Chronological Bible Blog

January 31st Chronological Bible Readings

Job 40:6-42:17
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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 God: Reaching the end of the book of Job and reflecting on the ways we saw Jesus in the book reminded me of this awesome video below of an 11 year-old preaching "Jesus Throughout the Bible:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRl8Ew6p1xc

Do you see Jesus throughout the Bible?  Click here to see Him!

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

January 30th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 38:1-40:5
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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 God: Today's readings in Job reminded me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PTvr755V8s

Do you know our Indescribable God?  Click here for His description!

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

January 29th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 35:1-37:24
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January 28th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 32:1-34:37
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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 God: Today's readings in Job with Elihu's speech reminded me of The Newsboy's song "He Reigns:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udoUHdBvdVE

Do you know who Reigns?  Click here and meet your King!

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

January 27th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 30-31:40
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Old Testament - 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 God: Today's readings in Job 31:35 reminded me of Stellar Kart's song "Me and Jesus:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn8FIFDgPXw

Do you have you and Jesus?  Click here for Jesus!

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

January 26th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 26:1-29:25
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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 God: Today's readings in Job reminded me of JJ Heller's song "Your Hands:"

http://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

January 25th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 22:1-25:6
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Old Testament - 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 God: Today's readings in Job 25 reminded me of the MercyMe song "All of Creation:"

http://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

January 24th Chronological Bible Readings

Job 19:1-21:34
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"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives!"  Whoo-hoo!  Awesome words from Job today in chapter 19 verse 25!

Job chapter 19 verses 23 through 27 are some of the best known and well loved verses of the book of Job.  These verses seem to be where Job hits his high point in his understanding of his relationship with God:  "Oh, that my words could be written. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock. "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!"  How powerful are these verses??  Great stuff.  Job starts off saying that he hopes his words could be written and engraved forever - and indeed they were as we are reading them in the Bible!  Then Job makes the incredible statement that even in the midst of all of his suffering and perceived distance from God, he knows that God lives!  The closing two verses are powerful in that they actually indicated a belief in the resurrection by Job.  He says that even after his body has decayed - after his death here on this earth - he will see God with his own eyes in his own body!  How could this possibly be?  Well, only if he believed in a resurrected body after death. I've read some various commentaries on who is the "Redeemer" that Job is referring to in verse 25.  Jesus?  Could be.  But it seems like most commentaries seem to suggest Job is referring to God himself, rather than Jesus.  Though, of course Jesus is God so maybe this is a moot point!  :) Job does talk about his desire for a mediator in other parts of this book, which could be references to Jesus as well.  I found this great artwork below that was painted based on the chapter of Job 19.   Re-read the entire chapter of Job 19 again and I think you'll see the beauty of this artwork...

Today in Job chapter 21 verses 7 through 13 we read these words of Job: ""The truth is that the wicked live to a good old age. They grow old and wealthy. They live to see their children grow to maturity, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves without miscarriage. Their children skip about like lambs in a flock of sheep. They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace."   How do these words of Job speak to you?  Is there truth in these words?   If the wicked go to the grave in peace, what happens to them after the grave?  Honestly, I'm not so sure about the wicked living to a good old age and going to the grave in peace...  I personally would not take this chance.  I think living a wicked life leads to inner conflict and an unhealthy life and potentially an early grave.  I understand why Job said these words in his circumstances (he was experiencing suffering without committing the great sins his friends accused him of), but I personally would not bet on a wicked life delivering a long lifetime of wealth or peace...

Worship God: For our Job readings today, here's a YouTube for "My Redeemer Lives" by Nicole C. Mullen: (she sings the first verse in Spanish, then transitions to English)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKrBqD7uhBM

Do you know our Redeemer Lives?  Click here to meet our Redeemer!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth." Job 19:25 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know that our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives! Pray in faith that you know that he stood on the earth, suffered and died for your sins on the cross, died, was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

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

January 23rd Chronological Bible Readings

Job 15-18:21
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Hi everyone - brief post today. I encourage you to read a thought-provoking sermon about the book of Job on Bible.org called "The Arrows of the Almighty" at this link.

YouTube: Today's readings in Job reminded me of C.S. Lewis' books A Grief Observed & The Problem of Pain and the well done movie, "Shadowlands:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKS0XGRYi8

Do you know the answer to our grief and pain?  Click here for the Answer!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?" Job 16:3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you don't engage in long-winded speeches with your suffering friends. Pray that you pray for them, love them, and support them in their time of need.

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

January 22nd Chronological Bible Readings

Job 12-14:22
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Old Testament - I forgot how much trash-talking goes on here in the book of Job! It occurred to me that all of this bickering back and forth between Job and his friends keeps transpiring without Satan coming up in their comments at all. Meaning, no one seems to realize that Satan is the one who has afflicted Job! And I'm wondering if this happens in our lives today as well? Do we sometimes miss it when Satan is literally attacking us? Do we blame others? Blame ourselves? Maybe even blame God? When the blame should be directed at the Deceiver? I think Job and his friends could have used Michael the Archangel to come into the picture here and whoop up on Satan like he's doing in this painting below from the year 1518 by the Italian artist Raphael:

There are some great words of wisdom from Job in today's readings. I love the poetry of his words in chapter 14. A lot of it reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes, which we'll read later this year. Below is an illustration of Job and his three friends from the Book of Hours of Etienne Chevalier by the 15th century French painter Jean Fouquet:

Worship God: Today's readings in Job 12:13 reminded me of Rich Mullins' song "Awesome God" sung here by Michael W. Smith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38V8jnN1Kpw

Do you know our Awesome God?  Click here for His Majesty!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. " Job 12:13 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you simply worship God for His wisdom, power, counsel and understanding. Pray that you go to God for wisdom, power, counsel and understanding 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