With Friends Like These . . . Job’s Friends and Religious Foolishness (√The Prologue: Chs. 1-3, Part 1)

As we saw from our outline of the book of Job on December 5, we want to deal with what is called “The Prologue” (Chs. 1-3) to the book. We want to cover these chapters slowly and carefully, doing our best not to overlook any of the critical truths which are given to us here.

I. Job’s Character (1:1-5)
As we discussed earlier, Job is presented to us as a real historical person who lived in a specific place, was marked by a godly character, and had a large family. (vv. 1-2). He was quite wealthy as shown by the number of his livestock and his large number of servants. It is not surprising that he is described as “the greatest man among all the people of the East.” (v. 3).

Job’s godliness was no private matter. He cared deeply for his family and was concerned that they would wholeheartedly follow the Lord. Holding birthday feasts was a common, perhaps almost weekly or monthly, occasion. These ten children would indulge in a period of feasting which brought with it the possibility of committing the sin of cursing God. It was hardly likely that any of Job’s children would publicly curse God, but Job’s concern was for their internal character. So he would make arrangements for them to be purified.

Although we don’t know the details of those purification ceremonies, we are told that early in the morning Job would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them (that’s ten sheep that had to be slaughtered and offered to the Lord). And we are actually told what Job was thinking as he made these sacrifices. He thought to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” (v. 5). Job’s actions in offering sacrifices for his children were for the sheer possibility that they had dishonored the Lord! And we are informed that this was Job’s regular custom. His holy habit was to intercede for his ten children just in case they had cursed God in their hearts.

 

 

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Character)

 

Time for a Great Cartoon! (New Year’s Resolutions)!

 

Psalms of the Salter: Some Thoughts on Really Living for the Lord (Psalm 15)

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

 

Psalms of My Life (Psalm 138)

Psalm 138

Of David.

¹ I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
² I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.
³ When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.

⁴ May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
⁵ May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord is great.

⁶ Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
    though lofty, he sees them from afar.
⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
    with your right hand you save me.
⁸ The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.