A New Creature. . . an Apostolic Pentecostal blog

  Chapter 7 Job continues to speak Job 7:1 (KJV) Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? The reference here seems to be of the hard service of a mercenary, conscripted for a set period of time, possibly more ill used then the regular native members of the military. Job 7:2 (KJV) As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: Job 7:3 (KJV) So am I made to possess months of vanity , and wearisome nights are appointed to me. A slave’s work is done at sundown, when he can rest.  One hired for a task is paid at the end of each day. Strong’s H5157 translated here as ‘possess’, has a meaning of inherit.  We have no control over what we inherit.  Upon Job was bestowed months of Strong’s H7723, translated ‘vanity’ useless/lying/vain/desolating/evil.  Wearisome nights. . . nights which usually bring rest and restoration of strength, are themselves fatigu...

  Chapter 6 Job begins to answer Eliphaz: Job 6:1 KJV  But Job answered and said,Job 6:2 KJV  Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!  At the end of chapter 5, I spoke of my experience of speaking with people in crisis in my 20+ years of working on a suicide hotline, and how the temptation to rush to problem solving must be avoided.  Here Job begins speaking, but he doesn’t respond or mention Eliphaz’s words.  His first words, “Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!”.  He’s saying that no one is hearing him, and considering what he has gone through.  Job needs to speak and be heard, without judgement, or someone offering simplistic solutions to problems, which have no answer.  Yes, God is good.  Yes, God provides, but that won’t bring back Job’s children, and his other huge losses.  Job is outraged, and in despair.  He feels right...

  Chapter 5 Eliphaz the Temanite continuing to speak: Job 5:1-27 KJV (1)  Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn? In the previous chapter Eliphaz was respectful toward Job.  Here his tone begins to take on a very different flavor.  Eliphaz now becomes ridiculing, and challenging.  The Hebrew word here translated, ‘saints’, is more commonly translated ‘holy’.  Saints to me has such a strong Catholic Church saint connotation with it, I think I would prefer ‘the holy’ or ‘holy ones’ translation.  Job, if you call, will any even answer you?  (2)  For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. This is an answer to verse 1. Hebrew word translated ‘foolish’ (Strong’s H191) is always translated ‘fool’ or ‘foolish’.  It is found 26 times in the Old Testament, by far the most times in Proverbs (19 times).  A Bible study on the foolish, should probably center on that book....