] than man ['enowsh].
13 Why dost thou strive [riyb] against him? for he giveth not account [`anah] of any of his matters [dabar]. KJV-Interlinear
12 'Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man. 13 'Why do you complain against Him, That He does not give an account of all His doings? NASB
Elihu has taken a few of Jobs words out of context, ignoring many of Jobs other words, and has drawn a conclusion based on his own hearing. That conclusion being that Job has questioned Gods motives and methods.
And that could not be further from the truth.
Anyone who has been born from 'Adam,' is a sinner and therefore beneath Gods level. Being imperfect, we all fail from time to time. Some of us more often than others.
But the pattern of our life is not and should not be determined from a few isolated words and attitudes we might display during our life. Everyone fails, but everyone does not wallow in their failure. Some get back up and move on in their life.
And though these words of Elihu, with regard to God, are true, his application to Job is in error.
God is infinitely greater than man. God has a perfect character, a perfect essence. What He does in our individual lives should never be questioned, and of course, no one should presume that God does things against us just because He has nothing better to do.
Nothing in our life occurs by accident. Likewise, none of us should simply set back and do nothing for ourselves, thinking that God will do everything for us. That is irresponsible, obviously. God always provides us with resources and a way out of our predicament.
You can get an education, get a job, start a business, you can do almost anything in order to find solutions for your problems. What God does, is work within the mechanisms of this world to aid your efforts.
Need a doctor? God has provided lots of doctors for our generation. Need a loan? God has provided lots of lenders for our generation. Need a job? God has provided lots of employment opportunities out there in the world. Need an education? There are schools everywhere.
No one can complain that God has not provided help. Help is everywhere. You just have to become responsible.
But that is the physical world we live in. You still have to monitor your spiritual life too. Confess and remain in fellowship. Study and learn doctrine. Use the doctrine and grow up spiritually. In this, God provides you with that extra assistance, that the common person does not receive in life.
There is common grace, which applies to every living human being. There is Christian grace, which applies to believers only. And there is greater grace, which applies to those who are active within their spiritual lives. The third category is the best of the three.
On a world basis, none of us can know what events will occur next month or in six months or next year. We face yet another national election next fall and we can all shudder at the prospects if an incompetent President is elected.
And as for ourselves, none of us can know what God has planned for us in the future. Our tomorrows may not be much different from our today's. None of us has a clear crystal ball to see the future in detail.
But we can know that is we continue advancing in our spiritual lives, then no matter what happens in this world, Jesus Christ controls history and that is all we need be concerned with. That is where faith combined with responsibility enters into our individual lives.
Complaints are out. Those are for the immature only. Patience, persistence and consistency in ones spiritual life is what is important. God will take care of everything else.
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Job 33:12-13
12 Behold, in this thou art not just [tsadaq]: I will answer [`anah] thee, that God ['elowahh] is greater [rabah] than man ['enowsh].
13 Why dost thou strive [riyb] against him? for he giveth not account [`anah] of any of his matters [dabar]. KJV-Interlinear
12 'Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man. 13 'Why do you complain against Him, That He does not give an account of all His doings? NASB
Elihu has taken a few of Jobs words out of context, ignoring many of Jobs other words, and has drawn a conclusion based on his own hearing. That conclusion being that Job has questioned Gods motives and methods.
And that could not be further from the truth.
Anyone who has been born from 'Adam,' is a sinner and therefore beneath Gods level. Being imperfect, we all fail from time to time. Some of us more often than others.
But the pattern of our life is not and should not be determined from a few isolated words and attitudes we might display during our life. Everyone fails, but everyone does not wallow in their failure. Some get back up and move on in their life.
And though these words of Elihu, with regard to God, are true, his application to Job is in error.
God is infinitely greater than man. God has a perfect character, a perfect essence. What He does in our individual lives should never be questioned, and of course, no one should presume that God does things against us just because He has nothing better to do.
Nothing in our life occurs by accident. Likewise, none of us should simply set back and do nothing for ourselves, thinking that God will do everything for us. That is irresponsible, obviously. God always provides us with resources and a way out of our predicament.
You can get an education, get a job, start a business, you can do almost anything in order to find solutions for your problems. What God does, is work within the mechanisms of this world to aid your efforts.
Need a doctor? God has provided lots of doctors for our generation. Need a loan? God has provided lots of lenders for our generation. Need a job? God has provided lots of employment opportunities out there in the world. Need an education? There are schools everywhere.
No one can complain that God has not provided help. Help is everywhere. You just have to become responsible.
But that is the physical world we live in. You still have to monitor your spiritual life too. Confess and remain in fellowship. Study and learn doctrine. Use the doctrine and grow up spiritually. In this, God provides you with that extra assistance, that the common person does not receive in life.
There is common grace, which applies to every living human being. There is Christian grace, which applies to believers only. And there is greater grace, which applies to those who are active within their spiritual lives. The third category is the best of the three.
On a world basis, none of us can know what events will occur next month or in six months or next year. We face yet another national election next fall and we can all shudder at the prospects if an incompetent President is elected.
And as for ourselves, none of us can know what God has planned for us in the future. Our tomorrows may not be much different from our today's. None of us has a clear crystal ball to see the future in detail.
But we can know that is we continue advancing in our spiritual lives, then no matter what happens in this world, Jesus Christ controls history and that is all we need be concerned with. That is where faith combined with responsibility enters into our individual lives.
Complaints are out. Those are for the immature only. Patience, persistence and consistency in ones spiritual life is what is important. God will take care of everything else.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Job 33:8-12
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:8-12
8 Surely thou hast spoken ['amar] in mine hearing ['ozen], and I have heard [shama`] the voice [qowl] of thy words [millah], saying,
9 I am clean [zak] without transgression [pesha`], I am innocent [chaph]; neither is there iniquity [`avon] in me.
10 Behold, he findeth [matsa'] occasions [tanuw'ah] against me, he counteth [chashab] me for his enemy ['oyeb],
11 He putteth [suwm] my feet [regel] in the stocks [cad], he marketh [shamar] all my paths ['orach].
12 Behold, in this thou art not just [tsadaq]: I will answer [`anah] thee, that God ['elowahh] is greater [rabah] than man ['enowsh]. KJV-Interlinear
8 'Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words: 9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me. 10 'Behold, He invents pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy. 11 'He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.' 12 'Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man. NASB
In his attempted objectivity, Elihu is going to quote Jobs own words in order to prove Jobs error. And he says as much.
From his own hearing, Elihu has been present during the whole conversation. He has heard Job with his own ears. He did not hear anything second hand. He did not read about it in the news, nor see it on television. He did not receive these comments via hearsay or through any gossip sources.
The other three friends tried to use long standing experience, age, world wisdom to prove their points and to prove Jobs guilt. But, in his youth, Elihu will try being objective and use Jobs very own words to show Jobs error.
Unfortunately, this will be the flaw of Elihu's objectivity, because he will not quote Job exactly, he will take Jobs words out of context, he will ignore most of the bulk of Jobs discourse, and he will draw wrong inferences from Jobs words while ignoring almost everything else that Job had said.
These verses recite general and simple quotes, or near quotes from Jobs words. While the words in the English are almost exact, the words in the original are not.
Job did not say that he was 'clean,' or 'without transgression,' or 'innocent.' With respect to 'cleanness,' he had observed, 'Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?,' implying that all men were unclean, Job 14:4.
As for 'transgressions,' he said, 'I have sinned... Why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?,' Job 7:20,21. 'Thou makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth,' Job 13:26.
Also, he asked the number of his sins, Job 13:23, and said that God kept his transgressions and iniquities sewn up and sealed in a bag, Job 14:17.
Concerning 'innocence,' the only observation that he had made was, 'I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent,' Job 9:28.
Job sorted out and distinguished his human characteristics from his spiritual characteristics with regard to his uprightness, his integrity, his righteousness, Job 12:4, 16:17, 23:7, 27:5-6, 31:5-40.
The quotes from verse ten and eleven are not exact quotes from Job 7:17-19, 10:3-6, 13:27, 16:9, and 19:11, and they also leave out all references to the context of those discourses of Jobs.
In short, Elihu began with eloquent words of respect and objectivity, and then settled down into a system of selectively harvesting comments of Jobs, isolating them from their context and then drawing conclusions as to Jobs present status.
Elihu overstated his case with micro-management of Jobs words and became just as unfair in his accusations of Job, as did the other three friends.
His combined youth and selectivity of Jobs words is a strong indication of his lack of spiritual maturity, and certainly his lack of objectivity.
In his attempt to act as a mediator, he failed merely because he did not listen to all that Job had said, nor did he fully understand the meaning of all that Job had said.
Anyone can go to church weekly, even daily, and sit there and listen and listen and listen, but if they lack fellowship status, if they lack concentration, if they are selective in what they agree to or in what they want to hear, then they will carry with them an inherent flaw in their spiritual life.
All too often we cover issues such as the illegal aliens, abortion, war, authority, politics and so forth, and generally I will get flooded with emails condemning me for such comments whatever they may be. By the way I also get numerous emails of thanks and appreciation too. So all is not bad.
But this just proves that people want to listen to only those things that they agree with. Unfortunately the Bible was not written to please you, but to condemn you and specifically, to condemn your thinking.
Whether you agree with it or not, is irrelevant. The Bible is here to train you in truth, and if given enough time, then the principles in the Bible (which are communicated by the Holy Spirit, by the way) will make themselves clear, and help you in your objectivity and thinking.
If I state something in error, then that will be apparent too, but that too is irrelevant. The Bible is here to train you in your thinking, and a part of that thinking is to listen, evaluate, test, and repeat it all again and again, for your entire life. Sooner or later, the truth will become apparent to you and that is the relevant objective of spiritual growth.
We all have opinions. The three friends had their opinions, Elihu had his opinions, Job had his opinions, and when we reach the conclusion of this book, then we will see that in the end, that all opinions become subordinate to those of God.
Jesus Christ controls history. We do not. We will make decisions everyday of our life. We will vote for candidates every so often. We will make good decisions and bad ones, but our will, when all is said and done, is irrelevant. What is important is that we continue to listen and learn and to keep an open mind regarding our own thoughts.
People will have an endless stream of opinions about us and what they think of us. That too is an area of testing for spiritual growth.
Note that, in all of these comments, Job is silent, polite and maintains his poise.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:8-12
8 Surely thou hast spoken ['amar] in mine hearing ['ozen], and I have heard [shama`] the voice [qowl] of thy words [millah], saying,
9 I am clean [zak] without transgression [pesha`], I am innocent [chaph]; neither is there iniquity [`avon] in me.
10 Behold, he findeth [matsa'] occasions [tanuw'ah] against me, he counteth [chashab] me for his enemy ['oyeb],
11 He putteth [suwm] my feet [regel] in the stocks [cad], he marketh [shamar] all my paths ['orach].
12 Behold, in this thou art not just [tsadaq]: I will answer [`anah] thee, that God ['elowahh] is greater [rabah] than man ['enowsh]. KJV-Interlinear
8 'Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words: 9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me. 10 'Behold, He invents pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy. 11 'He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.' 12 'Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man. NASB
In his attempted objectivity, Elihu is going to quote Jobs own words in order to prove Jobs error. And he says as much.
From his own hearing, Elihu has been present during the whole conversation. He has heard Job with his own ears. He did not hear anything second hand. He did not read about it in the news, nor see it on television. He did not receive these comments via hearsay or through any gossip sources.
The other three friends tried to use long standing experience, age, world wisdom to prove their points and to prove Jobs guilt. But, in his youth, Elihu will try being objective and use Jobs very own words to show Jobs error.
Unfortunately, this will be the flaw of Elihu's objectivity, because he will not quote Job exactly, he will take Jobs words out of context, he will ignore most of the bulk of Jobs discourse, and he will draw wrong inferences from Jobs words while ignoring almost everything else that Job had said.
These verses recite general and simple quotes, or near quotes from Jobs words. While the words in the English are almost exact, the words in the original are not.
Job did not say that he was 'clean,' or 'without transgression,' or 'innocent.' With respect to 'cleanness,' he had observed, 'Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?,' implying that all men were unclean, Job 14:4.
As for 'transgressions,' he said, 'I have sinned... Why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?,' Job 7:20,21. 'Thou makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth,' Job 13:26.
Also, he asked the number of his sins, Job 13:23, and said that God kept his transgressions and iniquities sewn up and sealed in a bag, Job 14:17.
Concerning 'innocence,' the only observation that he had made was, 'I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent,' Job 9:28.
Job sorted out and distinguished his human characteristics from his spiritual characteristics with regard to his uprightness, his integrity, his righteousness, Job 12:4, 16:17, 23:7, 27:5-6, 31:5-40.
The quotes from verse ten and eleven are not exact quotes from Job 7:17-19, 10:3-6, 13:27, 16:9, and 19:11, and they also leave out all references to the context of those discourses of Jobs.
In short, Elihu began with eloquent words of respect and objectivity, and then settled down into a system of selectively harvesting comments of Jobs, isolating them from their context and then drawing conclusions as to Jobs present status.
Elihu overstated his case with micro-management of Jobs words and became just as unfair in his accusations of Job, as did the other three friends.
His combined youth and selectivity of Jobs words is a strong indication of his lack of spiritual maturity, and certainly his lack of objectivity.
In his attempt to act as a mediator, he failed merely because he did not listen to all that Job had said, nor did he fully understand the meaning of all that Job had said.
Anyone can go to church weekly, even daily, and sit there and listen and listen and listen, but if they lack fellowship status, if they lack concentration, if they are selective in what they agree to or in what they want to hear, then they will carry with them an inherent flaw in their spiritual life.
All too often we cover issues such as the illegal aliens, abortion, war, authority, politics and so forth, and generally I will get flooded with emails condemning me for such comments whatever they may be. By the way I also get numerous emails of thanks and appreciation too. So all is not bad.
But this just proves that people want to listen to only those things that they agree with. Unfortunately the Bible was not written to please you, but to condemn you and specifically, to condemn your thinking.
Whether you agree with it or not, is irrelevant. The Bible is here to train you in truth, and if given enough time, then the principles in the Bible (which are communicated by the Holy Spirit, by the way) will make themselves clear, and help you in your objectivity and thinking.
If I state something in error, then that will be apparent too, but that too is irrelevant. The Bible is here to train you in your thinking, and a part of that thinking is to listen, evaluate, test, and repeat it all again and again, for your entire life. Sooner or later, the truth will become apparent to you and that is the relevant objective of spiritual growth.
We all have opinions. The three friends had their opinions, Elihu had his opinions, Job had his opinions, and when we reach the conclusion of this book, then we will see that in the end, that all opinions become subordinate to those of God.
Jesus Christ controls history. We do not. We will make decisions everyday of our life. We will vote for candidates every so often. We will make good decisions and bad ones, but our will, when all is said and done, is irrelevant. What is important is that we continue to listen and learn and to keep an open mind regarding our own thoughts.
People will have an endless stream of opinions about us and what they think of us. That too is an area of testing for spiritual growth.
Note that, in all of these comments, Job is silent, polite and maintains his poise.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Job 33:6-7
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:6-7
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish [peh] in God's ['el] stead: I also am formed [qarats] out of the clay [chomer].
7 Behold, my terror ['eymah] shall not make thee afraid [ba`ath], neither shall my hand ['ekeph] be heavy [kabad] upon thee. KJV-Interlinear
6 'Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay. 7 'Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you. NASB
Earlier, Job had expressed his fear that if he had to appear before God, Gods overpowering presence would be so intimidating that he would lose all concentration. He would simply be overwhelmed by Gods essence. Life itself would overwhelm him.
But here Elihu, in his youth, modesty and humility, states that he will speak the words of God, though he is not God, but will not be so intimidating as God, because he is man, mere man, a mere pinch of clay as Job is.
Elihu takes the position of mediator stating that he will speak the truth, though he is mere man. The truth makes him equal with God in words, and the clay makes him equal with man in essence.
Where the age and experience and wisdom of man have failed in the three friends, now Elihu hopes to take up the slack with his youth and humility and truth of his own understanding.
Interesting enough, and though this representation is not actually stated in the context of the book, Elihu has placed himself in the position of the savior by implication. Being simultaneously both equal with God and man, as well as placing himself in front of man (Job in this case) such that man can have his say without fear, without being intimidated, feeling as though he is on the same level as those who are hearing him.
Being formed out of clay, Elihu makes it very clear that man should never fear man. This clay is actually a pinch out of the same batch. All of humanity came from the same origin. We did not evolve from separate historical batches or origins. We did not evolve out of unrelated origins.
All of humanity came from the same source. We are all clay vessels and we are all bound by the same constraints inherent with our physical limitations. One human being is not better nor worse than another, as far as their human characteristics are concerned. There are no super humans, no superior humans and so forth.
We are all conceived in the same manner, born in the same manner, assembled in accordance with the same template for life, grow up in the same manner, and of course we will all leave this world in death.
Only man invents or imagines himself as better than others.
Likewise, man should not fear God, as God gives everyone a fair and honest hearing.
Fear comes from the lack of confidence. Confidence comes from practice, preparation, experience, even education. When you lack these, then fear arises out of the uncertainties of the unknown or anticipated results of something.
Don't study, don't practice, don't prepare for something and the results you anticipate or hope for, tend to make you uneasy, fearful, filled with anxiety and so forth.
However, repeated studies, repeated training, repeated practice brings results that are consistent with your preparation and that produces confidence. You know it, you have done it, and therefore you become confident because you have already experienced it.
This principle applies to life and this principle also applies to your relationship with God.
Elihu tells Job, that he should not fear this confrontation, because he is an equal and truth cannot intimidate he who is on solid ground.
And so too, life should be viewed in the same way. Job is under tremendous suffering, but truth is on his side. His suffering is merely an experience, an adventure through which he is presently traveling. Man is on the one side and fear of man should be non-existent. On the other side is God and confidence in God is a result of spiritual preparation.
The Savior, Jesus Christ is equal with both God and man. Jesus Christ controls history.
Therefore, under these conditions, aligning ones self with Christ through a consistent daily Bible study, then there is nothing in existence that one should be afraid of, because training produces preparation, produces confidence.
With advancement to spiritual maturity then, the experiences of life eventually present themselves as proof of this truth.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:6-7
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish [peh] in God's ['el] stead: I also am formed [qarats] out of the clay [chomer].
7 Behold, my terror ['eymah] shall not make thee afraid [ba`ath], neither shall my hand ['ekeph] be heavy [kabad] upon thee. KJV-Interlinear
6 'Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay. 7 'Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you. NASB
Earlier, Job had expressed his fear that if he had to appear before God, Gods overpowering presence would be so intimidating that he would lose all concentration. He would simply be overwhelmed by Gods essence. Life itself would overwhelm him.
But here Elihu, in his youth, modesty and humility, states that he will speak the words of God, though he is not God, but will not be so intimidating as God, because he is man, mere man, a mere pinch of clay as Job is.
Elihu takes the position of mediator stating that he will speak the truth, though he is mere man. The truth makes him equal with God in words, and the clay makes him equal with man in essence.
Where the age and experience and wisdom of man have failed in the three friends, now Elihu hopes to take up the slack with his youth and humility and truth of his own understanding.
Interesting enough, and though this representation is not actually stated in the context of the book, Elihu has placed himself in the position of the savior by implication. Being simultaneously both equal with God and man, as well as placing himself in front of man (Job in this case) such that man can have his say without fear, without being intimidated, feeling as though he is on the same level as those who are hearing him.
Being formed out of clay, Elihu makes it very clear that man should never fear man. This clay is actually a pinch out of the same batch. All of humanity came from the same origin. We did not evolve from separate historical batches or origins. We did not evolve out of unrelated origins.
All of humanity came from the same source. We are all clay vessels and we are all bound by the same constraints inherent with our physical limitations. One human being is not better nor worse than another, as far as their human characteristics are concerned. There are no super humans, no superior humans and so forth.
We are all conceived in the same manner, born in the same manner, assembled in accordance with the same template for life, grow up in the same manner, and of course we will all leave this world in death.
Only man invents or imagines himself as better than others.
Likewise, man should not fear God, as God gives everyone a fair and honest hearing.
Fear comes from the lack of confidence. Confidence comes from practice, preparation, experience, even education. When you lack these, then fear arises out of the uncertainties of the unknown or anticipated results of something.
Don't study, don't practice, don't prepare for something and the results you anticipate or hope for, tend to make you uneasy, fearful, filled with anxiety and so forth.
However, repeated studies, repeated training, repeated practice brings results that are consistent with your preparation and that produces confidence. You know it, you have done it, and therefore you become confident because you have already experienced it.
This principle applies to life and this principle also applies to your relationship with God.
Elihu tells Job, that he should not fear this confrontation, because he is an equal and truth cannot intimidate he who is on solid ground.
And so too, life should be viewed in the same way. Job is under tremendous suffering, but truth is on his side. His suffering is merely an experience, an adventure through which he is presently traveling. Man is on the one side and fear of man should be non-existent. On the other side is God and confidence in God is a result of spiritual preparation.
The Savior, Jesus Christ is equal with both God and man. Jesus Christ controls history.
Therefore, under these conditions, aligning ones self with Christ through a consistent daily Bible study, then there is nothing in existence that one should be afraid of, because training produces preparation, produces confidence.
With advancement to spiritual maturity then, the experiences of life eventually present themselves as proof of this truth.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Job 33:4-5
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:4-5
4 The Spirit [ruwach] of God ['el] hath made [`asah] me, and the breath [nashamah] of the Almighty [Shadday] hath given me life [chayah].
5 If thou canst [yakol] answer [shuwb] me, set thy words in order [`arak] before [paniym] me, stand up [yatsab]. KJV-Interlinear
4 'The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 'Refute me if you can; Array yourselves before me, take your stand. NASB
Elihu states here that he is a man just like Job is. He was made in the womb and he received the breath of life when born, just as Job was.
The word for made, 'asah,' means to be made in accordance with a pattern. And in this case, the template for Elihu was being formed in the womb as a human male child. This is the same template for all males of the human race and has been for a very log time now.
Females have a template as well, which by the way is … female. Just so there is no confusion.
There are two separate phases to human construction. The first is the human biological construction and the second is the human life creation.
The first, the biological, begins with conception and takes about nine months to complete. Evidence of this life is the fetus growing in the womb.
The second is the imputation of human life into a human soul, which occurs instantaneously at the moment of birth. This second phase is often called receiving the breath of life or the spark of life, also referred to as 'nashamah,' in Genesis. In this, God exhales life and man inhales life. Evidence of this life is found in the first breath of the baby's life and in its cries. Stillborn babies never breathe and never cry. They never spring to life. When they exit the womb, their biological functions cease.
There is also a third construction of the human essence, which is called the rebirth, or being born again. This third creation occurs instantaneously also, and occurs at the moment when a person believes in Christ. In this, God creates a third vessel, the human spirit, and imputes eternal life into it. This third birth can occur at any time during ones life, but must occur prior to ones death. Evidence of this is found in faith. There is no physical evidence that man can measure or detect regarding the spiritual aspect of ones life.
Likewise, Elihu now challenges Job to allow him to speak and then answer him in a cordial and orderly manner. Elihu will not stoop to the low tactics of the other men, but will speak with respect and reason, from his own point of view. Elihu dos not wish to create controversy or an adversarial dispute.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:4-5
4 The Spirit [ruwach] of God ['el] hath made [`asah] me, and the breath [nashamah] of the Almighty [Shadday] hath given me life [chayah].
5 If thou canst [yakol] answer [shuwb] me, set thy words in order [`arak] before [paniym] me, stand up [yatsab]. KJV-Interlinear
4 'The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 'Refute me if you can; Array yourselves before me, take your stand. NASB
Elihu states here that he is a man just like Job is. He was made in the womb and he received the breath of life when born, just as Job was.
The word for made, 'asah,' means to be made in accordance with a pattern. And in this case, the template for Elihu was being formed in the womb as a human male child. This is the same template for all males of the human race and has been for a very log time now.
Females have a template as well, which by the way is … female. Just so there is no confusion.
There are two separate phases to human construction. The first is the human biological construction and the second is the human life creation.
The first, the biological, begins with conception and takes about nine months to complete. Evidence of this life is the fetus growing in the womb.
The second is the imputation of human life into a human soul, which occurs instantaneously at the moment of birth. This second phase is often called receiving the breath of life or the spark of life, also referred to as 'nashamah,' in Genesis. In this, God exhales life and man inhales life. Evidence of this life is found in the first breath of the baby's life and in its cries. Stillborn babies never breathe and never cry. They never spring to life. When they exit the womb, their biological functions cease.
There is also a third construction of the human essence, which is called the rebirth, or being born again. This third creation occurs instantaneously also, and occurs at the moment when a person believes in Christ. In this, God creates a third vessel, the human spirit, and imputes eternal life into it. This third birth can occur at any time during ones life, but must occur prior to ones death. Evidence of this is found in faith. There is no physical evidence that man can measure or detect regarding the spiritual aspect of ones life.
Likewise, Elihu now challenges Job to allow him to speak and then answer him in a cordial and orderly manner. Elihu will not stoop to the low tactics of the other men, but will speak with respect and reason, from his own point of view. Elihu dos not wish to create controversy or an adversarial dispute.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Job 33:1-3
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 33:1-3
1 Wherefore ['uwlam], Job ['Iyowb], I pray thee, hear [shama`] my speeches [millah], and hearken ['azan] to all my words [dabar].
2 Behold, now I have opened [pathach] my mouth [peh], my tongue [lashown] hath spoken [dabar] in my mouth [chek].
3 My words ['emer] shall be of the uprightness [yosher] of my heart [leb]: and my lips [saphah] shall utter [malal] knowledge [da`ath] clearly [barar]. KJV-Interlinear
33 'However now, Job, please hear my speech, And listen to all my words. 2 'Behold now, I open my mouth, My tongue in my mouth speaks. 3 'My words are from the uprightness of my heart; And my lips speak knowledge sincerely. NASB
Thus far, Elihu has been introducing his speech. He has entered into the conversation with politeness and courtesy, and he has requested permission to speak out of respect for the elderly nature of the four men.
In this chapter, Elihu will address Job. In the next chapter, he will address the three friends.
Now Elihu explains the difference between his words and those of the three friends.
These words will be his words, out of his very own mouth, and his words alone. They will not be words spoken from clichés, out of life's taught principles, from long standing parables, from hearsay, and so forth.
Elihu states that he intends to speak clearly and plainly, and not in ambiguous or broad stated terms or phrases from which virtually any meaning or conclusion can be developed. He intends to speak clearly and from his own words, his intentions, his arguments, his conclusions can be well understood.
Elihu states that he will speak from knowledge, from knowledge of facts, and not from interpretations or conclusions from observations which lack the details of a situation.
Elihu will speak words that can be understood such that his message and his beliefs can be clearly understood.
He will not politicize his speech such that many words are said with no real or clear message, with the intent to disguise and confuse his position, leaving listeners with only his personality to decide their like or dislike of him.
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Job 33:1-3
1 Wherefore ['uwlam], Job ['Iyowb], I pray thee, hear [shama`] my speeches [millah], and hearken ['azan] to all my words [dabar].
2 Behold, now I have opened [pathach] my mouth [peh], my tongue [lashown] hath spoken [dabar] in my mouth [chek].
3 My words ['emer] shall be of the uprightness [yosher] of my heart [leb]: and my lips [saphah] shall utter [malal] knowledge [da`ath] clearly [barar]. KJV-Interlinear
33 'However now, Job, please hear my speech, And listen to all my words. 2 'Behold now, I open my mouth, My tongue in my mouth speaks. 3 'My words are from the uprightness of my heart; And my lips speak knowledge sincerely. NASB
Thus far, Elihu has been introducing his speech. He has entered into the conversation with politeness and courtesy, and he has requested permission to speak out of respect for the elderly nature of the four men.
In this chapter, Elihu will address Job. In the next chapter, he will address the three friends.
Now Elihu explains the difference between his words and those of the three friends.
These words will be his words, out of his very own mouth, and his words alone. They will not be words spoken from clichés, out of life's taught principles, from long standing parables, from hearsay, and so forth.
Elihu states that he intends to speak clearly and plainly, and not in ambiguous or broad stated terms or phrases from which virtually any meaning or conclusion can be developed. He intends to speak clearly and from his own words, his intentions, his arguments, his conclusions can be well understood.
Elihu states that he will speak from knowledge, from knowledge of facts, and not from interpretations or conclusions from observations which lack the details of a situation.
Elihu will speak words that can be understood such that his message and his beliefs can be clearly understood.
He will not politicize his speech such that many words are said with no real or clear message, with the intent to disguise and confuse his position, leaving listeners with only his personality to decide their like or dislike of him.
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