Engraved in Rock

 

Job 19

23 “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

Job had been through the wringer - both with every disaster that came in his life, and with they doubtful response of his "friends." Yet, at the end of it all, he did cling to his faith in God, His Redeemer.  He was sure that at the end of it all he would stand before God, Who would deal with him justly. He was so sure, these things were engraved in the rock forever. Are you that sure and secure in God and your relationship with Him? What disasters, calamities, or even "acts of God," have come your way and still your faith stands? Do you know your Redeemer lives and that He will be there for you all the way to the end?

Getting What He Deserves?

Job 15:25 Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty,
26 running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield;
27 because he has covered his face with his fat and gathered fat upon his waist
28 and has lived in desolate cities, in houses that none should inhabit,
    which were ready to become heaps of ruins;
29 he will not be rich, and his wealth will not endure,
    nor will his possessions spread over the earth;
30 he will not depart from darkness; the flame will dry up his shoots,
    and by the breath of his mouth he will depart.

As the friends of Job seek to "comfort" and counsel him, Eliphaz jumps in with a stinging accusation: The problem is that Job does not fear God. He pictures Job as a rebellious and self-righteous arrogant man who is simply getting what he deserves.  How often do our minds go that way: looking at people going through hard times and coming up with reasons why they deserve it? That is not the way we should think or talk - even if there is some truth to it. We are to want what is best for them. Notice, as well, a tinge of jealously on the part of Eliphaz, as he talks about the fat on the face and waist of Job.  Had he been hoping something like this would happen to Job to bring him down?

We Really Need to Talk...

 

Job 13:22 Then call, and I will answer;
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins?
    Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face
    and count me as your enemy?
25 Will you frighten a driven leaf
    and pursue dry chaff?
26 For you write bitter things against me
    and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

As Job continues to struggle, and his friends try to "help," he still wrestles with his situation and with God.  He feels like there is this barrier between himself and God. He really wants to know what is wrong. Job is our example to be sure. We never want to get to the point that we are so self-assured and self-righteous as to think we are beyond correction. He really wanted to have this conversation with God and get to the truth, not just yell at God. May that be our perspective: "God, we really need to talk. Do you want to go first, or me?"

The Arbiter

 

Job 9:25 “My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away; they see no good.
26 They go by like skiffs of reed, like an eagle swooping on the prey.
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’
28 I become afraid of all my suffering, for I know you will not hold me innocent.
29 I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?

30 If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

31 yet you will plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me.

32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. 33 There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.

As Job wrestled with his predicament, he felt helpless. There was no just "putting on a happy face" and get over it. He realized that his complaint was against God and he was "out of His league." He needed an arbiter, someone who would go between and bring things to a resolution. Eventually, Job came to see that God was not against Him, but actually on his side. We all need The Arbiter, Jesus Christ as our Advocate. As God and Man, He can and does bring the resolution we need. Life IS worth it. We can go on. God is not done with us yet. 

Honest Conversation

 

Job 6:24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;
    make me understand how I have gone astray.
25 How forceful are upright words!
    But what does reproof from you reprove?
26 Do you think that you can reprove words,
    when the speech of a despairing man is wind?
27 You would even cast lots over the fatherless,
    and bargain over your friend."

Job's friends had offered what they thought was a fair evaluation of Job's situation. He responded to them that they did not really understand his plight.  From his perspective, God had not been fair. But he is willing to listen to his friends, only he wants them to have compassion and not self-righteousness.  They were being heartless and insensitive in both what they were saying and how they were saying it. 

Helping a friend through a hard time is not always easy.  We want to help them see the picture clearly and objectively, but we also need to be willing to listen compassionately and with the fulness of the character of God in view. It is hard. It takes time. (The book of Job is a long conversation.) But true friends to that.

Finishing Well...

 

Job 5:24 You shall know that your tent is at peace,
    and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,
    and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
    like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
    Hear, and know it for your good.”

The "advice" of Job's friends is often scrutinized for being heartless, but what we see here is an honest discourse to help a friend work through his grief.  As his friends wind down their first address, they wrap up with the words above.  This does truly describe what we all might hope to find at the end of this life: peace, and heirs to continue on with what we have tried to do in life.  They are encouraging Job to not give God a bad rap for the life He has given, but to reorient his life to make the best of what he still has left. Job's life was not over.  Goodness was still possible. There is light at the end of the tunnel.  Go ehead and finish well. 

The Human Cry: "Why?"

Job 3:23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,
    whom God has hedged in?
24 For my sighing comes instead of my bread,
    and my groanings are poured out like water.
25 For the thing that I fear comes upon me,
    and what I dread befalls me.
26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
    I have no rest, but trouble comes.”

The account of Job really hits home to most because it describes the human experience. Life is going along the way we hope and plan, then something hits. Or many things hit, one after another. Every possible problem that comes to mind comes to pass. We think the worst and become prophets. We worry. It is not that God has changed in His character or plan, but that we realize we are not the captains of our souls or creators of our destiny.  Our minds stop processing reality and our souls cannot keep up with the changes. That leads us to the series of "Whys?" like in this chapter.  We need to "get out of our heads." It can be a bumpy path, but the end of the trip is worth it.

Remembering Justice

 Esther 9:25 But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, 27 the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, 28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants.

The book of Esther is an amazing and intriguing account of how God spared his people while they were away from the promised land. It is a lesson repeated throughout history which at times has been forgotten, even by the Jews. When accounts of justice like this are forgotten, the history of treacherous acts repeats itself and we need to learn it all over again.  May we remember and sustain justice all our days. 

Acting Treacherously...

 Nehemiah 13:23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?”

After rebuilding the wall, restoring worship, and renewing the covenant, Nehemiah stood back to evaluate how the resettling in the land was going, and he found several things that were not being done properly: unqualified people were serving in the temple; some Levites were not being properly cared for; pagans were selling their goods in the city on the sabbath, etc.  But the one which grieved him the most was the intermarriage taking place with idol-worshipping women. Nehemiah saw that this was the slippery slope which began Israel's decline, beginning with Solomon. It was "acting treacherously," a phrase used in the scriptures to describe the worst possible departures from God's covenant. His reaction may have been "over the top," but do we tend to go the other way in taking lightly acts of treachery?  

More than a Wall

Nehemiah 12:26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra, the priest and scribe. 27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Finally, the day came to dedicate the wall around Jerusalem.  It was a great celebration drawing in people from all the outlying areas. They all came to be purified as well. The wall represented their safety and their unity with one another under the covenant they made with God. On that day they also reinstated all the offices of worship: the gatekeepers, singers, and those who cared for the temple. They were celebrating much more than a wall. May we have the same attitude when it comes to places God entrusts to us.

Accepting God's Conditions

 

Nehemiah 10:28 “The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, 29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.

After the return to the land after the exile, with all the restorations of the city and the renewal of worship, the people recommitted themselves to the covenant they had broken with God.  It wasn't just for the leaders to agree to: it had to do with everyone involved.  Throughout history they had repeatedly left the commandments of God for the culture and religion of the surrounding peoples. It happened as they broke one commandment after another. Sometimes it was a slow side, while at others it spiraled downward quickly.  The point was that they realized they could not pick and choose which of His laws to obey.  The key word was and always is all the commands of the Lord. Are you always trying to renegotiate with Him?

Memories of Many Mercies

 Nehemiah 9: 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. 28 But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. 

Repeated rejection and failure: that could describe the history of Israel which had landed them in exile. Now that they had returned to the land, rebuilt the walls and restored worship, they were rejoicing. But in their rejoicing, they also paused to remember God's mercy to them many times in the exodus, wilderness wandering, and wild living under the judges. This was the platform from which they committed to a new covenantal relationship with God. He is merciful and we need His mercy. How many times have we rebelled and failed and received His mercy. His merciful acts are new every morning. Thank Him today.

Building Together

 Nehemiah 3:24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and to the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh 26 and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.

The book of Nehemiah joins with Ezra in helping us see what is possible when we trust and obey God. He had given vision, wisdom, and courage to these leaders to leave the comforts of Persia to return to the rubble and rebuild.  In this chapter we could get caught up in trying to read the names and miss the big picture: these people were working together to rebuild the walls, each doing their part. Each section was meaningless on its own, unless all were joined together.  Like many things, there is so much more meaning when we do the work rather than have others do it for us. We have a greater sense of ownership and responsibility. We realize how much we need one another. We must also not wait around for others to do their part before starting ours. We're in this together.

If They Don't Know... Teach Them

 

Ezra 7:25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26 Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.” 27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

After the Exile, it is amazing how the Persian leaders gave such freedom and authority for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, the city, and a life there. They provided them with everything they needed. Ezra was able to see that this was much bigger than himself or even those Persian leaders; it was the steadfast love of the Lord.  With this privilege came great responsibility: to teach and reteach the people the ways of the Lord.  As God gives us opportunity to build and rebuild, may we respond with the same kind of appreciation and action Ezra did.

What One Bad Choice Can Do

 

II Chronicles 35:22 Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo. 23 And the archers shot King Josiah. And the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded.” 24 So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in his second chariot and brought him to Jerusalem. And he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 25 Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a rule in Israel; behold, they are written in the Laments. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds according to what is written in the Law of the Lord, 27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

Josiah, like Hezekiah, had made a lot of good choices in restoring worship, the Passover, and obedience to God and His Word. For whatever reason, when Neco came through the region (as Egypt often did in going to battle with their enemies, Josiah decided to try to stop him.  There was no need. There was no seeking God for direction. Notice the effect on the nation: long-lasting laments. People looked back on this decision as a turning point: the revival under Josiah ended abruptly and Judah was never the same again. May we take heed.

Humility Makes the Difference

II Chronicles 34:23 And she said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 24 Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book that was read before the king of Judah. 25 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched. 26 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 27 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 28 Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants.’”

As we saw yesterday, when Hezekiah ruled over Judah, there was a lot of positive renewal in the land, but eventually his pride settled in. Then next two kings thrived on that pride, and the kingdom took a nosedive. In this chapter, we find another bright spot in the reign of Josiah. Under his rule the Law of God was found, read, and responded to.  This postponed the eventual disaster and proper respond of God to carry out the covenant curses agree upon by the people with God. But Josiah would not see this disaster. Why? His humility. God was also going to be faithful to keep His covenant promises toward true humility. He is the same God today.

Hezekiah: AKA Solomon II

 

II Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. 26 But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

As we have seen, great things happened in Judah during the days of Hezekiah. The temple was restored; worship was revitalized; Passover was reinstated; Jerusalem prospered; the Assyrians were repelled. Life was safe, comfortable, and good. Things had never been better than the days of Solomon. Including pride. When success permeates, the temptation to pride is great. We can see in some of the wisdom literature of Solomon his struggle with it, and it led to problems after his death. The same would be true of Hezekiah. Pride does lead to that fall; it just might not be in our lifetime. Hezekiah's rule was good, but not perfect. May we never be deluded to think our lives are either. May we avoid at all costs the temptations to pride.

Brought Back Together

 II Chronicles 30:23 Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep the feast for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And the priests consecrated themselves in great numbers. 25 The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.

We have seen how far downward Judah had spiraled spiritually, having been influenced by the idolatry of the surrounding nations, including Israel. The reign of Hezekiah not only halted that but brought about the restoration of worship in the temple, including the long-lost feast of Passover, which had not been held for generations. It was a glorious celebration. Once phrase which might go unnoticed is extremely significant: and the whole assembly that came out of Israel. Some from the northern kingdom left their false worship to rejoin the spiritual fold of true Israel, just like when it had been one united kingdom. That was monumental. God took notice and heard their voice and prayer. One day all believers of all times will worship that way. What a day that will be!

Worship Restored!

II Chronicles 29:25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. 

We saw yesterday how King Ahaz had brought things in Judah to a new low. Not only did he promote idol worship in the land; he also shut down worship of the True and Living God in the temple and left it in ruins, allowing pagan worship there. Hezekiah was a breath of fresh air, coming in and cleansing the temple, repairing it, restoring the work of the Levites, and consecrating it and the people to the worship of the Lord. What a great day it would be to get back to worshipping Him! Lay aside anything you have put in way of doing so. Worship Him.

A New Low

 

II Kings 28:22 In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and he shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods, provoking to anger the Lord, the God of his fathers. 26 Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, for they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

This chapter begins with a description of Ahaz's approach to worship: he chose to worship the Baals and to practice child sacrifice. Because of this, God allowed Syria to defeat him. Rather than call out to God in repentance, Ahaz tried calling on other pagan nations to help him. Rather than aid him, they defeated and plundered Judah even more. Rather than repent, he chose to totally abandon the worship of the worship of the Lord and add other idols to his menu. Once again, this earned him a place outside the cemetery of the kings and the list of good Kings in Jerusalem. How do you respond to discipline? Do you just go lower and farther away from God?