Since God is omniscient, He knew how Job would respond to Satan attacks; He knew despite his suffering Job would remain faithful. Satan who is limited in his knowledge; assumed Job would react negatively and curse God; however, this, as he predicted, did not happen. In chapter one, Satan attempted to oppress and overwhelm Job with a series of calamities which he grieved and then worshipped God.
Chapter two opens with another scene in heaven where once again, Satan is present with other angelic beings. God questions Satan concerning his activity and receives the same response as in the previous chapter. Once again, God affirms Job’s righteous character and admits He had no cause to harm Job. Wanting to be right in his estimation of man and still not convinced of Job’s integrity, Satan said, “Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face (Job 2:4-5). God grants Satan his desire to afflict Job physically but restrains him from killing him. Consequently, Satan smites Job, and loathsome sores cover his whole body, causing Job to go and sit near a pile of dung ashes and garbage outside the city.
Instead of offering comfort and encouragement, Job’s wife added to his agony by lamenting, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.” Job rebuked his wife, acknowledged that man could receive both positive and negative things from God, and he remained faithful in not sinning with his lips.
The chapter ends with the visitation of three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Upon hearing the calamities that Job had experienced his friends traveled from abroad to console and comfort Job. When they saw him, they were dismayed; thusly, for seven days, which is custom of that day, they sat with Job silently in a sympathetic act of grief.
I conclude this chapter with these reflections:
- Satan has access to heaven.
- Satan must report his activities to God.
- Unbeknownst to mankind, God is talking to Satan about him.
- Sometimes God allows Satan to attack believers without a just cause, and he can only do what God permits.
- Sin may not be the reason why you are experiencing suffering.
- Satan believes man will willingly sacrifice everything dear to him if it means his life is spared.
- Satan believes a man can accept various calamities without much complaining, but if his body is touched, he will react negatively.
- Under extreme circumstances, the closest person to you may foolishly encourage you to reject God.
- No matter what happens, steadfastly maintain your integrity.
- When comforting and consoling a grieving person, it is good just sit and not speak.
- Sometimes your presence being seen is better than your voice being heard.
Though the book of Job is placed with the books of poetry, many biblical scholars believed the story of Job possibly took place during the patriarchal period. No matter when it took place I believe God inspired the writer to record Job’s life and allowed it to be included in the bible so that we the readers could gain insight into how to respond to oppression, ridicule, and suffering.
Job a perfect and upright man who feared God and avoided sin lived in the land Uz. Job and his wife had ten children (seven sons and three daughters) for whom Job consistently offered burnt offerings to cover them if perchance they had sinned or cursed God during their times of incessant feasting and family celebrations. Furthermore, Job was known to be a wealthy man for he had land, servants, and livestock.
As the story went God questioned Satan’s activities when he and other angelical beings appeared before Him, and after hearing his response, God speaks to him about the righteous character of Job which Satan then attributes to God’s provisional hand of favor, protection and blessings in Job’s life. God permits Satan to attack all that belongs to Job, and thus in his maneuvers, Satan stole, killed, and destroyed as Jesus said in John 10:10.
The definition of the word oppression is to crush or burden by abuse of power or authority, to burden spiritually or mentally, to weigh heavily upon, physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects, to smother, crush, to keep down by force, and to make sad or gloomy. Other words that relate to oppression are to be overwhelmed, bothered, burdened, dejected, depressed, discouraged, dispirited, encumbered, hampered, bullied, exploited, and harassed. Consequently, as told in this chapter, Satan employed these tactics of oppression in the life of Job by orchestrating a series of calamities.
All in one day, a firestorm from the west (Mediterranean) burnt up his sheep, marauding nomads from the south (Sabeans) and north (Chaldeans) stole his oxen, asses, and camels, and a whirlwind from the east (desert) collapses the home of Job’s oldest son and kills all of his children who were assembled together. Additionally, all the servants are killed except one from each incident who escapes and reports the disastrous news to Job. Job life was attacked from every direction, and he no doubt was overwhelmed.
However, upon receiving all of the life-altering news, Job assumes the stance of an individual who is grieving, but he also worships and blesses God. Plus, he recognized God gives and takes, he was born with nothing and he will die the same way. The last verse of this chapter ends stating, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” If only we believers could do the same!
At the end of each blog that I do in this Job series, I will conclude with some reflections. So, here are my reflections for chapter one:
- You can live a godly and righteous life.
- Being godly does not exempt you from suffering.
- The godly will suffer persecution at the hands of the enemy.
- You may never know why you have been targeted to suffer.
- In the end, everyone will be held accountable for their actions on earth.
- God is omniscient. He knows if you are trustworthy.
- Satan is limited; he is not omniscient, nor omnipresent.
- Satan is on the move.
- Satan must get permission from God to interfere in your life.
- Satan questions man’s motives for serving God. He believes man is a mercenary.
- God is our protector and provider.
- Despite what you are going through, bless, and worship God.
Nehemiah chapter 12 opens by listing the priest, and Levites who accompanied Zerubbabel from Babylon to Jerusalem and then it shares the preparation and dedication ceremony of the Jerusalem wall.
Prior to the dedication, a ritual purification was done by the priests, Levites, people, and to the gates, and the wall. Following this, the celebrants from the entire province which included the princes of Judah, leading authorities, Levites, singers and a vast concourse of people were organized into two processions. Ezra led one group and Nehemiah led the other. Ezra and his group marched on the right side of the wall, while Nehemiah and his group went in the opposite direction on the left side of the wall with both groups engaged in united praises and meeting up and assembling in the vicinity of the temple. Upon their arrival, a joyous, celebratory dedication service of great sacrifices and thanksgiving commenced with singing and the playing of cymbals, psalteries, and harps. It was also noted that the rejoicing of this service was so great it was heard even afar off.
The chapter ends with attention being once again given to the maintenance of the temple personnel which consisted of priest, Levites, gatekeepers, porters, and singers with offerings, first fruits, and tithes by appointed overseers.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- When goals have been achieved, and things are successfully completed, it is time for a joyous celebration.
- Remember to give thanks.
- Offer praise thankfully and joyfully.
- Don’t be a spectator; be a participant.
- Everyone should worship not just worship leaders.
- See that none is excluded in worship; let the whole family be included.
- Everyone has a right to enjoy the fruits of their active labor.
- Work done by all should be celebrated by all.
- To receive the complete benefits of worship, and to effectively worship, it is necessary for self-purification.
- Levites had appointed singing assignments.
- When building, build strong.
- Build your walls strong enough to handle the weight of the people.
- Your enemies will both see and hear you when you praise God publicly for what He has done.
- Believers should willingly give to the support of the ministry.
- Everyone is not qualified to handle the treasury, appoint responsible persons to do the job.
- Your actions live on beyond your lifetime; think generationally.
The surrounding walls which would protect Jerusalem were rebuilt; however, as previously stated in chapter seven, Jerusalem was large, spacious, and barely occupied. So, to assist in the reestablishment of Jerusalem and to join the political and religious leaders that were dwelling there it was decided by the casting of lots which families (with the percentage being one in every ten) would come and live within the city. Also, others made a sacrifice and volunteered to join this group
The list of families that are recorded in this chapter is basically the same as found in 1 Chronicles 9:2-17. Plus, in this chapter, the inhabitants of the countryside are listed by their villages.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- People are needed to preserve and guard a city.
- There are people that will sacrifice themselves for the interest and well-being of others.
- Everyone has an assigned location and a purpose.
At the close of chapter nine, the Israelites renewed their commitment to obey God’s covenant, and now chapter ten reveals the terms of the covenant and those that sealed it.
The leaders that sealed the covenant were: Nehemiah, Zidkyah his secretary, twenty-one priest, seventeen heads of Levitical households, forty-four heads of leading families and the rest of the people who were not named.
The terms of the covenant stated they agreed to keep the laws given to Moses by God, they would abstain from intermarriage with Gentiles, they would keep the Sabbath day and Sabbatical year obeying the restrictions set forth for that day and year, they would give offerings (wood, firstfruits, firstborn) to the temple for its maintenance, they would give tithes and offerings to the priest and Levites, and lastly they would not forsake the house of their God.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- Leaders lead; they are to be the first partakers.
- True knowledge and understanding promote action.
- People should act according to their knowledge and understanding.
- Loyal followers will follow leadership.
- Believers are in this world but not of this world; there must be a separation.
- Believers are to support the work of the ministry.
- After all, is said and done, don’t forsake the house of our God.
In this chapter, the people have willingly separated themselves from individuals who were not of their lineage, and now it is the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the second day after the Feast of the Tabernacle and the people are engaged in a solemn fast. For three hours, they listened to the reading of the law, and for the next three hours, they worshipped God, prayed and confessed the past sins of their forefathers and their present sins. During this time eight Levites interceded, while another eight exhorted the people to bless the Lord.
This chapter contains one of the longest prayers in the bible which the Levites prayed to God. It rehearsed in the hearing of Israel significant events in their history, which highlighted God’s awesome power and continual unfailing mercy toward them despite their repeated rebellion and stubbornness. It spoke of the call of Abraham and God’s promise to him, Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt and their journey through the wilderness with divine provisions, the giving of the commandments, laws, and statues which Israel disobeyed, conquering and possession of Canaan, and the period of the judges and prophets. Verse 34 – 35 summarizes this chapter best, “Neither have our kings, our princes, our priest, nor our father, kept the law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.” Accordingly, the prayer ends with a request that God would look on their afflictions and once again deliver them.
Furthermore, the chapter concludes with the people humbly making a renewed commitment to obey the Law of Moses.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- Humbling oneself is a valuable component of fasting.
- Let your voice be heard praising God.
- Levites encourage people to praise God.
- Without God, nothing would exist; He is our Sustainer.
- God is a giving God.
- God sees our affliction, and He hears our cries.
- God will make Himself known to the heathen.
- Believers can go through areas safely while their enemies fall into disaster.
- God’s direction is available all day long.
- God will provide direction for your success.
- God stands ready to forgive
- God supplies our every need.
- God will give you the riches that previously belonged to your enemy.
- Delight in God and not in the things that can be obtained in this world.
- God warns us prior to punishing us.
- God will chasten you as needed.
- People who do not learn from failures of the past are subject to repeat them; therefore, learn from history.
- A tragic pattern in the lives of men is forgetting God when they are no longer in trouble.
- When you refuse to heed God’s Word, you suffer.
- God is long-suffering, merciful, and gracious.
- All have sinned; acknowledge yours.
- The result of sin is bondage.
- Kings control your life.
- The key to covenant renewal is understanding God’s nature.
This blog will be short due to the content of chapter 7, which mainly rehearses the genealogy of the inhabitants of Jerusalem as revealed in Ezra 2.
With the work of the walls completed and his departure to Shushan imminent the safety and repopulation of the city concerned Nehemiah. Therefore, before he leaves Nehemiah places Hanani and Hananiah men of integrity who fears God in charge of the city, he establishes rules for opening and closing the city gates, and he appoints sentinels for the evening watches who will guard the city and their properties. Additionally, in a desire to fill the city with inhabitants Nehemiah decides to take a census of the Jews, but before he began, he found the register recorded by Ezra with the data he desired. Thus, verses 5-72 repeats the genealogical record of the returning Jews that was first recorded under the tenure of Zerubbabel, and this chapter happily ends with the people dwelling in their assigned cities.
The gleaning points that I have received from this chapter are:
- For continued success place men with integrity in position.
- The requirements for leadership are faithfulness and fear of God.
- Walls without watchmen are a weak defense.
- Be prepared for a surprise attack from the enemy.
- Keep a secure record of family statistics; someone may need it in the future.
- Leaders should be seen giving.
- Everyone has a place of assignment.
- When you are not in your assigned place, proper growth is hindered.
Chapter 5 revealed some of the issues that Nehemiah encountered within the community of Jews while rebuilding the walls, and now, chapter 6 continues to share the problems and attacks from without the walls.
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and unnamed enemies heard that the walls were built Sanballat and Tobiah sent a letter to Nehemiah requesting him to meet them in Ono which was 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem or equivalent to a day’s journey. Nehemiah sensing their duplicity replied to them, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” and he had to send this reply four times because Sanballat and Tobiah continued to send him the same request.
When the opposition saw their plan was not working, Sanballat sent a letter to Nehemiah containing three rumors concerning him. First, he was leading a rebellion against the Persian government. Secondly, he was trying to become king over Jerusalem and thirdly, he hired prophets to spread the word of his elevation to kingship. All of these rumored charges were denied by Nehemiah, and he took this matter to God in prayer.
Then Shemaiah, a son of a priest, was hired to speak lies to Nehemiah and cause him to lose his credibility by luring him into the temple which was against the Law. Once again, Nehemiah discerned the plan of the opposition, declined to act in fear and leave his wall rebuilding assignment. Additionally, Nehemiah prayed and asked God to deal with the opposition.
Despite the opposition’s insidious plans and continued plotting in fifty-two days the rebuilding of the wall was completed which caused them to be disheartened and having to admit the God of Nehemiah helped His people to complete this momentous task.
The chapter ends revealing the antagonism did not cease, for letters continued to go back and forth between Tobiah and his Jewish loyalist relaying information that would endanger and demoralize Nehemiah and the returned Jewish remnant.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- Your opposition is aware of your achievements.
- When one plan fails, Satan has another one to replace it.
- Your enemy wants to eliminate you or discredit you.
- Watch for hidden agendas.
- Resist distractions, know your priorities.
- Don’t allow the enemy to stop you from doing your God-given assignment.
- Fear is a significant tool of the enemy.
- Discernment and determination are necessary for the life of a leader.
- Your opposition loves to spread rumors concerning you. He will slander your reputation.
- When you feel weak pray, it is your sustaining power.
- The response to slander is prayer.
- No matter what men may say, follow God’s laws.
- A false prophet will contradict God’s word.
- Don’t merchandise your anointing.
- With the help of God, things can be accomplished quickly.
- In the life of a believer, the opposition is on-going.
The Teacher's Pick 