The Family Bible Journey Podcast

Is it a dragon, a Pleasaur or Mesosaur? Whatever it is, this terrible, firebreathing monster, that reduces all of man's strength to fear and ashes, is nothing more than a playful pet from God's perspective. Once again, God's imagination, wisdom and strength are beyond our understanding.

Now that Paul is traveling on his own, we see God bringing many new friends into his circle. Timothy and Luke emerge as his new travel companions, in the wake of Barnabas's departure. It's good that God grants him faithful friends, because his missionary work is getting harder, not easier, as he continues his preaching.

Job is humbled when his request to make his case before his Maker is granted. He repents of his sin of judging God and of speaking ill of God. We too must be quiet when confronted with God's greatness, or fall in danger of sinning presumptuously against God.

After using the depths to demonstrate his wisdom, God makes an appeal using the heights. Some of the most reclusive and elusive creatures, ibex, hawks, and eagles, demonstrate the surpassing intimacy God enjoys with His creation. Here again, we are limited, but God is unlimited in His knowledge of all things.

The Jerusalem Council is convened to answer a most basic question of faith. Must we do something to be saved? The leaders had been divided on the necesssity of circumcision before this, but after Peter's impassioned speech, they all agree that only faith and grace are necessary for salvation. But this great moment of unity is tempered by the end of the chapter, where Paul and Barnabas part ways over a disagreement.

God's speech begins by God contrasting His wisdom to the depths of the earth, the seas, the heavens, space and even human understanding. He puts Job and his friends in place not by condemning them, but rather by sharing with them the true nature of reality.

Elihu proves a faulty friend of Job for three reasons. He is foolishly arrogant, expouses the faulty logic of Job's other friends, and finds fault with Job, insisting that Job somehow deserves his lot in life. Elihu's faulty example gives us good reason to cherish good and faithful friends as the gift of God that they are to us.

In Lystra, a mob, inspired by Paul's healing of a cripple, want to offer sacrifices to him and Barnabas as representatives of Zeus and Hermes. Paul restrains the crowd, only to have the same mob whipped into a murderous state by his opponents, stone him, and leave him for dead. Revived and undeterred, Paul and Barnabas continue their preaching, and establish leaders and churches in every community they visit.

Elihu, the young man, speaks with some degree of naiveté and runs his mouth when he should be opening his years. In his speech, he wrestles with the difficulties of reconciling God's goodness with the reality suffering and evil in the world. Here we learn the dangers of conflating related ideas in a way that corrupts our thinking.

After rebuking Job's other friends for their worldly wisdom, Elihu turns his tongue on Job. Elihu's speech will alternate accusations against Job, and defense of God.

The church grows as a diverse assembly of saints by the Holy Spirit's leading. Leading businessmen, an African, a member of Herod's court and even the Roman Governor of Cyprus are brought to faith. This shows us that God does not discriminate between rich or poor, educated or uneducated. He welcomes all into His family.

Elihu, the thus far silent "friend," now speaks. In his speech, we see that in his silence, Elihu had defered to his elders. Eager to be heard, he promises to tell them exactly how he feels.

Job makes his final self-defense by insisting on the purity of his heart, extolling just punishments for evil, and recounting his generosity with those who had suffered. He ends his case with a final plea is to make his case before the Almighty.

The bookends of this chapter are the death of James, and the death of Herod, who had ordered James killed and Peter imprisoned. But the story of a little servant girl named Rhoda, who couldn't believe that her hero Peter had been freed from prison, stands out as a cute story of genuine faith.

We can commiserate with Job when others kick us when we are down. Job recalls the blessings of his earlier years and laments his demise. Even the poorest of the poor and the meanest of the mean are looking down on him.

Job tells his friends that they will only find wisdom with God and where God is found. So much of their "wisdom" was earthly, not based upon God's etermal Word. Listening to Job, and learning from Him, we want to find wisdom by spending time with God in His Word and in worship.

The key to the Christian faith is that repentance leads to life. Too many people have it too good, or are too distracted to care about sin or to think they've ever done any wrong. May we never lose sight of the most important fact that in Christ, we have life, through the forgiveness of our sins.

Job declares the wonderful working of the heavens, as he begins to describe the majesty of God. He decribes natural phenomena that still amaze us today. He lays the case for God's inscrutable and unfathomable ways, as he prepares to lay out a long defensive discourse with his "friends."

This brief chapter gives us opportunity to reflect on the breakdown in communication between Job and his friends. Even though they had much more in common than not, they couldn't connect. Instead of listening, they talked past each other. Here we learn the importance of listening, if we want to make a meaningful connection with someone.

Cornelius was a Roman Centurion who feared the One True God. The Lord sent Peter to him, to tell him of God's love. Cornelius was so excited at the prospect of hearing Peter, that he invited all he knew to hear the Good News. In so doing, Cornelius brought many of his loved ones to faith in Jesus as the Savior.

Job is tired of his "friends'" constant assaults and blame. In weary resignation, he wishes to make his case before God Almighty, the only true and understanding Judge. Here, we have the blessing, as New Testament saints, of knowing that when we stand before God in judgment, we shall be aquitted for the sake of Christ Jesus.

Nobody wants to suffer. This is why so many, when confronted with seemingly random loss, often try to find a cause and effect relationship between human suffering and a human cause. But this life is patently unfair, as Eliphaz fails to recognize.

Saul left Jerusalem with arrest warrants for anyone who followed, "the Way," of Jesus. Along the road, he was blinded by Jesus, the One Saul had been persecuting. Terrified and confused, Saul was converted, baptized and renamed Paul. He, who had been the Church's most aggressive opponent, became its most ardent proponent.

Zophar continues berating and belittling Job, whom he assumes has done some terrible wrong to merit God's wrath. Job insists he has done nothing in particular to deserve such harsh treatment. And so we are left considering injustice and the hard realities of living in a world where the evil and the good suffer alike.

In the depths of despair, Job utters one of the clearest statements of faith ever spoken in the Bible. His comfort is ours in Christ Jesus. Job's proclamaition of unwavering faith is a great encouragement and comfort for us all.

We hear the birth story of the Church in Africa. Long before the gospel reached Europe or the Americas, God's Word was firmly planted in the heart of the Ethiopian eunuch. He fathered the Coptic and African Church.

Philip is an under-appreciated leader in the early church. In chapter 8, he takes the gospel to Samaria. His interactions with Simon the Magician, a fraud and swindler, show how powerful Philip had become as a Spirit-led evangelist. Before the end of the chapter, he will reach the heart of Africa with the gospel!

Bildad insults Job for not submitting to his friends' insistence that he must've done something to deserve God's wrath. Like every good lie, there is some truth in what they say. But Job is left now with nothing but sadness, loss, and accusations that all is his fault.

Job loathes his "friends." Instead of consoling him, his "comforters" blame him for his misfortune, amplifying his grief and shame.

Stephen is stoned for laying blame at the feet of the religious authorities for the death of their own Redeemer. Before accusing them of treachery towards God, he recounts the long history of Israel's rejection of her redeemers from Joseph, to Moses, and throughout their history. As Stephen is stoned, we meet a young man named Saul, who approves of this martyr's death.

Eliphaz suggests that Job's insistence that he has done nothing in particular to deserve his suffering is a threat to faith. A basic misconception is laid bare here. Eliphaz believes if you do good, you will receive good. Bad, receive bad. But Job contends saying that the good and evil suffer alike. This gives us occasion to consider the relationship between our works and what happens to us in this life.

Job compares the weariness of this life to waters that erode even the mountains over the course of time. When we suffer like Job, we lament our loss. But as people of faith, it is OK for us to mourn because it brings healing. Even when mourning, we recognize the blessings that God has given us, thanking and praising God for the people and the things we love and cherish, even when they are taken away from us.

Stephen is a leader in the early church. Excellent in his faith and devotion, he is made a deacon, and trusted with the care of widows. As he goes about his work, he is identified as a threat to the religious leadership of Jerusalem, and is put on trial for his faith.

Job defend himself against the insults of his friends by insisting he had the same intelligence as they. He then affirmed the wisdom of creation, which recognizes the wisdom of God even when men do not. As we continue to reflect on the conversation between Job and his friends, we are given opportunity to examine ourselves and consider where our hopes lie.

Zophar preaches the wisdom of this world when Job is suffering. He blames Job for what he is going through instead of lifting his friend up in a spirit of mercy. In this chapter we get to challenge the "wisdom" of the prosperity gospel that millions are seduced by even today.

These three characters warn us to be true to God in all things. Ananias and Saphira lost their lives for misrepresenting the extent of their generosity. Gamaliel was a priest who warned the Council about the dangers of opposing God and His purposes. Both stories give us pause to make sure we are honest with ourselves and God about our motivations for the choices we make.

Job defend his righteous cause by reflecting on the immutable and unfathomable wisdom of God, as it is displayed in creation. He appeals to God, pleading for an intercessor, a mediator, a savior who could plead his case before the Almighty. Job longed for the Savior we know. In Jesus, we know that we have the advocate that Job so desperately wanted.

Bildad suggests that Job's children perished for their sin, and that if Job were righteous, he would not suffer as he did. Here we are challenged with half-truths about God and earthly justice. On this side of eternity there is much sin and suffering. Not until we are in the Lord's presence will justice have her day.

The religious authorities were keen to treat the disciples as they had Jesus, by killing them. But the crowd was in awe of the men who had healed a man they all knew to be crippled since birth. The authorities threatened to mistreat them, but the disciples were undeterred. They couldn't withhold the good news of God's redeeming power in Jesus.

Job suffers by day and experiences nightmares during broken sleep. We reflect on the difficulty of sleepless nights and nightmares, experienced by many when they are depressed, anxious, or under stress. Where do you turn when you can't run from your distress?

Eliphaz is the first of Job's friends to speak, and in his opening rant, indicts Job for his suffering. The basic message of chapter four is that God protects the innocent. Chapter five suggests that evil purposes are thwarted by God. While both would be nice, neither is true in this life, so we hear in the words of Eliphaz, earthly wishes mixed with godly wisdom.

An undeniable miracle, the healing of a man who had been begging forty years at the Beautiful Gate, gave Peter and John platform to preach even to the religious authorities. They spoke words of restoration and refreshment in Christ, available even to those who had sent Jesus to His death.

Job's suffering is so great that he wishes he hadn't been born. Despite his wealth and righteousness, he lost everything. Given his terrible lot, we do well to set our hopes and minds on things above, where moth and rust do not destroy.

After Job loses his wealth and children in chapter one, he loses His wife and grows incurable sores in chapter two. He is now suffering in every conceivable way. In the depths of his despair, Job is joined by three friends who come to comfort him.

At Pentecost, the confusion caused at the Tower of Babel is reversed. The Holy Spirit descends to bring clarity and unity to the Church that is born of all tribes and languages. Here we see a glimmer of hope for humanity as longstanding divisions are overcome in Christ.

The book of Job begins with a righteous man losing everything, including his children, in a bet between God and satan. In the coming chapters, we will join Job in his suffering, learning from him the nature of faith and life. This world is not kind, and we do well to learn from Job's faithful example.

The enemies of the Jews fought for vengeance and greed, while the Jewish people fought for their families and lives. No wonder the Jews fared much better in this battle than their adversaries. When, not if we must fight, it's good to know who you are fighting for. If your cause is worth dying for, you are prepared to fight. If not, you may lose everything for nothing.

Jesus blessed His disciples before His Ascension. The disciples, a few hundred in number, stay in Jerusalem, waiting for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. While they don't yet understand what this all means, they wait in faith, knowing Jesus has not abandoned them, and has promised to send them His Spirit.

Mordecai is given Haman's house, position, and an opportunity to save his people. Even though a royal decree can't be revoked, a new one can be written. The new decree, authored by Esther and Mordecai, allowed the Jews to defend and avenge themselves on their enemies. Thus, God turned their promised demise into their deliverance.

After Job loses his wealth and children in chapter one, he loses His wife and grows incurable sores in chapter two. He is now suffering in every conceivable way. In the depths of his despair, Job is joined by three friends who come to comfort him.