READINGS FOR MARCH 5, 2024: JOB 11, MATTHEW 22, PSALM 16:7-11 JOB 11 Zophar the Naamathite enters the conversation. He finds yet new ways of being harmful. He scolds Job for pouring out his soul during his grief. He thinks he needs to answer all Job’s comments, even though he does so in a heartless manner. Too many of us speak when we should just listen. Too many of us rush to fix the problem, when we have little sense about what would truly be helpful.
Zophar states truth about God’s ways being beyond Job’s, yet he does so from a posture of superiority. Verses 11-15 are downright cruel. Zophar insinuates that Job is false, sinful, idiotic, wrong of heart, wicked, and having moral defect. He suggests if Job would just change his evil ways, his life circumstances would suddenly be trouble free. The old country song “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” has more theological insight than Zophar’s naive comment. Let’s do as God the Father advised the three disciples at the transfiguration, listen to Jesus:“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
MATTHEW 22 Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a king throwing a wedding feast for his son. This corresponds to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Jesus) and his bride (the church, Eph. 5:25-27) in heaven (Rev.19:6-9). Notice, again Jesus infers his initial invitation was to the Jews, perhaps especially the religious leadership. The king (God the Father) stressed the extreme preparation that took place—in this case the cross of Christ. Those invited refused to attend and followed their normal routine, just as folks often do today upon hearing the Gospel. The king responded by destroying them with fire—as the Bible repeatedly warns that there will be a cost for rejecting Jesus. Yet, because of their rejection, the invitation was extended much more broadly—likely referring to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:11). A final warning is given to those not properly dressed for the wedding. Galatians 3:26-27 states,“For all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves in Christ.” JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN.
Jesus’s interaction with the Pharisees and Herodians once again confirmed that followers of Jesus need not forsake their civic responsibilities, even toward a Roman government that eventually persecuted Christians. This stands in contrast to the so called “liberation theology” popular among some Central American Marxists in the late 20th century. Abraham Kuyper’s concept of “sphere sovereignty” or differentiated responsibility appears to fit this text better.
Next up, the Sadducees take a crack at Jesus. They raised an extreme example of Old Testament levirate marriages to ridicule the prospect of life after death. Jesus’s response included some key information about heaven: 1) there will be no married partners; 2) people will be like angels in this respect and; 3) we will be alive, but still will be totally distinct from
READINGS FOR MARCH 5, 2024 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 22, PSALM 16:7-11 and subject to God. Lastly an expert of the Law tested Jesus with this question: “Which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus responded, loving God and loving neighbor. As with almost all scripture, even this response has been misunderstood. One popular Christian singer, recently featured in a Washington Post article, suggested that if she followed these two commandments her own way, she did not need to obey the rest of the Bible. Certainly, Jesus meant that we love God and love neighbor precisely by obeying the Bible in totality.
PSALM 16:7-11 Blessing God. In verse 7 David commits to “blessing the Lord who has counseled him.” It is puzzling if one really thinks about our blessing God. When God blesses us, we are made better off than we were before by His blessing. God cannot be made better. He always exists in a state of perfection or blessedness. Perhaps our blessing acknowledges His perfection as a form of praise. Another example: “And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you” (Deut. 8:10). Here the context suggests blessing the Lord is offering thanksgiving. The context in Psalm 16 could have either of both meanings.
Night Instruction. Scott Cairney, a sleep researcher from the UK, describes his 2018 findings:“When you are awake you learn new things, but when you are asleep you refine them, making it easier to retrieve them and apply them correctly when you need them the most. This is important for how we learn.” If this is possible with just natural techniques, imagine what is possible with the Holy Spirit’s involvement: “The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you” (John 14:26). Why not play the audio Bible while sleeping? Science and King David (vs.7) agree.
Jesus Lives. Verse 10 says “Neither wilt thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.”Question: Who is this Holy One. Answer: Jesus! Let Paul’s glorious words from Act 13 inspire you: “Therefore, He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, and was buried among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things.”
God’s Presence. If one Googles the word “pleasures,” strangely, most of results are about men’s clothing. The Bible’s result is much better. Consider the words of King David: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16: 11). Don’t settle for a pricey hoodie. Go all in with God for fullness of joy that will never end.
