Thoughts on the Bible Readings December 2nd (Job 1, 2; Jonah 2, 3; Hebrews 8, 9)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]The book of Job was, perhaps, the first written among the Old Testament books. From the people mentioned in the book it would seem to have been told between the time of Abraham and the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt. Perhaps between 40 to 80 years before the exodus. This would place the time of writing between BC 1571 and BC 1531. Its author may have been Moses. The place of the events described is in the area of Midian, to the south-east of the Promised Land. There are many views as to whether the events told actually happened, or were rather an ancient drama to instruct faithful believers. From what has been written in James 5 it would seem more likely to be a record of what actually occurred (James 5verses11). What an introduction to the man Job - he was the greatest of all men from the east. But, chiefly, his greatness lay in that, he "was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (verse 1 ESV). He is a family-oriented man, who brought up his family in "the fear and admonition of the LORD". Verses 6-12 introduces us to "the Satan" of the book. Note, that this time I have used an upper-case S, because the book is dealing with a specific adversary, or opponent - as the Hebrew word indicates - though the name of this adversary is not revealed). As a common noun the word occurs numerous times in the Old Testament, and in the vast majority of cases is without the definite article ("ha" in the Hebrew). The majority of the occurrences where the definite article is used are in Job and Zechariah (both of these books focus on an identifiable opponent, and in these two books that opponent is easily identified). Verse 6 speaks of a day when God's children presented themselves before Him and this tells of a time for gathering together for a specific purpose - such as when Israel gathered at the appointments of the Festivals. Or, when in this age, believers gather to memorialise the Lord's supper (coined "communion"). Job's adversary may have been a disaffected believer. He proposes that Job's reverence for God is conditional on Job's favoured status. God's advice to the adversary is that Job's uprightness is not related to the blessings Job receives. To prove the point God, for a time, gives the opponent power to test this. The Satan has no independent power (see Job 42verses11). From verses 13-21 we read of a succession of disasters which the adversary requested God to bring upon Job and his family. The chapter finishes by telling us that Job failed not. Job admits that it is Yahweh's right to treat us as He sees fit. Again, when the believers assemble together the adversary is there. Job's opponent is again confronted by God; but the adversary says that all mankind are essentially selfish. Yes, but says Job's foe, smite his health and Job will forsake his uprightness. This affliction of Job's health was permitted, and Job was smitten with leprosy (a loathsome, itching, superinfection of boils). Job receives no let up from the pain that this induced. Job's wife could endure no more and calls for her husband to curse God and die. Job rebukes her folly. From verses 11-13 we are told that when the news of their friend's suffering reached Job's 3 friends they came and sat in silence with him for seven days. Jonah 2 recalls Jonah's prayer, whilst in the belly of the great fish. The chapter reveals Jonah as an intensely spiritual man. Jonah's prayer includes citations from many of the Psalms, including 42, which is instructive as to Messiah's thoughts and feelings; particularly when he is sorely tested to the limit in Gethsemane (see verses 7-11 compare with Jonah 2verses2-11). But note that these feelings of Messiah, though certainly more intense in Gethsemane, are presented as the Psalm tells us at landmark epochs in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ - at his baptism and at Mount Hermon (the mount of transfiguration). Chapter 3 tells us that the fish was caused to disgorge Jonah upon the shore close to Nineveh. Jonah would have been bleached white by the stomach juices of the fish. The prophet would have been a walking storybook attracting everyone's attention to the message he was bringing. The message was, as verse 4 indicates, repent or within 40 days Nineveh will be destroyed. Verses 5-10 tell of the incredible response of the Ninevites, from the king to the common citizen. Quoting this contrite response our Lord Jesus rebukes those who failed to repent of their sins at his preaching (see Luke 11verses29-32). Hebrews 8 tells of Jesus the High Priest administering a "better" covenant. What majestic language the writer uses to start this chapter. Jesus is seated at His Father's right hand - called "the throne of the Majesty in heaven" (V1 ESV). Our Lord Jesus serves in the true tent pitched by God, and not man (he was, by miraculous begettal "the Son of God"). The Tabernacle was typical and the man gifted by God for the fabricating of that tent was Aholiab (meaning in Hebrew "from the Father's tent") Christ as our heavenly High Priest has both offered sacrifices and given great gifts. The Exodus record twice tells us that Moses was to make the Tabernacle after the pattern which was shown to him in the Mount. The covenant Christ mediates has been founded on "better" promises. The writer cites Jeremiah 31verses31-34 in verses 8-12 of chapter 8. The concluding verses take us back to chapter 1, which cited Psalm 102verses25-26 indicating that Messiah would end the Mosaic covenant (the "heavens" being there mentioned). Verses 1-10 of chapter 9 speak of the earthly (typical) sanctuary - the Tabernacle. This was set up for Israel's worship, in a holy place where the comers thereto could have their minds centred on divine matters. The writer firstly describes the Holy Place in v2. From verses 3-5 we are taken beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies i.e. Most Holy Place. Some, wrongly believe, that the writer has here made a mistake in placing the incense altar in the Most Holyverses thus, for one day each year the incense altar was the Most Holy Place. On the Day of Atonement (the only day in which the High Priest was allowed into the Most Holy) incense had to fill the Most Holy before the High Priest was allowed to enter - "lest he (the High Priest) die". And every other day the sweet incense of prayer permeated the Holy of Holies (Revelation 8verses3-4). Whilst the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were operating they had a status; but, when Jesus died and the veil separating the Holy and Most Holy Place was rent from top to bottom, it could not function any longer. Those former structures being only the shadow and not the reality, are no longer needed. Christ, the believer's High Priest, is there, in heaven for us. From verses 11-28 of chapter 9, the writer explains how we have redemption through what was achieved in Jesus' offering of himself on the tree (cross). One offering for all time of himself has opened the way for salvation. The offering of bulls and calves provided ritual forgiveness, on the condition that the person making the offering understood what God was teaching (the law was a teacher to bring worshippers to an understanding of Jesus' sacrifice - Galatians 3verses23-26). But the Law of Moses could never cleanse the conscience of the offeror - since it was the sin of each person that was atoned for, and by the slaying of an animal - incapable of sinning (as it didn't have a nature which prompts sin) our conscience is cleansed. So, by our identification with Jesus' offering, as one of us (and representing us in every respect; as the earlier chapters of the book explain - particularly chapters 2, 4 and 5).; we have been given a clear conscience. But the understanding of what Jesus has done on our behalf powerfully motivates us to forsake and turn from our sins to right ways. The old covenant was ratified by the death of animals; but the covenant in Christ, is brought into force by the death and RESURRECTION of our Lord. Verse 22 of chapter 9 states an eternal principle, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (ESV). And so, Christ's "better" sacrifice has brought us nearer to God. All this by one perfect offering. Verses 27-28 tell us that having dealt with the problem of sin in his first advent, our Lord Jesus will destroy it for ever at his second coming. For Christ no longer is burdened by a nature biased towards sin, but in a sinless immortal body he will do the eradicate sin for every believer (see 1 Corinthians 15verses13-28). Read aloud, pause and ponder. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-bible-readings-december-2nd-job-1-2-jonah-2-3-hebrews-8-9/?feed_id=106506&_unique_id=692d4914772b6