Jesus taught that, in true communion, we ask for God’s will before we ask for our daily needs. Remarkably, although Job is like a pugilist fighting off not one but two feisty combatants, he still has his wits about him. The first section of his response to Bildad (ch 9) begins with a portrait of […]
Logic can deftly dissect the butterfly to prove decisively that it can fly—and then it can’t. Bildad’s first speech falls into three parts. He examines Job’s horrible experiences (Job 8:1-7). Then he looks back at some historic evidence (vv 8-10), and concludes with habitat examples (vv 11-22). In the first section, there’s some serious finger-pointing. […]
“If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor 8:2). As soon as Bildad the Shuhite begins speaking, one thing is obvious: he hasn’t been listening to Job’s lament. Of course, there’s no need to listen when you’re always right. Can you imagine telling a grieving father, “If […]
Read More… from August 4, 2025 — What Know-It-Alls Don’t Know
Job shifts the topic from external influences to internal ones. What happens when hope dies? Job describes a series of scenarios involving hope. For example, “a servant who earnestly desires the shade” hopes for a break now and again (Job 7:1-2). “And like a hired man…eagerly looks for his wages,” is it too much to hope for his pay […]
Here’s a strange Bible verse: “To provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:11). Imagine a rich child, bored with their toy-filled playroom—until a poor neighbor child becomes fascinated with one of those toys. Then what does the rich child suddenly want? Now watch how a Jewish doctor gets jealous of what […]
“How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?” (Job 6:25). Good question! Excu-u-se me? says Job. Do you think I’ve overstated my case? Have I no reason to be upset? Sorry if “my words have been rash” (Job 6:3), but I still have “the arrows of the Almighty…within me” (v 4), and they’re poison arrows, too! If […]
Read More… from July 31, 2025 — A Little Consideration For A Friend
In French (Avise la fin), these are the wise words over the entry of Scotland’s Culzean Castle. Eliphaz has more to say. Much more (Job 5:1-27). Two of life’s most animating passions are correcting other people’s writings and critiquing other people’s behavior! He began his first response by calling Job to be ready to hear […]
Weak hands and wobbly knees rob me of my doing and my going. Thank God for strengtheners! Job’s lament (Job 3:3-26) has hardly died on the air before Eliphaz responds. He wonders aloud if “weary” Job is up for what he has to say to him (4:2, 5). But then he recalls that there have been many […]
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