Bible Reading Reflection from Job 1-7

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟙

The Scriptures clearly stated that Job was a godly man right from v1. Satan was seen roaming here and there looking for people to devour v7. God challenged Satan to notice Job and said that Job was the godliest and holiest man on earth v8. Satan responded that Job worshipped God because God had been good to him. If God stopped being good to him, he would turn his back on God v9-11

Well, the book of Job is all about this point. Will we worship God only because He blesses us? Will you worship Him even if He slays [hurts] you? Job worships God, no matter what happens or does not happen to Him. Job worships God because God is God and he is created to worship God v21.

Is your theology in alignment with Job?

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟚:𝟜

"Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life."

Same setting with chapter 1. Satan failed miserably. God’s power of preserving Job's faith prevailed. If our faith in God is real, it shall prevail against all storms of life and Satan, because that faith is given to us by God. If it's our own faith, it will fail when tragedy strikes us.

Now, Satan comes up with a more pressing reality. Will Job worship God when he is in pain? Satan doesn’t think so. But like it's said before since faith is given by God, it shall endure no matter what, and so, Job's faith will be confirmed again to the utter defeat of Satan. Man will do anything to avoid pain. When people torture us, we would give up many things because of the scorching pain. Will you give up faith too?

Actually, Peter didn't. Rather, he asked for more painful death — crucifying upside down. Because it's the supernatural faith that resides in believers.

In this story, even Job's wife asked him to not only abandon God but curse God. Hopefully, we won't have such a spouse in our life! But one who will stick to the end with God. Let your spouse abandon you, but let your spouse never abandon God.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟛:𝟙

"Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth."

The most righteous most holy man on the face of the earth didn't celebrate his birthday! Let that sink in your heart when you think of your birthday or attend any birthday party! 😬😂

Indeed, death ceases everything. It doesn't cure, it doesn't solve, it just makes things frozen. Job, like any man of suffering, preferred death over suffering. However, this was not suicidal. Because suicide doesn't solve, cure, or provide anything good.

Like David of Ps. 63:3, like Paul of Phil 1:21, Job’s theology was consistent that life—even with wears and tears, suffering and sorrow, adversities and failings—is better than death. And that's because God's goodness abounds in all things for us to enjoy Him!

Well, Job is a human, like us. He wasn't perfect. He was lamenting about suffering, losses, and shattered dreams. He is in a sense a philosopher of adversity.

From a standpoint of man without God, yes life is meaningless even with all the prosperity one may accumulate. And how meaningless if it's full of suffering!

But Job, and we, believers know that God is completely in control to protect, preserve, and also (to) prosper us when the right moment comes that will last forever!

Now, how will you celebrate your birthday next time? 🤔😆😂

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟜:𝟞

"Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?"

 Actually, v17 stands out to me, but that's because I knew it from before. And the goal of our Bible reading update is a new/fresh thing we learn in daily reading. So, for that v6 comes freshly.

Eliphaz was right to say v6. It is right for us too. Eliphaz most probably was not being harsh at this point. He was perhaps compassionate to Job at this point, which of course will turn into accusations later on.

What's the strength of a person? Wealth? Fame? Physique?

Ultimately, it's character/integrity. Job lived a life of a strong character. He was a man of integrity. That's the greatest eulogy a man can receive. But that's on earth. We must be also thinking about life after death. And there comes the fear of God. Man's life, even with the greatest integrity is worthless without a relationship with God. So, this verse reveals that Job was righteous before God and before man. Earth or Heaven, Life or Death, Job was secured.

Actually, it is because he feared God that he lived a life of integrity. Our affection for God affects our relationship with everything. And here, Eliphaz was reminding Job to continue to stay calm, cool, and hopeful because his life was well pleased by God and the people around him.

But the problem was Satan. And God decided to fight Satan by a man Job, and Job won somehow. Jesus (another man) won perfectly BTW.

My takeaway is: Where is my hope, strength, confidence, power, and influence? It should not be anything but my zeal for God and a life of integrity!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟝:𝟠

"But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God."

What a statement, but unfortunately from Eliphaz! But in the latter part of the dialogue, Job would state even more wonderful than this, proving Job's faith was greater than all of his friends.

This statement of faith by Eliphaz is great. And whatever he said in this chapter is again correct, but the presupposition they had is fundamentally wrong, and so is their conclusion. They never knew what was going on in heaven between God and Satan.

Their theology was that God blesses the righteous and pulls down the wicked, even when they are in a strong place, which by the way is true; the books of Proverbs and Psalms teach this truth. But Job's story was a supernatural event. God, choosing mere man Job to shame the powerful Satan.

Here, Eliphaz seemed to think that his theology and faith was deeper and stronger than Job. He said that he will trust God and not complain like Job.

But, in chapters 12,13, and 16, Job would rebuke them that their faith was not greater than him, which of course was confirmed by God Himself. Job was the most righteous and holy man on the face of the earth.

Lesson learned: Sometimes we may think we are smarter than others without knowing the depth of the problem some people are facing! Let's humble ourselves before we condemn or confront people.

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟞:𝟚𝟜

"Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred."

Wow! Job was challenging them to show his fault. Can we do that, dare we? Are we living a life of sincerity and integrity that we are conscious of nothing wicked [sinful] in our life?

Job friends couldn't. They even never doubted him before, except after seeing his suffering. And they wrongly concluded that it must be because of Job's secret sin that he was in such a situation. Suspicion without Evidence.

I remember Jesus did the same in John 8:46, He challenged the hostile people to convict Him of any sins; they weren't able to. In the case of Job, it was to his friends. In the case of Jesus, it was to the hostile people, and they were holding stones to throw at Him.

Far greater, holier, righteous than Job is the man Jesus Christ!

 

𝕁𝕆𝔹 𝟟:𝟙𝟟-𝟙𝟠

"What is man that You magnify him,

And that You are concerned about him,

That You examine him every morning

And try him every moment?"

This statement is similar to Psalm 8:4 but with a contrasting effect. Ps 8 is about God, honoring unworthy mankind.

Job was stating about God examining unworthy man. His point was God should just forgive us in the spirit of Ps. 130:3-4.

Job knew man cannot be right with God by His standard, and cannot do anything deserving of His favor (v21).

This is not a statement of an arrogant ignorant sinner, but a conscious trust in God's goodness!

It also brings out the humility of Job. He didn't consider himself significant. Perhaps, he would never believe then, if it was suggested God and Satan could be contesting on his faithfulness! Job wasn't an insignificant man compared to the rest of humanity!

Bible Reading Reflection from Esther 1-10

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟙:𝟙𝟚

"But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him."

The story of Esther is as ridiculous as a made-up movie, but that's how we all are in the presence of God. We may think we are somebody or such and such a thing is amazing, but the omnipotent God has no comparison.

Even in this story, without the word "God" at all, God still exercised His power providentially. Those who tried to overthrow the people of God ridiculously were overthrown most ridiculously. If you laugh at God, remember God is laughing at you and will let the whole world laugh at you!

MacArthur Study Bible Notes compared this story to a game of Chess played by Satan and God in a humorous way of "Check" and "Checkmate"

Is it not interesting that Vashti refused to come before the king? And why so mad about it to the point of divorcing and banishing, which he would regret later on? It's so ridiculous. But of course, God is preparing a place for Esther, from a divine perspective!

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟚:𝟙𝟟

"The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti."

What a Providence that Esther was chosen! She replaced Vashti. It often is the case that God has the habit of replacing people. Taking from others and giving to others.

Someday we may be those ones given if we walk with Him faithfully. If we live our life in our own way, even what we have built and gathered will be given to someone unworthy [unworthy from our standpoint]. And God does what He pleases!

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟛:𝟙

"After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and established his authority over all the princes who were with him."

Oh! No! This is not fair! This is not right. Chapter 2 just ended with Mordecai saving the life of the king from assassination. Mordecai deserved rewards. He wasn't given. Rather . . .

Chapter 3 begins with Haman being promoted. Oh! Haman in a sense was receiving what Mordecai should get. God is interesting, huh! And this guy was a wicked man. And of course, we know how the story ended, Haman would be replaced again by Mordecai in a most humiliating way for Haman and most exalting manner for Mordecai.

Let's learn to wait. Let's learn to humble ourselves before the Lord. Let's not be quick to complain or protest, "we want justice" "we want a promotion" "we want a raise" "we deserve it" slogan. Because God can and has the way of exalting the meek and humble. And when He does, it is beyond imagination.

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟜:𝟙𝟜, 𝟙𝟞

v14. ". . . And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?"

v16. ". . .And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

Great hope Mordecai had in the Providence of God. Great Determination Esther had to risk her life for the sake of her people. And we know God rewarded her and Mordecai by King's favor not only to spare her but to welcome her, and to be favorable to their people!

Jesus risked His life to the point of not only physical pain and death but also damnation from God to grant us Salvation and God's Favor. Therefore, God was pleased with the work of Jesus and fulfilled everything.

Greater than Esther is Jesus Christ in Determination, Risk, Sacrifice, and Outcome!

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟝:𝟙𝟚

"Haman also said, "Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king."

Haman thought he was abundantly blessed, whereas God was designing his downfall. Wicked men are really placed in the slippery places as Ps. 73:18 said. They are enjoying, boasting. They even think God has blessed them favorably. Some even looked down on the poor and their fellow countrymen. Yet, God is up to a different plan.

Only Esther knew that Haman was not being honored by her invitation, she meant it for his doom.  Haman determined to be more wicked, to hang Mordecai, thinking he was thought highly of by the king and the queen.

Do we keep on doing something wrong seeing there seems to be no retribution but only rewards? Let's remember Haman!

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟞:𝟜

"So the king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace in order to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows which he had prepared for him."

Chapter 6 is ridiculous! It's more than a fairy tale. Its account surpasses the plotline of Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

What a providence that the king couldn't sleep! What a providence that an account of Mordecai was read among hundreds of archives! What a providence that Haman was in the Court! What a providence that Haman was wishing for such a pompous show!

And all these, just before Mordecai was about to be hanged. Haman's ultimate solution to silence Mordecai turned out to be his own ultimate humiliation. What he wished for himself was given to another, and what he wished for another was given to him!

May I not wish bad for others! 😬🥶👍

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟟:𝟠

"And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, "Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?" As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman's face."

What a providence that Haman's earnest plea for forgiveness looked like an attempt to molest Esther in the eyes of the King!

Poor Haman! But the end had come for him! He who devised after wickedness had to fall by his own wickedness. He was hung on Mordecai's gallows!

God can really do greater things than we can imagine!

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟠:𝟚

"The king took off his signet ring which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman."

Finally, Mordecai was rewarded. Haman was replaced.

Mordecai was humbled before, now God has exalted him. I remember James 4:10.

If I am making a movie, this will be in disc 2. Disc 1 ended with Haman hanging. The climax is Esther zeroing on wicked Haman.

And disc 2 unfolds in chapter 8. The end of wickedness is over, the triumph of righteousness and the rule of the righteous is on.

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟡:𝟙

"Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on the thirteenth day when the king's command and edict were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them."

What a change of fortune! Indeed, God puts the wicked people in the slippery places (Ps. 73:18).

 

𝔼𝕊𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ 𝟙𝟘:𝟛

"For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation."

The last and shortest chapter of Esther. It ended with an account of Mordecai.

Indeed, Esther was nothing without Mordecai, and Mordecai would have been hanged without Esther. However, Mordecai was seen as next to the king, more influential, powerful, and revered than the queen.

Ordinary man, becoming 2nd Rank because of his unwavering faith in God, especially when the trials were at their worst. Like Joseph and Daniel, he withstood, and God was pleased to bless and exalt him!

Sermon Outline of Luke 5:1-11

 

Sermon Outline of Matthew 9:1-8

 

Sermon Outline of Philippians 3:7-11

 

Sermon Outline of John 10:1-18

 

Bible Reading Reflection from Nehemiah 1-13

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟜

"When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and 𝕡𝕣𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 before the God of heaven."

In distress, in bad news, in unhappiness, in sorrow, in failings, in disappointment, in everything, let's pray! Nehemiah prayed, actually was continuously in prayers. Notice the word, it says "was...praying"

And his prayer was a confession of sins. His request was based on the faithfulness of God. His petition was based on the promise of God both to punish and to bless! Our prayers must be like this, or else we are praying in the wind. It doesn't reach up to heaven— blown away!

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟙𝟘

"When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel."

Do not be surprised of opposition when you set out to do good works. Remember, there are Sanballat and Tobiah ever ready to attack us, but they are like barking dogs; we can still go through victoriously if we have the courage through strong conviction! 👍

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛

The two words that are repeated again and again are “built” and “repaired”. Also is the phrase “after him”. It was a community project: Faithful, Dedicated, Dutiful.

Are we dutiful, dedicated, and determined to be faithful in building up the saints?

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜:𝟡

"And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night."

They also prayed. Not just building, not just clinging to the sword. Sanballat and Tobiah were mocking their good deeds, but they kept going on! Many inspiring actions from these guys! 👍

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝:𝟙

"Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers."

In chapter 3 we see the progress of committed leaders.

In chapter 4 we see the threat from enemies outside, the neighbors.

In chapter 5, we see the threat from the inside. Some of them were mistreating their fellow countrymen. And Nehemiah was more furious about this.

The threat from the inside is often worse than from the outside.

Don't be complacent when there's progress, enemies will look out to devour you. And even if you prevail against them, be watchful, your own people will bite you.

Also confirmed from the partition of India, nah? Britishers left, India and Pakistan divided, and how many died, bloodshed, looting, etc.?

Coronavirus comes with sorrow, but what was worse in America wasn't a coronavirus, it was the George Floyd incident that burnt America.

The internal threat is more subtle than the external threat!

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟞:𝟝

"Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand."

Stand firm for the right cause. Don't give up even if they threaten you 2 or 3 times, or even 4, 5, times, or more. Nehemiah wasn't afraid even to die!

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟟:𝟟𝟘-𝟟𝟚

"Some from among the heads of fathers' households 𝕘𝕒𝕧𝕖 to the work. The governor 𝕘𝕒𝕧𝕖 to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 basins, 530 priests' garments.   Some of the heads of fathers' households 𝕘𝕒𝕧𝕖 into the treasury of the work 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. That which the rest of the people 𝕘𝕒𝕧𝕖 was 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,000 silver minas and 67 priests' garments."

Repeated word: Gave

Repeated action: Gave

Responses of the people toward God's act of Faithfulness is Giving!

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟠:𝟛

"He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law."

That's listening for about 6 hours. And you are fed up with 1hour long sermon? You need a serious beating, huh!? 😂

Next time when you think sermons are long, remember this verse, this story, and the passion of these people!

 

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟡:𝟝

"Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah, said, ‘Arise, bless the LORD your God forever and ever! O may Your glorious name be blessed And exalted above all blessing and praise!’"

Look at the difference between our prayers and the prayers of the believers in the Bible, in this chapter, read v6-37 as well.

We love to say, "Bless us, Lord, Bless him, Lord" again and again. Here, they recalled the wonders of God already written in the Scripture. And based on these, they prayed.

Are your prayers full of scriptural truths? What's the theological basis for any of your prayers? Most of our prayers don’t reach heaven's door. I don't think even it reaches the terrace of our building! 😬 Many prayers are too shallow, too selfish, too simple, too senseless, and too stupid. Satan doesn't mind anyone praying because of this! 😬

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟘:𝟛𝟡

"For the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of the grain, the new wine and the oil to the chambers; there are the utensils of the sanctuary, the priests who are ministering, the gatekeepers and the singers. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God."

Not neglecting the house of God. Do we cherish church? Or are we glad that we can sleep in peace on Sunday morning because there's no church service anymore [covid lockdown]? They love the house of God!

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟙:𝟛

". . .but in the cities of Judah each lived on his own property in their cities--the Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants."

It's difficult to leave a comfort zone, especially when that's home. And it's not easy to shift settlement, that’s also in a new place, that’s also where Sanballat, Tobiah, and their men are plotting its downfall.

But some people must. Some people are called to live extraordinary lives. Well, missionaries are. All pastors in cities are, including me. We aren’t from Delhi or Chandigarh. Here, we don't have homes, neighbors, gardens, influence, etc. We are even looked down as Nepali, Corona, etc. Yet, we stay because there are people of God and we must serve them.

Let's not just admire those leaders and Israelites in the Bible, we have lots of people in our time also! And let's do for our present leaders as what was done for those in the Bible! 👍🙏

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟚:𝟚𝟟

"Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres."

And v30 says that they purified themselves to be ready for the worship. These singers were brought to worship God.

Nowadays, singers are invited to a celebration [yes, even to a Christian program] for decoration, as a means of attracting people to an event. And singers performed to be applauded taking all the glory, not worshiping God but being adored and admired by the audience. The singers, the organizers, and the audience are applauding idols on the stage! This is far from the singers, singing, and celebration of biblical times!

 

ℕ𝔼ℍ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟘-𝟙𝟙

"I also discovered that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who performed the service had gone away, each to his own field. So I reprimanded the officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" Then I gathered them together and restored them to their posts."

In chapter 11, we see some people volunteering to live in Jerusalem and to look after the house of God. For this reason, the people blessed them. Now, chapter 13, and how quickly were they to give up! They were superficial in their commitment. They were shallow in their conviction. They were pretentious in their affirmation. They were not for real. And so was the trouble around.

Churches are full of such people. And must be reprimanded as Nehemiah did!