The book of Job begins on earth, in a place of peace and tranquility. However, by the sixth verse of the first chapter, the venue changes. It instantly shifts to an entirely different aspect of reality, one that is not seen by humans unless through divine revelation. And interestingly enough, this other aspect of reality, … Continue reading –>
The book of Job begins on a relatively positive note. From a worldly perspective at least, we see a man blessed in every way. Read Job 1:1-4. What do the texts reveal about the kind of life that Job lived? What were the positive aspects of Job’s existence? Job certainly seems to have it all, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Job 1:1-5, Job 1:6-12, Zech. 3:2, Matt. 4:1, Ezek. 28:12-16, Rom. 3:26, Heb. 2:14. Memory Text: “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2). Scattered … Continue reading –>
Despite all the horrific calamities that befell Job, not only did he stay faithful to God, but he was given back so much of what he had lost. Yet even here, as with much of the book of Job, questions remain unanswered. Sure, Job is just one book of the Bible, and to build an … Continue reading –>
Read Job 14:14-15. What question is Job asking, and how, in his own way, does he answer it? One of the themes in the book of Job deals with the question of death. How could it not? Any book that looks at human suffering would, of course, have to look at death, the source of … Continue reading –>
Among other things, the Bible is a book about history. But it is not just a history book. It tells about events in the past, historical events, and uses them (among other things) to give us spiritual lessons. It uses events in the past to teach us truths about how we are to live in … Continue reading –>
Yes, the story of Job ended on a positive note, in contrast to the story of other Bible characters and often of other people in general. Bible scholars sometimes talk about the “restoration” of Job. And indeed, to some degree, many things were restored to him. But if that were the complete end of the … Continue reading –>
The book of Job concluded with things going well for Job, who died “old and full of days.” As we all know, and know all too well, that’s not how the story ends for so many others. Even those who were faithful and honorable and virtuous didn’t always wind up in a situation such as … Continue reading –>
Oftentimes children’s stories end with the line, “And they lived happily ever after.” In some languages, it’s almost a cliché. The whole idea is that whatever the drama-a kidnapped princess, a nasty wolf, an evil king-the hero and perhaps his new wife triumph in the end. That’s how the book of Job ends, at least … Continue reading –>
The Perennial Question Despite all the popular propaganda to the contrary, Christians have very logical and rational reasons to believe in God. Though assured by some of the “best and brightest” that the evolutionary concepts of “natural selection” and “random mutation” can explain the complexity, wonder, and beauty of life, many people don’t buy it … Continue reading –>
