READINGS FOR APRIL 5, 2024: JOB 34, 1 CORINTHIANS 1, PSALM 27:6-14
JOB 34
This chapter continues a speech by Job’s friend, Elihu, in response to Job’s speech. It can be broken into three sections as the speech changes who it is addressing (a group of wise men – verses 2-15, to Job – verses 16-33, to himself (Elihu) – verses 34-37).
Elihu’s main argument is that he believes that Job has argued that God is the author of evil. More than once (verses 5, 9, and 21), Elihu paraphrases or quotes Job’s own words to condemn Job and call him to repentance. In this chapter, Elihu is correct in his theology about God being a God of justice and not the author of evil.
Even though Elihu’s words are based upon a solid understanding of the omniscience (all-knowingness) of God, his words do not bring comfort to God. In addition, he misunderstands Job’s words and is quick to judge.
1 CORINTHIANS 1
Today, we begin a new book of the Bible, 1 Corinthians. It was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the Greek city of Corinth. The over-arching purpose of the letter was to address problems in the church with respect to Christian conduct. It proclaims a progressive sanctification and the continuing development of one’s holy character. The letter shows that Paul was concerned with the Corinthians’ problems, revealing a true pastor’s heart (NIV Study Bible, Kindle Edition).
The city of Corinth was a thriving city at this time. Because of its location near the Corinthian isthmus, by the time of Paul’s writing the letter, Corinth had become the chief city in Greece both commercially and politically. The harbors were a key port along the shipping lanes between Asia and Europe.
The Introduction (1:1-9)
If you read most of Paul’s letters contained in the New Testament, you will find that the introductions are similar. In many ways, these introductions are the way that proper letters were addressed to people in the Greek and Roman world at the time of Paul. The uniqueness of Paul’s introduction is the address “those sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2, NIV).
Division in the Church (1:10-17)
This is one of the main reasons that Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth. There were beginning to be differing factions within the congregation. Well-meaning members were beginning to hold the teachings of one person as more important than another. These differences were beginning to divide the church into different camps. Paul calls the Corinthians church to unity. We will delve into this more later in the chapter.
God’s Power and Wisdom (1:18-31)
This section of the chapter can get a little confusing. It requires a brief discussion of Greek philosophy and Jewish wisdom. Paul makes the following statement:
READINGS FOR APRIL 5, 2024: JOB 34, 1 CORINTHIANS 1, PSALM 27:6-14 (Continued)
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles (1 Corinthains 1:22-23a, NIV)
In the Jewish religion, adherents see the cross as a stumbling block. Their objection is fully rooted in their understanding of Deuteronomy 21:22-23a:
If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23a, NIV)
A person who had been crucified on a cross was cursed by God. When Christians say that the Messiah (Christ), Jesus, was crucified, it is hard for the typical Jewish person to comprehend. How could someone under God’s curse be the Messiah? How could one cursed by God have been sent to save them? It is a stumbling block.
In Greek philosophy, the goal of life was to pursue pleasure, wealth, and wisdom. In Greek religious life, the “gods” were the source of those things. The gospel that we preach is that God’s Son willingly came down from heaven, suffered, and died. For the Greek, this seems foolish. The One who should be the source of pleasure is the One who chose to suffer to save them.
To these groups, the cross presents a problem. And yet, God’s act in Jesus Christ goes far beyond human wisdom. Paul says:
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Corinthians 1:18, NIV)
For those of us who believe that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for us, we find power. For we see that through the cross, God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Through Christ’s death on the cross, God set the stage for us to be reconciled to God. Through his crucifixion, Jesus paid the price for our sins. When we put our faith in Christ, our sins have been forgiven. The penalty for our sins has been paid in full.
PSALM 27:6-14
Verses 7-14 is a prayer for deliverance from our enemies. It was written by King David at a time when his enemies were using false charges to discredit the king. There are two things to remember in times of adversity. First, seek Gods face (verse 8). When times are tough, intentionally seek the presence of God. Second, allow God to teach you (verse 11). The best testimony to your innocence is to follow the path that God is calling you to follow.
