Thoughts on the Bible Readings December 4th (Job 5; Micah 1; Hebrews 11)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]In chapter 5 Eliphaz continues his first talk. He says that, although the fool appears to prosper this is only for a time. As verse 7 indicates, the trouble for which that type of person was born will soon come upon them. This is not the case for the upright, contends Eliphaz. In verse 17 the words of Eliphaz are directed at Job - "Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore, despise not the discipline of the Almighty" (Hebrews 12verses5-11). The supposed friend is saying, since you are suffering greatly your secret sin must be great; so be grateful for the chastisement that has come from God. And when you repent you will find lasting peace. The prophecy of Micah related to the period BC 787 to BC 721. Chapter 1 tells of the kings whose reign the prophecy spanned; and include an allusion to the earthquake of BC 786 - once more establishing Micah's authority as Yahweh's prophet (cp Deuteronomy 18). The prophet Micah was from a rural area - Moresheth. Verses 2-16 tell of the coming destruction, and like the pattern in Amos, the following chapter outlines the reasons for this judgment. The prophet Micah was a contemporary of the prophet Amos. Both prophets extensively use the device of ascending numeration - i.e. if (x) is sufficient, then (x+1) will be more than enough. Our God is beyond "sufficient", He is super abundant - Exodus 34verses6-7 “Abounding in steadfast love (chesed) and faithfulness (eduth) .. keeping steadfast love (chesed) for thousands" ESV; compare also the thoughts of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. Verse 2 echoes Isaiah 1verses2, and once again we are dealing with two contemporary prophets - Micah to the northern kingdom of Israel; and Isaiah the southern kingdom of Judah. By contrast to Micah Isaiah was the prophet in Jerusalem who was constantly able to advise the king. The language of Yahweh coming out of His place to judge is prominent among the prophets of this era. Micah declared that Yahweh will roar out of His place against the idols in showing His wrath. Israel's wounds were incurable and so God was left with no alternative, but to execute justice. From verses 10 to the chapter's end is an itinerary of the path the Assyrians took on their March through the Land. It is also a great play on words, i.e. tell it not in tell town; then, in the house of dust, roll yourselves in dust... v16 make yourselves bald like the bald eagle etc. After the conqueror had taken the prophesied route the foe would then take the population of the northern kingdom to exile in Assyria. Chapter 11 of Hebrews is about "by faith"verses what can be accomplished; chapter 12 "with hope”verses patiently enduring; chapter 13 "in love" the abiding overarching necessity for believers - these 3 (compare 1 Corinthians 13verses13; Galatians 5verses5-6)). The writer completed the book on the great and lofty themes of God's Word. All good translations convey the sense of Hebrews 11 verses 1-3, that faith tells us that the framing, or adjusting, of this world's ages has been done with our Lord Jesus Christ in mind. Faith is the reality, substance, of the things being hoped for. Without faith, hope and love we would find ourselves living in a meaningless world. The chapter could also be called "Faith's family". From verses 4-7 the writer takes us to the roots of this family and looks at what was done by faith before the flood. Abel commences the list, and his name means "futility" - that is the human position apart from God (but with God all things are possible). Abel offered what God asked i.e. what God wanted. It cost Abel his life (as it had, and would still, cost the lives of the faithful readers of this book should they stand firm for their faith). But faith gave Abel an abiding and eternal life guaranteed by God. Similarly, Enoch's life was threatened by Lamech, whose power could not match that of our Almighty Sovereign. Verse 6 should be read slowly and pondered, "Without faith it is not possible to please God; for the ones who come to Him must wholeheartedly believe two things - God is; and He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him". Noah was warned of God about a coming flood, when as yet it had not even rained on earth. The readers were likewise being threatened to be overwhelmed by an impending and tumultuous unstoppable Roman tide, and if they were without God's provided ark (Christ) they could not survive. By faith Noah built the ark to save his family, commencing this labour 20 years before having any family. Consider Abraham and Sarah (Vv8-12). They, says the prophet Isaiah, were the human founding source of faith's family (51verses1-2). Both of them left a life of luxury to faithfully follow He who had promised them a land and city with foundations (verses 9-16; cp also Hebrews 6verses13-20). The writer shows that all the Father's family died in faith awaiting their future reward at Christ's coming. The book's readers, likewise, had in Jerusalem no continuing city; but were seeking the one which their God was building; and by faith they would constitute that city (Psalm 87). It was by faith (verses 17-19) that Abraham was able to offer, as a sacrifice, the heir of the promises. Abraham was fully and firmly convinced that Isaac would be resurrected. The members of the patriarchal family demonstrated their faith, often in small and simple ways - faith is frequently shown in the little things (verses 20-22). Moses' faith was evident when God used Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt. Faith gave Moses the capacity to endure suffering. Moses looked, not on what seemed to be, but believed what the Omnipotent had promised (so must the readers' faith sustain them in their trials). Faith brought Israel through the Red Sea (and it sustained would see them rewarded in the Promised Land). The writer says time was insufficient to keep naming the members of faith's family (verses 32-38); but consider the power of faith to sustain enduring trust in God to live faithfully in a godless world. And all of these together with us will receive the reward of the faithful when our Lord Jesus Christ comes to set up his kingdom on earth (verse 39). 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... 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