Category: Job

What is God Doing? #11

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Ephesians chapter 2 delineates the two aspects of our past as lost (or unsaved) people: “[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” We were spiritually dead and under Satan’s influence, but Father God gave us life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; ) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We have been saved unto eternal life—God’s life—that, ultimately, we might be the expression of that life in “the heavenly places.” Such is the “good works” to which God has ordained us.

The Book of Ephesians proceeds to show us that, in addition to our spiritual disadvantage being corrected, our dispensational disadvantage has been removed….

What is God Doing? #10

Monday, January 14, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Ephesians chapter 1 resumes: “[11] In whom [Christ] also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: [12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. [13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Faith in this Gospel of Grace, and this Gospel alone, qualifies us to participate in what God is doing. In “the dispensation of the fulness of times,” Father God will “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). These “things” are offices of government—thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, mights, and every name that is named (cf. Colossians 1:16).

Back to Ephesians chapter 1: “[20] [God’s mighty power—verse 19] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

We as members of the Church the Body of Christ are now fit to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenly places….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Will the Antichrist be a Jew or a Gentile?”

What is God Doing? #9

Sunday, January 13, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

To some, God sits in an “easy chair,” idly lounging as the world grows darker and crazier. Others say, considering all such evil, “there is no God.” If we take the Bible at face value, however, we agree with neither deduction. The Book of Ephesians not only speaks of a God, but one God in three Persons. Additionally, it tells of two programs with one Divine purpose. God is most certainly working. Will we open the Bible, especially Ephesians, and read about it? Or, will we complain about what we think He “should” be doing?

Ephesians chapter 1: “[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

“[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:….”

What is God Doing? #8

Saturday, January 12, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

In Ephesians chapter 3, concluding the first half of the Book, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul wrote: “[13] Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. [14] For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, [16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; [17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; [19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

The chapter ends with a marvelous doxology, an expression of praise to Father God: “[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Paul cannot help but grow enthusiastic as he thinks on the wonderful doctrine he has just penned! He has uttered a prayer for mature saints, and it is no coincidence that that prayer corresponds to today’s Scripture—Job being written some 1,500 years earlier, and approximately 3,500 years from our day.

What today’s Scripture says cannot be known of God, the completed Bible canon says we can know of God. We need not wonder, groping around in sheer spiritual darkness, fumbling and stumbling, hoping to get a little nugget of truth here and see a speck of light there. Nay, we know perfectly well what God is doing….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Was Priscilla ‘lead teacher in her family?’”

NOTE: Dear Saints, the two introductory videos to our Old Testament Survey Project are now online and ready to watch! Click here. Remember to bookmark this link because this is where all our OT videos will be filed away in the coming months! Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!

What is God Doing? #7

Friday, January 11, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

The Bible opens, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Creation is divided into two realms—Heaven and Earth. From verse 2 onward until the Apostle Paul’s ministry, we read about God’s plan for the Earth. This was the situation in Job’s day. Acts chapter 3: “Jesus Christ… Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (verses 20,21). “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). Ever since God placed man on the Earth, the Bible’s focus is the Earth, an earthly kingdom, God’s earthly kingdom.

By the time we come to Paul’s ministry, we read: “Now to him [Father God] that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25,26). Paul is preaching “Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest.”

We have now looped back to 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verses 7 and 8: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Not only do we understand more about prophecy than Job did, we also have insight concerning information Job knew nothing about at all….

Our first Bible Q&A of 2019: “Should we say ‘God bless you’ after someone sneezes?”

What is God Doing? #6

Thursday, January 10, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Miserable Job wailed, “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” (Job 19:23,24). Little did he know that his distress, and even these very words about them, would be entered into the record of God’s eternal Word! Job was likely the first Bible Book written, as it highlights events that occurred a few decades before Israel escaped Egypt under Moses’ command. Yes, it seems this Job was the Job who was a son of Issachar (Genesis 46:13), thus making Job grandson of Jacob, great-grandson of Isaac, and great-great-grandson of Abraham.

Job did not know it, and neither did his friends “the miserable comforters,” but God allowed his unpleasant circumstances to transpire in order to hearten the Jewish saints living in the end times. The Apostle James remarks: “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:10,11).

First Peter 4:19 aptly summarizes both Job’s plight, suffering under Satan’s “reign,” and the end-times saints’ dilemma, anguishing under the Antichrist’s brutal rule: “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” Even in the midst of trouble, God is still hard at work, fully dependable. No matter who opposes His efforts or troubles His people, He will bring His will to pass and He will bring them through it. Right now, in spite of the world’s mess, society’s degradation, God is quite busy doing His good pleasure….

What is God Doing? #5

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Although it is impossible for man to naturally comprehend what Almighty God is doing, there is a supernatural way to grasp such information. First Corinthians chapter 2 continues, “[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

“[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

The above passage underscores the idea of knowing what God is doing. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit imparts to us this knowledge we would otherwise never have. The key is, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (verse 13). Words from the Holy Spirit, not man’s wisdom, are how we comprehend the things of God. The Holy Spirit wrote (inspired) a Book, the Holy Bible, and then preserved it through time so we can study it today. We hereby can understand what God is doing….

What is God Doing? #4

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

From time immemorial, philosophers in all cultures have speculated as to the origin of the universe, the existence of one God or numerous deities, what that God or those gods might be doing, and sundry related beliefs. Overwhelmingly, however, their explanations can be summed up as “excellency of speech” and “excellency of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:1), and “enticing words of man’s wisdom” (verse 4). It sounds right and appears good but it is grandiose verbosity—impressive long-windedness—failing to adequately address the matters at hand. Such was the dialogue between Job and his three friends!

As their name implies, the Corinthians resided in Corinth, a city close to Athens (then world intellectual capital). After the Apostle Paul visited them in Acts chapter 18 and led them to faith in Jesus Christ, they became increasingly infatuated with human philosophy. They supposed that man’s knowledge could provide them with insight into God’s wisdom. You would do well, dear friends, to read the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians. They gently rebuke these precious saints to return to the simplicity of God’s Word spoken through Paul. Despite all their philosophy and education, they were spiritual children, utterly clueless to the workings of God. True wisdom—the wisdom they lacked—would not be found “in the wisdom of men” but “in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (verse 9). Science, empiricism, could not help them learn God’s wisdom. Rationalism, reasoning, religious tradition, afforded them no Divine understanding. Intuition, hunches and inner impressions, could not bring them spiritual insight. If they were to “find out God,” “find out the Almighty unto perfection,” they would have to come God’s way….

These Three Men

Sunday, October 7, 2018

“Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 14:14 KJV).

These three historical figures—yes, they were real characters—would not have been enough to save Israel’s land from God’s wrath!

Noah lived centuries before the nation Israel was formed. “…Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Second Peter 2:5 remarks concerning the wicked, multimillions of violent people of that day: “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly….”

Daniel, a prophet and descendant of King David, had a ministry throughout the entire 70-year Babylonian captivity and beyond. A believing Jew in pagan and idolatrous Babylon, he risked his life to follow God rather than man. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). “Now when Daniel knew that the writing [law] was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Job was Jacob’s grandson through son Issachar (Genesis 46:13). His immense suffering under Satan’s hand is highlighted in the famous Bible Book that bears his name. Despite his many hardships, he declined to renounce his faith in his God. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8 cf. Job 2:3). “In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

If Noah, Daniel, and Job lived in the land of Canaan, God would still not spare it. Israel had defiled it with pagan idolatry, especially Jerusalem (His capital city). The Lord GOD would remove those three men and then judge the land (see also Ezekiel 14:16,18,20)!

Darkened Counsel

Friday, June 23, 2017

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:1,2 KJV).

Can we hear God’s question echoing today?

Many years ago, a friend in the ministry was preaching at his church when a man showed up carrying several books under his arm. The man lied down on the floor and spread several books before him. After the service, my friend approached the man to learn that he had actually brought 10 different Bible translations to read. He would flip through each one! As my pastor friend began to talk to this man, he learned that the man did not actually believe any of those books… and why should he, seeing as to they all read differently?!

Modern Bible publishers have devised various clever sales pitches to advertise their products. They talk about the “up-to-date scholarship,” the thorough system of references, the nice leather cover, the online resources, the wide margins and/or large print, the “easy-to-read” wording, and so on. Yet, they will not tell you that they are actually introducing more confusion in the minds of people concerning the Bible. Why have dozens upon dozens of Bible versions? Is it really to make the Bible clearer? Certainly not, for the diversity of versions and readings make the Bible less clear. The point is, people want to produce their own sectarian or denominational handbook, and if they can change the derivative work enough, they can secure a copyright and start “cashing in” on God’s Word!

While there are many sincere, unsuspecting people in the Bible versions debate, we must also be mindful that many in the leadership know exactly what they are doing. They are not excused from their spiritual wickedness; their polluting lost and saved souls alike is not to be, and will not be, overlooked. Just as JEHOVAH God rebuked Job for rattling on and on about spiritual things he knew nothing about, so God condemns the religious leaders who make His Word harder to understand. They need to hush and study the Bible, gaining knowledge, before they start attempting to teach it to others!