Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today, our passages are Job 31:1–33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; and Proverbs 22:8-9. The readings are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson.
Job 31-33:33 (The Message)
Job 31
What Can I Expect from God?
1-4"I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes.
So what can I expect from God?
What do I deserve from God Almighty above?
Isn't calamity reserved for the wicked?
Isn't disaster supposed to strike those who do wrong?
Isn't God looking, observing how I live?
Doesn't he mark every step I take?
5-8 "Have I walked hand in hand with falsehood,
or hung out in the company of deceit?
Weigh me on a set of honest scales
so God has proof of my integrity.
If I've strayed off the straight and narrow,
wanted things I had no right to,
messed around with sin,
Go ahead, then—
give my portion to someone who deserves it.
9-12 "If I've let myself be seduced by a woman
and conspired to go to bed with her,
Fine, my wife has every right to go ahead
and sleep with anyone she wants to.
For disgusting behavior like that,
I'd deserve the worst punishment you could hand out.
Adultery is a fire that burns the house down;
I wouldn't expect anything I count dear to survive it.
13-15 "Have I ever been unfair to my employees
when they brought a complaint to me?
What, then, will I do when God confronts me?
When God examines my books, what can I say?
Didn't the same God who made me, make them?
Aren't we all made of the same stuff, equals before God?
16-18 "Have I ignored the needs of the poor,
turned my back on the indigent,
Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face
while they languished?
Wasn't my home always open to them?
Weren't they always welcome at my table?
19-20 "Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold
when they had no warm clothes?
Didn't the poor bless me when they saw me coming,
knowing I'd brought coats from my closet?
21-23 "If I've ever used my strength and influence
to take advantage of the unfortunate,
Go ahead, break both my arms,
cut off all my fingers!
The fear of God has kept me from these things—
how else could I ever face him?
So what can I expect from God?
What do I deserve from God Almighty above?
Isn't calamity reserved for the wicked?
Isn't disaster supposed to strike those who do wrong?
Isn't God looking, observing how I live?
Doesn't he mark every step I take?
5-8 "Have I walked hand in hand with falsehood,
or hung out in the company of deceit?
Weigh me on a set of honest scales
so God has proof of my integrity.
If I've strayed off the straight and narrow,
wanted things I had no right to,
messed around with sin,
Go ahead, then—
give my portion to someone who deserves it.
9-12 "If I've let myself be seduced by a woman
and conspired to go to bed with her,
Fine, my wife has every right to go ahead
and sleep with anyone she wants to.
For disgusting behavior like that,
I'd deserve the worst punishment you could hand out.
Adultery is a fire that burns the house down;
I wouldn't expect anything I count dear to survive it.
13-15 "Have I ever been unfair to my employees
when they brought a complaint to me?
What, then, will I do when God confronts me?
When God examines my books, what can I say?
Didn't the same God who made me, make them?
Aren't we all made of the same stuff, equals before God?
16-18 "Have I ignored the needs of the poor,
turned my back on the indigent,
Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face
while they languished?
Wasn't my home always open to them?
Weren't they always welcome at my table?
19-20 "Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold
when they had no warm clothes?
Didn't the poor bless me when they saw me coming,
knowing I'd brought coats from my closet?
21-23 "If I've ever used my strength and influence
to take advantage of the unfortunate,
Go ahead, break both my arms,
cut off all my fingers!
The fear of God has kept me from these things—
how else could I ever face him?
If Only Someone Would Give Me a Hearing!
24-28 "Did I set my heart on making big money
or worship at the bank?
Did I boast about my wealth,
show off because I was well-off?
Was I ever so awed by the sun's brilliance
and moved by the moon's beauty
That I let myself become seduced by them
and worshiped them on the sly?
If so, I would deserve the worst of punishments,
for I would be betraying God himself.
29-30 "Did I ever crow over my enemy's ruin?
Or gloat over my rival's bad luck?
No, I never said a word of detraction,
never cursed them, even under my breath.
31-34 "Didn't those who worked for me say,
'He fed us well. There were always second helpings'?
And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street;
my doors were always open to travelers.
Did I hide my sin the way Adam did,
or conceal my guilt behind closed doors
Because I was afraid what people would say,
fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much
That I turned myself into a recluse?
You know good and well that I didn't.
35-37 "Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing!
I've signed my name to my defense—let the
Almighty One answer!
I want to see my indictment in writing.
Anyone's welcome to read my defense;
I'll write it on a poster and carry it around town.
I'm prepared to account for every move I've ever made—
to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper.
38-40 "If the very ground that I farm accuses me,
if even the furrows fill with tears from my abuse,
If I've ever raped the earth for my own profit
or dispossessed its rightful owners,
Then curse it with thistles instead of wheat,
curse it with weeds instead of barley." The words of Job to his three friends were finished.
or worship at the bank?
Did I boast about my wealth,
show off because I was well-off?
Was I ever so awed by the sun's brilliance
and moved by the moon's beauty
That I let myself become seduced by them
and worshiped them on the sly?
If so, I would deserve the worst of punishments,
for I would be betraying God himself.
29-30 "Did I ever crow over my enemy's ruin?
Or gloat over my rival's bad luck?
No, I never said a word of detraction,
never cursed them, even under my breath.
31-34 "Didn't those who worked for me say,
'He fed us well. There were always second helpings'?
And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street;
my doors were always open to travelers.
Did I hide my sin the way Adam did,
or conceal my guilt behind closed doors
Because I was afraid what people would say,
fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much
That I turned myself into a recluse?
You know good and well that I didn't.
35-37 "Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing!
I've signed my name to my defense—let the
Almighty One answer!
I want to see my indictment in writing.
Anyone's welcome to read my defense;
I'll write it on a poster and carry it around town.
I'm prepared to account for every move I've ever made—
to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper.
38-40 "If the very ground that I farm accuses me,
if even the furrows fill with tears from my abuse,
If I've ever raped the earth for my own profit
or dispossessed its rightful owners,
Then curse it with thistles instead of wheat,
curse it with weeds instead of barley." The words of Job to his three friends were finished.
Job 32
Elihu Speaks
God's Spirit Makes Wisdom Possible
1-5 Job's three friends now fell silent. They were talked out, stymied because Job wouldn't budge an inch—wouldn't admit to an ounce of guilt. Then Elihu lost his temper. (Elihu was the son of Barakel the Buzite from the clan of Ram.) He blazed out in anger against Job for pitting his righteousness against God's. He was also angry with the three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong. Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he. But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger. 6-10 This is what Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite, said:
"I'm a young man,
and you are all old and experienced.
That's why I kept quiet
and held back from joining the discussion.
I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell.
The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
But I see I was wrong—it's God's Spirit in a person,
the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.
The experts have no corner on wisdom;
getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
So I've decided to speak up. Listen well!
I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.
11-14 "I hung on your words while you spoke,
listened carefully to your arguments.
While you searched for the right words,
I was all ears.
And now what have you proved? Nothing.
Nothing you say has even touched Job.
And don't excuse yourselves by saying, 'We've done our best.
Now it's up to God to talk sense into him.'
Job has yet to contend with me.
And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
15-22 "Do you three have nothing else to say?
Of course you don't! You're total frauds!
Why should I wait any longer,
now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?
I'm ready to speak my piece. That's right!
It's my turn—and it's about time!
I've got a lot to say,
and I'm bursting to say it.
The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth.
I'm a volcano ready to blow.
I have to speak—I have no choice.
I have to say what's on my heart,
And I'm going to say it straight—
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
I was never any good at bootlicking;
my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!"
"I'm a young man,
and you are all old and experienced.
That's why I kept quiet
and held back from joining the discussion.
I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell.
The longer you live, the wiser you become.'
But I see I was wrong—it's God's Spirit in a person,
the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.
The experts have no corner on wisdom;
getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
So I've decided to speak up. Listen well!
I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.
11-14 "I hung on your words while you spoke,
listened carefully to your arguments.
While you searched for the right words,
I was all ears.
And now what have you proved? Nothing.
Nothing you say has even touched Job.
And don't excuse yourselves by saying, 'We've done our best.
Now it's up to God to talk sense into him.'
Job has yet to contend with me.
And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!
15-22 "Do you three have nothing else to say?
Of course you don't! You're total frauds!
Why should I wait any longer,
now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?
I'm ready to speak my piece. That's right!
It's my turn—and it's about time!
I've got a lot to say,
and I'm bursting to say it.
The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth.
I'm a volcano ready to blow.
I have to speak—I have no choice.
I have to say what's on my heart,
And I'm going to say it straight—
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
I was never any good at bootlicking;
my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!"
Job 33
1-4"So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me.
What I'm about to say
has been carefully thought out.
I have no ulterior motives in this;
I'm speaking honestly from my heart.
The Spirit of God made me what I am,
the breath of God Almighty gave me life!
What I'm about to say
has been carefully thought out.
I have no ulterior motives in this;
I'm speaking honestly from my heart.
The Spirit of God made me what I am,
the breath of God Almighty gave me life!
God Always Answers, One Way or Another
5-7 "And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it.
Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself!
Look, I'm human—no better than you;
we're both made of the same kind of mud.
So let's work this through together;
don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you.
8-11 "Here's what you said.
I heard you say it with my own ears.
You said, 'I'm pure—I've done nothing wrong.
Believe me, I'm clean—my conscience is clear.
But God keeps picking on me;
he treats me like I'm his enemy.
He's thrown me in jail;
he keeps me under constant surveillance.'
12-14 "But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong!
God is far greater than any human.
So how dare you haul him into court,
and then complain that he won't answer your charges?
God always answers, one way or another,
even when people don't recognize his presence.
15-18 "In a dream, for instance, a vision at night,
when men and women are deep in sleep,
fast asleep in their beds—
God opens their ears
and impresses them with warnings
To turn them back from something bad they're planning,
from some reckless choice,
And keep them from an early grave,
from the river of no return.
19-22 "Or, God might get their attention through pain,
by throwing them on a bed of suffering,
So they can't stand the sight of food,
have no appetite for their favorite treats.
They lose weight, wasting away to nothing,
reduced to a bag of bones.
They hang on the cliff-edge of death,
knowing the next breath may be their last.
23-25 "But even then an angel could come,
a champion—there are thousands of them!—
to take up your cause,
A messenger who would mercifully intervene,
canceling the death sentence with the words:
'I've come up with the ransom!'
Before you know it, you're healed,
the very picture of health!
26-28 "Or, you may fall on your knees and pray—to God's delight!
You'll see God's smile and celebrate,
finding yourself set right with God.
You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet,
testifying, 'I messed up my life—
and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it.
But God stepped in and saved me from certain death.
I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!'
29-30 "This is the way God works.
Over and over again
He pulls our souls back from certain destruction
so we'll see the light—and live in the light!
31-33 "Keep listening, Job.
Don't interrupt—I'm not finished yet.
But if you think of anything I should know, tell me.
There's nothing I'd like better than to see your name cleared.
Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions.
I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom."
Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself!
Look, I'm human—no better than you;
we're both made of the same kind of mud.
So let's work this through together;
don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you.
8-11 "Here's what you said.
I heard you say it with my own ears.
You said, 'I'm pure—I've done nothing wrong.
Believe me, I'm clean—my conscience is clear.
But God keeps picking on me;
he treats me like I'm his enemy.
He's thrown me in jail;
he keeps me under constant surveillance.'
12-14 "But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong!
God is far greater than any human.
So how dare you haul him into court,
and then complain that he won't answer your charges?
God always answers, one way or another,
even when people don't recognize his presence.
15-18 "In a dream, for instance, a vision at night,
when men and women are deep in sleep,
fast asleep in their beds—
God opens their ears
and impresses them with warnings
To turn them back from something bad they're planning,
from some reckless choice,
And keep them from an early grave,
from the river of no return.
19-22 "Or, God might get their attention through pain,
by throwing them on a bed of suffering,
So they can't stand the sight of food,
have no appetite for their favorite treats.
They lose weight, wasting away to nothing,
reduced to a bag of bones.
They hang on the cliff-edge of death,
knowing the next breath may be their last.
23-25 "But even then an angel could come,
a champion—there are thousands of them!—
to take up your cause,
A messenger who would mercifully intervene,
canceling the death sentence with the words:
'I've come up with the ransom!'
Before you know it, you're healed,
the very picture of health!
26-28 "Or, you may fall on your knees and pray—to God's delight!
You'll see God's smile and celebrate,
finding yourself set right with God.
You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet,
testifying, 'I messed up my life—
and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it.
But God stepped in and saved me from certain death.
I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!'
29-30 "This is the way God works.
Over and over again
He pulls our souls back from certain destruction
so we'll see the light—and live in the light!
31-33 "Keep listening, Job.
Don't interrupt—I'm not finished yet.
But if you think of anything I should know, tell me.
There's nothing I'd like better than to see your name cleared.
Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions.
I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom."
2 Corinthians 3:1-18 (The Message)
2 Corinthians 3
1-3Does it sound like we're patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well, we're not. Neither do we need letters of endorsement, either to you or from you. You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it. 4-6We couldn't be more sure of ourselves in this—that you, written by Christ himself for God, are our letter of recommendation. We wouldn't think of writing this kind of letter about ourselves. Only God can write such a letter. His letter authorizes us to help carry out this new plan of action. The plan wasn't written out with ink on paper, with pages and pages of legal footnotes, killing your spirit. It's written with Spirit on spirit, his life on our lives!
Lifting the Veil
7-8The Government of Death, its constitution chiseled on stone tablets, had a dazzling inaugural. Moses' face as he delivered the tablets was so bright that day (even though it would fade soon enough) that the people of Israel could no more look right at him than stare into the sun. How much more dazzling, then, the Government of Living Spirit? 9-11If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government of Affirmation? Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull alongside this new one. If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?
12-15With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn't notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn't notice. They didn't notice it then and they don't notice it now, don't notice that there's nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can't see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there's nothing there.
16-18Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.
12-15With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn't notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn't notice. They didn't notice it then and they don't notice it now, don't notice that there's nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can't see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there's nothing there.
16-18Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.
Psalm 43:1-5 (The Message)
Psalm 43
1-2 Clear my name, God; stick up for me against these loveless, immoral people.
Get me out of here, away
from these lying degenerates.
I counted on you, God.
Why did you walk out on me?
Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands
over these outrageous people?
3-4 Give me your lantern and compass,
give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
to the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship,
meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp,
magnificent God, my God.
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
Get me out of here, away
from these lying degenerates.
I counted on you, God.
Why did you walk out on me?
Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands
over these outrageous people?
3-4 Give me your lantern and compass,
give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
to the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship,
meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp,
magnificent God, my God.
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
Proverbs 22:8-9 (The Message)
8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,
and bullying anger sputters into nothing.
9 Generous hands are blessed hands
because they give bread to the poor.
8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,
and bullying anger sputters into nothing.
9 Generous hands are blessed hands
because they give bread to the poor.
“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” (Galatians 3:28 - Contemporary English Version) The distinctions we create to separate people are no longer relevant. In Christ, we're all equal with one another; therefore, discrimination that's based on race, gender and economic condition is contrary to the will of God.
“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” (Galatians 3:28 - Contemporary English Version) The distinctions we create to separate people are no longer relevant. In Christ, we're all equal with one another; therefore, discrimination that's based on race, gender and economic condition is contrary to the will of God.
Quote for the Day
Australian folklorist, translator, literary critic, social scientist, historian and writer of English literature, Joseph Jacobs wrote, "Every place but that in which one is born is equally strange and wondrous. Once beyond the bounds of the city walls, and none knows what may happen. We have stepped forth into the Land of Faerie, but at least we are in the open air."
Quote for the Day
Australian folklorist, translator, literary critic, social scientist, historian and writer of English literature, Joseph Jacobs wrote, "Every place but that in which one is born is equally strange and wondrous. Once beyond the bounds of the city walls, and none knows what may happen. We have stepped forth into the Land of Faerie, but at least we are in the open air."
A Joke for Today
A pastor, known for his lengthy sermons, noticed a man get up and leave during the middle of his message. The man returned just before the conclusion of the service. Afterwards the pastor asked the man where he had gone.
"I went to get a haircut," was the reply.
"But," said the pastor, "why didn't you do that before the service?"
"Because," the gentleman said, "I didn't need one then."
A Joke for Today
A pastor, known for his lengthy sermons, noticed a man get up and leave during the middle of his message. The man returned just before the conclusion of the service. Afterwards the pastor asked the man where he had gone.
"I went to get a haircut," was the reply.
"But," said the pastor, "why didn't you do that before the service?"
"Because," the gentleman said, "I didn't need one then."
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