Chronological Bible Blog

Exodus 7:14-9:35
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Today in Exodus chapters 8 & 9 we read about many of the plagues!   I’ve got to say, for some reason the plague of frogs really resonated with me in today’s reading.  I’m not sure why – but for some reason I could really envision frogs being everywhere…  and how disgusting this would truly be…

An interesting thing I read in a commentary today is that the plagues in some ways were direct attacks on the Egyptian “gods”.  For example, the Egyptians had a god named Hopi, who was god of the Nile river.  Hopi couldn’t stop the river from turning to blood. They had a cow-goddess named Hathor, who couldn’t stop the livestock from dying.  They had a sun-god named Amon-Re who couldn’t stop darkness from coming over the land. (in tomorrow’s readings).  God’s plagues were going after these false gods – and showing to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and the Hebrews too I think, who the one true living God is, was, and forever shall be.  Did you ever stop and wonder if there were masks out there that depicted the various plagues of the Exodus?  Me neither.  But they exist!  🙂

Chapter 8 verses 18 & 19 stand out: “Pharaoh’s magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed. And the gnats covered all the people and animals. “This is the finger of God!” the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh.” The magicians tricks were beginning to fail!  They realized that God was creating the plagues with their exclamation, “This is the finger of God!”  God’s name & fame was becoming known.  Have you seen or experienced the finger of God in your life?  Below is a super-sized image that will give you an idea of the grossness of the plague of gnats:

Chapter 9 verse 16 is powerful: “But I have let you live for this reason–that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth.”  In the New Testament, Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:17, which we’ll view in context here from Romans 9:14-18 – “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.”   Wow… great stuff in this Roman’s verse… it does not depend on our desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.  Do you believe in God’s mercy?  Will you relinquish any of your own desire or efforts over to God’s mercy?  As you probably have seen by now, I’m trying to cover many of the plagues in today’s readings with images… so now I give you pharaoh and the flies!  🙂

Exodus chapter 9 verse 20 is also powerful, as we read about some Egyptians beginning to believe in God: “Some of Pharaoh’s officials believed what the LORD said. They immediately brought their livestock and servants in from the fields.”  How about us today?  Do we believe what the Lord says?  Like these Egyptians in this instance, do we then also immediately do what the Lord says?  In verse 27 Pharaoh finally confesses his sin: “Then Pharaoh urgently sent for Moses and Aaron. “I finally admit my fault,” he confessed. “The LORD is right, and my people and I are wrong.”  Though he doesn’t stay repentant for long.  How about us – do we confess our sins to God – and then not stay repentant for long?  Can we instead confess our sins to God and make a complete U-turn – go completely in the other direction and not look back?  Below we have the plague of hail – and I guess that fire is from the lightning strikes.

Bible.org’s commentary on the plagues of Exodus titled “The Finger of God” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Exodus reminded me of Kristian Stanfill’s song “Day after Day:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKxxBlsMzFc

Do you know our faithful God?  Click here and get to know Him Day after Day!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.” Exodus 9:29 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know that the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 4:18-7:13
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Exodus chapter 4, verses 24 through 26 probably raised some questions for you today… 🙂   “On the journey, when Moses and his family had stopped for the night, the LORD confronted Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah, his wife, took a flint knife and circumcised her son….After that, the LORD left him alone.”  The obvious question being, why was God about to kill Moses?  Didn’t God just call Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?  Well, yes he did.  Commentaries I read suggest that the primary issue here was an issue of obedience.  Moses had not circumcised his son, which was a requirement of God’s covenant with Israel from Genesis chapter 17 – you’ll recall Abraham and his household all getting circumcised in that 1 day.  So, Moses – and actually Zipporah his wife performed the task of the covenant – had to circumcise his son before God would let Moses go forward to deliver God’s people out of Egypt.  Don’t you like it when the Bible throws in some quick curveballs like this?  🙂 Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus chapter 4 is at this link – scroll down a bit.  Below is an image from the Sistine Chapel of Zipporah and her and Moses’ two sons Gershom and Eliezer:

I like Exodus chapter 5 verse 1, which builds upon some of our readings in chapter 4: “After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh.” What I like about this is that there was Moses & Aaron going to see Pharaoh – the 2 of them.  This reminds me of Jesus sending out the disciples in pairs.  Sometimes in life it seems like we can accomplish more, or stay on task better, if we are partnered with someone else.  It’s sometimes tough to do things on our own.  I think sometimes we want to make ourselves out to be Lone Rangers – thinking that we can shoulder the weight of the world on our own.  But… we can’t.  First and foremost we need to be in relationship with God through Jesus.  Secondly, in relationship with our family.  Thirdly, relationship with our community – as we saw Moses and Aaron spoke with the Hebrew leaders at the end of chapter 4.  And then… we are ready to take on Pharaoh!  Then, we are ready to take on the world!  Yeah, sure, on rare occasions God will call us to pull off Kingdom tasks on our own – but… 9 times out of 10, I think you are going to need brothers and sisters in Christ to help you make it.  Currently, are you in a community, a church, with brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do you know who your Aaron is???  Below is a painting by James Tissot of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh –

Exodus Chapter 5 verse 22 starts off our readings today with what seems to be an awfully bold question & complaint from Moses to God: “So Moses went back to the LORD and protested, “Why have you mistreated your own people like this, Lord?  Why did you send me?  Since I gave Pharaoh your message, he has been even more brutal to your people. You have not even begun to rescue them!”” That first question initially made me wince – obviously God was not mistreating his own people – Pharaoh and the foremen were.  I don’t fault Moses for this question, since he saw the Israelites suffering so much – and God didn’t seem to fault Moses either as we see in the beginning of chapter 6 he tells Moses what he is going to do to Pharaoh – and he doesn’t address Moses question & complaint.  I think Moses was probably really instead trying to ask God what he gets at in the last sentence – why haven’t you started your rescue of your people?  Then, the second question in verse 22 above takes us back to Moses’ words to God at the burning bush near Midian when God first called Moses to this task – “why me??”  This second question kind of made me smile…  I guess because I’ve probably asked this question of God a lot of times in my life in various forms – why are you asking me to do this?  Why not pick someone else?  Don’t I have enough going on?  How am I going to pull this off?  Etc. Etc…. Etc….   any of these questions sound familiar to you?  🙂  And yet, even in the midst of this protesting, God is still going to use Moses in a big way for his Kingdom purposes.  I pray he will still use me in the midst of my protesting.  Do you want God to still use you in the midst of your protesting?  What’s your protesting all about?

At the end of Exodus chapter 6 today we come across a short genealogy – only 3 of Jacob/Israel’s son’s are listed – as the third son, Levi, brings us to Aaron and Moses.  I liked coming across this genealogy in today’s readings.  It’s kind of a brief interlude in the “action” of the narrative.  It’s kind of like God saying to us – pay attention!  These 2 guys, Aaron and Moses were real!  Here’s their real genealogy.  This is a real factual history.  And maybe this genealogy helps remind us of the reality of this book of Exodus before we soon get into the plagues…  Below is an image of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh by an unknown Netherlands or French artist from the mid-16th century – (image courtesy of metmuseum.org)

In Exodus chapter 7 we read about Aaron’s staff becoming a snake and the plague of blood.  It is interesting that Pharaoh’s wise men & magicians did the same thing as these miracles with their “secret arts.”  However, it’s obvious that what the magicians did was not as powerful as what God did – because God’s snake wins!  🙂  And, it is indeed ironic that the magicians turning water to blood would really only make matters worse for the Egyptians.  I read commentaries that suggested the magicians were either coming up with illusions or potentially tapping into dark / demonic forces to make their tricks come to fruition. Check out tons more great info on the nature of the plagues, the magicians tricks, the pattern of the plagues and the point of the plagues in Bob Deffinbaugh’s essay titled “The Finger of God” at bible.org at this link.  This is worth the read before we dive into all the plagues over the next few days!  Below is an image of the plague of blood along the river Nile:

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of the For King and Country song “Fix My Eyes:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lol1tOMR3Y

Where are you fixing your eyes? Click here to fix your eyes on Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them.” Exodus 7:6 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will do just as the Lord commands you.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 1:1-2:25; 1 Chronicles 6:1-3; Exodus 3:1-4:17
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Today we begin the book of Exodus!

~Exodus~
Author: Moses
Date: 1420 or 1220 B.C.
Content: The book of Exodus deals with the significant facts surrounding Israel’s emergence as a nation. Moses’ great leadership is described as he accepted God’s call to return to Egypt in order to lead God’s people to freedom. God sent the ten devastating plagues upon Egypt because the Pharaoh refused to obey his command. The ceremony of Passover was established during the last plague and became a memorial of God’s deliverance for all time to Israel. The Israelites crossed the sea and arrived at Mt. Sinai where God gave the Ten Commandments and the plan for the tabernacle, and the covenant was renewed the nation.
Theme: The power of God over evil is clearly shown when God defeats the enemy of his people by delivering them from bondage, but God expects that we trust and obey him in return. Worship in the Tabernacle and adherence to the law were two aspects of Israel’s obedience. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pages 1-2) Terrific in-depth commentary on the book of Exodus can be found at bible.org at this link.

In Exodus chapter 1 verse 12 is awesome: “But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more quickly the Israelites multiplied!”  It’s amazing how when God wants people to flourish, they flourish!  Even in the midst of oppression.  This verse kind of reminds me of the flourishing of churches over the centuries and even today where the body of Christ is still often oppressed.  It flourishes!  Praise God for flourishing his people then – and now! 

In Exodus chapter 2 we are first introduced to Moses, who is the author of this book of Exodus – along w/ the overall first 5 books of the Old Testament – also known as the Pentateuch or the Books of Law.  A fun little Bible factoid for you in Exodus chapter 2 verse 6 is that this is the only mention anywhere in the Bible of a baby crying!  🙂 “When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said.”

Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus chapter 1 titled “Pharaoh’s Fears and Israel’s Faith” is at this link.

Well, I debated posting up this water color of Moses killing the Egyptian from chapter 2 today, but the image probably captures things accurately enough.  We cannot hide from some of the things in the Bible that are not squeaky clean & perfect.  The Bible is not always squeaky clean & perfect in terms of the behaviors of people in the Bible.  Life is not always squeaky clean & perfect.  However God will ultimately make us squeaky clean & perfect – forever.  And in this life God can even redeem Moses after this act:

Please do read up more on this act of Moses’ in chapter 2 at bible.org at this link.  At this link you’ll see this line: “We dare not seek to defend Moses in the murder of the Egyptian, no matter how cruel he may have been. Moses’ act was in defiance of the authority of Egypt, and it was premeditated murder (“he looked this way and that,” v. 12). While Moses’ method of dealing with this problem was wrong, we can see that his motivation was commendable. Moses sought to defend the oppressed. When he sought to rebuke his Hebrew brother for wrongly mistreating another Hebrew (v. 13), Moses revealed, once again, the disposition of a deliverer.”  Moses was 40 years old when he killed the Egyptian.  Moses then escapes to Midian – an area on the eastern side of the Red Sea that was very dry and desolate.  Moses ends up living in Midian for 40 years:

In Chapter 3 today God speaks to Moses through the burning bush!  What I love about this is in verse 4: “When the LORD saw that he had caught Moses’ attention…” It seems like Moses probably could have seen this burning bush – and kept going.  He could have somehow walked on by – maybe because he had to get the flocks back home or he was late for dinner or who knows what.  He could have missed the adventure and the calling of his life.  But he doesn’t.  He stops.  He investigates.  He has a conversation with God.  God caught his attention.  And I wonder in our lives today, is God trying to catch our attention?  Is God trying to tell us something important?  And are we just passing God by – or will we stop and investigate and have a conversation with God?

Exodus 3:14 is a biggee in today’s readings as Moses asks God who he should tell the Hebrews who sent him: “God replied, “I AM WHO I AM. Just tell them, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” I AM WHO I AM  translates into Yahweh in Hebrew.  I read a great little commentary that said when God speaks of himself, he says “I AM”.  When we speak of God we should say “He is.”  I like that.  He is.  I actually heard a sermon recently about the unchanging nature of God.  He is omniscient.  Omni-present.  Eternal.  He is wisdom.  He cannot learn anything, because He knows everything.  He is.  The Hebrew letters yud, hey, vav, hey (below) — often depicted in English as YHWH or Yahweh — spell the ineffable name of God:

Another powerful thing to note is that Jesus uses this same phrase of I AM and nearly gets stoned to death for sharing this truth in the Gospel of John chapter 8 verses 58 & 59: ““I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”  Do you believe that Jesus is? So – when God says I AM! – what is our response?  He is!  🙂  I like that.   He is.  A great commentary on the Burning Bush & I AM in Exodus chapter 3 is at bible.org at this link.

Today in Exodus chapter 4 we read about God discussing with Moses from the burning bush how Moses will lead the Israelites out of Egypt!  Below is a portrait by Guy Rowe of Moses having this conversation with God before the burning bush:

Moses has a classic line to God in Chapter 4 verse 10: “Moses said to the LORD , “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” I think what is classic about this line is that probably many of us have some sort of line similar to this one that we say to God when God is calling us to do something big for His Kingdom. Or maybe even if it is something medium-sized or small God is calling us to, we probably have some pretty good excuses. “Why me God?” “I’m too young.” I’m too old.” “I’m too busy.” “I’m not that smart.” “I’m not that talented”. And I’m sure our list of excuses could go on. BUT – check out what God says to Moses in verse 12: “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Wow. Is there an area of your life where God is calling you to move forward? Maybe calling you to some Kingdom work? And are you making excuses? Will you leave those excuses behind? Do you realize that God will help you do whatever you need to do? Do you realize that God will teach you what to do as you go? You may not know exactly what to do right now – but if you move forward, do you believe God will show up and help you accomplish the task? Will you go? Now? Below is a wonderful stained glass image of God in the burning bush telling Moses to “now go!”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Rich Mullins’ song “I See You” sung here by Michael W. Smith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-siEmwSB4sQ

Have you seen the Lord? Click here and see Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that HE IS! Pray in thanksgiving if you are in a relationship with I AM through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 40:6-42:17
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

We finish up the book of Job today!  In our Job readings today, one very interesting thing that I really want to now study further is what exactly was the “behemoth” in Job Chapter 40 and what was the “leviathan” in Job Chapter 41? Were these dinosaurs?? I ask this very openly, in that I don’t know. Currently my thinking is lined up with the New Living Translation saying that the behemoth is a hippopotamus and that the leviathan is a crocodile – and obviously you can view my blog entry below to see I have images up of a hippo and croc. But. . . last year some of you posted up some good questions and points on the behemoth and leviathan’s being something else. . . perhaps even dinosaurs? I know we have some Biblical scholars and many pastors out there reading this. What say you? Please post up your thoughts on what the behemoth and leviathan are in the Comments section below. Thanks!  A few website links about the potential of dinosaurs being mentioned in the Bible are at this link, this link, and this link. Below is artwork titled “Behemoth and Leviathan” by William Blake from the year 1825:

In our Job readings today, God talks all about Intelligent Design.  🙂  Seriously, when I read today’s chapters in Job 40 about the hippopotamus and 41 about the crocodile, I could not help but praise God for indeed being the Almighty Intelligent Designer!   Great stuff.  You cannot argue with Job chapter 40 verses 15 through 18 where God says to Job – “”Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. I made it, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as straight as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are tightly knit together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God’s amazing handiwork.”  Amen.  Thank you hippopotamus for reminding us today that God intelligently designed you too!

And we can’t forget about your intelligent and powerful design either Mr. Crocodile!  🙂  God’s words about you in Job 41 verses 31 through 34 – “”The crocodile makes the water boil with its commotion. It churns the depths. The water glistens in its wake. One would think the sea had turned white. There is nothing else so fearless anywhere on earth. Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts.”  I thought the mighty Lion was the king of the beasts??  I guess not.  The title goes to you Mr. and Mrs. Crocodiles!

Today in Job chapter 42 verses 1-2 we read – “Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’” These verses comes just after God speaks his mind to Job for the preceding 4 chapters. Job replies quite humbly and wisely in this verse above. This week as you read through God’s words to Job in chapters 38 through 41, please some time to meditate upon who God is and how great God is. Ask yourself, do you truly know that God can do all things? Do you know that no plan of God’s can be thwarted? In light of this knowledge, how then should you live your life? Will you align your entire life with God’s plans and purposes? Will you consciously choose each and every day to live your life in accordance with God’s will? Will you live in accordance with the will of the Creator of the universe and the very Creator of you? Or will you rebel against your Creator in some areas of your life? Will you dare to hold something back from God? Why? Why not let the rebellion toward God depart from your life? Why would you not live a fully holy and pleasing life for God?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Christy Nockels’ song “Hosanna:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfeN__usTzs

Are you praising “Hosanna?” Click here and praise Hosanna in the Highest!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you truly believe and know that God can do all things. Pray in thanksgiving than no purposes of God’s can be thwarted.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 38:1-40:5
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on The ESV Bible ~

Today we begin reading four amazing chapters in the book of Job when God speaks to Job! We’ve been reading a lot so far about what Job would like to say to God. Well, stay tuned for chapters 38 through 41 in Job starting today… it appears God was indeed listening to Job and has some things to say to him! (and to us!) I love the opening words of chapter 38 verses 1 through 3 – “Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”  Below is English poet and artist William Blake’s engraving below from the year 1825 titled “The Lord answering Job out of the whirlwind”:

Below is an amazing painting by modern day artist Rina Coetzee for God’s words in Job chapter 38 verses 4 through 6!  “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”

And one more fantastic painting below from Rina for verses 8 through 11: “”Who defined the boundaries of the sea as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, `Thus far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Third Day’s song “My Hope is You.” Here they are singing it at their final concert ever at Red Rocks in 2018:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zebrk3yFoaU

Where is your hope these days?  Click here to put your hope in Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? “ Job 38:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you do not question God’s goodness, power, wisdom or character ever in your life.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 35:1-37:24
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

 

I have a confession to make… I don’t think I’ve ever really studied the book of Job…  I mean, I’ve read it, and I’ve appreciated the beginning and the end of the book.  But, I’ve somehow read swiftly over the dialogue in the middle and haven’t really known who to believe in all of the dialogue – Job, his friends?  Well, this year I’m trying to go a bit deeper into the book of Job, and one of the things I hope to do over the next couple of weeks, in addition to reading Job, is to read C.S. Lewis’ classics The Problem of Pain and A Grief Observed, the two books shown above.  I’m hopeful these books will give me another look at the significant issues addressed in the book of Job.  Have you read these books? On a side note, my wife and I recently watched the movie Shadowlands, about C.S. Lewis and his wife Joy’s relationship and her death from cancer.  I do recommend this movie. (Trailer link here).
 
In addition to reading Job and C.S. Lewis, I am diving into Bible.org’s great commentaries on the book of Job.  Interestingly, they don’t have too voluminous of commentaries on this book, but what they have is terrific.  A very interesting sermon about the book of Job titled The Arrows of the Almighty is at this link and another sermon titled The Ideal of Submission is at this link.  A good overview of Job is near the top-middle of the page at this link and another good overview is at this link.  Last, but not least, is a interesting sermon titled Why We Can Worship God at the Time of the Death of Our Loved Ones (Job 1) at this link.
 
Are you like me, maybe struggling a bit with the book of Job? If so, please check out some of these resources above with me this upcoming week!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Mandisa’s song “Overcomer:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw

Do you want to become an Overcomer?  Click here to Overcome!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? “ Job 36:22 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in worship to God. Exalt Him in His power. Pray in thanksgiving that God is a teacher. Pray that you are learning from God’s Word.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 32:1-34:37
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In Job chapters 32 and 33, Elihu becomes angry at Job and his friends and presents his case!  Elihu was sitting on the sidelines up until this point and obviously was ready to say a few words!  It was amazing to read his words in chapter 32 – it was apparent to me that he was young and energetic and felt he had some very important things to say – and we will hear all that Elihu has to say between now and chapter 37!  🙂 Interestingly, as we get to God speaking to Job and his friends in chapter 38, you’ll note God does not condemn Elihu along w/ Job’s 3 other friends.  The English poet and artist William Blake made this wonderful engraving below in the year 1825 titled “The Wrath of Elihu”:

Elihu continues his strong discourse from yesterday! There is a lot of good stuff in his words today.  Chapter 34 verse 12 is awesome – “There is no truer statement than this: God will not do wrong. The Almighty cannot twist justice.”  I pray you believe this verse to be very true…?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Casting Crowns song “The Power of the Cross:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4jcHf9k0RQ

Do you know the power of the Cross?  Click here for Power!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” Job 34:12 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you never doubt that God cannot do wrong. Pray that you know that God would never pervert justice.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 30:1-31:40
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Great readings in Job today!  In chapter 31 Job basically “rests his case.”  He gives his final plea.  This chapter is the last time we’ll read this many words from Job.  Late in the book we’ll get some brief words of repentance from Job after God speaks.  In chapter 31 I like how Job lays out his case – and lets everyone know what his retribution should be.  He basically gives a series of if / then statements.  If I did this, then that should happen to me.  This is similar to the book of Exodus’ concept of the “law of retaliation”, from Exodus chapter 21 verses 23-25:  “But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”  Do you see how Job’s logic in chapter 31 is similar to this law of retaliation?  In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus calls us beyond the law of retaliation (which was really a law of “limited-retribution” in its day, limiting people to retaliate only based on actual harm done – meaning, eye for an eye.  Not a life for an eye, etc.).  Jesus called us beyond this law of retaliation and beyond limited retribution to the highest law of love.  Bible.org has an in depth look at Jesus’ taking on the law of retaliation in Matthew 5:38-42 at this link.  I think at the end of chapter 31 as Job rests his case, the scene may have looked something like this image below… with Elihu chomping at the bit to speak (as we know in chapter 32) in the upper left hand corner of this image…

Before we move onto Elihu – today in Job chapter 31 we read what I think is one of Job’s most profound pleadings.  It is a 10th century B.C. pleading that is ultimately fulfilled by a little baby born in a manger in Bethlehem who is now seated at the right hand of the Father.  Here is Job’s prophetic plea in verse 35: “”If only I had someone who would listen to me and try to see my side!”  You and I are so very fortunate that we do not need to make such a plea as this.  Jesus is in heaven seated on his throne and will receive our prayers!  Jesus listens to us!  Jesus sees our side!  It is humbling to look back toward the time of Job, and realize that Jesus had not yet walked the earth as a man and taken on the sins of the world on the cross.  Jesus had not yet risen from the grave and ascended into heaven.  Job was looking for someone to listen to him and to see his side.  You and I are blessed immensely in this regard.  We do not need to look anywhere else other than to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Casting Crowns’ song, “All You’ve Ever Wanted:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWH2MkmQIMM

What do you want?  Click here for all you’ve ever wanted!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished.” Job 31:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have no lust in your heart. Pray that you are not sinning against God through any lust.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 26:1-29:25
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Job chapter 28 is incredible!  It could be my favorite chapter of Job so far this year.  I kind of forgot about this chapter from my previous readings of this book.  It seems to me to a large degree this chapter builds up and gets at one of the most important points in the Old Testament Wisdom / Poetry Books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) in the closing verse 28 of this chapter: “And this is what God says to all humanity: `The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”  Beautiful!  We do hear this theme over and over again in the other Wisdom / Poetry books of the Old Testament.  It is a powerful and true point.  I love the way Job builds up to this point early on in this chapter 28.  Verses 12 through 14 I found to be particularly great: “”But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. `It is not here,’ says the ocean. `Nor is it here,’ says the sea.”  So, how about for you?  Where do you find wisdom?  Where do you find understanding?  What does it mean to you that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom?  Do you believe this is true?  Do you believe that forsaking evil is real understanding?

In Job chapter 29 today we read about his former blessings, including these in verses 7 through 10: “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Job reminded me of JJ Heller’s song “Your Hands:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-F6DGGF4Qs

Are you in God’s Hands?  Click here and be Held by Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you fear the Lord. Pray that you shun evil. Pray that you seek wisdom and understanding in your life on a daily basis.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Job 22:1-25:6
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In chapter 23 verse 12 today Job makes such a powerful statement about his relationship with God!  “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” (NIV)  The first statement is of course powerful – Job has not departed from the commands of God’s.  But the second statement is the one that really stood out to me today – Job has treasured God’s words more than food!  This may sound like nice high holy talk from the Old Testament…  but I think each of us should stop and meditate on this one in our lives today.  Do we treasure God’s Word, The Bible, more or do we treasure the food we eat each day more?  I’m sure most of us would say the Bible…  But let me put this another way for us to really think about this.  How many minutes a day do you spend eating?   And how many minutes a day do you spend reading the Bible?  What might make this whole equation even a little bit more interesting to consider is how many minutes a day do you think about food?  Prepare food?  Talk about food?  And then how many minutes a day do you think about the Bible?  Prepare for reading the Bible?  Talk about the Bible?  I am afraid that we may be a people today who (when the rubber meets the road and we look at actual time spent in each activity) treasure our food more than we treasure God’s Word.  However, the first step in realizing we have a problem is admitting we have a problem!  🙂  When it comes to amount of time you spend with food when compared to the amount of time you spend with God’s Word, do you have a problem?  Can you learn something from Job’s word’s today in verse 12: “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (ESV)

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Job 25 reminded me of the MercyMe song “All of Creation:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADsz7ToO8w

Are you singing to God along with all of creation?  Click here and sing!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have not departed from the commands of God’s Word, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray that you are now treasuring God’s Word more than your daily bread.

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!