Skip to main content

May 28 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 148

We've heard from Job's friends, and we've heard a lot from Job.  Someone new is introduced to the story.

Image result for elihu Job

DAILY READINGS

Job 32-34 & Psalm 143

DAILY NOTES

Job 32

  • Is Elihu a friend of Job?  He is introduced and we are told he is mad at Job's friends and at Job.
  • He waits to speak up because he was waiting for the right time to voice his opinion.  Elihu is younger and wanted to show respect.  He held his tongue for as long as he could.
    • He reminds us that wisdom doesn't, necessarily come with age.  It is the breath of the Almighty that makes someone wise.  
    • He is upset with the friends because they could not offer Job any words of wisdom.
Job 33
  • Elihu doesn't appreciate Job's contention with God.  Job seems to be forgetting how God answers people and what God does for the well being of his people.
Job 34
  • So far, Elihu seems to be voicing much of what Job's friends have already said.  He says that Job, "adds rebellion to his sin."  
Psalm 143
  • In the middle of affliction, how does the will of God save you?  

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Elihu is a little perturbed.  He had kept his mouth closed for a while, hoping to hear a bit of wisdom from the older friends of Job (maybe from Job, too?).  They did not come through for him.  Out of respect, he bit his tongue until he could no longer stand the nonsense he heard.

I love what he says to the friends.  Actually, I love The Message translation: The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.

That means getting wisdom takes effort.  Just because you're a bit older than someone else doesn't mean you are wiser than they are.  Wisdom comes from the Spirit of God.  So, anyone willing to submit to the Spirit's lead, can be wise in God's eyes.

That's a blessing to know!  Whatever you do, get wisdom.

Stay blessed...john

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90 David's family situation continues to spiral.  In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape.  As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 13:1-14 Amnon was David's first born son (3:2).  That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21).  Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom. Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon.  Amnon is lovesick with her.  He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom).   Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about.  She remained in her house, perhaps protected.   Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20).  She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds h...
Post a Comment
Read more

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more