Job 15-17, Job and Eliphaz, Round Two

I haven't forgotten about Job. I usually try to write at least two of these a week, but I got sidetracked last week. Life's been pretty busy lately. I was also struggling with the passage and wanted to make sure I had studied it adequately before writing about it. Plus, I'm trying to condense each blog appropriately so that each blog contains one person speaking and Job's response. Therefore this week will be Eliphaz's response to Job and Job's corresponding answer. I'm basically trying to put three chapters of Scripture in one blog. It's rather difficult and I beg your pardon for the delay. That being said, onward and upward! (Cue the Superman theme music).

I'll give you the short version of Job up to now: He suffered tremendously. His friends told him it was because he was sinful. Job knew he was a righteous guy and began asking "Why God?" In the last section Job specifically turned his attention directly to God, fully knowing he was being bold and brazen towards the Almighty and he just might decide to drop a Chevy Malibu on his head. Eliphaz did not care for Job's words toward God and steps in to talk once again. We all await with baited breath for Eliphaz to speak, (sarcasm intended). Please read along Job, chapters 15-17 in your Bible, online, or on your brilliant phone.

Old Chevy Malibu.

Job 15:1-6. Eliphaz thinks Job should have more sense than to talk to God like this. "Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge...Should he argue in unprofitable talk? (1-2). In the last chapters Job announced his intention to present his case directly to God. It was a pretty bold move. Eliphaz tells Job that the way he was speaking to God was irreverent and foolish. "But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God," (4). Wise men, according to Eliphaz, do not speak to God boldly and challenge his ways. Apparently Eliphaz was not familiar with Moses, David, Abraham, and Jeremiah boldly poured our their hearts to God and still lived to speak of it

Job 15:7-13. Eliphaz rebukes Job arrogance in refusing to listen to the counsel of his friends. "Are you the first man who was born, or were you brought forth before the hills?" (7). We, according to Eliphaz, are wise men as well. We're just as old and experienced as you. Why do you stubbornly refuse to listen to what we have to say? "What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us?" (10). Eliphaz and his buddies are getting a bit frustrated that Job won't submit to the words of brilliance that drip from their tongues like honey, (sarcasm intended yet again). And here, ladies and gentleman, is my favorite verse in these chapters. "Are the comforts of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you?" (11). Eliphaz calls the counsel he and his friends have given as "comfort" and "words that deal gently". ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!? These guys have been telling Job he was dirty rotten sinner and God should be treating him worse. If this is what you call comfort, then I'd hate to see you when you're angry. (The same is true of the Hulk by the way).

Job 15:14-16. No man can be righteous before God according to Eliphaz. "What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?" (14). Eliphaz's point is this: 'Job, you say you're not suffering because of your sin. But man is inherently sinful. There must be something in your life that would cause God to treat you this way'. Obviously there is some truth to what Eliphaz is saying. Man is a sinful being and no man is righteous before God. I don't think Job would dispute this. The problem is, Job knows there wasn't an issue of sin in his life to warrant the punishment and suffering he was experiencing. This is why Job cried out for God to answer him and explain why he had treated Job this way. Job did not claim to understand why he was suffering, but he did know the reason given by his friends, i.e. "It's because of your sin", was wrong.
P.S. One has to wonder, if Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar believed what they were saying, then why weren't they expecting God to drop a grand piano on their own heads? Irony abounds.

How Job's friends view God.

I'll go ahead and tell you that the rest of chapter 15 is a bit odd and wordy. If you can make sense of it you're a better person that me, (which isn't saying much, but still). In 15:17-24, Eliphaz describes what happens to the wicked. He provides the basis for his wisdom, which is his own experience and what he has learned from the aged. "I will show you, hear me, and what I have seen I will declare what wise men have told, without hiding it from their fathers," (17-18). Basically Eliphaz says that wicked men suffer all of their lives. "The wicked man writhes in pain all his days," (see I told you so), "distress and anguish terrify him;" etc. (20, 24).

All of this comes upon the wicked, "because he has stretched out his hand against the Almighty, because he has covered his face with his fat and gathered fat upon his waist," (25, 27). Basically, the wicked suffer on earth because they've rejected God, selfishly gathered up for themselves, and defied the Almighty. To which I have one question: If that's true, why aren't Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C. burning wrecks of God's punishment? Listen I'm sure there are fine folks in those places, but they represent the epitome of what Eliphaz is describing. The fact of the matter is, which Job has already pointed out, that the wicked sometimes prosper and live long and healthy lives. Evil men don't always get what is coming to them. Sometimes the evil harpy on the Bachelor wins the guy and the diamond ring. Godly people don't always get the promotion. Sometimes good folks get robbed. What Eliphaz is preaching doesn't match up with reality.

Job 15:29-35. Eliphaz ends with more discussion about how awful he believes sinners have it on earth...somewhere Fidel Castro and Kim Jong Il are laughing. The verses speak for themselves. "he, (the sinner), will not be rich, and his wealth will not endure...It, (punishment), will be paid in full before his time...for the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of bribery." Somewhere Hugh Heffner is like, 'oh really?' I am not sure what Eliphaz was trying to convey to Job here. He just comes across sounding wordy. Apparently Job didn't care for Eliphaz's words as we shall see is Job 16.

So what's the point of Eliphaz's rambling in chapter 15. He's upset at Job's rejection of God's punishment, Job's attitude towards God, and his refusal to accept the "comfort" of his friend's counsel. He then ends on a wild rambling monologue about how and why the wicked suffer. What does this mean for you and me? I don't really have any other conclusions except that Eliphaz is a horrible counselor and that he talks too much. Seriously. I wish I had a more spiritual conclusion than that but I don't. I think Job would agree with me that Eliphaz should stop talking.

Job, like Wolverine, is angry. 

Job 16:1-6. Job's response: You guys are lousy counselors. "I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?" (2). Job told his friends that their words offered no help. If he were in their place he would be a much better helper to a friend who was suffering. "I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain," (5).

Job 16:7-17. Job launches into a long statement about how God has broken him to pieces. Here are some verses that will break your heart. I would quote them in their entirety to show the depth and size of Job's anguish, but alas space will not permit it. Still, a lengthy selection is necessary. "Surely now God has worn me out, he has made desolate all my company...He has torn me in his wrath and hated me; he has gnashed his teeth at me...God gives me up to the ungodly and casts me in to the hands of the wicked. I was at ease, and he broke me apart...He slashes open my kidneys and does not spare...he runs upon me like a warrior...My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness." Wow! I read verses like this and I feel so unqualified to talk about suffering, pain, and faith in God because I think about people going through difficult divorces, cancer, the loss of a child, the unjust imprisonment of a loved one, or natural disasters. I think of folks like these and I know I don't know the first thing about suffering and loss. Nevertheless, some people understand what Job was talking about and how he felt like God was treating him. Such raw emotion is hard to digest, but there are those out there who understand what he was feeling.

The greatest superhero of all time. Period.

It's worth pointing out that Job did not blame Satan for what had happened, but put the responsibility at the feet of God. Does that mean God is responsible for evil? No. But it does mean God is in charge. How does that make sense? If I could tell you that I'd be a very rich man. We know God is holy. He is without sin. He cannot do evil or sinful actions. YET God is also sovereign over everything that happens in the universe. Jesus said a sparrow does not fall apart from the Father's will. So how do these two contradictory ideas marry? I don't know. It's a Biblical tension we all have to wrestle with. Job knew that God was in control, which is why he directs his comments towards the Almighty. "God has...He has...He has...He broke me...He slashes...He runs upon me," (see verses above). Job rightly understands God is sovereign, (a fact none of his friends disputed, by the way). What he doesn't understand is the God's reason for these events. "Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure," (17).

Job 16:18-7:2, Job asks that even if he should perish, he wants someone to make his case before God. "O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place...that he would argue the case of a man with God...For when a few years have come I shall go the way from which I shall not return." It's not really clear who the "witness" in heaven would be.

Job 17:3-5. Job's plea for someone to stand with and believe in him. These verses are tricky. Job seems to be asking God to lay down a pledge, or a promise of payment. This would be a bet, or agreement on Job's innocence. Job is having to ask God to do this because his friends did not believe in his innocence. "Since you have closed their hearts to understanding, therefore you will not let them triumph," (4). If nothing else these verses highlight how alone Job is and has no one to stick up for him, believe in him, or plead his case. I reckon many people who have experienced similar suffering have felt the same way.

Job 17:6-16. Job's despair at his rejection by people around him and expectation of a death without any hope or resolution. "He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom men spit," (6). Now Job challenges his friends to bring their arguments again, through he expects no wisdom from any of them. "But you, come on again, all of you, and I shall not find a wise man among you," (10). He then says that he thinks he will die with out hope, without light, and without answers from God. "Where then is my hope? Who will see my  hope? Will it go down to the bars of Sheol, (the grave)? Shall we descend together into the dust?" (15-16).

Even superheroes have bad days.

These last two chapters are tough. Job expresses his despair at how God has treated him, his repugnance at the foolishness of his friends, and how utterly lonely and hopeless he feels. Do you know what scares me? Clowns. Do you know what else scares me? Snakes. Do you know what else? The thought that I may one day find myself in Job's position, as a man all alone, abandoned by friends, with questions about God, faith, good and evil and suffering. It's terrifying to imagine myself even close to where Job is right now. I am not sure what I would do. I'm scared to think I would not be strong enough to survive. I am scared to think I would not be strong enough to trust God. This also breaks my heart to know that some people I know either have been or are right now in the same position Job finds himself in these chapters.

If you are in the same sort of situation may the Lord, in his divine and confusing sovereignty, grant you the grace to endure with whatever faith you have. May Jesus, with his heart that weeps with those who weep, give compassionate care and love to you. May the Holy Spirit grant you the faith when you have none of your own. Amen.

Job 13:20 - 14:22, Valentine's Day Hints for Men Included*

Hint 1: Clean these.

*Yes, I know it's after Valentine's Day. I was trapped in a house for a week with three children because of snow. You try getting anything done under those circumstances. 

Last time Job was confronted by Zophar, who told him he deserved worse than he was getting from God because he was such a sinner. He told him to repent and God would make everything okay. Job knew he had not sinned against God. He also had enough of the counsel of his friends, so he rebuked them in chapters 12 and 13. He then announced he would present his case directly to God, even if such bold action put his life in danger. He trusted in his integrity and he would rather deal with God directly than his foolish friends.

We're picking up where we left off last time, (a brilliant journalistic move, I know), at Job 13:20 where Job will turn his attention to God. He asks God directly why he would permit such suffering and injustice in his life and in the lives of those he cared about. He has seen injustice and pain from a God who he believed to be merciful and just. He just can't make sense of the contradiction between what he knows about God and what he's experienced in his life. (Perhaps you can relate). Please read along in your Bible, at a Bible website, or on your highly educated phone. Once again, we're in Job 13:20-14:22.

Hint 2: Buy these.

Job 13:20-28, Job wants to know WHY God is treating him this way. Job needs to know the reason why God is doing these things in his life. He asks God to take away the fear of judgment for speaking openly to him. "Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak and you reply." This would be like saying to your wife/girlfriend, "Can I tell you something if you promise not to get mad at me?" Has that every worked for any guy, anywhere?

Job is begging God to show up and explain why all of these things have happened to him. If it's because of sin, then Job asks God to make it known, "How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me known my transgression and my sin," (23). God has done horrible things to him and he can't understand why. "Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy? For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths," (24-27).

Hint 3: Deal with these people. Babysitter, tranquilizer, whatever it takes.

This is a perfect example of why people can relate to Job and his story. Every person who has had to live with God has asked "Why?" You have found yourselves in situations where life didn't make sense and you want to understand what God is doing. You have felt like God was deliberately rejecting you. What he was doing in your life made no sense at all! It seemed as what you were experiencing did not match up with what you had heard about the love and goodness of God. Why would he allow your divorce? Why wouldn't he answer your tearful prayers? Why wouldn't he heal your child from cancer? "Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?" Why would he allow such a good man/woman to die in that horrible accident? Job mirrored those same feelings in his cries to the Lord.

In 14:1-6, Job despairs at God's judgment of men so small and short lived. Job's cries and questions to God now lead him to despair and depression over the smallness of man. "Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not," (1-2). Man's life is brief, so why does God judge one so pitiful and small? "And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one." Why does God punish men who are inherently sinful? Men are so weak and pitiful. When then does God judge them so harshly?

Hint 4: Women like shiny things.

Job 14:7-17, Job hopes for an afterlife where God will answer his questions.
Job starts out by showing that a tree may be destroyed, but will yet have hope for a new life. "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease," (7). A tree may be cut down, but still grow again. It may be resurrected, (so to speak), to new life even after its destruction. Unfortunately, Job is not sure of the same for himself. "But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he? (10-12). Job had no assurance that one day he would stand before God and get the answers he was seeking. To him it seemed he would die without understanding God's purposes for his suffering. Yet he hoped that was not the case. "If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come. You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands," (14-15). Job's hope is that one day he would stand before God and the Lord would be able to make sense of his suffering and sorrow.

However, in Job 14:18-22 Job's ultimate expectation is that God will wipe him out completely. He makes note that the flow of nature is to wear down and erode itself. "But the mountain falls and crumbles away...the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so you destroy the hope of man," (18-20). Therefore it is Job's expectation for God to wear him down into death as well. "You prevail forever against him, and he passes; you change his countenance, and send him away," (20). Job hoped he would have a chance to stand before God and get an explanation, but ultimately he expected a death with no resolution to his questions of "Why God?" He had no revelation to teach him of life after death, so his expectation was that he must have all the answers in this life, or have none at all.

Hint 5: Women dig Chocolate. 

I hope you're enjoying our study of the book of Job. If you're like me, you probably have had to start eating large amounts fast food or chocolate just to keep your spirits up. I know, I know. It's a depressing book. But in some weird way that's actually an encouragement. God chose to include this horribly depressing book in the Bible. He included the story of a man who expressed great doubt towards and disappointment in God. This account of Job's life shows a man struggling with deep and hurtful questions of the soul. God could have chosen to not allow Job's story to be included in the Bible. I certainly would if I wanted to encourage people to believe in me. I mean seriously, who wants to read such a depressing story where a guy spends 30 chapters asking "Why God?" "Why God?" "Why God?" all over again. I get enough repetitive questions with my children every day. Why would I want to read that in the Bible? But what's encouraging is the Lord included this story of struggle, despair, doubt, and depression. He allows himself to be questioned and doubted. He knew men would struggle with the "why" questions.

So hold on. In the meantime, don't eat too much chocolate or fried food. Happy post Valentine's Day.

Job 11 - 13:19, Zophar the Jerk-ite, and Job's Response

If you're just joining us here at the SoWhatRamblings blog, raise your hand and one of the ushers will give you a complimentary bag of oatmeal, a pamphlet regarding our yoga class for Seniors, (led by Richard Simmons), and an envelope where you can donate money to the Travis Mansion Fund. Our motto is: "God's already building me a mansion in Heaven, so why not have one down here too?"

Um...right. Sorry Church Lady. Just kidding.

In all seriousness, we're walking through the Bible book of Job. Job was a righteous man who suffered much and thereby asked many of the "Why God?" questions we've all asked ourselves. If you want a more detailed explanation, go back and read the Job blogs previously written. Today we're getting into chapters 11 and 12. Please follow along in your Bible or wise-phone.

Hey Job, want a friend? Job? Don't run away!

I have decided I would like to be Job's friend. The poor guy obviously didn't have any. All of his so called buddies just hung around and told him how sorry and sinful he was. He needed a guy who will just hang out with him, drink a cold glass of sweet tea, and just be there. That's what I want from my friends and my wife when I'm hurting. Unfortunately Job doesn't have such luxury. His wife's a nag and his friends are jerks. Is it going to get better today in chapter 11? Nope. The next "friend", Zophar, steps up to offer his "advice." Ugh.

"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you? But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you...Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves," (2-6, selected verses). 

And with that, Zophar confirms he is the south end of a "Equus ferus caballus". He tells Job he's talking too much, he's arrogant and God should be treating Job a whole lot worse because of his sin. In all of his suffering Job should be grateful it isn't worse. Thanks Zophar. Are you done

"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven--what can you do?...For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man." (7-12)

Translation: "Job, you're too stupid to understand all God is doing. You're too small to understand his ways. God judges sinful worthless men and you don't have the sense to understand what he's doing!" I find it ironic that Zophar can understand God, (because he tells Job about God's ways), and at the same time he says God is too high and awesome to be understood by Job. He then tells Job that he will understand God when "pigs fly", i.e. when donkeys give birth to men. What a pleasant individual Zophar is.

Finally, Zophar concludes by telling Job to repent and everything will be gravy, (never mind the fact that Job's kids and servants are all dead and he's lost everything).

"If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands towards him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents...You will forget your misery...and your life will be brighter than the noonday...You will lie down, and none will make you afraid" ...AND JESUS WILL GIVE YOU A MILLION DOLLARS! HALLELUJAH! (sorry, I added that part. It seemed appropriate). (13-20, selected)

Job continues to ask God "why?" Job's friends continue to tell him, "It's your fault because you sinned." Job knows he was a righteous guy and what God had done to him didn't make sense. Job continues to search for an explanation from God. Thus we enter chapter 12 and Job's response. "I'm sure you speak for the experts, and when you die there will be no one left to tell us how to live" (2, the Message)

Job opens up chapter 12 with a sarcastic rebuke of his friends and their "wisdom". He lauds his friends, (sarcastically), as the wisest men on earth. You can tell Job's had enough of the council and advice of his friends. In fact the whole chapter is going to involve a discussion on their so called "wisdom". In verse four Job laments how his friends consider him a joke, even though he knows he is blameless. His friends, who are free from trouble, think that Job's trouble is because he is a sinner. However, Job shows how evil men, robbers and blasphemers, are secure in their homes, while the righteous suffer. "He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt, as prepared for those whose feet slip. The tents of the destroyers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure," (5-6, NASB).

Next in 7-25 Job makes it clear that God's sovereign control over the universe is obvious to every creature on earth. It is obvious to all that God is in control of the suffering Job is enduring.

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you...Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this. (7, 9)
To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released. (13-14)
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste." (23-24)

Job is clear on God's sovereign control. He doesn't have any disagreement with his friends on this fact, (13:1-2). What he can't understand is why God has done this in his life. He still comes back to this question of "Why?" You, dear reader, may have found yourself in this same sort of situation. You are suffering through illness, injustice, pain, weariness, stagnation, or loss. Friends have surrounded you and offered their "helpful advice" but in the end their words are like salt on an open wound. They say, "It'll get better." "It will all work out in the end." "God's in control." "One day you'll look back on this and smile/laugh." No matter what they say, however well meaning, it doesn't answer the deepest question of your heart. "WHY GOD? WHERE ARE YOU GOD? WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN GOD? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HOW COULD YOU ALLOW THIS?"

Job's friends

That is exactly where Job finds himself. He's gasping for answers and understanding from the Almighty, yet his friends only offer stupid or cruel words. Job's had just about enough of them and rebukes them for their foolishness. He wants to speak to God directly, not these men who offer no help. "But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; You are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom." (3-5). Ouch. Job's friends really do sound like the Stooges.

His friends have attempted to represent and defend the honor of the Almighty. But Job says they have not spoken rightly about God. "Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? Will you show him partiality? Will you argue your case for God? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay," (Job 13:7-8, 12). Inevitably in the face of suffering, sorrow, or injustice, men will try to understand or rationale the workings of the Almighty. The problem is men can make the mistake of trying to make sense of things that just don't make sense, (to a human's limited understanding, anyway). If we're not careful we can begin making assertions about God, his character, and his plan and these assertions may be incorrect. Whether we're the one suffering or the one trying to comfort those in pain, we have to remember be careful about the counsel we give regarding the Almighty. "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" (Romans 11:33-34). Job says the Stooges have not represented God accurately. It seems he is right.

"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may," (13). Now having rebuked the three Stooges, Job says he will present his case directly to God, no matter what the consequences. Job stands like a lawyer in court. He is going to argue and make his defense directly to the Lord. His arguments throughout this book should be viewed like a prosecutor before a judge. Although he knows it is a dangerous thing to argue to the Lord, he is confident he will be vindicated in the end as a righteous man. "Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face," (15).

I WANT THE TRUTH! So does Job.

Just an aside. Job 13:15 is one of those verses that is often misquoted out of context by Bible-quoters everywhere. Most people quote or remember the first part of this verse, "Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him," while neglecting the second part. Job is not saying he is going to confidently trust God no matter what the consequences, which is how most people quote or remember this verse. What Job appears to be saying is connected to the second part of this verse, "I will surely defend my ways to his face," (15b). Job's confidence is not in the sovereign goodness of God per se, but rather that he would be vindicated at God examination of his life and character. Please make sure to use this verse accordingly. Thank you. I appreciate it.

"Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say. Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die," (17-19). Job finishes his statement/rebuke to his friends and their wisdom. He has now announced the course he will take, which is to approach God directly with his complaint. From this point on he will speak to God directly.

I think it's important to take a step back here from all the emotion, the yelling, the Three Stooges and remember what's going on here. I don't believe Job is approaching God as an arrogant man who is confident he is a man who has never sinned. He is coming before God as a man who knows there was nothing in his life to warrant the degree of suffering and sorrow he has experienced. He is a man who is seeking an answer to the question "Why God?", just as you and I have sought that answer in our times of pain, distress, and unanswered prayer. His friends have told him God has given him what he deserved because of his sin. Job knows that isn't true. He knows he was a righteous man who feared God and turned from evil, (see chapter one). Their answers have been awful, so Job has rightly rebuked them.

Nor is Job at this point finally cursing God. He is not speaking poorly of God or damning God for his actions. Such an action would fulfill his wife's desires in chapter two. He is simply seeking to understand why God has acted this way. Like I said, you and I have asked those questions too. Next time we will watch as Job makes his case directly to God. Stay tuned.

Job 10: Peaceful, Happy Prayer People Need not Apply

Stained glass prayers = not realistic

WARNING: If you are a person who always prays the "right" prayer, who has never been angry at God, who has never asked the Lord what in the world he was doing, and who always maintains a nice level of decorum in your interactions with the Almighty, then you probably won't like this blog. You have been warned. Feel free to skip this blog and come back when we're discussing something more pleasant, like puppies. However, you may have cried out like David, Jesus, etc: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", "Why are you so far from the words of my groaning?", "Awake, why are you sleeping, O Lord?", "Will you forget me forever!?" (Ps. 22, 44, 13). If so, you're welcome to continue to reading this blog, because we're going to talk about Job and his prayers. Let me just tell you, Job's prayers are raw, emotional, and heartfelt, so buckle up.

Job was a righteous guy who suffered immensely and thereby raised some of the questions we all face about life with God. Today we're looking at chapter's 10. In the last blog Job had to respond to one of his idiot friends who told him (1) he was a sinner, (2) God was justly punishing him, and (3) he should therefore repent. The problem was Job was a righteous man and knew he hadn't sinned against God. Job's response started in chapter 9 and continues here in chapter 10. Please read along in your Bible or intellectual phone.

(1-3) The Bitterness of Job's Spirit
"I LOATHE my life; I will give free utterance to my COMPLAINT; I will speak in the BITTERNESS of my soul." (1). How many of you start your prayers this way? No? You don't? You mean to tell me your prayers usually sound pleasant and spiritual, even when you feel angry and bitter towards God? Interesting. "Let me know why you contend against me. Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands, and favor the designs of the wicked?" (2-3). Job's asking 'Why God?' 'Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?' 'Why do you despise me God?' Have any of you ever asked those questions of God, even if you didn't say them out loud? Are we getting any closer to home here?

How Job sees God.

(8-17) God Appears to Delight in Job's Suffering
Do you remember when you were a kid and you played with blocks? If you were a boy then you enjoyed building up a big tower and knocking it down. If you were a girl, then you hated the boys who would destroy the big beautiful towers you just built. Well that's exactly how God appears to Job. He seems to be someone who intentionally builds up Job, only to wipe him out. "Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust?" (8-12, selected verses). God seems to be a contradiction to Job, because he showed such care in making and building up Job, (his life, wealth, family, etc), and now he appears to delight in destroying him. To Job, God's intentions all along were his destruction. "Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know this was your purpose...You renew your witnesses against me and increase your vexation toward me; you bring fresh troops against me," (13, 17). Like a prosecutor in a courtroom or an army conquering a country, God's purposes all along, (at least according to Job), seem to be to torment and pursue Job. Ouch.

What about you? Have you ever felt like God was making no sense in your life? Have you ever thought God must have lost his mind or was not paying attention to everything that was happening to you? Well Job did too.

*Let me just say here that Job is making a lot of statements about God and his character. It's important that we, as the readers, see these statements as expressions of Job's feelings and not necessarily accurate reflections about the character of God.

(18-22) Why Questions and a Request for Death
Now Job comes to it. He cries out in his pain and confusion. He just wants it to end. "Why did you bring me out from the womb? Would that I had died before any eye had seen me...Then cease, and leave me alone, that I may find a little cheer before I go...to the land of darkness and deep shadow," (18-21, selected). Job wants to know why God gave him life if he was just going to destroy him. Now Job just asks God to leave him alone so he can die in peace. Poor Job. The man's lost everything. His family, his health, and his prosperity. However, Job doesn't ask for his health, for his family, for his possessions, or any material provision from God. More than anything else in this book, Job wants God to explain himself. Good quote here from the NetBible Commentary on Job 10:

"It is a remarkable fact...very revealing of Job's mind, that in none of his petitions does he make the obvious request for his sickness to be cured. (As if everything will be all right when he is well again!) That would not answer the question which is more urgent than every other concern: 'Why?'" (Anderson, p. 152). 

Jesus in Gethsemane, much more realistic.

What do we learn from Job 10? 
(1) We see here a man broken with questions about God, his rule of the universe, and his apparent injustice. We see a man who cries out in bitterness and anger towards God. He questions the plan, purposes, and ways of the almighty. He continually asks God "WHY?!" And yet somehow he is not immediately consumed by fire from heaven. God allows this man to spout out in anger, bitterness, rage, and confusion. God does not drop an elephant on Job for his lack of control and politeness in his prayers to God. Isn't that amazing? I propose that honest and heartfelt prayer like this is Biblical. I wouldn't encourage you to "curse God and die", like Job's wife did, but I believe honesty and open-heartedness before God is okay, even encouraged. Ask me why? Why Travis?

I'm glad you asked. Let's look at the Psalms, the prayer and worship book of the Bible. The psalms contain great songs of praise and thanksgiving, but they also contain questions of "Why God?" "Where are you God?" "What are you doing God?" "How could you do this to me God?" "When will you answer me God?" You don't have to read long in the Psalms to encounter such language. To which some might say, "Well that's true, but all of the Psalms end with the author trusting or thanking God." Usually that's true, but not always. Read Psalm 88, an entire psalm of brokenness, questioning, and darkness with no clear resolution at the end. I say if David , Job, the sons of Korah, Moses, Jeremiah, and even Jesus, could pray such prayers, then so can we. God welcomes our heart, even if it's broken. Plus he already knows what's going on in there anyway. We might as well come to him honestly and openly. We are encouraged to come to him, however we are. If that's how salvation works, why should prayer be any different?

"Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come." - Charlotte Elliott.

(2) We are not the only ones who have asked God "Why?" In the days of Abraham, before Moses, before David, before Jesus and his disciples, there was a man who asked God why and questioned the divine will. He did not see how God could apparently act so unjustly in his life. He saw God acting in ways that didn't make any sense at all. He saw sickness, death, murder, and wickedness and failed to see God do anything about it. He didn't understand what the Almighty was doing. He saw evil prosper and good men suffer and he couldn't make any sense of it. He cried out to God for answers.

Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer. Probably how Job feels.

Maybe you've been there too. Maybe you've experienced the loss of a job when you were a model employee. Maybe you've lost a family member to an accident or to cancer. Maybe you've been horribly wronged and no one seemed to care about justice. Maybe your circumstances don't change for the better, no matter how long you pray, fast, and cry to God. Maybe you've lost everything and heaven seems to be silent. Maybe you can relate quite well to Job. I think that's one of the reasons Job is in the Bible, because God knew we would all wrestle with these tough questions and tough issues. God knew we would all ask "why" at some point in our lives. We would all struggle with the sovereignty and love of God and the problem of living in a sinful and broken world.

There is some comfort in knowing God placed this book in the Bible to address these tough questions. There is some comfort in knowing the Lord used the lives of Job, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, David, etc in the Bible to address this tough subject. In this I see the compassion and wisdom of the Lord to give us some answers to these tough questions. They may not necessarily be the answers we would like, but God has not left us alone to wander about in our pain and bitterness. He has given us the Bible.

This is a tough book, a hurtful book, that opens up the deep wounds and deep questions of our soul. Will God answer? Will there be a resolution? Will God have mercy? Will He explain everything to Job? You have to keep reading to find out. Next time we get to meet another one of Job's stupid friends. I'm sure his comments will be full of wisdom and compassion...NOT!

Genesis 24, Pt 2, Will God be Faithful?

After my last Abraham blog I got a Gold Bond sponsorship!

Last time we were talking about Abraham he had decided to find a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham made his servant promise, in a really gross manner, (see prior blog), that he would NOT take a wife for Isaac from the ungodly Canaanites where the lived, but would find a wife from one of Abraham's relatives. Today we're going to meet the servant and Rachel, (aka the Whoa-man).

A lot of people look at this chapter to learn how to find a mate, dating advice, or wisdom in relationships.* In my humble opinion Genesis 24 is more about showing God's covenant faithfulness to his servant. Sarah, Abraham's wife, had died in Genesis 23. Abraham is really old and he's going to die soon. God did so much in Abraham's life, (Genesis 12-23). How do we know the covenant will continue with Abraham's son, Isaac? I know God said he would, but can he be trusted? Will God's covenant continue? Will God continue to work his promises in Isaac's life? Will God be faithful? This is the key question answered in Genesis 24.

*To be sure there are some good things that can be taken from this chapter about finding a good spouse, but to be fair I don't think that was God's main purpose in this story. We have to be sure when we read the Bible that we are first understanding the original meaning and purpose of a story before we start making applications to our own life, capiche?

So let's meet the servant. Who is this guy? His name is never mentioned. He's just known as Abraham's servant. (I'll call him Phil). I think it's safe to assume he had lived and worked under Abraham for a long time. He was "the oldest of his household who had charge over all that he had," (sounds like Phil). He had probably witnessed a lot of Abraham's life and seen how God had worked in and through Abraham. He probably knew all about the miraculous conception and birth of Isaac as well as God's salvation of Isaac on Mt. Moriah, (Genesis 22). In short, Phil had seen and heard of the amazing works of God. He also knew about God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22).

So what happens? Abraham tells Phil the servant to go the the land of his relatives and find a wife for Isaac. Abraham is confident God will provide the right woman for his son. But just try and put yourself in the shoes of Phil. You're riding your camel somewhere in the desert. You've got a long way to go. Abraham made you make a serious promise to find the right kind of wife for his son. He's your master and he's trusting you to be faithful. Meanwhile you've got to go to this country where you don't know anybody. Somehow you've got to find a good wife for Isaac, your master's son. It's a big responsibility. Would you be nervous? Anxious? Filled with doubt? I would. So Phil finally gets to the city and he prays. He needs God to be faithful to his covenant with Abraham. He needs God to provide and he knows he can't do it himself.

"And he said, 'O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, 'Please let down your jar that I may drink,' and who shall say, 'Drink, and I will water your camels'--let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master." 

Stop one second, I want you to see something. The servant mentions the term "steadfast love" here in his prayer. It's a word and idea that runs throughout this chapter, as seen in verses 12, 14, 27, and 49. Some versions translate this as "lovingkidness", "kindness", or "graciousness". I think those other translations fall a bit short of the idea of the word here. It's not just that God was being kind or loving or faithful to Abraham. That was true, but the word carries an even deeper meaning. God was being loving to Abraham, yet also faithful to the covenant he had made previously with Abraham. He was being faithful to carry out his gracious and loving promises to make a great nation from Abraham, to bless whoever blessed him, and to curse whoever cursed him, and to bless all of the nations of the earth through Abraham and his descendants. So it's not just love, or kindness, or faithfulness. I think the ESV translation is the best, "steadfast love". The idea is of God's loving faithfulness to his promises, which is what this entire chapter is about.

Now back to Phil: The servant is asking God to provide a woman, but he's also asking she be the right kind of woman. He's looking for a good woman who has a servant's heart, and who is hospitable. He doesn't want to bring a lazy, mean spirited and arrogant woman home to Isaac. (Who would?) Notice the servant doesn't pray for a hot woman with great legs. Either he just assumed God knew Isaac would like that, (not likely), or it's more important to find a woman with great character than great legs, (more likely). So what happens? "Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder," (v15). Alright, good start! She's a part of Abraham's family. The servant didn't know it at the time, but the first woman God brought out was a relative, which is what Abraham asked for. Groovy! What else do we find out about Rachel? "The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known," (16). BONUS! As Animal would say, "WO-MAN!"

Phil the servant is seeking to see if this woman was the answer to his prayers, so asks if she would give him a drink of water. Rebekah, without prompting, agrees to give this random stranger a drink, and furthermore agrees to provide water for all 10 of his camels as well. In short, Rebekah is a kind, servant-hearted, and hospitable female. So Rebekah is not only a woman of character, but family to Abraham, AND she's a babe! Whoa-man!

The servant, seeing God answering his previous prayer, runs up to this woman of inner and outer beauty and asks who she is. She confirms to him that she is related to Abraham's family. Why is this important, you say? Well Abraham knew his family had some understanding or belief in the one God. He knew a woman of his family would be of good character and a blessing to his son's faith in the Lord, (see also the prior blog on Genesis 24).

How does Phil respond to what has just happened? He praises God for his love and faithfulness. "Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness towards my master," (27). God has brought him a woman of great character. It doesn't hurt that she also appears to be quite the looker. Good looks and great character?! And all the men said "Hallelujah!"

Phil the servant is about to lose his mind right now because all of the pieces are falling together. He's so
overjoyed that he starts acting like Uncle Si. When he meets up with Rebekah's family he can't wait to share how God has worked in Abraham's life and how God had worked in that day's events to purposefully lead him to the right woman for Isaac. Literally in verses 34-49 the servant babbles on and on, (like Uncle Si), recapping everything that happened previously in chapter 24. He gives glory to God for his steadfast love and faithfulness to Abraham and his sovereign answer to his prayers. (To his credit, he appears to be much more coherent than Uncle Si).

After recapping all that God has done, the servant concludes, "Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left." The servant has just described how God has faithfully worked to answer the prayers of Abraham and the servant and in so doing, continued the Abrahamic covenant God started many years ago in Genesis 12. God has shown steadfast love and faithfulness. Now the servant wants to know if Rebekah's family is going to get on board with what God is doing or not. Is she going to come with him and be Isaac's wife or stay here? (Cue the dramatic music and soap-opera time freeze looks).

This reminds me of the time when I went to my future in-laws and asked for their daughter's hand in marriage. I said, "Hey, Jack. I'm about to be a journalism graduate. I have no idea what I want to do with my life and I have no money. Can I marry your daughter?" Actually my story doesn't sound like Isaac's story at all, does it? Now that I think about it, what were my in-laws thinking? What was my wife thinking for that matter? Geez.

Luckily for me, Alison's parents didn't throw me out of the house. Luckily for Isaac, Rebekah and her family said "yes" as well. Rebekah chose to be Isaac's wife, and we even get a reference to the Abrahamic covenant continuing through her life. "And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, 'Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!" (v60).

Mind = blown.

So what's the point of this story? Is it about dating? Not really. Is it about romance? You betcha. Does it have good insight on finding a good spouse? Sure. Is it about Si Robertson? No. No it is not. There are some neat and incredible things in this chapter, but the main point of Genesis 24 is the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. God had made a covenant with Abraham and he shows here that no matter what happens God will faithfully and lovingly keep his Word to Abraham and his descendants. Most of the Old Testament is about how God chose a person and a people, through whom he would accomplish his purposes and ultimately bless the world. We are reminded here of God's unfailing love and faithfulness to his people and his promises. Cool stuff.

Isaac and Rebekah live happily ever after...that is, until they have children. (Cue the dramatic music). See you next time.

Job 8-9, Bildad is a moron. Job is broken.

Job is a book of the Bible where a righteous man experiences the deep and painful questions people have asked towards and about God: Why God? Why me? Why am I suffering? Why did you do this? Why do evil men prosper? What are you doing in my life? Where are you? How could you allow this if you're good and loving and all powerful? Job deals with the problem of man living with God. That sounds like an odd thing to write, but I think it's accurate. People who live with the knowledge of and relationship with an all mighty and loving God inevitably deal with these sorts of questions. In the story of Job we get to watch and experience a righteous, God-fearing man deal with these questions in the midst of incredible and heart rendering suffering.

So what happened previously? In chapter 5 one of Job's "friends", seeking to give him counsel, says Job was suffering because of sin/evil in his life. He encouraged Job to repent before God and all would be well. In chapters 6-7 Job wishes for death, complains his friends are sorry good-for-nothings, and rails against God's continual affliction upon his life.

Mind = blown.

Now in Job 8. (As always you are encouraged, yea invited to read along for yourself in your Bible or online). Bildad the Shuhite steps up to the plate to offer his "wisdom". So what does he have to say? I'm sure it will be really helpful...NOT! "How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?" (2-3). Bildad was offended Job had complained against God. He says Job should stop blowing hot air and should just remember God always does what is right. Then Bildad drops this bomb on Job, "If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression," (4). Surprisingly Bildad will not be guest hosting on Dr. Phil anytime soon. What a jerk! (I mean Bildad, not Dr. Phil).

Peacemaker. Assassinated.

Now comes Bildad's counsel, "If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy...surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation," (5-6). In Bildad's mind righteous people do not suffer before God. Instead the universe is a cause and effect place where only evil people suffer. In other words, "Everything will work out in the end", "Karma", "what comes around goes around," etc. His reasoning is as follows, "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant," (11-12). There is always a cause and effect for the things that happen. Plants wither due to lack of water. Sinners suffer before God because he will not allow them to prosper. Bildad continues talking, but this is the gist of what's being said: 'Good people don't suffer before God. Bad things only happen to evil people. Therefore Job, you should repent and God will graciously restore you.' Apparently Bildad had never heard of Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Mao, bad guys who did whatever they wanted, killed millions of people, and lived long lives. He also didn't know about Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesus, William Wilberforce, or any other good and righteous person who lived in poverty, was assassinated, wrongly accused, or suffered their whole lives doing good with very little to show for it. Congratulations Bildad, you're a moron.

Mass murderer. Lived a long life.

Here's the point Bildad missed. Life isn't fair. Sometimes, (unfortunately oftentimes), the bad guys succeed and good guys suffer. This world is broken and messed up. It's evil and corrupted. Sometimes what is evil is glorified as good and righteousness is mocked. Evil dictators don't get horrible forms of cancer and suffer miserably. Sometimes saints do. The world is not as it should be. It is not as it was. At one time God and men lived in harmony in the Garden. God walked with man on a regular basis. Man and nature were rightly related to their Creator. However, corruption, evil, and brokenness entered the world because of man's sin and the world and mankind have never been the same. The good news though is the world will not always be this way. One day God will come back and the world will be restored. There will be no more sickness, no more crying, no more pain, and no more death. The guilty will be judged. Those who accept God's salvation in Christ will be saved.

Unfortunately Job doesn't know that. In chapter 9 he responds. His general point is God is so great, so holy, so awesome, and so powerful that no one can be right before him. He isn't admitting of wrong doing or unrighteousness, but instead he is pointing out how God is so strong he can overpower anyone, so therefore he will "prove" his own rightness. The question Job is raising is whether something is true/right because it is, i.e. "Roses are red." Or if something is right because God is so big and strong that you just simply have to agree with him or he'll step on you, i.e. "I say the rose is purple. If you disagree with me I will shoot you." "If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times...Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?" (3, 12).

Job knows he has not sinned before God, but that doesn't seem to matter to the Almighty, (13-24). Right now God seems to be acting towards him without any rhyme or reason. Several times in this section Job asserts his righteousness. "Though I am in the right, Though I am in the right, Though I am blameless, I am blameless", (15, 20, 21). Even if that's the case, (as Job asserts), it doesn't matter, because "he would prove me perverse," (20). His conclusion is "He destroys both the blameless and the wicked," (22). Here's the problem as Job sees it: Job knows he has not sinned against God and did nothing to cause this calamity in his life, (as his friends have stated). But yet God has seemed fit to bring about the destruction of his family, his health, and his possessions. Job can see no reason why a good, loving, and all powerful God would allow such events in his life. Therefore even though Job feels like he could win an argument in court before God based solely on the facts, he has concluded God destroys whoever he wishes without any regard to righteousness or evil.

Job 9:25-32 - Job: Even if I tried to forget my problems or make myself righteous God would still not leave me alone. Job has determined God has put a target on his back and will not leave him alone, no matter what. Even if Job was able to forget his problems or make himself a completely sinless man, God, (at least in Job's mind), would still pursue and destroy him. "There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hands on us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me." God, to Job, is like a mean kid on an ant hill with an magnifying glass. He takes delight in setting the little ants on fire. To Job, God is not a God of kindness, mercy, or fairness. He arbitrarily ruins and destroys people's lives. Ouch.

Let's stop and consider something here. Job was making judgments on the character of God based on his experiences and feelings. It's hard to blame the guy because he had no written Bible, no prophets, and no objective revelation from God. Remember, this was about the time of Abraham. The information on the Almighty was a bit limited. However, you and I cannot make the same mistake as Job. God has revealed himself in the Bible. We have a written, objective revelation from God about who He is, what He is like, and what is true. We cannot decide who God is and how he acts based on our feelings, our experiences, or what we would like. We live in a subjective and relativistic world where men create their own truth and ideas about God/religion as it suits them. Deciding what we think is true or right doesn't work in the field of math, law, science, or on Hwy 85. Subjective thinking about God isn't going to be work either. God has given the Bible to reveal himself and what is true. Look to IT to find out what is true about life and God.

It's hard to blame Job for his thinking getting out of whack, but Job is starting to get in a dangerous place. You and I can do the same thing. When someone we love says "cancer", when we lose our job, if our kids get wronged or God forbid someone gets killed it is natural to draw conclusions about the justice, power, and love of God. The problem Job faces is he is drawing wrong conclusions about the Lord based on his experiences. His conclusions were subjective, not based on any objective reality outside of himself. This is why you and I have to be sure what we think about truth, life, sex, money, marriage, and God are based in an objective reality. Truth is not based on what our friends think, our circumstances say, or what we like. Truth is simply truth. It's like the rose analogy I used earlier. A red rose is a red rose, period. This is based on the objective standard of the definitions of colors and flowers. If you don't like that a red rose is red, it doesn't change that reality. We must define truth, life, and God on the objective reality of the Bible, not our preferences or our circumstances. Is that hard? Yep. But it's also the only way we can have any certainty and security in our hearts and minds.

We must stress that the basis for our faith is neither experience nor emotion but the truth as God has given it in verbalized, prepositional form in the Scripture and which we first of all apprehend with our minds.

Job is getting in a bad place and it's going to get worse. Just hang in there Job, (or you if you find yourself in a similar situation). God has not forsaken you. He knows what he's doing even if you, (or I), don't. See you next time.

Genesis 24:1-9, Where we Talk About Abraham's Privates, (seriously) Pt. 1

Pants...because pants are a safe picture.

Yes, you read the subject line correctly. We are going to talk about Abraham's private parts today, (sort of). Did I say that for shock value and to get your attention? Yes. Is it actually a part of the Bible? Yes. So there.

Today we're going to begin looking at the longest chapter in the book of Genesis. It involves God acting in kindness and faithfulness to Abraham and Isaac. It shows God faithfully fulfilling his unilateral and unconditional promises to Abraham. It also involves a beautiful romance and the faithfulness of a servant to his master. It would really make a great movie. (If anyone does make a movie based on this blog then I automatically get 10%. This statement may or may not be legally binding). And yes, we are actually going to talk about Abraham's private parts. And yes, it is Biblical.

Note: It would be difficult, nigh impossible, to find appropriate "privates" related pictures. So I'm going to just going to choose something a little more...suitable, (i.e. pants). I trust you'll understand.

A little background first. God had made promises to Abraham in Genesis 12, 15, 17, and 22. He promised Abraham that he would make from him a great nation, bless Abraham, make his name great, and through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. God further promised Abraham would bear a son through his wife Sarah through whom the promises would continue, (Isaac). In Genesis 22 Abraham trusted God, even with his beloved son's life, and God reiterated his promise to bless Abraham and fulfill his covenant promises. God's promises to Abraham were unilateral and unconditional, meaning they were not based on the faithfulness of Abraham or his descendants, but rather on the unfailing faithfulness of God.

In Genesis 23, Sarah, Abraham's wife, died. She was 127 years old when she died. Considering that they were probably married at an early age, it's not inconceivable that they had been married for 100 years or more. Needless to say I'm sure Abraham and Isaac were devastated. It's a sad and important story, but a story for another time. Today for our purposes we are skipping ahead to Genesis 24.

More...um..."pants"

So what's going on here? (Genesis 24:1-9) Abraham is old, (most people over 140 years or so are considered "old"). He wants to provide a wife for his son but there's a problem. Abraham doesn't want his son to marry one of the women in his area who did not know or believe in God Almighty. He knew that the women in his area would corrupt his son and turn him away from God.

Quick question: Have you ever seen a woman have a powerful or negative influence on a man? (Think Biblically or even non Biblically). Let me count the ways: Solomon, Ahab, Samson, Adam, the nation of Israel in general, Bill Clinton, JFK, your buddy from college who married that awful harpy who ruined his life, etc. I'm not saying men don't have a responsibility to make wise choices, etc. I'm not saying men can't have a negative effect on women. I'm just saying there's a clear example in history, the Bible, and in your life and mine that women can have a powerful effect on a man, (and vice versa). Therefore men: be careful about the women you associate with. Women: use your powers wisely.

Question: What do you think the application here is about marrying people who don't share your faith in God? What do you think the conclusion should be about joining your life to someone who isn't morally, philosophically, or theologically in agreement with you? Abraham knew there was a danger there to his son, which is why he commanded his servant so seriously, (as we'll see in a moment). God knows it, which is why he repeatedly told the Jews in the Bible not to marry women from other countries or religions. So Abraham is going to make his servant swear a very serious vow that he will go to the land of Abraham's family and find a wife for Isaac and NOT take a wife for Isaac from the ungodly land of Canaan. Abraham knew that within his relatives there was belief in the one God and he was trusting the Lord to provide a wife for his son from that land.

Pants humor.

Now, on to Abraham's privates. Verse 2, "And Abraham said to his servant, 'Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac." Now I'm no Old Testament scholar, but the idea here, from what I understand, is that either the servant was literally putting his hand under Abraham's thigh next to Abraham's "parts", or that he was literally, according to the custom, supposed to grab hold of Abraham's...um...you know. Let's just pause a moment for the gross factor to pass us by...

You ready now? Me neither.

...

Ready now? Okay? Let's continue. Regardless of what actually happened in this agreement between Abraham and his servant, the point you should walk away from is the seriousness of Abraham's request. If you've ever bought a house you know that you have to sign about 9,999 pieces of paper to show your intent and agreement to buy that house. There's no way you walk out of the office after signing those papers without a serious hand cramp as well as an understanding of the gravity of what you've just done. It's the same way with Abraham and his servant. Abraham wanted this servant to know, in no uncertain terms, of the severity of what he was asking him to do. There was no way Isaac was to be partnered with a non believing Canaanite woman. In our day we put our hand on the Bible in court to signify the seriousness of our oath. In Abraham's day you put your hand on a person's...pants. All joking aside, this agreement between Abraham and his servant is very significant.

Kind of makes you wonder how seriously God takes believers partnering with unbelievers, doesn't it? Remember, this is the longest chapter in Genesis, which speaks to its importance. Again, serious business.

It's NOT okay to go pantless on a plane.

One final point on these first 9 verses in 5-8. "The servant said to him, 'Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?' Abraham said to him, 'See to it that you do not take my son back there. The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, 'To your offspring I will give this land,' he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there."

Implied in the agreement the servant was making with Abraham is the warning of judgment on the servant should he not fulfill his task. So if you were the servant and you were in this situation you'd probably want assurances from Abraham should things not work out. Not to worry, says Abraham. God is going to send his angel ahead of you to make sure his covenant and blessing to me and my family are fulfilled. Abraham, at the end of his life, is a man of incredible faith in God. God has brought him to a point in his life where he completely and utterly trusts the character and promises of God. Was that easy? No, (see also Genesis 22). But God was faithful to bring Abraham along to a point of utter trust and rest in God. This is good news for us all, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," (Phil. 1:6). For those of us who believe and are walking with God we can be confident that he is always at work to grow us in faith and in our relationship with Him.

So far we've looked at Abraham's agreement with his servant, (as well as some interesting pictures of pants). Next time we're going to look at the faithfulness of this servant, as well as God's faithfulness to provide a bride for Isaac. I know you're all anxious for the next blog, but just keep your pants on...(ha!)

P.S. This may be a touchy subject for some folks. Maybe you married an unbeliever and it all worked out, they got saved, etc. Maybe you married an unbeliever and things got bad and this blog is hitting a nerve for you. My point here is to illustrate what is being said in the text and what that means for our lives. My point is to show the wisdom of God in his words to us, the seriousness about this issue, (i.e. the involvement of private parts), and the faith of Abraham. It is up to you to examine the text of the Bible yourself and see whether or not I have been faithful to God's Word. It is always my prayer and effort to do in my posts.