Servant of his Father
The last few days we encouraged our members to spend time in the Bible this weekend, first focusing on the death of our Saviour, then celebrating how death has been defeated.
We looked at how this master teacher who could do miracles was humble to take up the work of slaves. He also never wanted his name or position exalted. For Jesus it was clear he and we always had to follow what the Father in heaven wanted, and should never haver our priorities at the first place. Jesus did not follow his own path but gave his all being in the hands of his Father. He did not follow his own judgements but God’s judgements. He always looked to what God’s ways were and how he could step in line with it and how his followers had to follow God’s ways, which should always be higher than our ways.
Christ is the Way
” יהושע said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ” (John 14:6 The Scriptures 1998+)
““Of Myself I am unable to do any matter. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own desire, but the desire of the Father who sent Me. “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. “There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. ” (John 5:30-32 The Scriptures 1998+)
“I am the good shepherd.1 And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:11-12, Heb. 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4. even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.1 Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:23, Ezek. 37:24. “Because of this the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, in order to receive it again. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:14-18 The Scriptures 1998+)
Jesus said it himself, in case he would have been sent by himself to this earth, than he would be a deceiver, and his witness would not be true, so worthless and perjury.
Jesus who was aware he only could do all those miracles because he received the blessings and the power of his Father, was willing to bring this power of his Father to the advantage of the people around him; He also wanted to share that life God had given him, with us in abundance.
Jesus as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, to make himself of no account, futile, meaningless, wilful to his Father, he esteemed the other better than himself in lowliness of mind, and did want to get the best for the other and contradictory to the world he never wanted to please himself, but he wanted to please God, his Father to whom he wanted to be obedient. He had a concern for the people around him their needs and concerns. He was willing to give his life as a ransom for them and those he even did not know. Jesus was willing to offer his body as a lamb on the slaughter table so that we could have life, and that we may have it even more abundantly so that we are enabled to bear fruit like Jesus did bear much fruit.
Luke tells us that Jesus is the real man who presented himself to God his Father and was as such the παῖς or ‘servant’ of God, in the sense in which Isaiah has spoken of the Messiah as the ‘eḇed jehovah,’ ‘servant of Jehovah (= servant of God).’ The apostle Luke presents the Christ in his bearing on the history of God’s Kingdom and of the world – as God’s Elect Servant in Whom He delighted as Isaiah predicted. In the Old Testament, to adopt a beautiful figure, the idea of the Servant of the Lord is set before us like a pyramid: at its base it is all Israel, at its central section Israel after the Spirit (the circumcised in heart), represented by David, the man after God’s own heart; while at its apex it is the ‘Elect’ Servant, the Messiah. And these three ideas, with their sequences, are presented in the third Gospel as centring in Jesus the Messiah. By the side of this pyramid is the other: the Son of Man, the Son of David, the Son of God. The Servant of the Lord of Isaiah and of Luke is the Enlightener, the Consoler, the victorious Deliverer; the Messiah or Anointed: the Prophet, the Priest, the King.
Christ Jesus Lamb of God - Crozier representing a lamb, Italian art. - 13th century Louvre Museum Photo Marie-Lan Nguyen (2005)
As a servant opens the door or gate for his master and the guests to this master, Jesus opens the door for us to his Master, his God and our God. Though the servant can find everything at his hands in the masters house, he does not steal and takes care that everything stays in good order.
““The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure. ““I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ” (John 10:9-11 The Scriptures 1998+)
“even as the Son of Aḏam did not come to be served, but to serve,1 and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Footnote:1See Mark 10:45 and Isa. 49:1-7. ” (Matthew 20:28 The Scriptures 1998+)
“For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah יהושע, who, being in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a matter to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men. And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a stake. Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father. ” (Philippians 2:5-11 The Scriptures 1998+)
Though Jesus was the only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14), the Brightness of the Father’s glory (Hebrews 1:3), the Chosen (Matthew 12:18) and the Christ (Matthew 1:16) he wanted to be a Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25) and a Counselor (Isaia 9:6), Friend (John 11:1-44) and even Brother (Hebrews 2:11). Though he expressed images of the Father (Hebrews 1:3) he wanted to be a Faithful Witness of Him (Revelation 1:5), being a Holy One of God (Mark 1:24) always under the Law of the Almighty One God and bringing others under that precious Law (Matthew 27:51; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:13-15), being sure that it was not him but the Holy Spirit of his Father who would bring the followers of him his teachings to their remembrance (John 14:26).
John the Baptist declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God, the baptizer with the Holy Spirit, and the Son of God (John 1:29-34 ). As a lamb Jesus was willing to be a sacrifice and to lay down his life as a Ransom (1Timothee 2:6), becoming the new Passover (1Corinthians 5:7), and because of that his Father loves him (Ephesians 5:2; John 10:17) and has taken him as a salvation and mediator for men (Luke 2:25-30; 1Timothee 2:5).
“For there is one Elohim,1 and one Mediator between Elohim and men, the Man Messiah יהושע, Footnote: 11 Cor. 8:6, Eph. 4:6, Mk. 12:29-34. ” (1 Timothy 2:5 The Scriptures 1998+)
God was willing to accept his son his offer and took the anointed up in heaven to sit at His right hand after He had raised up Jesus as the Saviour. By this Christ his action of giving himself to all humanity, as a humble servant Jesus will raise us up through His power. Jesus voluntarily yielded up his life when he knew that his suffering was completed (see John 19:30). It also implies that the divine nature of Christ was active in his resurrection: he was able to “take up” his life again, because he trusted fully in his Father.
“So when יהושע took the sour wine He said, “It has been accomplished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ” (John 19:30 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Truly, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Yet we reckoned Him stricken, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray, each one of us has turned to his own way. And יהוה has laid on Him the crookedness of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, but He did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, but He did not open His mouth. ” (Isaiah 53:4-7 The Scriptures 1998+)
“On the next day Yoḥanan saw יהושע {Jeshua} coming toward him, and said, “See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!1 Footnote: 1Mt. 1:21, Titus 2:14, 1 John 3:5 & 8. ” (John 1:29 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. ” (1 Corinthians 5:7 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your expectation perfectly upon the favour that is to be brought to you at the revelation of יהושע Messiah, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance, instead, as the One who called you is set-apart, so you also should become set-apart in all behaviour, because it has been written, “Be set-apart, for I am set-apart.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear, knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, not with what is corruptible, silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for your sakes, who through Him believe in Elohim who raised Him from the dead and gave Him esteem, so that your belief and expectation are in Elohim. ” (1 Peter 1:13-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and respect and esteem and blessing!” ” (Revelation 5:11-12 The Scriptures 1998+)
Jehovah God exalted his humble servant because he fulfilled all the works God wanted to be done on earth by him.
“For you shall not come out in haste, nor go in flight. For יהוה is going before you, and the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl is your rear guard. See, My Servant shall work wisely, He shall be exalted and lifted up and very high. As many were astonished at You – so the disfigurement beyond any man’s and His form beyond the sons of men – He shall likewise startle many nations. Sovereigns shut their mouths at Him, for what had not been recounted to them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall understand. ” (Isaiah 52:12-15 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Who has believed our report? And to whom was the arm of יהוה revealed? For He grew up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or splendour that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should desire Him – despised and rejected by men, a man of pains and knowing sickness. And as one from whom the face is hidden, being despised, and we did not consider Him. Truly, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Yet we reckoned Him stricken, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray, each one of us has turned to his own way. And יהוה has laid on Him the crookedness of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, but He did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, but He did not open His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment. And as for His generation, who considered that He shall be cut off from the land of the living? For the transgression of My people He was stricken. And He was appointed a grave with the wrong, and with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was deceit in His mouth1. Footnote: 1See 1 Peter 2:22. But יהוה was pleased to crush Him, He laid sickness on Him, that when He made Himself an offering for guilt, He would see a seed, He would prolong His days and the pleasure of יהוה prosper in His hand. He would see the result of the suffering of His life and be satisfied. Through His knowledge My righteous Servant makes many righteous, and He bears their crookednesses. Therefore I give Him a portion among the great, and He divides the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His being unto death, and He was counted with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. ” (Isaiah 53:1-12 The Scriptures 1998+)
Are you willing to tell the people around you that you know Christ Jesus? - St Peter's denial - 1660 Rembrandt (1606–1669)
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were set apart, but you were declared right in the Name of the Master יהושע and by the Spirit of our Elohim. All is permitted me, but not all do profit. All is permitted me, but I shall not be under authority of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods – but Elohim shall destroy both it and them. And the body is not for whoring but for the Master, and the Master for the body. And Elohim, who raised up the Master, shall also raise us up through His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Messiah? Shall I then take the members of Messiah and make them members of a whore? Let it not be! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a whore is one body? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” And he who is joined to the Master is one spirit. Flee whoring. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits whoring sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the Dwelling Place of the Set-apart Spirit who is in you, which you have from Elohim, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price, therefore esteem Elohim in your body and in your spirit,1 which are of Elohim. Footnote: 1See 7:23, 1 Peter 1:18-19. ” (1 Corinthians 6:11-20 The Scriptures 1998+)
Also those who wanted to become big or important should know that they had first to be the lowest of all.
We ourselves should become as Christ. Being Christ does not mean that we are going to be God, as many think Jesus to be God, but it means being as the Servant Jesus, being child of the Father in heaven and being a seed in the hands of the Lord.
The Lord Jesus wants us, as his pupils, his branches, to be fruitful.
“In this My Father is esteemed, that you bear much fruit, and you shall be My taught ones. ” (John 15:8 The Scriptures 1998+)
Fruit is the result of developing life. Branches do not innately have that life in themselves. “The branch cannot bear fruit of itself.” Branches must always find their life in the vine. The vine, Jesus, has life.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Our Lord came to share that life with us in abundance. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Joh_10:10). His abundant life is what enables us to bear much fruit.
We should try to do as Jesus, our biggest and best example, and should strive to be simple and sincere toward all, seeking not to please and honour self, but the Lord. As Jesus has given us examples how to pray, to his Father and Our Father, and warned us to keep to the commandments having only One God, we should be careful with what and whom we associate, and be careful to honour the right person with our lips and actions, not being afraid of Christ Jesus.
As Jesus was the servant of his Father and people around him we should also be servants of the people around us and a servant for Christ and for God, faithful to the Lord, the Truth, the brethren and all with whom we have to do, not only in great matters, but also in the little things of life. We should as followers of Christ, becoming Christians have equality in love, so that we are as Brethren and sisters in Christ wanting to do things for each other, never being demanding and never having more than a master/servant relationship. We should all have the idea of equality in Christ. Secular society may not want to live up to the ideal of Christian equality, but the Christian community should certainly hold to that model. To be God’s person is not something one is in isolation from society, but it means to be Christ’s servant in community with mankind at large.
Brethren and Sisters in Christ or Christadelphians - Being one in Christ
No state, no condition of rank in life, is altogether exempt from being a servant. The King and the beggar have both their respective provinces in life; and as Solomon said, the profit of the earth is for all the King himself is served by the field.
“And the increase of the land is for all. The sovereign himself is served from the field.” (Ecclesiastes 5:9 The Scriptures 1998+)
We find God the Father speaking of Jesus the servant of God, when calling him by this name. “Behold my Servant, whom I uphold: mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth!” God has called the branch of David in righteousness, and will hold his hand, and will keep him, and give him for a Covenant of the people.
““See, My Servant whom I uphold, My Chosen One My being has delighted in! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He brings forth right-ruling to the nations. “He does not cry out, nor lifts up His voice, nor causes His voice to be heard in the street. “A crushed reed He does not break, and smoking flax He does not quench. He brings forth right-ruling in accordance with truth. “He does not become weak or crushed, until He has established right-ruling in the earth. And the coastlands wait for His Torah.” Thus said the Ěl, יהוה, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: “I, יהוה, have called You in righteousness, and I take hold of Your hand and guard You, and give You for a covenant to a people, for a light to the gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. “I am יהוה {Jehovah}, that is My Name, and My esteem I do not give to another, nor My praise to idols. ” (Isaiah 42:1-8 The Scriptures 1998+)
Christ Jesus preaching as a servant for God, proclaiming the Word of God in a temple in Caparneum - 1878-1879 (unfinished) Maurycy Gottlieb (1856–1879)
God has given us Christ on earth, so we can serve him here on earth as the representative of God. By going for Christ we can serve God, but than we cannot be a servant of the world at the same time or be dependant of material things at the same time. The person who loves his earthly life will eventually lose it forever, but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life. If any person wants to serve Christ, he should become his follower; and wherever he is, his servant will be there also. If any person serves him, the Father will honour him.
““And his master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant. You were trustworthy over a little, I shall set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ” (Matthew 25:21 The Scriptures 1998+)
““No servant is able to serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall cling to the one and despise the other. You are not able to serve Elohim and mammon.” And the Pharisees, who loved silver, also heard all this, and were sneering at Him, so He said to them, “You are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but Elohim knows your hearts, because what is highly thought of among men is an abomination in the sight of Elohim. “The Torah and the prophets are until Yoḥanan. Since then the reign of Elohim is being announced, and everyone is doing violence upon it. “And it is easier for the heaven and the earth to pass away than for one tittle of the Torah to fall. ” (Luke 16:13-17 The Scriptures 1998+)
““Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life shall lose it, and he who hates his life in this world shall preserve it for everlasting life. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me. And where I am, there My servant also shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father shall value him. ” (John 12:24-26 The Scriptures 1998+)
Trusting ourself to Divine care and the Providential overruling of all our interests for our highest welfare, we should seek not only to be pure in heart, but to repel all anxiety, all discontent, all discouragement, neither murmuring nor repine at what the Lord’s providence may permit, because “Faith can firmly trust Him, Come what may.”
Are we willing to become like Christ, a servant of God? And be willing to prepare for the coming of the greatest servant of all? Being as brides to Christ? Or do we want to be called to the marriage of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ? Willing to walk as servants in the light of Christ, being just a shadow?
““And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. “Because of this, be ready too, for the Son of Aḏam is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. “Who then is a trustworthy and wise servant, whom his master set over his household, to give them food in season? “Blessed is that servant whom his master, having come, shall find so doing. “Truly, I say to you that he shall set him over all his possessions. ” (Matthew 24:43-47 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true words of Elohim.” ” (Revelation 19:9 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And I saw no Dwelling Place in it, for יהוה Ěl Shaddai is its Dwelling Place, and the Lamb. And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it, for the esteem of Elohim lightened it, and the Lamb is its lamp. And the gentiles, of those who are saved, shall walk in its light,1 and the sovereigns of the earth bring their esteem into it. Footnote: 1See Isa. 60:3. And its gates shall not be shut at all by day, for night shall not be there. And they shall bring the esteem and the appreciation of the gentiles into it. And there shall by no means enter into it whatever is unclean, neither anyone doing abomination and falsehood,1 but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Footnote: 1See 22:15, and 2 Thess. 2:11. ” (Revelation 21:22-27 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,” (Revelation 5:11 The Scriptures 1998+)
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- Half-hearted discipleship
- Better Things
- Prefering to be a Christian
- Reveal, command and demand what you will
- The thought of losing rekindles the joy of having
- It’s hard to be like Christ
- Be Holy
- To belong to = toebehoren
- Not liking your Christians
- Not all will inherit the Kingdom
- Half-hearted discipleship
- Bible power to change
- Christadelphian people
- Chrystalised harmonious thinking
- Concerning gospelfaith
- Crucifixion for suffering
- Expiatory sacrifice
- Faith
- Faith and works
- Faith mouving mountains
- Full authority belongs to God
- God Helper and Deliverer
- God His Reward
- God’s promises
- God’s measure not our measure
- Gods hope and our hope
- Gods Salvation
- God’s Will for Us – Gods Wil voor ons
- Hope for the future
- Human nature
- Incomplete without the mind of God
- Jesus Messiah
- Jesus’s answers about God’s silence
- Knowing Rabboni
- A Messiah to die
- New Covenant
- Offer in our suffering
- One Mediator
- Only one God
- On the Nature of Christ
- Our way of life
- Preparing for the Kingdom – Voorbereiden op het Koninkrijk
- Promise of comforter
- Rapture exposed Admittance with Christ
- Rapture Exposed Gathering with Jesus
- Reasons that Jesus was not God
- Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #2 What you must do
- Seeing Jesus
- Self inflicted misery #9 Subject to worldly things
- Slave for people and God
- The True Vine
- Video – Commandments of God
- Video – Light of the World
- Working of the hope
- Written to recognise the Promissed One
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Articles in Dutch / Nederlandstalige artikelen:
- De Wet van de Liefde, basis van alle instructies
- Verlossing voor Gods volk
- Zuivering voor allen
- Studiedag: Gods indringende boodschap #3 Met Christus gestorven en opgewekt
- Afstraling van God’s Heerlijkheid
- Dienaar in de gegeven genade
- Leden in het lichaam van Christus
- To belong to = toebehoren + Toebehoren
- Halfslachtig leerlingschap
- De Kern van God dienen
- Focussen op Christus
- Christus kennen is zin geven aan het leven
- Niet goddelijkheid van Christus toch
- 1Korinthiërs 3:6-7 God die Wasdom geeft #2 Paulus en andere dienaars.
- Laat mij anderen van harte dienen
- Vrijwilligheid van het Christen zijn
- Christen worden iets anders dan lid worden van een kerk.
- Bijbelonderzoek Inleiding Navolgers van Christus
- Kies niet onjuist te zijn, omwille van verschillend te wezen
- Probeer vooruit te rijden in plaats van achteruit
- Heeft het Christendom zich neergelegd bij de wereld
- Een Niet-christelijke christelijke bediening
- Niet houden van dat soort Christenen
- Niet allen zullen het Koninkrijk beërven
- De gedachte aan het verliezen ontsteekt de vreugde van het hebben
- Slag om waardigheid in zuivere natuur
- Hoe ons te gedragen
- Redenen waarom zij niet kunnen doen wat zij willen
- De Bijbel onze Gids #3 de Toekomst van de Rechtvaardigen #1
- Eén met Christus, één met elkaar
- Eén met Christus, verschillend met of van elkaar
- Belachelijk of eerder sterke persoonlijkheid
- Beter falen voor de wereld
- Broers en broeders
- Christadelphian mens
- Christelijk leven
- Christen, Jood of Volk van God
- Christen genoemd
- Christen mensen met ons geloof
- Christus toebehorenden
- Dankbaar voor verkregen offer
- De Gezondene
- De Onschuldige
- Destin des justes
- Eén met Christus
- Een Messias om te Sterven
- Elke gelovige is opgeroepen om Christus in de dienst te volgen
- Geen Wegvluchter
- Gekristalliseerd harmonieus denken
- Geloof in Jezus Christus
- Geloof in slechts Één God
- Geloof voor God aanvaardbaar
- Getuige of Broeder
- God Helper en Bevrijder
- God, Jezus Christus en de Heilige Geest
- God komt ons ten goede
- Gods hoop en onze hoop
- Gods Redding
- Gods beloften
- Gods Wil voor ons
- Goedheid en liefde openbaar gemaakt
- Een Groots Geschenk om te herinneren
- Het beschreven lam
- Het Zoenoffer
- Hij die komt
- Hij die zit aan de rechterhand van zijn Vader
- Hoop op een man
- Het begin van Jezus #6 Beloften van Innerlijke zegeningen
- Jezus Christus is in het vlees gekomen
- Kleine kudde en beleidvolle slaaf
- Lam van God
- Nieuw Verbond
- Onschuldig Lam
- Rapture blootgelegd Toegang met Christus
- Rapture blootgelegd Verzamelen met Jezus
- Rechtvaardigen
- Redding
- Redding door volharding
- Relatie tot Christus
- Relatie tot God
- Relatie tot medemens
- Slaaf voor mens en God
- Teken van het Verbond
- Verandering door de Bijbel
- Voorbereiden op het Koninkrijk
- Ware Hoop
- Werking van de Hoop
- Zalving van Christus als profetische repetitie van de begrafenisrituelen
- Zoenoffer
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- “The Resurrection of Jesus” by Rev Samuel Mametsa, Sunday 09th April 2012 (kutamaphc.wordpress.com)
Imagine if Jesus Christ had refused to die for us. What would have happened? If He had said: “I am not going to die for you!” - Daily Verse: 1 Peter 1:3-4 (faithfulprovisions.com)
It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. - April 11 – Judging My Brother In Opinions(lelandfleming.wordpress.com)
I have been unified with the body of Christ by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was realized through baptism into His death.
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I should fully respect a Brother’s opinion when we are talking about opinions. Who am I to think my “opinion” is any better than somebody else’s “opinion?” Scripture legislates doctrine. Conscience legislates opinion. I must know the difference. - The Path Ahead (redeemedinstruments.com)
If we only look ahead to the future our vision is at best cloudy and obscured, at worst totally dark.
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Throughout the Bible there is a constant theme that urges God’s people to look to their forefathers as their example; to return to the old ways when things were as they should be between God and His people. Ladies and gentlemen, there is only one place where hope is to be found, and only one Person who can give it to us. The place can be described many ways, but may I suggest that since without it we are doomed and appointed to death both individually and as a people, we may best refer to as it The Word of Life. - The Meaning of the Term “Brother” (idkh.org)
All servants who were called in the church of God are accepted to be God’s sons and daughters. (2 Cor. 6:18) and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. (Mat 23:8) But you must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers. Like what Jesus had shown, whoever does the will of the Father, and fulfill all righteousness is accepted as God’s beloved son to whom He is well pleased. (Mat. 3: 15-17)
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Like faith, the love to a brother should be shown through actions with all truthfulness. (James 2: 15-16, 22)
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If we can love one another like we love ourselves, not only we obey God’s greatest commandment, but peace and happiness will be felt throughout all brethren of the church of God. (Psalms 122: 8-9) - Daily Tidbits 1/20/12 – A House Divided Cannot Stand (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
Division comes as a result of man’s carnal nature inherited from the first Adam when he partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. - Daily Tidbits 1/13/12 – Catholic (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
The word Catholic literally means ‘on the whole’ from the Greek word καθολικός ‘katholikos’ which is a combination of the words κατά meaning “about” and όλος meaning “whole”. This word is most commonly used in reference to the Roman Catholic Church as this group feels they represent the ‘universal’ body of believers.The word Catholic is not used in Scripture but was used by early believes in reference to the ‘general’ or ‘catholic’ epistles written by James, Peter, John & Jude due to their letters being written to believers in general whereas Paul wrote to specific congregations. - The King’s Speech (thepauls.wordpress.com)
Then as I read the “I Have a Dream” speech, it dawned on me that from each section of the speech, there is hidden in it a beautiful reference to the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God and so in that sense can be said to be THE KING’S speech, for God is King over all, or rightfully so, it must be “The KING of kings Speech”. - Daily Tidbits 2/11 – Infowars (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
As believers, our war is against knowledge that comes against our King and His Kingdom.
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we are to cause every thought to kneel in submission before the King of Kings. - Glimpses of Esoteric Christianity Part 2 (chepalk.wordpress.com)
unio mystica and the ascension sought by Christian mystics and saints ever since the resurrection of the Master Jesus. - AB Simpson on The Grace of Giving (riverrockchurch.com)
The subject of Christian beneficence can only have a depressing influence upon an unconsecrated audience. The truly yielded and Spirited-filled heart not only loves to give but to hear with gladness every call of obligation and know of every opportunity of spending and being spent for Him we love. - How to Avoid Being a Whited Sepulchre (sabbathsermons.com)
Many use the sentiment that God reads my heart as an escape from following God’s counsel on dressing to His glory
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Have you read the description of a half-hearted Christian?
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As we continue to plead for the conversion of our souls, He will give us the ability to sever our heartstrings from this world, and to set them in heavenly places. - A CUP of History for you KKIM/DDC (deweymoede.wordpress.com)
Many who truly repent are tempted to believe that they are too great sinners for Christ to pardon. That, however, is not part of their repentance; it is a sin, a very great and grievous sin, for it is undervaluing the merit of Christ’s blood; it is a denial of the truthfulness of God’s promise; it is a detracting from the grace and favour of God who sent the gospel. Such a persuasion you must labour to get rid of, for it came from Satan, and not from the Holy Spirit. - How to Forgive Easily (idkh.org)
The concept of love in the Bible is very broad. We are commanded not only to love God, fellowmen, but as well as the duties from which we were called upon.
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The Bible says if we hate our brothers, then love is not present in us. We are liars when we say we love God but hate others. (1 John 4:20) - Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
Fragments from the Book of Job #4: chapters 27-31
In the previous chapters the rampant evil in the world was described by Job (Job 24:2-24) and we have heard the speeches of Job’s friends who got to accuse him of gaining his now lost wealth by robbing the poor, withholding sustenance from the hungry and even abusing the weaker ones like widows and orphans. (Eliphaz, the most sympathetic and likely the oldest who appeals to experience for authority, in Job 22:6-9). Eliphaz urged Job to submit to obvious discipline from God, who would bless him if he would repent (Job 5:8-27). For the less sensitive Bildad it was clear that Job and his children were suffering because of his sin (Job 8:1-7). As Bildad argued from tradition, the third friend, Zophar rested on orthodox dogma and argued also that there must have been something in Job’s live that had caused all those problems.
Since neither Job nor his wife knew what had transpired between God and His adversaries, they did not know that those adversaries predicted that Job would curse God (Job 1:11; 2:5). Job at certain moments thought that there was a problem with him and God. His wife even concluded that her husband and she were suffering because God was unfair and that the presupposition that God always blesses the righteous and afflicts the wicked has proven faulty. Job called her views foolishness and did not want to curse God (Job 2:9-10) but after some time also wrongly accused God of mauling him as would a beast (Job 16:9) turning him over to wicked or perverse men, evil people (Job 16:11) using him as would an archer for target practice (Job 16:12-13) and attacking him as would a warrior or like a soldier gone mad with hate (Job 16:14). Job was sad he did not receive an answer from God who had seemed to have wronged him (Job 19:6) because he had kept to God’s Law (contrary to Eliphaz’s charge Job 22:22). He also complained that God did not pay attention and does not have fixed times for the punishment of evildoers, so that people could see that the Almighty Elohim punishes evildoers (Job 24:1,12). But he recognises the sovereignty of Jehovah over the various aspects of the universe. (Job 26:5-13) Gods knowledge goes beyond what we can see and hear (Job 26:14).
Many blame God, but for an other reason than Job did (Job 24:1) for the troubles on this earth, and has Job friends they do not seem to see the underlying factors of men’s free will. Also Job gets the feeling that his sufferings are in the Will of God, though the thought troubles him. (Job 23:14-16) He has also difficulties with ancient teachings or traditions, which or not our best sources of knowledge, according to Job. (Job 9:1-10:22) Those who brought us some sources to think about are just as mortal as we are and we always should remember that they grasped perhaps only a part of reality.Who can discover the depth of God? (Job 11:7) Job recognises that he is not inferior to others who have more luck, and that with the others their wisdom shall die as well. (Job 12:2-3, 12-22, 2425; 13:2,4, 8-11; 14:10; 15:9-11, 18-22,31-32)
For Job as for us it seems that at certain moments of trouble, wherever we go we do not seem to find God and therefore could not present our case before the Almighty. (Job 23:8-9) In Fragments from the Book of Job #2: chapters 12-20 a light is already shed on the fact that God knows the way we take. (Job 23:10) We would love to see the evil of the evil-doer come to an end, and find an end to our misery. Sometimes we may think God does not care for us and does not watches us. But God keeps an eye on the world and follows it. In the Old Testament we do find enough examples how He at certain moments came in action and reacted to situation of which He did not agree with. We can also notice how He also gave strength to the upright. At any time men’s minds and hearts are tested by the God of righteousness. Jehovah puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but He has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts. (Psalms 7:9; 11:5) “For you, O God, have proven us: you have tried us, as silver is tried.” (Psalms 66:10 KJBPNV) Remember: “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.” (Zechariah 13:8-9 ASV)
Job’s innocence cries for vindication and asks God not to hide the wrongs done to him. (Job 16:18-21) Like Job we can long for a divine helper (cf 1 John 2:1-2) today we have an advocate with the Father. This comforter is Gods son given to us to help see our ways. this is a better friend than those of Job and a real upright helper. He can plead our case by his Father. In chapter 19 of the Book Job, Fragments from the Book of Job #2: chapters 12-20, we could notice that Job believed in a living god who would vindicate his case even after his death. In the future on the earth. The dust, sand or earth mentioned is referring to the dust of the earth or to the dust of Job’s grave. (Job 19:25-27)
“For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27 KJBPNV) We may look forward to Jesus who shall return to the earth and shall look onto what people have done to each other and how they kept to the commandments of God. He shall judge the people before he hands over the Kingdomto his Father.
The 10 commandments of God - A popular image of the Tablets as rounded-off
Though Job looks at Jehovah or Yahweh Yahweh as the redeemer (Heb “goel”) of His people, the Almighty is that one who took care that somebody could speak in the name of men. He first did that with his people in Egypt. “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments:” (Exodus 6:6 ASV)
There is much speculation as to whether Job believed in the resurrection. However we note that Jesus, quoting Job’s words (Matthew 5:8) says that the meek will see God and clearly Jesus is speaking of the blessedness of those who are to be raised from the dead. (Read also: Zechariah 14:1-4,9,16; Isaiah 9:6-7;2:2-4; Matthew 24:3,36,37,44).
Looking for a kinsman-redeemer, ransom, avenge, vindicator, a “daysman” or a mediator Job looked like so many of us a means to obtain justice. That is the theme in these verses of Job 19:25-27, not resurrection, as we gather when we first read them. True justice would demand his bodily presence. Resurrection is thus implied rather than expressed. Job felt that at the resurrection he would be justified. The word flesh Hebrew basar (1320) means flesh, body, person, body, self, etc. while Job 31:14 suggests being called to account at an implied judgement .
“Behold, a day of Jehovah cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” (Zechariah 14:1-4 ASV)
“And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9 ASV)
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” (Zechariah 14:16 ASV)
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting {1} contempt. {1) Or abhorrence}” (Daniel 12:2 ASV)
“Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of {1} herbs, and the earth shall cast forth {2} the dead. {1) Or light 2) Or the shades; Heb Rephaim}” (Isaiah 26:19 ASV)
“For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:21 ASV)
Job sees death as certain “worms destroy this body” (Job 16:22;17:1,14,15,16), “yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 14:13-15 - resurrection Gen 13:15) indicates flesh is regenerated; Job’s redeemer is Jehovah (Isaiah 43:14-15;49:7;54:5) Some people take it from there that Jehovah would be the same person as that redeemer Jesus, but Job spoke about the Spirit who was alive in his time. Thus Job was correct when he said his redeemer “liveth” because has always been alive and people forget that Jehovah has redeemed through his servant, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 49:6-7; Acts 5:31; Hebrews 7:25; 2 Timothy 1:10). Unfortunately, Job does not expound upon this ‘matter of the future’, and so we are left with an incomplete understanding of what he meant. However, Job is accounted righteous, and an example to follow (Ezekiel 14:14,26; James 5:11) and from that we can imagine that he is going to be one of the persons who shall also be in the coming Kingdom of God.
The sarcastic part of Job comes forward now. In Job 27: 7-23 we get Job’s summary of the erroneous arguments of his 3 friends — who urged his guilt. Job talks here as though his three ‘friends’ are trying to persuade him to fall from grace and to fulfil their words as if they were some sort of prophecy against him. Should we not recognise that it in fact not always the wicked ultimately prosper, though they may for a time. Whatever happens and how long it takes we can be sure that they will be condemned (Job 27:8). They shall not have to count on the help of God (Job 237:9-10). We nor they can be assured of passing on their prosperity to their children (Job 27:14-18). Who knows, destruction can come suddenly over the evil man (Job 27:19).
Brenton Translation
1851 by Lancelot Brenton
Job Chapter 27
Job 27:1 And Job further continued and said in his parable,
Job 27:2 [As] God lives, who has thus judge me; and the Almighty, who has embittered my soul;
Job 27:3 verily, while my breath is yet in [me], and the breath of God which remains to me is in my nostrils,
Job 27:4 my lips shall not speak evil words, neither shall my soul meditate unrighteous thoughts.
Job 27:5 Far be it from me that I should justify you till I die; for I will not let go my innocence,
Job 27:6 but keeping fast to [my] righteousness I will by no means let it go: for I am not conscious to myself of having done any thing amiss.
Job 27:7 Nay rather, but let mine enemies be as the overthrow of the ungodly, and they that rise up against me, as the destruction of transgressors.
Job 27:8 For what is the hope of the ungodly, that he holds to it? will he indeed trust in the Lord [and] be saved?
Job 27:9 Will God hear his prayer? or, when distress has come upon him,
Job 27:10 has he any confidence before him? or will [God] hear him as he calls upon him?
Job 27:11 Yet now I will tell you what is in the hand of the Lord: I will not lie concerning the things which are with the Almighty.
Job 27:12 Behold, ye all know that ye are adding vanity to vanity.
Job 27:13 This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of oppressors shall come upon them from the Almighty.
Job 27:14 And if their children be many, they shall be for slaughter: and if they grow up, they shall beg.
Job 27:15 And they that survive of him shall utterly perish, and no one shall pity their widows.
Job 27:16 Even if he should gather silver as earth, and prepare gold as clay;
Job 27:17 All these things shall the righteous gain, and the truehearted shall possess his wealth.
Job 27:18 And his house is gone like moths, and like a spider’s web.
Job 27:19 The rich man shall lie down, and shall not continue: he has opened his eyes, and he is not.
Job 27:20 Pains have come upon him as water, and darkness has carried him away by night.
Job 27:21 And a burning wind shall catch him, and he shall depart, and it shall utterly drive him out of his place.
Job 27:22 And [God] shall cast [trouble] upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
Job 27:23 He shall cause [men] to clap their hands against them, and shall hiss him out of his place.
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Job 28:1 For there is a place for the silver, whence it comes, and a place for the gold, whence it is refined.
Job 28:2 For iron comes out of the earth, and brass is hewn out like stone.
Job 28:3 He has set a bound to darkness, and he searches out every limit: a stone [is] darkness, and the shadow of death.
Job 28:4 There is a cutting off the torrent by reason of dust: so they that forget the right way are weakened; they are removed from [among] men.
Job 28:5 [As for] the earth, out of it shall come bread: under it has been turned up as it were fire.
Job 28:6 Her stones are the place of the sapphire: and [her] dust [supplies] man with gold.
Job 28:7 [There is] a path, the fowl has not known it, neither has the eye of the vulture seen it:
Job 28:8 neither have the sons of the proud trodden it, a lion has not passed upon it.
Job 28:9 He has stretched forth his hand on the sharp [rock], and turned up mountains by the roots:
Job 28:10 and he has interrupted the whirlpools of rivers, and mine eye has seen every precious thing.
Job 28:11 And he has laid bare the depths of rivers, and has brought his power to light.
Job 28:12 But whence has wisdom been discovered? and what is the place of knowledge?
Job 28:13 A mortal has not known its way, neither indeed has it been discovered among men.
Job 28:14 The depth said, It is not in me: and the sea said, It is not with me.
Job 28:15 One shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.
Job 28:16 Neither shall it be compared with gold of Sophir, with the precious onyx and sapphire.
Job 28:17 Gold and crystal shall not be equalled to it, neither shall vessels of gold be its exchange.
Job 28:18 Coral and fine pearl shall not be mentioned: but do thou esteem wisdom above the most precious things.
Job 28:19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equalled to it; it shall not be compared with pure gold.
Job 28:20 Whence then is wisdom found? and of what kind is the place of understanding?
Job 28:21 It has escaped the notice of every man, and has been hidden from the birds of the sky.
Job 28:22 Destruction and Death said, We have heard the report of it.
Job 28:23 God has well ordered the way of it, and he knows the place of it.
Job 28:24 For he surveys the whole [earth] under heaven, knowing the things in the earth:
Job 28:25 all that he has made; the weight of the winds, the measures of the water.
Job 28:26 When he made [them], thus he saw and numbered them, and made a way for the pealing of the thunder.
Job 28:27 Then he saw it, and declared it: he prepared it [and] traced it out.
Job 28:28 And he said to man, Behold, godliness is wisdom: and to abstain from evil is understanding.
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Job 29:1 And Job continued and said in his parable,
Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, wherein God preserved me!
Job 29:3 As when his lamp shone over my head; when by his light I walked through darkness.
Job 29:4 [As] when I steadfastly pursued my ways, when God took care of my house.
Job 29:5 When I was very fruitful, and my children were about me;
Job 29:6 when my ways were moistened with butter, and the mountains flowed for me with milk.
Job 29:7 When I went forth early in the city, and the seat was placed for me in the streets.
Job 29:8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and all the old men stood up.
Job 29:9 And the great men ceased speaking, and laid their finger on their mouth.
Job 29:10 And they that heard [me] blessed me, and their tongue clave to their throat.
Job 29:11 For the ear heard, and blessed me; and the eye saw me, and turned aside.
Job 29:12 For I saved the poor out of the hand of the oppressor, and helped the fatherless who had no helper.
Job 29:13 Let the blessing of the perishing one come upon me; yea, the mouth of the widow has blessed me.
Job 29:14 Also I put on righteousness, and clothed myself with judgment like a mantle.
Job 29:15 I was the eye of the blind, and the foot of the lame.
Job 29:16 I was the father of the helpless; and I searched out the cause which I knew not.
Job 29:17 And I broke the jaw-teeth of the unrighteous; I plucked the spoil out of the midst of their teeth.
Job 29:18 And I said, My age shall continue as the stem of a palm-tree; I shall live a long while.
Job 29:19 [My] root was spread out by the water, and the dew would lodge on my crop.
Job 29:20 My glory was fresh in me, and by bow prospered in his hand.
Job 29:21 [Men] heard me, and gave heed, and they were silent at my counsel.
Job 29:22 At my word they spoke not again, and they were very gland whenever I spoke to them.
Job 29:23 As the thirsty earth expecting the rain, so they [waited for] my speech.
Job 29:24 Were I to laugh on them, they would not believe [it]; and the light of my face has not failed.
Job 29:25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the midst of warriors, as one comforting mourners.
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Job 30:1 But now the youngest have laughed me to scorn, now they reprove me in [their] turn, whose fathers I set at nought; whom I did not deem worthy [to be with] my shepherd dogs.
Job 30:2 Yea, why had I the strength of their hands? for them the full term [of life] was lost.
Job 30:3 [One is] childless in want and famine, [such as] they that fled but lately the distress and misery of drought.
Job 30:4 Who compass the salt places on the sounding [shore], who had salt [herbs] for their food, and were dishonorable and of no repute, in want of every good thing; who also ate roots of trees by reason of great hunger.
Job 30:5 Thieves have risen up against me,
Job 30:6 whose houses were the caves of the rocks, who lived under the wild shrubs.
Job 30:7 They will cry out among the rustling [bushes].
Job 30:8 [They are] sons of fools and vile men, [whose] name and glory [are] quenched from off the earth.
Job 30:9 But now I am their music, and they have me for a by-word.
Job 30:10 And they stood aloof and abhorred me, and spared not to spit in my face.
Job 30:11 For he has opened his quiver and afflicted me: they also have cast off the restraint of my presence.
Job 30:12 They have risen up against [me] on the right hand of [their] offspring; they have stretched out their foot, and directed against me the ways of their destruction.
Job 30:13 My paths are ruined; for they have stripped off my raiment: he has shot at me with his weapons.
Job 30:14 And he has pleaded against me as he will: I am overwhelmed with pains.
Job 30:15 My pains return upon [me]; my hope is gone like the wind, and my safety as a cloud.
Job 30:16 Even now my life shall be poured forth upon me; and days of anguish seize me.
Job 30:17 And by night my bones are confounded; and my sinews are relaxed.
Job 30:18 With great force [my disease] has taken hold of my garment: it has compassed me as the collar of my coat.
Job 30:19 And thou hast counted me as clay; my portion in dust and ashes.
Job 30:20 And I have cried to thee, but thou hearest me not: but they stood still, and observed me.
Job 30:21 They attacked me also without mercy: thou hast scourged me with a strong hand.
Job 30:22 And thou hast put me to grief, and hast cast me away from safety.
Job 30:23 For I know that death will destroy me: for the earth is the house [appointed] for every mortal.
Job 30:24 Oh then that I might lay hands upon myself, or at least ask another, and he should do this for me.
Job 30:25 Yet I wept over every helpless man; I groaned when I saw a man in distress.
Job 30:26 But I, when I waited for good things, behold, days of evils came the more upon me.
Job 30:27 My belly boiled, and would not cease: the days of poverty prevented me.
Job 30:28 I went mourning without restraint: and I have stood and cried out in the assembly.
Job 30:29 I am become a brother of monsters, and a companion of ostriches.
Job 30:30 And my skin has been greatly blackened, and my bones are burned with heat.
Job 30:31 My harp also has been turned into mourning, and my song into my weeping.
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Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes, and I will not think upon a virgin.
Job 31:2 Now what portion has God given from above? and is there an inheritance [given] of the Mighty One from the highest?
Job 31:3 Alas! destruction to the unrighteous, and rejection to them that do iniquity.
Job 31:4 Will he not see my way, and number all my steps?
Job 31:5 But if I had gone with scorners, and if too my foot has hasted to deceit:
Job 31:6 (for I am weighed in a just balance, and the Lord knows my innocence:
Job 31:7 if my foot has turned aside out of the way, or if mine heart has followed mine eye, and if too I have touched gifts with my hands;
Job 31:8 then let me sow, and let others eat; and let me be uprooted on the earth.
Job 31:9 If my heart has gone forth after another man’s wife, and if I laid wait at her doors;
Job 31:10 then let my wife also please another, and let my children be brought low.
Job 31:11 For the rage of anger is not to be controlled, [in the case] of defiling [another] man’s wife.
Job 31:12 For it is a fire burning on every side, and whomsoever it attacks, it utterly destroys.
Job 31:13 And if too I despised the judgment of my servant or [my] handmaid, when they pleaded with me;
Job 31:14 what then shall I do if the Lord should try me? and if also he should at all visit me, can I make an answer?
Job 31:15 Were not they too formed as I also was formed in the womb? yea, we were formed in the same womb.
Job 31:16 But the helpless missed not whatever need they had, and I did not cause the eye of the widow to fail.
Job 31:17 And if too I ate my morsel alone, and did not impart [of it] to the orphan;
Job 31:18 (for I nourished [them] as a father from my youth and guided [them] from my mother’s womb.)
Job 31:19 And if too I overlooked the naked as he was perishing, and did not clothe him;
Job 31:20 and if the poor did not bless me, and their shoulders were [not] warmed with the fleece of my lambs;
Job 31:21 if I lifted my hand against an orphan, trusting that my strength was far superior [to his]:
Job 31:22 let them my shoulder start from the blade-bone, and my arm be crushed off from the elbow.
Job 31:23 For the fear of the Lord constrained me, and I cannot bear up by reason of his burden.
Job 31:24 If I made gold my treasure, and if too I trusted the precious stone;
Job 31:25 and if too I rejoiced when my wealth was abundant, and if too I laid my hand on innumerable [treasures]:
Job 31:26 (do we not see the shining sun eclipsed, and the moon waning? for they have not [power to continue]:)
Job 31:27 and if my heart was secretly deceived, and if I have laid my hand upon my mouth and kissed it:
Job 31:28 let this also then be reckoned to me as the greatest iniquity: for I [should] have lied against the Lord Most High.
Job 31:29 And if too I was glad at the fall of mine enemies, and mine heart said, Aha!
Job 31:30 let then mine ear hear my curse, and let me be a byword among my people in my affliction.
Job 31:31 And if too my handmaids have often said, Oh that we might be satisfied with his flesh; (whereas I was very kind:
Job 31:32 for the stranger did not lodge without, and my door was opened to every one that came:
Job 31:33 or if too having sinned unintentionally, I hid my sin;
Job 31:34 (for I did not stand in awe of a great multitude, so as not to declare boldly before them: ) and if too I permitted a poor man to go out of my door with an empty bosom:
Job 31:35 (Oh that I had a hearer,) and if I had not feared the hand of the Lord; and [as to] the written charge which I had against any one,
Job 31:36 I would place [it] as a chaplet on my shoulders, and read it.
Job 31:37 And if I did not read it and return it, having taken nothing from the debtor:
Job 31:38 If at any time the land groaned against me, and if its furrows mourned together;
Job 31:39 and if I ate its strength alone without price, and if I too grieved the heart of the owner of the soil, by taking [aught] from [him]:
Job 31:40 then let the nettle come up to me instead of wheat, and a bramble instead of barley. And Job ceased speaking.
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Continues: Fragments from the Book of Job #5: chapters 32-37
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