TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Job 20:1-22:30
2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Psalm 40:11-17
Proverbs 22:2-4
Job 20:1 — Let’s recap where we are. We are in the second round of the great debate on suffering. Job 3-14 contains Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s opening statements followed by Job’s rebuttals. Now we are at the end of Round 2 where we will see Zophar’s second discourse followed by Job’s Response. This is actually Zophar’s closing statement since he will not participate in Round 3. Finally, we’ll see Eliphaz’s final statement in Job 22. From J. Vernon McGee:
- Job 3
- Eliphaz, 1st Discourse 4, 5
- Job’s Answer 6, 7
- Bildad, 1st Discourse 8
- Job’s Answer 9, 10
- Zophar, 1st Discourse 11
- Job’s Answer 12—14
Job 20:2 — From J. Vernon McGee:
Zophar’s second discourse. He introduces nothing new. He rests upon his seniority and resorts to the same legalism. He still holds to the theory that Job is a very wicked person because of the law that the wicked must be punished (vv. 3-5).
Job 21:1 — From J. Vernon McGee:
Job’s answer. Job is growing weary of their false charges. He appeals to a higher court (vv. 1-4). He agrees that the wicked will be punished but insists that this does not apply to his case.
Job 21:7-15 — Job points out that in addition to wondering why do bad things happen to good people (him), he also wants to know why good things happen to bad people!
Job 22:1 — From J. Vernon McGee:
Eliphaz’s third discourse. He accuses Job of being self-righteous (vs. 3). His final word to Job is a great gospel invitation, but it does not fit Job’s case (vs. 21). He admonishes Job to return to God (vv. 22-30).
2 Corinthians 1:1 — Timothy, whom Paul was afraid they would despise (1 Corinthians 16:11), who was Paul’s beloved son (1 Corinthians 4:17), is now with Paul!
2 Corinthians 1:3 — How is God the God of all comfort?
- in tribulation (2 Corinthians 1:4)
- through us to those in trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4)
- through the sufferings of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5)
- through the afflictions and comfortings of Paul (2 Corinthians 1:6)
- for the Corinthian partakers (2 Corinthians 1:7)
- by trust in God which raiseth the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9)
- through deliverance (2 Corinthians 1:10)
- through the prayers of God’s people (2 Corinthians 1:11)
Psalm 40:11, 17 — The second stanza of yesterday’s song draws from Psalm 40 today!
Proverbs 22:3 — This is a verse that’s often hijacked by the “prepper” community. Matthew Henry sees this verse as having a salvific focus (i.e. faith foresees the evil coming upon sinners, and looks to Jesus Christ as the sure refuge from the storm). eBible draws from John Wayne (“Life’s tough, it’s even tougher if you’re stupid!”). Salem Bible Church emphasizes the evil is not a natural disaster, but temptation (bad friends, alcohol, marrying an unbeliever, unchristian philosophy, not reading the Bible, unsupervised television, etc.).
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