The Family Bible Journey Podcast

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.

Haman receives his due as Esther presses her king for mercy. The king can't believe his second in command was so cruel, and when he comes to confront Haman, it appears Haman is attacking Esther! Incensed, the king orders Haman hung on the gallows prepared for Mordecai. An unexpected conclusing to Esther's dinner party.

Jesus tells Peter to love HIM by tending, feeding, and caring for His flock. Jesus doesn't ask us to build great monuments or buildings for Him. All He asks us is to love Him by loving others and by pointing them to Jesus.

How often do you feel forgotten? Mordecai had saved the king's life and received no honor. Esther was preoccupied with being queen to pay him much attention. Yet, in this chapter, the king remembers Mordecai's service and honors him above Haman. Here we see God's sense of humor and are encouraged when it feels like we have been forgotten.

Esther is unsure of her king's love and affection when Mordecai asks her to interceed on behalf of their people. Instead of going to the king and insisting he make right the terrible wrong done to her people because she is his wife, she wisely begins to win him over by love. Lavish feasts, prepared by her maidens, give her opportunity to assure herself of the king's love, so that when she makes her urgent request, he does so in love, instead of obligation.

This seemingly minor miracle is a gentle gesture that puts the disciples on a course that will become the greatest movement in all of human history. We take courage and comfort from these men. Just as God used them to change the world, He uses us to alter the earthly lives and eternal destiny of those we touch with His love.

Mordecai pleads with Esther to intervene on behalf of her people, who are faced with extermination at the hands of Haman. She is torn. She wants to help, but isn't feeling the love of the king, and could experience the same fate as Vashti if she overplays her hand. By risking her life and position to address the king, she is a type of Christ, and wisely seeks the king's favor before making her entreaty.

Esther's adoptive father Mordecai earns the wrath of Haman, the second in command of Persia because he refused to bow before anyone besides God or king. Haman's anger led to a murderous, then genocidal hatred for Mordecai and all the Jews. In this episode we learn that this conflict was over 1,000 years in the making.

Jesus establishes His disciples in the faith by appearing to them. When He appeared, He gave them His Holy Spirit and a new charge-to go and proclaim the forgiveness of sins to all people. Ever since this great commissioning, we properly understand that the Church is in the forgiveness business.

Queen Esther stands out from the crowd, not only because she is physically attractive, but also because of her wisdom and virtue. Loved as the only daughter of Mordecai, she knew how to love, because he had loved her dearly. In her rise to prominence, we are encouraged to cultivate the inner beauty that made her stand above the rest.

Esther begins not with Queen Esther, but rather Quenn Vashti. When Vashti refused a royal summons from her husband, she caused an outrage in the kingdom that led to her exile. Unwittingly she set the stage for a new queen to arise.

We marvel at the empty tomb with Mary, Peter and John. Even though they did not understand what was happening, they recognized that life would never be the same. We rejoice with them in the hope of our own resurrection, made possible by Jesus and His Easter victory over death.

Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem after a lengthy absence, only to find that many of his enemies, and the enemies of God's purposes, were prospering in Jerusalem. He rectified the situation, having been given a chance to preserve his legacy. Nehemiah ends with a prayer that God would remember the good he had faithfully done, and He does! This gives us great hope and encouragement when we are fearful that our work will not persevere as we had hoped.

We thank God for faithful leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah in this passage. Because God had prospered the work of their hands, and they did not shrink from executing their task, all in and around Jerusalem were blessed.

In Jesus's final moments, we see Him caring for and providing for His mother and beloved disciple. We see many prophecies fulfilled explicitly in these moments. We marvel at the depth of His love and all He willingly endured to finish the work of our salvation.

God's people wept and lamented their polight as Ezra read God's law. He reponded by encouraging them to focus on God's love and mercy, because God's love has overcome their generational beligerance and unbelief. We too can take courage in God's mercy because His love overcomes all.

When Ezra read from the book of God's law, upon the completion of the city walls, the people mourned in reprentence. Hearing what God expected from HIs people, they knew they fell woefully short of God's standard. Yet, Ezra told them to rejoice, because God's mercy and love far outweigh His wrath. We join with them in both mournful repentence, and great joy as we see all of our sins forgiven in Christ Jesus.

Jesus was crowned with thorns and shame, so that when our earthly life ends, we may be crowned in glory. For us He suffered. For us He died. So that in Him, we may find salvation for our guilty souls.