Day 17

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

C. Isaac ~ cont.

2. Death of Job (apx 200 years) - Job 42:16-17

3. Rebecca chosen for Isaac - Genesis 24:1-67; Genesis 25:20

4. Abraham's domestic life continues

a. Marriage to Keturah - Genesis 25:1

b. Abraham's children - Genesis 25:2-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33

5. Death of Shem (600 years) - Genesis 11:11

6. Birth of Esau and Jacob (43rd gen) - Genesis 25:19, 21-26

7. Isaac heir of all things - Genesis 25:5-6

8. Death of Abraham (175 years) - Genesis 25:7-10

9. His survivors - 1 Chronicles 1:28; Genesis 25:11

10. Death of Eber (464 years) - Genesis 11:17

And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.  (Genesis 24:10)

This verse caught my attention because of the similarity between Eliezer and Joseph.

As it relates to Potiphar:

Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 

The keeper of the jail:

Gen 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

Made me ponder (and continue to pray) about how a wife could be construed as having a similar level of respect and honor from her husband:

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

servant - H5650 - From H5647; a servant.

• H5647 - A primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.

Used 800x in 714 verses - I am most definitely opting out on reading all of these. :-D

First used in Genesis 9:25 when Ham is cursed to be a servant to his brother. Last usage in Malachi 4:4 with the Lord's admonishment to remember the law of Moses His servant.

master - H113 - From an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, that is, controller (human or divine).

Used 335times in 287 verses (passing on this one too). First used in Genesis 18:12 with Sarah referring to Abraham as her Lord. Last usage:

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

I thought the word Lord meant Jesus Christ/Messiah, checked Gill's commentary to confirm that I was on target. :-D

Eliezer puts out a fleece (in my estimation) - I liked all the commentaries, but decided to use Poole.

"That this was not a rash and vain fancy, but a special expectation and confidence wrought in him by God's Spirit, appears both by the eminent prudence and godliness of this person, and by the exact correspondency of the event with his prayer, and by parallel examples, as Judges 6:36; 1 Samuel 6:7; 14:8."

I had to chuckle over "Abraham's domestic life continues" in the outline. Sarah laughed at Abraham being too old (as well as she) to conceive a child. Abraham sends Eliezer off to fetch a wife for Isaac because he thinks he is to be called home soon. He then turns around and marries Keturah and produces 6 more children! At about 140 years of age!

Prior to his actual departure he sends those sons off to the east country. Only Isaac and Ishmael are in attendance (of his sons) to bury Abraham.

Abraham would have seen Esau and Jacob. I am still amazed at the overlapping of lives. Eber died 4 years later...another 48 years and Ishmael dies. We all will one day pass from this temporal plane, stepping into eternity. Have you ever considered where you will abide?

Day 13

II The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.
A. Job ~ cont.
5. Job's later prosperity - Job 42:7-15
B. Abram
1. His family
a. Birth of Milcah (daughter of Haran)
b. Birth of Sarai (daughter of Terah)
c. Death of Reu (239 years) - Genesis 11:21
d. Marriage to Sarai - Genesis 11:29-30
e. Birth of Nahor's children (not read at this juncture, but is in Genesis 22:21-22, 24)
f. Death of Serug (230 years) - Genesis 11:23
g. Death of Haran (apx 102 years) - Genesis 11:28
h. Travels from Ur to Haran - Genesis 12:1-3; 11:31
2. Call and promise of God
a. Chedorlaomer in - Genesis 14:1-4
b. Death of Terah (205 years) - Genesis 11:32
(Fourth Dispensation - Promise)
c. On to Canaan - Genesis 12:4-9
d. 430 years of Exodus 12:40 and Galatians 3:17*
e. Trip to Egypt
(1) Journeys - Genesis 12:10
(2) Lies about wife - Genesis 12:11-20
(3) Leaves wealthy - Genesis 13:1-2
f. Arrives back in Bethel - Genesis 13:3-4
3. His relationship with Lot
a. Separation from Lot - Genesis 13:5-13
b. Covenant renewed - Genesis 13:14-17
c. Abram to Hebron - Genesis 13:18
d. Lot taken captive - Genesis 14:5-13
e. Abram deliveres Lot - Genesis 14:14-16
f. Abram in royal company
(1) With King of Sodom - Genesis 14:17, 21-24
(2) With Melchizedek (Shem) - Genesis 14:18-20

And the Lord turned the captivity of job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

I made a note here 'conditional?' wondering if Job's blessings were contingent upon his prayer and forgiveness.

I liked Gill's commentary on the passage:

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job,.... Not literally, in such sense as Lot's captivity was turned, Gen_14:12; for Job's person was not seized on and carried away, though his cattle were: nor spiritually, being delivered from the captivity of sin; that had been his case many years ago, when first converted: but it is to be understood of his restoration from afflictions and calamities to a happy state; as of the return of his substance, his health and friends, and especially of his deliverance from Satan, in whose hands he had been some time, and by him distressed both in body and mind. But now his captivity was turned, and he was freed from all his distresses; and even from those which arose from the dealings of God with him, which he was now fully satisfied about; and this was done,

when he prayed for his friends; as he was directed to do. A good man will not only pray for himself, as Job doubtless did, but for others also; for his natural and spiritual friends, yea, for unkind friends, and even for enemies likewise: and the prayer of an upright man is very acceptable to the Lord; and many mercies and blessings come by it; and even prayer for others is profitable to a man's self; and sometimes he soon reaps the benefit of it, as Job now did. For when and while he was praying, or quickly upon it, there was a turn in his affairs: he presently found himself in better health; his friends came about him, and his substance began to increase; Satan had no more power over him, and the presence of God was with him. All which was of the Lord; and he enjoyed it in the way of prayer, and as the fruit of that;

also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before: or added to him double. Which chiefly respects his substance; his cattle, as appears from Job_42:12, and might be true both with respect to things temporal and spiritual. "Double" may denote an abundance, a large measure of good things; see Zec_9:12.

Which puts me in mind of this verse: 

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

Father also encourages us to:

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:28)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*I am not sure why this is listed here in the outline. I went and looked at these verses, which I think means the sojourning of the nation of Israel in Egypt.

Day 12

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.
A. Job ~ cont.
3. Discourse with Elihu ~ cont. - Job 37:1-24
4. Discourse with Jehovah - Job 38:1-41; 39:1-30; 40:1-24; 41:1-34; 42:1-6

Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding. (Job 39:17)

The verse is speaking of the ostrich. Father made her exactly as He wanted ~ sovereignly. While I realize this is an animal the emphasis (for me) is on the fact that only Father can open the understanding, regardless of whether it is an animal or a human.

This is not the verse I had in mind when I went searching, but it is appropriate nonetheless:

Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,...(I know horrid place to cut off a verse, in mid-sentence).

This is shortly after He walked with the disciples on the road, revealed Himself, and they hastened back to the apostles, He then appeared in their midst.

This is the passage that was upon my mind:

Act 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Though it does not speak of Father opening her understanding, it does state He opened her heart. In and of herself, she could not do it. Neither could the apostles.  Neither can we or any other human being.

This causes me to reflect on the mindset that prevails in the 'church' during this season, 'just ask Jesus into your heart.' That is a dangerous thought and runs contrary to Scripture. We are wicked, dead in our trespass and sin, completely unable, unwilling, having no desire to walk in holiness, in and of ourselves we would never choose Him. (The book of Romans)

An interesting video I recently came across Altar-Call Salvation touches on this subject. Lest we be puffed up in our own minds dearly beloved, let us remember what He says to us:

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

And last, but not least! Jesus tells us:

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Day 11

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.
A. Job ~ cont.
2. Job and his three friends ~ cont.
d. Third round of speeches ~ cont. - Job 31:1-40
3. Discourse with Elihu - Job 32:1-22; 33:1-33; 34:1-37; 35:1-16; 36:1-33

One of my favorite verses:

I made a covenant with mine eyes: why then should I think upon a maid? (Job 31:1)

My perception of this verse? That Job was extremely cautious in looking at other women.

made - H3772 - A primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication to destroy or consume; specifically to covenant (that is, make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces).

covenant - H1285 - From H1262 (in the sense of cutting (like H1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh).

think - H995 - A primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), that is, (generally) understand.

maid - H1330 - Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state.

Gill: I made a covenant with mine eyes,.... Not to look upon a woman, and wantonly gaze at her beauty, lest his heart should be drawn thereby to lust after her; for the eyes are inlets to many sins, and particularly to uncleanness, of which there have been instances, both in bad men and good men, Gen_34:2; so the poet (t) represents the eye as the way through which the beauty of a woman passes swifter than an arrow into the hearts of men, and makes impressions there; see 2Pe_2:14; hence Zaleucus ordered adulterers to be punished, by plucking out the eyes of the adulterer (u); wherefore Job, to prevent this, entered into a solemn engagement with himself, laid himself under a strong obligation, as if he had bound himself by a covenant, made a resolution in the strength of divine grace, not to employ his eyes in looking on objects that might ensnare his heart, and lead him to the commission of sin; he made use of all ways and means, and took every precaution to guard against it; and particularly this, to shut or turn his eyes from beholding what might be alluring and enticing to him: it is said (x) of Democritus, that he put out his eyes because he could not look upon a woman without lusting after her:

why then should I think upon a maid; of corrupting and defiling her, since he had made a covenant with his eyes, and this would be a breach of that covenant: and therefore, besides the sin of lusting after her, or of corrupting her, he would be a covenant breaker, and so his sin would be an aggravated one: or he made a covenant with his eyes, to prevent any impure thoughts, desires, and inclinations in him; for the eye affects the heart, and stirs up lust in it, and excites unclean thoughts and unchaste desires: this shows that the thought of sin is sin; that fornication was reckoned a sin before the law of Moses; and that Job better understood the spirituality of the law than the Pharisees did in the time of Christ, and had the same notion of lust in the heart being fornication and adultery as he had; and that good men are not without temptation to sin, both from within and from without; and therefore should carefully shun all appearances of evil, and whatsoever leads unto it, and take every necessary precaution to guard against it.

Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

I apologize if the following appears to take a verse out of context and/or that I went off on a tangent.  :-D

The verse in Job and Matthew are applicable not only to men, but women as well, not just for the visual factor, but also the mental. Men are susceptible to visual enticements more readily than women (on the norm), while women are more easily mentally enticed. Our society is saturated with an abundance of pornography, visual and mental for both genders.

We are constantly bombarded with soft porn on billboards, magazine stands and scantily clad women (and men) in all sectors of society. Then there is the pornography of the mind where women are more easily attacked. Romance novels - yes, even the "Christian" novels. Movies and ads which give a false perception of what men should be like, act, think or behave. Both forms promote unhealthy examples.

I went searching for information on emotional pornography. Surprisingly, I came up with quite a bit - the comments on some are very thought provoking.

I will start with Josh Harris' book (originally titled Not Even a Hint) re-titled as Sex Is Not the Problem, Lust Is - I have read this book, highly recommended. Next up: Withoutwax - this one had several women chiming in on the comment section affirming that exposure to romance movies and novels can cause one to have a skewed perception of what one is looking for in a mate.

This blog had an article titled, Emotional Pornography, liked the article, but would NOT recommend the comments section.

This one from The Telegraph covers the unrealistic expectations promoted in romance movies. This one covers the same issue Do Movies Give Us Unrealistic Expectations. I did a quick search of how much $ is generated by the romance novel industry - 1.52 BILLION a year in 2001, dipping slightly in 2009 to 1.36. One last link to share: Christian Romance Novels. According to the article one bookseller has over 2,000 current titles in the category of Christian Romance.

We, as our brother Job has stated, need to make a covenant with our eyes not to set them upon anything that causes dishonor to our Lord.  We need to cautiously guard ourselves from allowing the culture (even with a "Christian" tag) to slant or twist our  perspective of  healthy relationships.

Lord, help us to keep our vessels in honor, to give a proper estimate of You in what we watch, view, read or take in through our eye-gate. Lord, cleanse Your bride from any semblance of acting, talking and thinking like the world.

Day 10

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

A. Job ~ cont.

2. Job and his three friends ~ cont.

d. Third round of speeches ~ cont. - Job 25:1-6; 26:1-14; 27:1-23; 28:1-28; 29:1-25; 30:1-31

I was intrigued by the numerous listings of metals and/or gems in Job 28...verses and metals/gems:

  1. silver, gold
  2. iron, brass
  6. sapphires, dust of gold
15. gold, silver
16. gold, onyx, sapphire
17. gold, crystal
18. coral, pearls, rubies
19. topaz, gold

I wanted to see if there were 12 different stones as represented in the breastplate/ephod which the priest wore.

Exo 28:17  And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
Exo 28:18  And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exo 28:19  And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exo 28:20  And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

Not even close.  I am pretty sure I grasp what the majority of the items in Job 28 are and/or look like, except the onyx, which I perceived as dark.  The word used in Job 28:16 is H7718 - From an unused root probably meaning to blanch; a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color).

Which makes me wonder what the beryl and onyx are as listed in Exodus 28:20 (interesting both are chapter 28).

Exodus 28:20 - a beryl - H8658 - Probably of foreign derivation (compare H8659); a gem, perhaps the topaz.

Heh...that makes it slightly interesting, if each gem is defined by a another gem.  LOL!  Obviously need more assistance in this area...pondering...do I wait to explore this topic when I reach Exodus or do it now?

Ponder...

Ponder....

Do it now...rabbit trails...rabbit trails...but OH the things I learn!  :-D

Start with the gems as listed and their definitions.

sardius - H124 - From H119; redness, that is, the ruby, garnet, or some other red gem.

topaz - H6357 - Of foreign derivation; a gem, probably the topaz.

carbuncle - H1304 - From H1300; a gem (as flashing), perhaps the emerald.

emerald - H5306 - From an unused root meaning to glisten; shining; a gem, probably the garnet.

sapphire - H5661 - From H5608; a gem (perhaps as used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire.

diamond - H3095 - From H1986 (in the sense of hardness); a precious stone, probably onyx.

ligure - H3958 - From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a gem, perhaps the jacinth.

agate - H7618 - From an unused root (probably identical with that of H7617 through the idea of subdivision into flashes or streamers (compare H7632)) meaning to flame; a gem (from its sparkle), probably the agate.

amethyst - H306 - Perhaps from H2492 (and thus dream stone); a gem, probably the amethyst.

beryl - H8658 - Probably of foreign derivation (compare H8659); a gem, perhaps the topaz.

onyx - H7718 - From an unused root probably meaning to blanch; a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color).  {I know I have listed it twice - wanted to keep all the gems and definitions together.}

jasper - H3471 - From an unused root meaning to polish; a gem supposed to be jasper (from the resemblance in name).

I was searching for some help out in the world wide web and came across this blog:  Jewelry Gems and Jesus   which had an article on the amethyst - quite intriguing.  I liked the way he explored the possible connection between the gems in Exodus with those listed in Revelation.  If you want to explore his perspective on each gem, click on the month - January = Jasper; February = Amethyst, etc. etc.  Really, quite an interesting read.

A few more sites I found (not in any particular or preferred order) were:  Jewish Encyclopedia, Biblical Gems, Historical Importance of Gems and Aaron's Breastplate.

Finishing up my reading with:  And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.  (Job 28:28)

Echoed in Proverbs ~

Pro 2:6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

Pro 16:16  How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Day 9

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

A. Job ~ cont.

2. Job and his three friends ~ cont.

c. Second round of speeches ~ cont. - Job 20:1-29; 21:1-34

d. Third round of speeches - Job 22:1-30; 23:1-17; 24:1-25

I was pondering upon how wholly inadequate a verse here and there is to an overall understanding of any book of the Bible. To have a comprehensive picture one would need to study the book in context, not just pull a verse here and there. Inductively studying verse by verse, chapter upon chapter would give a much better overview and comprehension of the book. 'Camping out' is not a possibility for me at this juncture. Though what a glorious thought, to study each book of the Bible in-depth, researching each word, tracing it through its usage in other verses. **sigh** So many delights in our Father's Word, so little time!

There were several verses which caught my attention while reading through this day's passage, but spent a wee bit of time on this one...exploring.  :-D

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? (Job 20:5)

There are numerous verses which echo this statement. While it 'appears' that the wicked prosper, in light of eternity they do not. My perception of Zophar's statement? An accusation against Job. While Poole and Gill did not explicitly state it, Henry in his commentary overview of Job 20:1-5 affirmed the accusation as being leveled at Job.

That verse reminded me of several in the Psalms ~ the word wicked is H7563 ~ used 263x in 249 verses. I found a few which I thought helped my understanding:

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (Psalm 11:6)

The ungodly are not so: but like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (Psalm 1:4)

Chaff is mentioned in Job 21:18 - They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff (H4671) that the storm carries away. ~ Spoken by Job about the wicked.

The word chaff is used 12 times in 12 verses in the OT.

H4671 - מוץ מץ - môts môts - motes, motes -From H4160; chaff (as pressed out, that is, winnowed or (rather) threshed loose).  This is the word used in Psalm 1:4 and Job 21:18.

Used only 8 times in 8 verses in the OT. Chaff is spoken of twice in the NT: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. (Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17)

The other incidences of chaff are (H2842) which means dry grass. I especially thought this verse in Daniel appropriate, a future foretelling of events which will take place:

Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff {H5784 chaff (as the naked husk)} of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (Daniel 2:35)

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. (Job 32:10)

Mercy - H2617 - חסד - chêsêd - kheh'-sed - From H2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opprobrium) reproof, or (subjectively) beauty.

Used 127 times in 127 verses in the Psalms alone ~ 247 times in 241 verses in the OT.

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. (Psalm 13:5)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23:6)

Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8)

What a consolation to our war weary souls as we battle for the truth of Father's word on this side of glory.

Day 8

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

A. Job ~ cont.

2. Job and his three friends ~ cont.

c. Second round of speeches - Job 15:1-35; 16:1-22; 17:1-16; 18:1-21; 19:1-28; 20:1-29; 21:1-34

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. (Job 16:5)

Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? (Job 16:6)

I thought the asswage(d) referenced above was similar to this verse:

And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;  (Genesis 8:1)

From verses 5 and 6 above:

asswage(d) - H2820 - חשׂך - châśak - khaw-sak' - A prim root; to restrain or (reflexively) refrain; by implication to refuse, spare, preserve; also (by interchange with H2821) to observe.

First usage of the word is in Genesis 20:6 regarding Abimelech being withheld from sinning against God by laying with Sarah.

Last usage is in Ezekiel 30:18 - At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

Well, not the same word as the one used about the flood.  Okay, back to the search:

In 8:1 ~ H7918 - שׁכך - shâkak - shaw-kak' - A primitive root; to weave (that is, lay) a trap; figuratively (through the idea of secreting) to allay (passions; physically abate a flood).

First used in Genesis 8:1 for the flood waters.  Used only 5x, twice of which is in Esther.  In 2:1 when Ahasuerus wrath was appeased and then in 7:10 when his wrath was pacified.  In Numbers 17:5 it is used for God making the murmuring of the people to cease.

Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?  (Job 16:6)

Gill:  Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged,.... Though he spoke to God in prayer, and entreated for some abatement of his sorrows, he got no relief; and though he spoke to himself in soliloquies, his sorrow was not repressed nor lessened; he could not administer comfort to himself in the present case, though he might to others in like circumstances, if his own were changed.

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)

Did Job know?  That what was being spoken would one day be recorded?  As a new believer I heard a song that touched my heart greatly - A Man You Would Write About - and cried unto the Lord, desiring that I would leave such a legacy.  (NOTE:  I am not desiring to be a man, or assume a male position, rather, that I would be found worthy enough to warrant inclusion, IF the Bible were still being written today.)

Which reminds me of a book, written by Steven Lawson, The Legacy - awesome book.  Max Jukes and Jonathan Edwards, both lived during the 18th century, two fathers, two very different legacies.*

Max Jukes?  His legacy?  He was an unbeliever, as was his wife.  Of their known 1,200 descendants they have:

• 440 lives of outright debauchery
• 310 paupers
• 190 public prostitutes
• 130 convicted criminals
• 100 alcoholics
• 60 habitual thieves
• 55 victims of impurity
• 7 murderes

Not a very thrilling list.  Of Johnathan and Sarah Edwards male descendants:

• 300 clergymen, missionaries, or theological professors
• 120 college professors
• 110 lawyers
• over 60 physicians
• over 60 authors of good books
• 30 judges
• 14 presidents of universities
• numerous giants in American industry
• 3 U.S. congressmen
• 1 vice-president of the United States

Job, his story, is written, oh, if only Job knew what comfort and consolation are afforded to the brethren who came after him by hearing and knowing of his great trails and Father's grace and mercy in his life.  What legacy will you leave?  Can you say with the same confidence as Job:

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.  (Job 19:25-27)

Day 7

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.
A. Job ~ cont.
2. Job and his three friends ~ cont.
b. First round of speeches ~ cont. - Job 9:1-35; 10:1-22; 11:120; 12:1-25; 13:1-28; 14:1-22

The word daysman in verse 33 of chapter 9. I browsed through Gill, Henry and then settled on Jamison, Fossett and Brown's commentary:

daysman — “mediator,” or “umpire”; the imposition of whose hand expresses power to adjudicate between the persons. There might be one on a level with Job, the one party; but Job knew of none on a level with the Almighty, the other party (1Sa_2:25). We Christians know of such a Mediator (not, however, in the sense of umpire) on a level with both - the God-man, Christ Jesus (1Ti_2:5).

Liked Wesley's as well:

Days - man - Or, umpire. Lay his hand - Order and govern us in pleading; and oblige us to stand to his decision. Our Lord Jesus is now the blessed days - man, who has mediated between heaven and earth, has laid his hand upon us both: to him the father hath committed all judgment. But this was not made so clear then, as it is now by the gospel, which leaves no room for such a complaint as this.

Day 6

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C. ~ cont.

A. Job ~ cont.

2. Job and his three friends ~ cont.

b. First round of speeches - Job 4:1-21; 5:1-27; 6:1-30; 7:1-21; 8:1-22

A few verses that caught my attention, with Gill's commentary:

Eliphaz - "Shall mortal man be more than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?"  (Job 4:17)

Shall mortal man be more just than God?.... Poor, weak, frail, dying man, and so sinful, as his mortality shows, which is the effect of sin; how should such a man be more righteous than God? who is so originally and essentially of himself, completely, perfectly, yea, infinitely righteous in his nature, and in his works, both of providence and grace; in chastising his people, punishing the wicked, and bestowing favours upon his friends, even in their election, redemption, justification, pardon, and eternal happiness: yea, not only profane wicked sinners can make no pretensions to anything of this kind, but even the best of men, none being without sin, no, not man in his best estate; for the righteousness he had then was of God, and therefore he could not be more just than he that made him upright. This comparative sense, which our version leads to, is more generally received; but it seems not to be the sense of the passage, since this is a truth clear from reason, and needed no vision or revelation to discover it; nor can it be thought that God would send an angelic spirit in such an awful and pompous manner, to declare that which every one knew, and no man would contradict; even the most self-righteous and self-sufficient man would never be so daring and insolent as to say he was more righteous than God; but the words should be rather rendered, "shall mortal man be justified by God, or be just from God?" or "with" him, or "before" him (t), in his sight, by any righteousness in him, or done by him? shall he enter into his presence, stand at his bar, and be examined there, and go away from thence, in the sight and account of God, as a righteous person of himself? no, he cannot; now this is a doctrine opposed to carnal reasoning and the common sentiments of men, a doctrine of divine revelation, a precious truth: this is the string of pearls Eliphaz received, see Job_4:12; that mortal man is of himself an unrighteous creature; that he cannot be justified by his own righteousness in the sight of God; and that he must look and seek out for a better righteousness than his own, to justify him before God; and this agrees with Eliphaz's interpretation of the vision, Job_15:14; with the sentiments of his friend Bildad, who seems to have some respect to it, Job_25:4; and also of Job himself, Job_9:2; and in like manner are we to understand the following clause:

shall a man be more pure than his Maker? even the greatest and best of men, since what purity was in Adam, in a state of innocence, was from God; and what good men have, in a state of grace, is from the grace of God and blood of Christ, without which no man is pure at all, and therefore cannot be purer than him from whom they have it: or rather "be pure from", or "with", or "before his Maker" (u), or be so accounted by him; every man is impure by his first birth, and in his nature state, and therefore cannot stand before a pure and holy God, who of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; or go away his presence, and be reckoned by him a pure and holy creature of himself; nor can any thing that he can do, in a moral or ceremonial manner, cleanse him from his impurity; and therefore it is necessary he should apply to the grace of God, and blood of Christ, for his purification.

Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?  (Job 5:1)

This one caught my attention because of the word saint...every born again believer is a saint.  A holy one.  So what saith the Hebrew for this word?

saints - H6918  - קדשׁ    קדושׁ - qâdôsh  qâdôsh - kaw-doshe', kaw-doshe' -From H6942; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.

• H6942 - קדשׁ - qâdash - kaw-dash' - A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally).

Henry's commentary:

To which of the saints wilt thou turn? Turn to which thou wilt, and thou wilt find they are all of my mind. I have the communis sensus fidelium - the unanimous vote of the faithful on my side; they will all subscribe to what I am going to say.” Observe, (1.) Good people are called saints even in the Old Testament; and therefore I know not why we should, in common speaking (unless because we must loqui cum vulgo - speak as our neighbours), appropriate the title to those of the New Testament, and not say St. Abraham, St. Moses, and St. Isaiah, as well as St. Matthew and St. Mark; and St. David the psalmist, as well as St. David the British bishop. Aaron is expressly called the saint of the Lord. (2.) All that are themselves saints will turn to those that are so, will choose them for their friends and converse with them, will choose them for their judges and consult them. See Psa_119:79. The saints shall judge the world, 1Co_6:1, 1Co_6:2. Walk in the way of good men (Pro_2:20), the old way, the footsteps of the flock. Every one chooses some sort of people or other to whom he studies to recommend himself, and whose sentiments are to him the test of honour and dishonour. Now all true saints endeavour to recommend themselves to those that are such, and to stand right in their opinion. (3.) There are some truths so plain, and so universally known and believed, that one may venture to appeal to any of the saints concerning them. However there are some things about which they unhappily differ, there are many more, and more considerable, in which they are agreed; as the evil of sin, the vanity of the world, the worth of the soul, the necessity of a holy life, and the like. Though they do not all live up, as they should, to their belief of these truths, yet they are all ready to bear their testimony to them.

Pondering upon that - about who we keep company with...found this verse:

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  KJV translation.

deceived - G4105 - πλανάω - planaō - plan-ah'-o - From G4106; to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).

evil  - G2556 - κακός - kakos - kak-os' - Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious.

communications - G3657 - ὁμιλία - homilia - hom-il-ee'-ah - From G3658; companionship (“homily”), that is, (by implication) intercourse.

corrupt - G5351 - φθείρω - phtheirō - fthi'-ro - Probably strengthened from φθίω phthiō (to pine or waste): properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave.

good - G5543 - χρηστός - chrēstos - khrase-tos'- From G5530; employed, that is, (by implication) useful (in manner or morals).

manners - G2239 - ἦθος - ēthos - ay'-thos - A strengthened form of G1485; usage, that is, (plural) moral habits.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” ESV translation.

Lord, let us with diligence guard our lips when giving counsel, and be cognizant of those with whom we associate.

Day 5

III The Age of The Patriarchs - 1967-1606 B.C.
A. Job
1. Trials of Job
a. Satan and the Lord discuss Job - Job 1:6-12
b. God's permission to scourge - Job 1:13-22; 2:1-10
2. Job and his three friends
a. Job complains - Job 2:11-13; 3:1-26

I can not even imagine being worthy enough for God and Satan to discuss me.  That is a intense thought.  Father says this about Job:

"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)

considered - H7760 - שׂים    שׂוּם - śûm  śı̂ym - soom, seem - A primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literally, figuratively, inferentially and elliptically). ~ Used 580x in 546 verses (I am taking a pass on reviewing each verse :-)  Used in Genesis 2:8 when God put the man in the garden of Eden.  Nehemiah 8:8 read the law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand.

none - H369 - אין - 'ayin - ay'-yin - As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.

perfect - H8535 - תּם - tâm - tawm - From H8552; complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically gentle, dear.  Used 13x in 13 verses.  First usage in Genesis 25:27 of Jacob as a plain man, dwelling in tents.  Second usage in Job 1:1, then 1:8 and 2:3 said by God.  In Proverbs 29:10 the bloodthirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his soul.  Also translated as undefiled in the Song of Soloman.

upright - H3477 - ישׁר - yâshâr - yaw-shawr' - From H3474; straight (literally or figuratively).

• H3474 - ישׁר - yâshar - yaw-shar' - A primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively to be (causatively to make) right, pleasant, prosperous.

119x in 119 verses...Exodus 15:26 used as right; used in Josh 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18 as Jasher; used of the Lord in Psalm 92:15, HE is upright.

feareth - H3373 - ירא - yârê' - yaw-ray' - From H3372; fearing; morally reverent.

• H3372 - ירא - yârê' - yaw-ray' - A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten.

43x in 43 verses...Father said if of Abraham about fearing HIM by not withholding his son, Issac (Genesis 22:12); ahhh, even our Proverbs 31 woman - feareth the Lord (31:30); and this one:

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book  of remembrance was written before him for them that feared (H3372) the Lord, and that thought upon his name (Malachi 3:16).

escheweth - H5493 - שׂוּר    סוּר - sûr  śûr - soor, soor - A primitive root; to turn off (literally or figuratively).  Used 301x in 282 verses...I always wonder when there are less verses and more hits, where is that word duplicated.  E-sword will do a search for H5493H5493, but it still comes up with the same results.  :-(

Interestingly this word is used in Genesis 8:13 when Noah removed the covering of the ark.  In Malachi 2:8 it used as departed; in Jeremiah 6:28 it is translated as grievous and 5:23 as revolted.

What he lost:  oxen plowing (yoked 500), asses (500) beside them, servants (#?); sheep destroyed (7,000), servants (#?); camels (3000), servants (#?); sons and daughters, servants (#?).  {How did she come up with those #'s?  :-) - well....in Job 42, verses 12 and 13 it delineates what Father blesses Job with, and in verse 10 it states Job was given twice as much as he had before.}

What he kept: servant, servant, servant, servant, wife.

1st test - Loss of  livestock, servants, children - yet Job does not sin nor charge God foolishly (Job 1:20-23).

2nd test - Health tested, boils from the sole of his feet unto the crown of his head.  Rebukes wife for receiving good, but not evil with same attitude (Job 1:9-10).

3rd test - Eliphaz (god of gold or the endeavor of god), Bildad (old friendship), Zophar (departing or rising early, crown) come to visit - silent for 7 days (can you imagine? no words spoken for 7 days!).

The tests are not numbered in Scripture, that is solely my way of keeping track - the names for the three friends are taken either from Strong's or the Hitchcock Bible Names Dictionary.

After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day.  (Job 3:1)

Been there, done that...Okay God, I am done...can't take anymore of whatever You are allowing and/or dishing out to me...just take me home.  Don't want to be here no more!  {said with a southern twang}  How sad is that:?!  In comparison to Job, my trials and tribulations are nothing.  I wonder if he had any idea that his story would be used to comfort people.  Have you ever stopped to consider that whatever you are going through is designed to:

1. remove dross from your life;
2. glorify God; and
3. help someone else through their tough times?

Our level of compassion rises tremendously when someone is going through something similar.  We are (or should be able) to offer prayer, comfort, and consolation.  Obviously that is a very brief objective, but diligence to see a larger picture of what Father is doing helps to keep current situation(s) in perspective.

Lord, we all have trials, tribulations and tests (3T) in our lives.  Some we sail through, others we slog.  Father, You are always gracious and merciful to Your servants, never allowing more in our lives but what we can stand and/or endure.  Lord, help each of us to learn from the 3T's in our lives the first time around, rather than running around the mountain again, and again, and... :-D  Lord, help us to not sin with our lips, to keep our eyes focused upon You.  Lord, raise up people to pray for us and for us to pray with and for during the times we are challenged and discouraged.  Father, help us to keep our eyes focused solely upon You.  Create in us a growing desire to give a proper estimate of You in and through all of life's hills, valleys, mountains, gorges, etc.

A book which I have enjoyed reading, recommended by our Bible study teacher (1st Peter - NT book to the OT book of Job) is:

When All Hell Breaks Loose: You May Be Doing Something Right: Surprising Insights in the Book of Job, Steven Lawson