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Notes that are not verse specific
12:4 So now we have it clearly stated. Job feels that his friends are mocking him. And all the time they thought they were helping him!
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
Then Job replied
“Do you think I know nothing and you’re the only ones who understand what’s going on? It’s obvious! You could even ask the birds and animals and they would tell you God controls their lives and can take it away, just as He has done with me. I asked God for comforters and instead I got you who think light of my situation just because you’re not suffering yourselves.
You think wisdom is an automatic gift of old age? So then, God is the one who has wisdom because He’s older and wiser than even you. And because He can do whatever He wants He can take away your wisdom and turn it to futile words – and you wouldn’t even know it. Even though you might be well known for your wisdom, beware because He can take it away so you grope around for understanding like a blind man. He does this with kings, princes, chief men and judges alike to teach them things they didn’t know.”
Rob de Jongh [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2010 Reply to Rob
13:1-3 Whether Job’s friends intended to do or not they had caused Job to see their comments as belittling him. How careful we need to be when speaking with others to ensure that we do not belittle them or their words. Even tone of voice can do immense damage to the one we are trying to help.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2011 Reply to Peter
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1. And Job <347> answered <6030>(8799) and said <559>(8799),
2. No doubt <551> but ye are the people <5971>, and wisdom <2451> shall die <4191>(8799) with you.
3. But <1571> I have understanding <3824> as well as you; I am not inferior <5307>(8802) to you: yea, who knoweth not such things <3644> as these?
4. I am as one mocked <7814> of his neighbour <7453>, who calleth <7121>(8802) upon God <433>, and he answereth <6030>(8799) him: the just <6662> upright <8549> man is laughed to scorn <7814>.
5. He that is ready <3559>(8737) to slip <4571>(8802) with his feet <7272> is as a lamp <3940> despised <937> in the thought <6248> of him that is at ease <7600>.
6. The tabernacles <168> of robbers <7703>(8802) prosper <7951>(8799), and they that provoke <7264>(8688) God <410> are secure <987>; into whose hand <3027> God <433> bringeth <935>(8689) abundantly.
7. But <199> ask <7592>(8798) now the beasts <929>, and they shall teach <3384>(8686) thee; and the fowls <5775> of the air <8064>, and they shall tell <5046>(8686) thee:
8. Or speak <7878>(8798) to the earth <776>, and it shall teach <3384>(8686) thee: and the fishes <1709> of the sea <3220> shall declare <5608>(8762) unto thee.
9. Who knoweth <3045>(8804) not in all these that the hand <3027> of the LORD <3068> hath wrought <6213>(8804) this?
10. In whose hand <3027> is the soul <5315> of every living thing <2416>, and the breath <7307> of all mankind <376> <1320>.
11. Doth not the ear <241> try <974>(8799) words <4405>? and the mouth <2441> taste <2938>(8799) his meat <400>?
12. With the ancient <3453> is wisdom <2451>; and in length <753> of days <3117> understanding <8394>.
13. With him is wisdom <2451> and strength <1369>, he hath counsel <6098> and understanding <8394>.
14. Behold, he breaketh down <2040>(8799), and it cannot be built again <1129>(8735): he shutteth up <5462>(8799) a man <376>, and there can be no opening <6605>(8735).
15. Behold, he withholdeth <6113>(8799) the waters <4325>, and they dry up <3001>(8799): also he sendeth them out <7971>(8762), and they overturn <2015>(8799) the earth <776>.
16. With him is strength <5797> and wisdom <8454>: the deceived <7683>(8802) and the deceiver <7686>(8688) are his.
17. He leadeth <3212>(8688) counsellors <3289>(8802) away spoiled <7758>, and maketh the judges <8199>(8802) fools <1984>(8779).
18. He looseth <6605>(8765) the bond <4148> of kings <4428>, and girdeth <631>(8799) their loins <4975> with a girdle <232>.
19. He leadeth <3212>(8688) princes <3548> away spoiled <7758>, and overthroweth <5557>(8762) the mighty <386>.
20. He removeth away <5493>(8688) the speech <8193> of the trusty <539>(8737), and taketh away <3947>(8799) the understanding <2940> of the aged <2205>.
21. He poureth <8210>(8802) contempt <937> upon princes <5081>, and weakeneth <7503>(8765) the strength <4206> of the mighty <650>.
22. He discovereth <1540>(8764) deep things <6013> out of darkness <2822>, and bringeth out <3318>(8686) to light <216> the shadow of death <6757>.
23. He increaseth <7679>(8688) the nations <1471>, and destroyeth <6>(8762) them: he enlargeth <7849>(8802) the nations <1471>, and straiteneth <5148>(8686) them again.
24. He taketh away <5493>(8688) the heart <3820> of the chief <7218> of the people <5971> of the earth <776>, and causeth them to wander <8582>(8686) in a wilderness <8414> where there is no way <1870>.
25. They grope <4959>(8762) in the dark <2822> without light <216>, and he maketh them to stagger <8582>(8686) like a drunken <7910> man.
Notes that are not verse specific
I look forward to the day when Rev 18:8 will be fulfilled speaking of the later day Babylon
"Therefore, her plagues shall come in one day, death and mourning and famine, and she shall be burned with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. Unfortunately the attitude of the world will be similar to that in v.9 "And the kings of the earth who committed adultery and lived deliciously with her will weep and mourn and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning."
The modern attitude reminds me of the people who objected to God's punishment that fell on the rebels against him, Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
Stephen Palmer wrote the below bit in the Christadelphian:
In the summer of 612 BC, when Josiah was 36 years old, the combined armies of Babylon and Media attacked and captured the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The prophecy of Nahum was now fulfilled as the victors put the city to the torch: “The fire shall devour thy bars ... There shall the fire devour thee” (Nahum 3:13, 15). Witness to the fulfilment of this Bible prophecy can still be seen today in the British Museum. Wall panels taken from the palace of Sennacherib in Nineveh bear the indelible marks of the fire—and the hand of God.
[Vol. 131: The Christadelphian : Volume 131. 2001, c1994. The Christadelphian, volume 131. (electronic ed.). Logos Library System (Vol. 131, Page 220). Birmingham: Christadelphian Magazine & Publishing Association.]
How do I cope? By re-reading Nahum 1, the best description of God's character.
Jean Cheetham [Moorestown New Jersey (US)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Jean
It appears to us that Nahum's prophecy would have been proclaimed prior to the death of Sennacherib, therefore at least a 100 years before the destruction of Nineveh, which of course is the centre of the prophecy. Nahum was most likely a contemporary of Isaiah, speaking his prophecy during the reign of Hezekiah. Nahum was we feel a Galilean who came from his northern home to speak God's words of comfort to the trembling people of the south, whose hearts were in fear because of the Assyrian invasion of Judah.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)] Comment added in 2006 Reply to John
TEMPORARY CHANGE
Some years earlier, Jonah had prophesied against Nineveh. Much to his disgust, his prophecy that Nineveh would be destroyed within forty days was foiled by the repentance of the people living there. God had mercy on them because of their humble and contrite attitudes and saved them from the destruction he had planned.
Now, some years later, Nahum was sent to prophesy against Nineveh. Yes, they had repented earlier, but had slipped back into their wicked ways. It was as if they had not repented at all. Their change of heart had been completely forgotten. Nahum's prophecy was not one of warning, but one of destruction that was to come soon.
As Christians, it is easy to find ourselves in the same boat as the people of Nineveh. When we first found God and accepted Christ in our lives, we repented of our old way of life, were baptised, and turned our life around so that we could live for God. How is it now? Unless we constantly make the effort to follow God's ways, it is all too easy to slip back into our old way of life - just like the people of Nineveh did.
How is it now? Are we where we were when we first accepted God's grace? Have we grown and are better people for the Lord than we were at first? Or have we fallen back to our old ways or maybe beyond?
Let's make sure the changes we make are not temporary ones.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2009 Reply to Robert
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1. The burden <4853> of Nineveh <5210>. The book <5612> of the vision <2377> of Nahum <5151> the Elkoshite <512>.
2. God <410> is jealous <7072>, and the LORD <3068> revengeth <5358>(8802); the LORD <3068> revengeth <5358>(8802), and is furious <1167> <2534>; the LORD <3068> will take vengeance <5358>(8802) on his adversaries <6862>, and he reserveth <5201>(8802) wrath for his enemies <341>(8802).
3. The LORD <3068> is slow <750> to anger <639>, and great <1419> in power <3581>, and will not at all <5352>(8763) acquit <5352>(8762) the wicked: the LORD <3068> hath his way <1870> in the whirlwind <5492> and in the storm <8183>, and the clouds <6051> are the dust <80> of his feet <7272>.
4. He rebuketh <1605>(8802) the sea <3220>, and maketh it dry <2717>(8689), and drieth up <3001>(8762) all the rivers <5104>: Bashan <1316> languisheth <535>(8797), and Carmel <3760>, and the flower <6525> of Lebanon <3844> languisheth <535>(8797).
5. The mountains <2022> quake <7493>(8804) at him, and the hills <1389> melt <4127>(8712), and the earth <776> is burned <5375>(8799) at his presence <6440>, yea, the world <8398>, and all that dwell <3427>(8802) therein.
6. Who can stand <5975>(8799) before <6440> his indignation <2195>? and who can abide <6965>(8799) in the fierceness <2740> of his anger <639>? his fury <2534> is poured out <5413>(8738) like fire <784>, and the rocks <6697> are thrown down <5422>(8738) by him.
7. The LORD <3068> is good <2896>, a strong hold <4581> in the day <3117> of trouble <6869>; and he knoweth <3045>(8802) them that trust <2620>(8802) in him.
8. But with an overrunning <5674>(8802) flood <7858> he will make <6213>(8799) an utter end <3617> of the place <4725> thereof, and darkness <2822> shall pursue <7291>(8762) his enemies <341>(8802).
9. What do ye imagine <2803>(8762) against the LORD <3068>? he will make <6213>(8802) an utter end <3617>: affliction <6869> shall not rise up <6965>(8799) the second time <6471>.
10. For while they be folden together <5440>(8803) as thorns <5518>, and while they are drunken <5433>(8803) as drunkards <5435>, they shall be devoured <398>(8795) as stubble <7179> fully <4392> dry <3002>.
11. There is one come out <3318>(8804) of thee, that imagineth <2803>(8802) evil <7451> against the LORD <3068>, a wicked <1100> counsellor <3289>(8802).
12. Thus saith <559>(8804) the LORD <3068>; Though they be quiet <8003>, and likewise many <7227>, yet thus shall they be cut down <1494>(8738), when he shall pass through <5674>(8804). Though I have afflicted <6031>(8765) thee, I will afflict <6031>(8762) thee no more.
13. For now will I break <7665>(8799) his yoke <4132> from off thee, and will burst <5423> <0> thy bonds <4147> in sunder <5423>(8762).
14. And the LORD <3068> hath given a commandment <6680>(8765) concerning thee, that no more of thy name <8034> be sown <2232>(8735): out of the house <1004> of thy gods <430> will I cut off <3772>(8686) the graven image <6459> and the molten image <4541>: I will make <7760>(8799) thy grave <6913>; for thou art vile <7043>(8804).
15. Behold upon the mountains <2022> the feet <7272> of him that bringeth good tidings <1319>(8764), that publisheth <8085>(8688) peace <7965>! O Judah <3063>, keep <2287>(8798) thy solemn feasts <2282>, perform <7999>(8761) thy vows <5088>: for the wicked <1100> shall no more <3254>(8686) pass through <5674>(8800) thee; he is utterly cut off <3772>(8738).
1. He that dasheth in pieces <6327>(8688) is come up <5927>(8804) before thy face <6440>: keep <5341>(8800) the munition <4694>, watch <6822>(8761) the way <1870>, make thy loins <4975> strong <2388>(8761), fortify <553>(8761) thy power <3581> mightily <3966>.
2. For the LORD <3068> hath turned away <7725>(8804) the excellency <1347> of Jacob <3290>, as the excellency <1347> of Israel <3478>: for the emptiers <1238>(8802) have emptied them out <1238>(8804), and marred <7843>(8765) their vine branches <2156>.
3. The shield <4043> of his mighty men <1368> is made red <119>(8794), the valiant <2428> men <582> are in scarlet <8529>(8794): the chariots <7393> shall be with flaming <784> torches <6393> in the day <3117> of his preparation <3559>(8687), and the fir trees <1265> shall be terribly shaken <7477>(8717).
4. The chariots <7393> shall rage <1984>(8704) in the streets <2351>, they shall justle one against another <8264>(8698) in the broad ways <7339>: they shall seem <4758> like torches <3940>, they shall run <7323>(8787) like the lightnings <1300>.
5. He shall recount <2142>(8799) his worthies <117>: they shall stumble <3782>(8735) in their walk <1979>; they shall make haste <4116>(8762) to the wall <2346> thereof, and the defence <5526>(8802) shall be prepared <3559>(8717).
6. The gates <8179> of the rivers <5104> shall be opened <6605>(8738), and the palace <1964> shall be dissolved <4127>(8738).
7. And Huzzab <5324>(8717) shall be led away captive <1540>(8795), she shall be brought up <5927>(8717), and her maids <519> shall lead <5090>(8764) her as with the voice <6963> of doves <3123>, tabering <8608>(8781) upon their breasts <3824>.
8. But Nineveh <5210> is of old <3117> like a pool <1295> of water <4325>: yet they shall flee away <5127>(8801). Stand <5975>(8798), stand <5975>(8798), shall they cry; but none shall look back <6437>(8688).
9. Take ye the spoil <962>(8798) of silver <3701>, take the spoil <962>(8798) of gold <2091>: for there is none end <7097> of the store <8498> and glory <3519> out of all the pleasant <2532> furniture <3627>.
10. She is empty <950>, and void <4003>, and waste <1110>(8794): and the heart <3820> melteth <4549>(8738), and the knees <1290> smite together <6375>, and much pain <2479> is in all loins <4975>, and the faces <6440> of them all gather <6908>(8765) blackness <6289>.
11. Where is the dwelling <4583> of the lions <738>, and the feedingplace <4829> of the young lions <3715>, where the lion <738>, even the old lion <3833>, walked <1980>(8804), and the lion's <738> whelp <1482>, and none made them afraid <2729>(8688)?
12. The lion <738> did tear in pieces <2963>(8802) enough <1767> for his whelps <1484>, and strangled <2614>(8764) for his lionesses <3833>, and filled <4390>(8762) his holes <2356> with prey <2964>, and his dens <4585> with ravin <2966>.
13. Behold, I am against thee, saith <5002>(8803) the LORD <3068> of hosts <6635>, and I will burn <1197>(8689) her chariots <7393> in the smoke <6227>, and the sword <2719> shall devour <398>(8799) thy young lions <3715>: and I will cut off <3772>(8689) thy prey <2964> from the earth <776>, and the voice <6963> of thy messengers <4397> shall no more be heard <8085>(8735).
Notes that are not verse specific
:11 So we see that a lesson to learn from Job is patience - though we might never think that from reading the book of Job. Also we are to learn that the Lord is 'pitiful' though one might not think so when one reflects on the way that God dealt with Job.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
James 5:20 Converting someone back to the path of truth brings on the person the recognition that you have saved a soul from death. But whose sins are being hidden. While it could be the one who is turned back to way but then it would seem redundant to have ones soul saved from death and a multitude of sins be hidden or could it be that the recognition of this deed is that a benefit accrues to the one doing the conversion?
Alex Browning [Kitchener-Waterloo] Comment added in 2009 Reply to Alex
5:17: "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours". Why is this information relevant?
Consider Elijah:
1. Dismissive and abrupt (1 Kings 18:15; 19:19-20).
2. Willingly ignorant of (or spiritually conceited towards) other faithful believers (1 Kings 18:22; 1 Kings 19:10, 14) despite having been informed of their existence (1 Kings 18: 12, 13).
3. Self-loathing (1 Kings 19:4).
4. Prone to depression and fear (1 Kings 19:3,4) yet also to being bold, brash and confident (1 Kings 18: 19,27,40). One commentator has suggested that Elijah may have even been bipolar.
5. Stuck in his own paradigm (1 Kings 19: 9, 13-14).
So he truly was a man just like us. But, in spite of all his awkward ways, he was an outstanding pillar of faith and prayer (James 5:17) whose work across the next decade blossomed once he became more teachable and armed himself with the "still small voice" (voice of a gentle whisper - not the voice of pounding judgment and hate). And his work of gentle reconciliation has yet to be completed (Malachi 4:5,6).
Lesson: For all our faults, God wants to use us as instruments for His glory AND will work with us to complete this work. Elijah is like us - and we can be like Elijah!
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Bruce
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1. Go to <33>(5720) now <3568>, ye rich men <4145>, weep <2799>(5657) and howl <3649>(5723) for <1909> your <5216> miseries <5004> that shall come upon <1904>(5740) you.
2. Your <5216> riches <4149> are corrupted <4595>(5754), and <2532> your <5216> garments <2440> are <1096>(5754) motheaten <4598>.
3. Your <5216> gold <5557> and <2532> silver <696> is cankered <2728>(5769); and <2532> the rust <2447> of them <846> shall be <2071>(5704) a witness <3142> against <1519> you <5213>, and <2532> shall eat <5315>(5695) your <5216> flesh <4561> as it were <5613> fire <4442>. Ye have heaped treasure together <2343>(5656) for <1722> the last <2078> days <2250>.
4. Behold <2400>(5628), the hire <3408> of the labourers <2040> who <3588> have reaped down <270>(5660) your <5216> fields <5561>, which <3588> is of <575> you <5216> kept back by fraud <650>(5772), crieth <2896>(5719): and <2532> the cries <995> of them which have reaped <2325>(5660) are entered <1525>(5754) into <1519> the ears <3775> of the Lord <2962> of sabaoth <4519>.
5. Ye have lived in pleasure <5171>(5656) on <1909> the earth <1093>, and <2532> been wanton <4684>(5656); ye have nourished <5142>(5656) your <5216> hearts <2588>, as <5613> in <1722> a day <2250> of slaughter <4967>.
6. Ye have condemned <2613>(5656) and killed <5407>(5656) the just <1342>; and he doth <498> <0> not <3756> resist <498>(5731) you <5213>.
7. Be patient <3114>(5657) therefore <3767>, brethren <80>, unto <2193> the coming <3952> of the Lord <2962>. Behold <2400>(5628), the husbandman <1092> waiteth <1551>(5736) for the precious <5093> fruit <2590> of the earth <1093>, and hath long patience <3114>(5723) for <1909> it <846>, until <2193> <302> he receive <2983>(5632) the early <4406> and <2532> latter <3797> rain <5205>.
8. Be <3114> <0> ye <5210> also <2532> patient <3114>(5657); stablish <4741>(5657) your <5216> hearts <2588>: for <3754> the coming <3952> of the Lord <2962> draweth nigh <1448>(5758).
9. Grudge <4727>(5720) not <3361> one against another <2596> <240>, brethren <80>, lest <3363> ye be condemned <2632>(5686): behold <2400>(5628), the judge <2923> standeth <2476>(5707)(5758) before <4253> the door <2374>.
10. Take <2983>(5628), my <3450> brethren <80>, the prophets <4396>, who <3739> have spoken <2980>(5656) in the name <3686> of the Lord <2962>, for an example <5262> of suffering affliction <2552>, and <2532> of patience <3115>.
11. Behold <2400>(5628), we count them happy <3106>(5719) which endure <5278>(5723). Ye have heard <191>(5656) of the patience <5281> of Job <2492>, and <2532> have seen <1492>(5627) the end <5056> of the Lord <2962>; that <3754> the Lord <2962> is <2076>(5748) very pitiful <4184>, and <2532> of tender mercy <3629>.
12. But <1161> above <4253> all things <3956>, my <3450> brethren <80>, swear <3660>(5720) not <3361>, neither <3383> by heaven <3772>, neither <3383> by the earth <1093>, neither <3383> by any <5100> other <243> oath <3727>: but <1161> let <2277> <0> your <5216> yea <3483> be <2277>(5749) yea <3483>; and <2532> your nay <3756>, nay <3756>; lest <3363> ye fall <4098>(5632) into <1519> condemnation <5272>.
13. Is <2553> <0> any <5100> among <1722> you <5213> afflicted <2553>(5719)? let him pray <4336>(5737). Is <2114> <0> any <5100> merry <2114>(5719)? let him sing psalms <5567>(5720).
14. Is <770> <0> any <5100> sick <770>(5719) among <1722> you <5213>? let him call <4341>(5663) for the elders <4245> of the church <1577>; and <2532> let them pray <4336>(5663) over <1909> him <846>, anointing <218>(5660) him <846> with oil <1637> in <1722> the name <3686> of the Lord <2962>:
15. And <2532> the prayer <2171> of faith <4102> shall save <4982>(5692) the sick <2577>(5723), and <2532> the Lord <2962> shall raise <1453> <0> him <846> up <1453>(5692); and if <2579> he have <5600>(5753) committed <4160>(5761) sins <266>, they shall be forgiven <863>(5701) him <846>.
16. Confess <1843>(5732) your faults <3900> one to another <240>, and <2532> pray <2172>(5737) one <240> <0> for <5228> another <240>, that <3704> ye may be healed <2390>(5686). The effectual fervent <1754>(5734) prayer <1162> of a righteous man <1342> availeth <2480>(5719) much <4183>.
17. Elias <2243> was <2258>(5713) a man <444> subject to like passions as <3663> we are <2254>, and <2532> he prayed <4336>(5662) earnestly <4335> that it might <1026> <0> not <3361> rain <1026>(5658): and <2532> it rained <1026>(5656) not <3756> on <1909> the earth <1093> by the space of three <5140> years <1763> and <2532> six <1803> months <3376>.
18. And <2532> he prayed <4336>(5662) again <3825>, and <2532> the heaven <3772> gave <1325>(5656) rain <5205>, and <2532> the earth <1093> brought forth <985>(5656) her <848> fruit <2590>.
19. Brethren <80>, if <1437> any <5100> of <1722> you <5213> do err <4105>(5686) from <575> the truth <225>, and <2532> one <5100> convert <1994>(5661) him <846>;
20. Let <1097> <0> him <846> know <1097>(5720), that <3754> he which converteth <1994>(5660) the sinner <268> from <1537> the error <4106> of his <846> way <3598> shall save <4982>(5692) a soul <5590> from <1537> death <2288>, and <2532> shall hide <2572>(5692) a multitude <4128> of sins <266>.