READINGS FOR MARCH 7, 2024: JOB 13, MATTHEW 24, PSALM 17:8-15                                          JOB 13 Job discounts his friends’ advice as nothing new at best and lies at worst. He suggests they go back to being silent rather than keep misrepresenting God’s ways. In fact, he reminds them that God examines them as well and they, too, will be held accountable for their words and motives. This certainly reminds us that whenever we give advice to others, we need to 1) be certain it is Biblical and 2) make sure it is appropriate to the situation at hand and given with the right motive. When in doubt, being present silently is the better option. 

In verse 15, Job gives one of the most powerful statements of commitment in the Bible: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.”  Often our attitude toward God is if you will bless me then I will obey you. How wise of Job to recognize there is no hope in life apart from God. Our tendency to bargain in this way with God is foolish and insulting. 

In verse 20 Job makes two requests of God that seem aligned with God’s will and good for us to pray: 1) don’t remove God’s hand from him (though that hand was allowing great suffering) and 2) don’t allow him to fear God in such a way as to be terrified. C.S. Lewis has observed “God is both further from us, and nearer to us, than any other being.”   Our relationship with God needs to balance the fact that God is intimately involved with us (Our Father) while totally in charge (Who art in heaven) and completely holy (hallowed be Thy name).

In verse 23, Job asks God to reveal to him the nature and number of his sins. He was under a constant barrage from his friends who told him his suffering was due to his sins. This no doubt affected Job’s beliefs as well. Was Job correct in his request? What about us? David’s request in Psalm 139:23-24 to search and try him for any wicked ways is similar. Jesus says this to His disciples: “But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment” (John 16:7-8). Some say the Spirit only convicts nonbelievers (the world) of sin. Others think because Jesus sends the Spirit to believers this convicting ministry operates also in them. Nothing in the Bible forbids or cautions against this request. Being with Job and David is pretty good company.                               

MATTHEW 24 It is amazing how Jesus turned the disciples’ casual remark about the temple into a dramatic overview of the near and distant future. Jesus’s statement that the temple would be in ruins prompted His disciples’ curiosity. They asked a complex follow up question, likely assuming all three parts of their question dealt with one event: the destruction of the temple to occur when Jesus returns at the end of the age. Jesus, seizing on the complexity offered Him, answered with what appears to be a dual prophecy: describing 1) the destruction of the temple by Rome in 70 A.D. and 2) the return of Jesus, on which we still await. 

READINGS FOR MARCH 7, 2024: MATTHEW 24, PSALM 17:8-15                                     Remember the unexpected way the predicted return of Elijah was fulfilled by John the Baptist. Also consider the apparent dual prophecy from Isaiah 7:10-15 foretelling both the births of Jesus (Matt.1:23) and Maher-shalai-hash-baz (Isaiah 8:3-4). Thus, the wisest approach might be to focus more on what Jesus tells His disciples to expect and how to behave than by piecing together the precise sequence of events with 100% confidence.

Many Evangelical scholars look at Matt. 24:3-35 as mostly referring to the destruction of the temple. Assuming this viewpoint, we then see Jesus preparing His disciples for challenges leading up to 70 A.D.: false Messiahs, conflicts, natural disasters, religious persecution, and professing believers leaving the faith. As we have seen before when Jesus sent his disciples out for ministry, He gives them a realistic understanding of what they will face. 

He urges them not to be misled, to persevere in their faith, and to get out of Jerusalem before the besiegement begins. Jesus’s reference to the Abomination of Desolation from Daniel suggests another abomination along the lines of Antiochus Epiphanes (167 BC) will soonemerge. Notice in verse 34 Jesus says this generation will still be alive at that time. Some verses prior to verse 36 do point more to Christ’s return:1) the Gospel must first be preached throughout the world (vs. 14) and 2) the manner of Jesus’s return in the clouds (vs. 26-31). 

From verses 36 to 51, the focus is entirely on Jesus’s second coming. Jesus clearly states no can predict the exact time of His return, yet people keep trotting out predictions. Whenever someone does, we can immediately discount the credibility of their interpretation. Sometimes one hears people wondering if Jesus is already here, lying low as a normal person. Others are afraid they might somehow miss His return. Matthew 24 is consistent with the entire New Testament that Christ’s return cannot be missed. He will descend on the clouds for all to see. 

Throughout this passage we can hear Jesus pleading with us to get ready for His return (or our own unexpected death and entrance into eternity.)  We need to be certain that Jesus is our Lord and Savior today (Rom. 10:9). If we have any friends and loved ones who are unsaved, we are a poor friend and loved one if we don’t pray and point them to Jesus. Finally, if we are believers, we should live our lives totally with the kingdom priorities Jesus has shown us in His Word. Millions of believers over two centuries have testified that total commitment to Jesus brings total joy. On the other hand, living for self is equated with being cut in two and constant weeping and gnashing of teeth. Whatever that is, it doesn’t sound pleasant.   

PSALM 17:8-15 David identifies two categories of people: Which describes us? Loved ones?