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Notes that are not verse specific
9:11 Whilst Job here seems to be saying that he cannot understand the works of God one wonders if he truly appreciated what he was saying as this issue was the basis of God's challenge to Job at the end of his trials (Job 38-39)
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
FOCUS OFF OURSELVES
When we think about how great and awesome God is, like Job, we realise how pitiful and small we must be in God's sight - even if we have lived a blameless life. Very often we can find ourselves so absorbed and in our own lives that we become the centre of our universe. At that time life begins to revolve around "me" and we become more and more selfish.
One of the things I have found very helpful lately is making sure my prayers include a good portion of praise to my God. Like Job, when we praise God we can focus on him, on his might, his beauty, his power and awesomeness. Can you ever fail to be impressed with the greatness of God when we view the stars, the mountains, the sea, and even the intricacies of his smaller creation - a bird, a butterfly or even a spider? When we praise God for his power and his might we realise, as Job did, that we are not as great, and not so in the centre of the universe as we thought we might have been.
So let us take the focus off ourselves for a while and focus on the majesty of our awesome God. Let's praise him and honour him just because he is great.
Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] Comment added in 2012 Reply to Robert
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1. Then Job <347> answered <6030>(8799) and said <559>(8799),
2. I know <3045>(8804) it is so of a truth <551>: but how should man <582> be just <6663>(8799) with God <410>?
3. If he will <2654>(8799) contend <7378>(8800) with him, he cannot answer <6030>(8799) him one <259> of a thousand <505>.
4. He is wise <2450> in heart <3824>, and mighty <533> in strength <3581>: who hath hardened <7185>(8689) himself against him, and hath prospered <7999>(8799)?
5. Which removeth <6275>(8688) the mountains <2022>, and they know <3045>(8804) not: which overturneth <2015>(8804) them in his anger <639>.
6. Which shaketh <7264>(8688) the earth <776> out of her place <4725>, and the pillars <5982> thereof tremble <6426>(8691).
7. Which commandeth <559>(8802) the sun <2775>, and it riseth <2224>(8799) not; and sealeth up <2856>(8799) the stars <3556>.
8. Which alone spreadeth out <5186>(8802) the heavens <8064>, and treadeth <1869>(8802) upon the waves <1116> of the sea <3220>.
9. Which maketh <6213>(8802) Arcturus <5906>, Orion <3685>, and Pleiades <3598>, and the chambers <2315> of the south <8486>.
10. Which doeth <6213>(8802) great things <1419> past <369> finding out <2714>; yea, and wonders <6381>(8737) without number <4557>.
11. Lo, he goeth <5674>(8799) by me, and I see <7200>(8799) him not: he passeth on <2498>(8799) also, but I perceive <995>(8799) him not.
12. Behold, he taketh away <2862>(8799), who can hinder <7725>(8686) him? who will say <559>(8799) unto him, What doest <6213>(8799) thou?
13. If God <433> will not withdraw <7725>(8686) his anger <639>, the proud <7293> helpers <5826>(8802) do stoop <7817>(8804) under him.
14. How much less shall I answer <6030>(8799) him, and choose out <977>(8799) my words <1697> to reason with him?
15. Whom, though I were righteous <6663>(8804), yet would I not answer <6030>(8799), but I would make supplication <2603>(8691) to my judge <8199>(8781).
16. If I had called <7121>(8804), and he had answered <6030>(8799) me; yet would I not believe <539>(8686) that he had hearkened <238>(8686) unto my voice <6963>.
17. For he breaketh <7779>(8799) me with a tempest <8183>, and multiplieth <7235>(8689) my wounds <6482> without cause <2600>.
18. He will not suffer <5414>(8799) me to take <7725>(8687) my breath <7307>, but filleth <7646>(8686) me with bitterness <4472>.
19. If I speak of strength <3581>, lo, he is strong <533>: and if of judgment <4941>, who shall set <3259>(8686) me a time to plead?
20. If I justify <6663>(8799) myself, mine own mouth <6310> shall condemn <7561>(8686) me: if I say, I am perfect <8535>, it shall also prove me perverse <6140>(8799).
21. Though I were perfect <8535>, yet would I not know <3045>(8799) my soul <5315>: I would despise <3988>(8799) my life <2416>.
22. This is one <259> thing, therefore I said <559>(8804) it, He destroyeth <3615>(8764) the perfect <8535> and the wicked <7563>.
23. If the scourge <7752> slay <4191>(8686) suddenly <6597>, he will laugh <3932>(8799) at the trial <4531> of the innocent <5355>.
24. The earth <776> is given <5414>(8738) into the hand <3027> of the wicked <7563>: he covereth <3680>(8762) the faces <6440> of the judges <8199>(8802) thereof; if not, where <645>, and who is he?
25. Now my days <3117> are swifter <7043>(8804) than a post <7323>(8801): they flee away <1272>(8804), they see <7200>(8804) no good <2896>.
26. They are passed away <2498>(8804) as <5973> the swift <16> ships <591>: as the eagle <5404> that hasteth <2907>(8799) to the prey <400>.
27. If I say <559>(8800), I will forget <7911>(8799) my complaint <7879>, I will leave off <5800>(8799) my heaviness <6440>, and comfort <1082>(8686) myself:
28. I am afraid <3025>(8804) of all my sorrows <6094>, I know <3045>(8804) that thou wilt not hold me innocent <5352>(8762).
29. If I be wicked <7561>(8799), why then labour <3021>(8799) I in vain <1892>?
30. If I wash <7364>(8694) myself with <7950> snow water <4325> <1119>, and make my hands <3709> never <1252>(8676) <1253> so clean <2141>(8689);
31. Yet <227> shalt thou plunge <2881>(8799) me in the ditch <7845>, and mine own clothes <8008> shall abhor <8581>(8765) me.
32. For he is not a man <376>, as I am, that I should answer <6030>(8799) him, and we should come <935>(8799) together <3162> in judgment <4941>.
33. Neither is <3426> there any daysman <3198>(8688) betwixt us, that might lay <7896>(8799) his hand <3027> upon us both <8147>.
34. Let him take <5493> <0> his rod <7626> away <5493>(8686) from me, and let not his fear <367> terrify <1204>(8762) me:
35. Then would I speak <1696>(8762), and not fear <3372>(8799) him; but it is not so with me.
Notes that are not verse specific
Mic. 5:2.
A couple today based on this Micah passage cited in Mat. 2:6 as proof that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem.
"But you Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
1. Why is "Ephratah" attached to Bethlehem, and what is its meaning?
2. What is the meaning of the last phrase - "whose origins are from of old, from ancient times"?
1. Though the word means "fruitful" in Hebrew and has the same meaning as Ephraim, one of Joseph's sons, its origin likely goes back to the wife of Caleb - Ephrath (1Chron 2:19). Bethlehem was a great grandson of Caleb and Ephrath (1Chron 2:50,51), the town being named for him. There's also a connection with Boaz and Ruth and their future child Obed in what the elders said to Boaz about Ruth -
"May you have standing in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem" (Ruth 4:11).
So here in Micah's prophecy of the future birthplace of Jesus', he's really just stating which Bethlehem it would be - the one to the south in the land of Judah (see Ruth 1:1) and not another Bethlehem up to the north in the territory of Zebulun (Josh 19:15).
2. There are a couple of possible interpretations of Micah's words here. First, if the reference is to Jesus and his birth, then this "origin" or "goings forth" (K.J.V.) had been known to God and foreordained "from ancient times". Peter in referring to Jesus says, "he was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake" (1 Pet. 1:20). Plus it was seen in the great promise of the seed of the woman overcoming and destroying the power of sin - Gen 3:15- way back in the time of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.
The other idea is really quite different and has to do with what the antecedent of this phrase is - "whose goings forth" (as well as "from ancient days"). It very well could refer to Israel and not the Messiah. In fact there's the same identical expression found in Mic. 7:15 with definite reference to Israel. It reads -
"According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto him marvelous things." See also Mic 6:4 for the same idea.
Wes Booker [South Austin Texas USA] Comment added in 2012 Reply to Wes
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1. Now gather <1413>(8704) thyself in troops <1416>, O daughter <1323> of troops <1416>: he hath laid <7760>(8804) siege <4692> against us: they shall smite <5221>(8686) the judge <8199>(8802) of Israel <3478> with a rod <7626> upon the cheek <3895>.
2. But thou, Bethlehem <1035> Ephratah <672>, though thou be little <6810> among the thousands <505> of Judah <3063>, yet out of thee shall he come forth <3318>(8799) unto me that is to be ruler <4910>(8802) in Israel <3478>; whose goings forth <4163> have been from of old <6924>, from everlasting <3117> <5769>.
3. Therefore will he give them up <5414>(8799), until the time <6256> that she which travaileth <3205>(8802) hath brought forth <3205>(8804): then the remnant <3499> of his brethren <251> shall return <7725>(8799) unto the children <1121> of Israel <3478>.
4. And he shall stand <5975>(8804) and feed <7462>(8804) in the strength <5797> of the LORD <3068>, in the majesty <1347> of the name <8034> of the LORD <3068> his God <430>; and they shall abide <3427>(8804): for now shall he be great <1431>(8799) unto the ends <657> of the earth <776>.
5. And this man shall be the peace <7965>, when the Assyrian <804> shall come <935>(8799) into our land <776>: and when he shall tread <1869>(8799) in our palaces <759>, then shall we raise <6965>(8689) against him seven <7651> shepherds <7462>(8802), and eight <8083> principal <5257> men <120>.
6. And they shall waste <7462>(8804) the land <776> of Assyria <804> with the sword <2719>, and the land <776> of Nimrod <5248> in the entrances <6607> thereof: thus shall he deliver <5337>(8689) us from the Assyrian <804>, when he cometh <935>(8799) into our land <776>, and when he treadeth <1869>(8799) within our borders <1366>.
7. And the remnant <7611> of Jacob <3290> shall be in the midst <7130> of many <7227> people <5971> as a dew <2919> from the LORD <3068>, as the showers <7241> upon the grass <6212>, that tarrieth <6960>(8762) not for man <376>, nor waiteth <3176>(8762) for the sons <1121> of men <120>.
8. And the remnant <7611> of Jacob <3290> shall be among the Gentiles <1471> in the midst <7130> of many <7227> people <5971> as a lion <738> among the beasts <929> of the forest <3293>, as a young lion <3715> among the flocks <5739> of sheep <6629>: who, if he go through <5674>(8804), both treadeth down <7429>(8804), and teareth in pieces <2963>(8804), and none can deliver <5337>(8688).
9. Thine hand <3027> shall be lifted up <7311>(8799) upon thine adversaries <6862>, and all thine enemies <341>(8802) shall be cut off <3772>(8735).
10. And it shall come to pass in that day <3117>, saith <5002>(8803) the LORD <3068>, that I will cut off <3772>(8689) thy horses <5483> out of the midst <7130> of thee, and I will destroy <6>(8689) thy chariots <4818>:
11. And I will cut off <3772>(8689) the cities <6145>(8676) <5892> of thy land <776>, and throw down <2040>(8804) all thy strong holds <4013>:
12. And I will cut off <3772>(8689) witchcrafts <3785> out of thine hand <3027>; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers <6049>(8781):
13. Thy graven images <6456> also will I cut off <3772>(8689), and thy standing images <4676> out of the midst <7130> of thee; and thou shalt no more worship <7812>(8691) the work <4639> of thine hands <3027>.
14. And I will pluck up <5428>(8804) thy groves <842> out of the midst <7130> of thee: so will I destroy <8045>(8689) thy cities <6145>(8676) <5892>.
15. And I will execute <6213>(8804) vengeance <5359> in anger <639> and fury <2534> upon the heathen <1471>, such as they have not heard <8085>(8804).
Notes that are not verse specific
:19 The exhortation to be slow to speak but swift to hear is one we would all do well to take heed to. It is all too easy to respond to what we hear without giving it much consideration. James draws upon the Old Testament to make his point. See Ecclesiastes 5:2 Proverbs 14:29 Ecclesiastes 7:9
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2003 Reply to Peter
V.12 - Trial is a forceful reminder of true values!
Peter Dulis [toronto west] Comment added in 2009 Reply to Peter
1:5 in saying “ask of God” James is reminding his audience of the words of Jesus – Matt 7:7 The sermon on the Mount is fundamental to our understanding of Jesus ad his Father.
Peter Forbes [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2024 Reply to Peter
1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
God is a father of the fatherless especially that that they are undergoing distress and affliction. God can do this in two ways:
1. Directly act in their lives just like a father would to his children
2. Act through the ministrations of brothers and sisters who show a caring and godly spirit to those who are undergoing extreme difficulty.
Mostly God uses the second approach. By helping others we are doing the work of God as a father to his fatherless and afflicted children. There is no place here for reticence or withdrawal or ignoring the difficulties of others - we need to be engaged. God works through His servants.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2024 Reply to Bruce
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1. James <2385>, a servant <1401> of God <2316> and <2532> of the Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, to the twelve <1427> tribes <5443> which <1722> are scattered abroad <1290>, greeting <5463>(5721).
2. My <3450> brethren <80>, count it <2233>(5662) all <3956> joy <5479> when <3752> ye fall <4045>(5632) into divers <4164> temptations <3986>;
3. Knowing <1097>(5723) this, that <3754> the trying <1383> of your <5216> faith <4102> worketh <2716>(5736) patience <5281>.
4. But <1161> let <2192> <0> patience <5281> have <2192>(5720) her perfect <5046> work <2041>, that <2443> ye may be <5600>(5753) perfect <5046> and <2532> entire <3648>, wanting <3007>(5746) nothing <1722> <3367>.
5. <1161> If any <1536> of you <5216> lack <3007>(5743) wisdom <4678>, let him ask <154>(5720) of <3844> God <2316>, that giveth <1325>(5723) to all <3956> men liberally <574>, and <2532> upbraideth <3679>(5723) not <3361>; and <2532> it shall be given <1325>(5701) him <846>.
6. But <1161> let him ask <154>(5720) in <1722> faith <4102>, nothing <3367> wavering <1252>(5734). For <1063> he that wavereth <1252>(5734) is like <1503>(5758) a wave <2830> of the sea <2281> driven with the wind <416>(5746) and <2532> tossed <4494>(5746).
7. For <1063> let <3633> <0> not <3361> that <1565> man <444> think <3633>(5737) that <3754> he shall receive <2983>(5695) any thing <5100> of <3844> the Lord <2962>.
8. A double minded <1374> man <435> is unstable <182> in <1722> all <3956> his <848> ways <3598>.
9. <1161> Let <2744> <0> the brother <80> of low degree <5011> rejoice <2744>(5737) in <1722> that he <848> is exalted <5311>:
10. But <1161> the rich <4145>, in <1722> that he <848> is made low <5014>: because <3754> as <5613> the flower <438> of the grass <5528> he shall pass away <3928>(5695).
11. For <1063> the sun <2246> is no sooner risen <393>(5656) with <4862> a burning heat <2742>, but <2532> it withereth <3583>(5656) the grass <5528>, and <2532> the flower <438> thereof <846> falleth <1601>(5627), and <2532> the grace <2143> of the fashion <4383> of it <846> perisheth <622>(5639): so <3779> also <2532> shall <3133> <0> the rich man <4145> fade away <3133>(5701) in <1722> his <848> ways <4197>.
12. Blessed <3107> is the man <435> that <3739> endureth <5278>(5719) temptation <3986>: for <3754> when he is tried <1384> <1096>(5637), he shall receive <2983>(5695) the crown <4735> of life <2222>, which <3739> the Lord <2962> hath promised <1861>(5662) to them that love <25>(5723) him <846>.
13. Let <3004> <0> no man <3367> say <3004>(5720) when he is tempted <3985>(5746), <3754> I am tempted <3985>(5743) of <575> God <2316>: for <1063> God <2316> cannot be tempted <551> <2076>(5748) with evil <2556>, neither <1161> tempteth he <3985>(5719) any man <3762>:
14. But <1161> every man <1538> is tempted <3985>(5743), when he is drawn away <1828>(5746) of <5259> his own <2398> lust <1939>, and <2532> enticed <1185>(5746).
15. Then <1534> when lust <1939> hath conceived <4815>(5631), it bringeth forth <5088>(5719) sin <266>: and <1161> sin <266>, when it is finished <658>(5685), bringeth forth <616>(5719) death <2288>.
16. Do <4105> <0> not <3361> err <4105>(5744), my <3450> beloved <27> brethren <80>.
17. Every <3956> good <18> gift <1394> and <2532> every <3956> perfect <5046> gift <1434> is <2076>(5748) from above <509>, and cometh down <2597>(5723) from <575> the Father <3962> of lights <5457>, with <3844> whom <3739> is <1762>(5748) no <3756> variableness <3883>, neither <2228> shadow <644> of turning <5157>.
18. Of his own will <1014>(5679) begat he <616>(5656) us <2248> with the word <3056> of truth <225>, that <1519> we <2248> should be <1511>(5750) a kind <5100> of firstfruits <536> of his <848> creatures <2938>.
19. Wherefore <5620>, my <3450> beloved <27> brethren <80>, let <2077> <0> every <3956> man <444> be <2077>(5749) swift <5036> to <1519> hear <191>(5658), slow <1021> to <1519> speak <2980>(5658), slow <1021> to <1519> wrath <3709>:
20. For <1063> the wrath <3709> of man <435> worketh <2716>(5736) not <3756> the righteousness <1343> of God <2316>.
21. Wherefore <1352> lay apart <659>(5642) all <3956> filthiness <4507> and <2532> superfluity <4050> of naughtiness <2549>, and receive <1209>(5663) with <1722> meekness <4240> the engrafted <1721> word <3056>, which <3588> is able <1410>(5740) to save <4982>(5658) your <5216> souls <5590>.
22. But <1161> be ye <1096>(5737) doers <4163> of the word <3056>, and <2532> not <3361> hearers <202> only <3440>, deceiving <3884>(5740) your own selves <1438>.
23. For <3754> if any <1536> be <2076>(5748) a hearer <202> of the word <3056>, and <2532> not <3756> a doer <4163>, he <3778> is like <1503>(5758) unto a man <435> beholding <2657>(5723) his <848> natural <1078> face <4383> in <1722> a glass <2072>:
24. For <1063> he beholdeth <2657>(5656) himself <1438>, and <2532> goeth his way <565>(5754), and <2532> straightway <2112> forgetteth <1950>(5633) what manner of man <3697> he was <2258>(5713).
25. But <1161> whoso looketh <3879>(5660) into <1519> the perfect <5046> law <3551> of liberty <1657>, and <2532> continueth <3887>(5660) therein, he <3778> being <1096>(5637) not <3756> a forgetful <1953> hearer <202>, but <235> a doer <4163> of the work <2041>, this man <3778> shall be <2071>(5704) blessed <3107> in <1722> his <848> deed <4162>.
26. If any man <1536> among <1722> you <5213> seem <1380>(5719) to be <1511>(5750) religious <2357>, and bridleth <5468>(5723) not <3361> his <848> tongue <1100>, but <235> deceiveth <538>(5723) his own <848> heart <2588>, this man's <5127> religion <2356> is vain <3152>.
27. Pure <2513> religion <2356> and <2532> undefiled <283> before <3844> God <2316> and <2532> the Father <3962> is <2076>(5748) this <3778>, To visit <1980>(5738) the fatherless <3737> and <2532> widows <5503> in <1722> their affliction <2347>, and to keep <5083>(5721) himself <1438> unspotted <784> from <575> the world <2889>.