READINGS FOR APRIL 4, 2024: JOB 33, ROMANS 16, PSALMS 27:1-5 JOB 33 This is one of those chapters that defies easy interpretation. Thus, humility is stressed in offering any insight. Certainly, one could come to a different conclusion than what will be presented below. Is Elihu on the right track or not? Spoiler alert: God does not mention Elihu in His final statement; He does mention Job’s other three friends. Let’s proceed with caution.
Elihu’s introductory statement (vs. 1-7) could be considered a bit egotistical. He calls his elder Job by name and suggests that he, Elihu, speaks with knowledge and integrity. On the other hand, he does identify with Job as a fellow creature of God.
In the next verses, he quotes Job as saying he, Job, is pure and guiltless and that God has invented charges against him. Is that an entirely fair summary of Job’s comments? Job certainly did not believe his suffering was warranted, yet he also made these comments: “My words have been rash” (6:3); “I know that You will not hold me innocent” (9:28); and “You write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth” (Job 13:26). It is easy for all of us to remember the words that support our case while omitting others that don’t. If the purpose is to help Job, not prove himself right, it seems Elihu could have been more balanced in his recollection of Job’s comments.
Elihu then states that Job was wrong to say God had not communicated to him: “Why do you complain to Him That He does not give an account of all His doings? Indeed, God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls on people, While they slumber in their beds, Then He opens the ears of people, And horrifies them with warnings, So that He may turn a person away from bad conduct, And keep a man from pride; He keeps his soul back from the pit, And his life from perishing by the spear” (vs 13-18).
Has God spoken to people through dreams? Many times. How about Job? Job mentioned in 7:8 that he indeed had bad dreams. Yet, it is quite a logical jump on Elihu’s part to speak with certainty that these were from God for the purpose of keeping Job from pride. Nowhere is that mentioned in the book of Job, and we know more of God’s intent than Elihu did.
Elihu suggests that God also communicates through bringing pain: “A person is also rebuked by pain in his bed, And with constant complaint in his bones” (vs. 19). Does God ever do that? He does. Again, it is a presumptuous leap to suggest that this is what God is doing in this case. In fact, we know with 100% certainty that God is not doing so in this case. He is allowing Satan to test Job, not to discipline him for his sins.
Some teachers see a prophetic reference to Jesus at the end of the chapter through the use of the words “interceding, ransom, redeemed, and righteousness.” This is possible, yet perhaps we need not go out on a limb on this point since there is no confirmation present in the New Testament as there are for many other Old Testament messianic prophecies.
READINGS FOR APRIL 4, 2024 CONTINUED: ROMANS 16, PSALMS 27:1-5 ROMANS 16 As was recently mentioned, the Christian faith is not meant to be lived in isolation, but to be lived in community, in the local and worldwide church. Nowhere is this more evident than in this chapter. Paul’s extensive knowledge of so many individuals in Rome is amazing and proof that he was not a distant project manager but deeply involved in the lives of other Christians. If any of us are not so involved, we need to consider how to connect with other believers.
Pheobe, mentioned in verse 1 is generally considered the person who delivered this letter to Rome. She is described in some translations as a servant of the church and in others as a deacon. The same Greek word used can mean either, so it may be significant that she was considered a deacon, an official of the church. Paul then launches into a long series of greetings. Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned first. We also run into this husband-and-wife team in Acts 18 as mentors to Apollos. Here we also learn that Paul owes his life to them. No wonder they are mentioned first. Perhaps we all have friends who have risked something for our sake. Let’s thank God for these essential people.
Verse 7 seems routine on the surface, but it is at once one of the most celebrated and most controversial verses in the Bible. Some scholars read this as saying “Junia is outstanding among the apostles.” This is how most translations render it. Others believe the verse should read “Junia is well known to the apostles.” The issue at stake is women in church leadership. Space does not permit fuller treatment of this matter here. Certainly, Junia was a highly valued woman of God, as were many others mentioned in this greeting list.
The last ten verses include final greetings, along with vital warnings and admonitions. Watch out for false teachers who teach just the opposite of what Paul taught! They are not godly but self-serving. Be established in the Gospel as conveyed by Paul and the Scriptures. These are commands by the eternal God leading to “obedience of faith.” Note that faith is not believing anything we want or our culture suggests but is embedded in obedience to God’s revelation.
PSALM 27:1-5 This Psalm is the text for quite a rousing song that captures the mood well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwk4EW1HQU8 Even without the music, one feels ready to tackle anything just by reading these empowering words. Think about it for a moment! Who or what can make us afraid if the Lord of the Universe is our Light? First David states this obvious but liberating truth. Then he expresses a request to dwell in the Temple all his days to meditate and behold his beauty. The Temple of God is now withing each believer. We can and should be living in His presence and beholding His beauty as our default state. Let’s test ourselves on this. What do we think about when waiting for a long train or standing in a long line? We could be meditating on God and beholding His beauty. At least we can do it now!
