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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 11

Jan11

Day 11. Reading in Job 29 – 31. 

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write “in the comments” what was meaningful to YOU. We can encourage each other in Him.

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Job 29.

In this whole chapter, Job remembers how “it used to be…”  when God’s “lamp shone on my head….”  when ” the friendship of God was upon my tent… when the almighty was yet with me… when my children were all around me.” He remembers sitting at the gate and both young men and nobles respected him and called him “blessed.”  He helped all in need; the blind, lame, poor, and persecuted.  Men listened to him and waited in silence for his counsel. “I chose their way and sat as chief.”

  • Lord, I have been there too. I’ve gone through periods when I would reminisce “how it used to be.” and long for those ‘good old days.’  I feel like such a “fair weather friend” sometimes, receiving blessing as if it was my due, and bemoaning when tough times come.
  • It’s good for me to remember Your blessings, Lord, and be thankful. But do You love and care for me any less in times of sorrow or pain? No, I’m the one who looks away from You. I hope I can remember Psalm 23:4. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me…”

Job 30.

Job showed us his “glory” in the previous chapter. Now he shows us what his life has become (at least, from his perspective).  “NOW they laugh at me, men who are younger than I.”  “Now I have become their (jeering) song; I am a byword to them. They abhor me; they keep aloof from me…..they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me.”  WOW.

He describes what his favored life in the sunshine has become. “NOW my soul in poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me. The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest.”  He feels he’s been thrown into the mirey clay and become like the mud, dust, and ashes he lies in.

And NOW, the worst of it. Job feels God has deserted him. “I cry to You for help and You do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.”

  • It takes a very dark time of depression and despondency for a believer to feel that God has truly deserted him.  I mean, where can you go if God is silent?  Many times it’s here that the devil comes to cause further doubt and fear. “Has God really said that He loves you…?  How can a sinful, despicable person like you think that God has saved you…?  God’s has turned His back on you. You’ve sinned one too many times. YOU ARE LOST!” 
  • What to do in times like this?  Praise God, we have His Word. A tiny spark of faith in all that darkness can be whipped into flame by his powerful, living Word.  Pick it up, read it aloud, pray it, meditate on it.  You can speak it back to that taunting devil…just as Jesus did in the dessert.  Resist Satan with the WORD. (It is a sword, after all.) Read gospel passages. Pray them. Believe them.  God does not lie. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” Romans 10:17  Doubts and the devil must FLEE God’s word.

Job didn’t have the written Word of God, but when his soul rises in faith, it’s when he proclaims God’s promises.  “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” (13:15)  “For I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will stand upon the earth….and in my flesh I shall see God.” (19:25-26) “But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”  “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.”  (23:10, 12)

Job 31.

Job is now more bold as if he stands in court to proclaim his integrity.  Notice the many “if… then let” statements he makes. If I’ve sinned in this way… then let punishment come. 

Example:  “If I have raised my hand against the fatherless…. then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket.”  

Or, “If my land has cried out against me and its furrows have wept together, if I have eaten its yield WITHOUT PAYMENT and made its owners breathe their last…..let thorns grow instead of wheat and foul weeds instead of barley.”

And so, “The words of Job are ended.”

 

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 8

Jan8

Day 8. Reading in Job 17 – 20. 

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write what was meaningful to YOU “in the comments.”  We can encourage each other.

Job 17.

Job seems at his very lowest point in this chapter. ‘My spirit is broken.“

Even though Job is surrounded by “friends” (mockers, vs. 2) (unwise, vs. 10), he must feel terribly alone. When a person is in deep pain or sorrow, it’s hard for them to imagine how anyone can know what they feel.

  • How can we help them?  I think, the way these men surrounded Job in silence at the beginning is best.  For women, maybe a good hug too. (But would anyone have wanted to hug a man covered with oozing boils?)
  • Oh, God! Give me a heart of mercy, like Yours. Even in Your suffering on the cross, you asked for your persecutors to be forgiven. You took care of your grieving mother. You gave grace to the repentant thief.

Job 18.

Bildad speaks again. He chafes at Job’s unkind (but true) words about them. “Why are we stupid in your sight? YOU who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for YOU??”  He insinuates that Job is WICKED and then explains in gory detail what happens to wicked men who do not repent. After describing the horrors of the wicked, Bildad ends his speech with the whiplash accusation of a scorpion, no doubt glaring, or even pointing at Job. “…SUCH is the place of him who KNOWS NOT GOD.”

Job 19.

(Remember chapter one?  God describes Job as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”  SURELY Job is a man who KNOWS God.)

And yet under the “torment” of his friends, Job slides deeper into doubt. He tells the men around him that their opinions of him don’t matter, but, yes, now he begins to feel that God has forsaken him. ‘He has kindled his wrath against me and counts me as His adversary.”

Job even cries out to these miserable men, “Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me.”  Then, faith seems to well up in him. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been this destroyed, yet IN MY FLESH…..I shall see God.”  (This is prophecy.)  What faith!

WOW!

  • Did you notice how Job’s prayer in verse 23 has been answered, even as you read the words? He prays, “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book. Oh that with an iron pen and lead (a printer?) they were engraved in the rock forever!” 
  • WE ARE READING the answer to that prayer.   WE KNOW that Job has not sinned according to the magnitude of his suffering.  WE KNOW what was happening in heaven concerning Job.
  • WE KNOW that when suffering comes to US, that God is in sovereign control and has us always in his hand and power. Satan can go THUS FAR and no more, to harm God’s children.  Help this to be not only “head” knowledge, but “heart” assurance.

Job 20.

Then, the third and youngest, Zophar, rises for the second time to place his hand across his chest and “wax eloquent” before the others. (You want to laugh, or gag as you read this, especially as he aims his deadly word-arrows towards Job.)

Zophar is aghast at Job’s wonderful claim of faith about seeing His Redeemer one day.  HOW DARE HE SAY HE WILL SEE GOD!?   He tells Job, “Don’t you know this from old, since man was placed on earth, that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? Though his height mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds, he will perish forever like his own dung?” 

And Zophar goes on, yada, yada, yada, ending with, “This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the heritage decreed for him by God.”  (And NOT seeing Him face to face, Zophar implies.)

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Eliphaz and Bildad get at Job a third time tomorrow. After that, a newcomer will try his hand. Eventually GOD HIMSELF will answer Job.  Stay tuned.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 4

Jan4

Day 4. Reading in Job 1 – 5. 

I’m rereading God’s Word this year. And I hope to blog about it differently. Instead of writing only an overview of the text, I want it to be more personal.

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write “in the comments” what you found meaningful. We can encourage each other.

 

Job 1.

Our pastor once said that Job’s first and last chapters are great, but everything in the middle is foolishness. He said that because none of Job’s friends speak God’s wisdom.  However, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “ALL scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness,”  So let’s look for that during these dozen days in the book of Job.

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In chapter one, we see what Job never sees or understands, which can be a great comfort to us in our suffering. We may never know why bad things happen to US, but we CAN know that God is in perfect control. He is sovereign. He ALLOWED Satan to hurt and torment Job “for His glory.”  Job’s statement in 1:21 shows total dependence and faith in his God.  This glorifies God. 

  • Shortly after reading through Job last year, I went through a scary time of breast cancer, surgery, and radiation treatment. Throughout those months, I often thought of Job. His declaration of God’s sovereignty, his emotional ups and downs, and his questions and despairs helped me when I was at my lowest.  UNLIKE Job, I was surrounded by friends who held me up in prayer, comforted, encouraged, and helped me practically in so many ways. They kept me looking to God throughout the trial, and I am very grateful.  So now, I’m reading this book from a different perspective.

We know the story.  Job was as blameless and upright as Noah before him, who feared God and turned away from evil.  God chose righteous Noah to go through a great disaster unharmed to bring Him glory. God chose His righteous servant, Job, to endure a great trial with much suffering, bringing Him praise from Job’s own lips. (Job 42). (And, might I say, a slam to Satan.)

As Job lost all his animals (wealth), his children, and even his own health, he “did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

(Well, it WASN’T God who did any wrong to him, but Satan, with God’s permission, who caused all that destruction, death, and pain, just as that old Serpent had done in the beginning in the garden of Eden. Death and pain are his specialties.)  Job was unaware of how God showcased him, or he probably would have felt pride.

  • I wonder…  As Christians, when we experience suffering, maybe we should remember that others are looking at us to see how WE respond.  Are we trusting in our God no matter what happens?  Can we give Him glory by our attitude?  In a way, these words of Jesus apply, “Let your LIGHT so shine before men, that they may see your good works (attitude in suffering), and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) 
  • For me, I often complain loudly when things go wrong. ‘Why is this happening to me?’ I fume.  It’s good that I’m rereading this book of Job.

Job’s wife DID blame God. “Oh, husband, why don’t you just curse God and die!”  Wow. A loving wife she was not. (She will get her due, having to bear ten more children in her latter years! Ha!)

Job 2.

Job is now suffering painfully, with masses of boils erupting all over his body. He uses pieces of broken pottery in the trash heap to scrape off the swollen heads and allow the pus to run out.  To his disgusted wife, he says, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”

  • I wonder…did she sponge off his hurting body with cool water sometimes?  Did she apply salve to the open sores?  Did she bring and feed him a healing broth?  Somehow, I think not.

But a few of Job’s friends came to comfort him. His increasing pain was so great that, in distress for him, they wept, tore their robes, and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then, they sat silently with him in compassion for seven days and nights.

Job 3 – 5.

Then, the “foolishness” begins.

Of course, Job had the right to curse the day he was born. (I think David or King Solomon did this, too.) “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb, and expire?” he moans (or wails).  It’s understandable, of course, him being in so much pain.

It stirs one of his friends to speak, “Who, that was innocent, ever perished?  As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble…reap the same.”  Thanks, Eliphaz, that really wasn’t comforting.  You’re saying I’m suffering because I sinned against God?

Eliphaz continues ‘laying it on’.  “Affliction does not come from dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground.  As for ‘me,’ I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause...”  And then, in what seems a self-righteous attitude, he tells Job, “Blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” 

This is true enough, but Eliphaz doesn’t know what we know. Job’s suffering isn’t discipline!  It is proof that God loves him, knows the faithfulness of his heart, and is willing for Satan to do his worst to reveal that man CAN serve God fully. 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 2

Jan2

Day 2. Beginning with the five books of Moses, the Torah, in Genesis 4 – 7. 

I’m reading through God’s Word again this year, but I’ll write/blog about it differently. Instead of an overview of the text, I want it to be more personal.

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write “in the comments” what was meaningful to YOU. We can encourage each other in Him.

 

Genesis 4.

  • After the disaster of their sin yesterday, I’m almost despondent to begin the long history of the human race.  The triumph of Revelation 21 seems so far distant.  But God promised One would come who would be victorious over sin and Satan.  I’ll be looking for Him through the following 1,185 chapters. 

After the “multiplied pain of childbirth,” it seems like Eve thought her firstborn son, Cain, was that Promised One. “I’ve gotten a man with the help of the LORD,” she said.  But another boy, Abel, was born (and then another and many others and daughters).  I wonder if Eve remained hopeful, clear to the last son born to her. “Is THIS the One?”

Adam’s original job in Eden was tending the garden and the animals. Now, that work seems to be divided between the first two sons.  Cain worked hard in the fields, and Able had to work hard caring for the animals.  

The Bible doesn’t say WHEN offerings were first given to God. They were possibly to thank Him for the year’s success. When the time came, the men offered a portion of what they had gained.  Cain brought an offering from his produce. Able offered the firstborn of his flock.   Why did God not like Cain’s offering?

Maybe it was a heart attitude. Or, perhaps, it was the gift itself. But why? Later, God required Israel to give a tithe from their very first harvest.

It was probably both reasons.  If God required a “blood” offering (like Abel’s), and they both KNEW it, why didn’t Cain buy or trade some produce for a suitable animal?  Could it have been PRIDE that stopped him? Was that what made him so angry?

  • Lord, I sometimes begrudge giving up something I have to You or others.  And often, my PRIDE keeps me from humbling myself and asking for help from others.  Sometimes, I get angry because I don’t like feeling in the wrong.  Father, forgive me and keep me from these sins today.  Help me, like you said to Cain, “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for YOU, but you must rule over it.” 

Cain didn’t listen, and out of jealousy and anger, he killed Abel. I can picture him saying, YOU wanted blood: how about this? All the while shaking his fist at God.  (Maybe not.) So death entered the world like God said. And sin multiplied through Cain’s generations.

Genesis 5.

Hallelujah!  A third son was born to Adam and Eve, and it would be through Seth that the Savior would come. And look! People began calling on the Name of the LORD!  (4:26)

This chapter shows Adam’s genealogy through Seth. Notice those years!!! Notice the fruitfulness and multiplication of mankind (just as God instructed).  Then came NOAH, a savior, but not THE Savior. 

  • Father in Heaven, as I look at my son, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren, I ask that their hearts always seek You and “find favor in Your eyes.” Keep them from evil.

Interestingly, both Noah’s father, Lamech, and his grandfather, Methuselah, died the year OF the flood.  Whether IN the flood or not, we don’t know.

Genesis 6.

I thought sin in Cain’s heart was bad, but now, ALL mankind (except one) were greatly wicked. God saw that “every intention of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.”  Not a minute of goodness.  But Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.  WOW! What a contrast! 

  • Oh, God, I ask that You “Search ME and know MY heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)

  God told Noah that He’d decided to “make an end of all flesh for the earth is filled with violence through them. I will destroy them with the earth.”  

But He provided Noah and his family a way of safety (salvation). Noah had 120 years to build a giant wooden ship for himself, his family, and a pair of all the animals and birds on Earth. God promised Noah “life” as long as he was in that boat. Today, God promises that all who are “in Christ Jesus” by faith will be saved.

So Noah got to work building the boat, just like God instructed, and filling it with food.

Did those wicked people notice? Care? Did they ridicule him? Try to stop him? Did he preach to them? Or ignore them?  120 years seems long to us, but remember, people then lived 900+ years. The Bible doesn’t say that Noah ever doubted or tired of doing God’s will. He worked for 1,640 months, trusting God.

  • What about me? I have doubted God’s will and way.  I’ve gotten “weary in well-doing.”  I’ve been impatient when I haven’t seen results.  Oh, Lord, help me to be like Noah – full of faith, and faithful.

Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith, Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark, for the saving of his household. By this, he condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness that comes by faith.“

Genesis 7.

The day came when God told Noah to get into the ark. He and his family obeyed, and the designated animals went into the ark with Noah.  God shut the door.

Jesus said, “For as in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were UNAWARE until the flood came and swept them all away.”

Seven days later, in Noah’s 600th year, on the 17th day of the 2nd month………………….

  • the fountains of the great deep burst forth
  • the windows of the heavens were opened
  • the rain fell upon the earth forty days and nights.
  • the waters increased and bore up the ark
  • the ark floated on the waters
  • all the high mountains were covered by 22.5 feet
  • ALL FLESH DIED THAT MOVED ON THE EARTH, birds, livestock, beasts, insects, and ALL MANKIND.
  • the waters prevailed on the earth for 150 days.

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  • Lord, am I ready for Your second coming?  Will I be busy doing earthly things and not looking toward the heavens for You?  May the treasures my heart desires all be in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)