Do Not Fail To Visit The Sick

As we enter chapter 2 we read that Job retains his faith, despite his wife's encouragement to "curse God and die." In all this, says the writer of this marvelous book, "Job did not sin with his lips" (Job 2:9).

At this point we have not learned who wrote the book of Job. Was it Job himself? No answers are immediately forth coming. Rabbis of old suggested Moses as the author. Some commentators in the 17th century (i.e. French Capuchin monk Jacques Bolduc) suggested that Moses took the original Aramaic form of the book and translated it into Hebrew. Still others suggested that Elihu, one of Job's comforters, or even Job himself, was the author. The fact that the book has Arabic words, nomadic habits, illustrations from sandy plains and an awareness of nature suggests that it was written in the era of the O.T. patriarchs. All we can do is guess, because the text does not identify its author.

So, back to the story.

We now meet three of Job's friends.

• Eliphaz the Temanite - his name means "El (God) is pure gold." He likely came from Teman, an important city of Edom (Amos 1:12; Obadiah 8-9; Jeremiah 49:7. Tradition gave this name to Esau's son, the father of Theman (Gen. 36:11; I Chron. 1:35-36). 

Baal, god of thunder

• Bildad the Shuhite - his name means "Bel has loved" He is probably called the Shuhite because he belonged to Shuah, a district in Arabia, where Shuah, Abraham's sixth son by Keturah, settled (Gen. 25:2). His name suggests he is the representative of the various Baal and Bel cults. Baal is the storm god, rider of the clouds and active during the storms. 

• Zophar the Naamathite - his name means "sparrow." We do not know where Naamah was. The LXX (Greek OT) renders him "king of the Mineans or Midianites." Others suggest Maonites (Judges 10:12). Perhaps the Maonites were a tribe of Arabs inhabiting Maon (Jos. 15:55; 1 Sam. 23:24-25:2). 

These fine friends of Job heard of the tragedies that struck him and his family. They came together to "show him sympathy or to console and comfort him." But when they arrived they didn't even recognize the man, so distorted were his features, so filled with blisters and sores was his body. All they could do was to tear their robes and sprinkle dust in the air above to indicate their grief and pain. 

And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great. - Job 2:13 ESV

We will hear later about how they tried to comfort him with their words. For now let us ponder the importance of our personal visits to those who are grieving and sick. Jesus healed many during his ministry. He commends those of us who follow his example by reaching out to the sick. He tells us that in so doing we are ministering unto him.

I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' - Mat 25:36-40 ESV

`The Primary Purpose Of Visions And Dreams

What does it mean to dream dreams and see visions? We continue our study.

 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. - Joel 2:28-29 ESV 

The prophet Joel wrote these words, later quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17). Joel wrote what the LORD revealed during the very dark days of Judah six centuries before Christ. Already the mighty Assyrians had ravaged the northern kingdom of Israel. Would the kingdom of Judah be next? Joel was called upon to speak words of comfort and hope. . . and warning. The people of Judah were also faithless. They too ignored God's Word and they too would meet His judgments. The LORD's army would soon come to destroy them unless they returned to the LORD. So Joel speaks for the LORD,

"Yet even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God? - Joel 2:12-14 ESV

Then come the words of comfort and hope.

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. - Joe 2:25-27 ESV 

After this promise come the words quoted by Peter on Pentecost (Acts 2:17-28),

 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. - Joe 2:28-29 ESV 

Your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions. . . and even the servants will have the Spirit poured out upon them. Peter interpreted this vision, saying that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, was the fulfillment of this and other prophecies of the Old Testament, such as those made by David in Psalm 16:10.

This then is the primary reason why the LORD grants His people visions or waking dreams and dreams while sleeping. He wants to comfort them with the Word of His mercy and forgiveness. He wants them to believe He has not forsaken them, but will or has come among them to take the ultimate punishment for their sins to Himself. And as they hear this Good News, this Gospel, the Spirit of God speaks comfort and hope to their hearts. So we listen with joy and hope to the way the visions and dreams were given and the promises they bring for us today. In other words Judah saw the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy when she returned to the land after 70 years of captivity and slavery. But that was not the ultimate fulfillment. There was more. There is more. It is to this that Peter speaks as he quotes Joel.

But what about today's visions and dreams? Does God still grant them? Here is one useful answer to that question: How Did God Use Dreams and Visions In The Bible? 

But more needs to be said. We'll continue next time.

Jesus' Appearance In The Revelation of John

What literally does Jesus look like? There are hundreds of artistic guesses. No one knows, because no one made a drawing of Him while He walked this earth for about 33 years. The best we can do is try to imagine what a 30-some year-old man might have looked like in first century Galilee / Judea. Here is a site that claims to document some "face to face" encounters and visitations with Jesus Christ @ Divine Revelations. Below are some free typical examples posted in dreamstime.com.

    

None of these are what John says he saw. Listen and imagine for yourself: 

"Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.  - Rev 1:11-15 ESV

Did our Lord mean to give us a literal vision of Himself, because none is recorded elsewhere in the Bible? By no means. This description, like all of the visions in The Revelation, is symbolic. It is a picture with multiple meanings that point far beyond the mere picture itself. Let's take a look and ask what Jesus is saying both to John and to us in this revelatory symbol of Himself. Then consider what it means for your own life.

What did John hear and see? He saw:

one like a son of man - Certainly Jesus fully intends for us to remember that He is and always will be human. He is Immanuel, God with us in human form. Volume after volume has appeared across the centuries to emphasize that the risen Christ was and ever will remain not only true God, but also true man, as the Christian creeds emphasize. As our Brother He understands us since He was tempted in every way even as we are (Heb 2:17-18; 4:15). 

wearing a long robe with a golden sash - Revelation was written in code. That is, it is written with reference to the Old Testament. The image here is that of a Jewish high priest with a partly golden sash around his waist (Ex. 28:2-8; 39:5). The prophet Daniel shares this same image as he writes what he saw when the Son of Man appeared to him (Dan. 7:9-13; 10:5-6). In John's revelation Jesus portrays Himself as the High Priest who made the final sacrifice for all mankind (Heb 7:15-16), He is the ancient of days, the eternal God, the risen ruler of kings on earth, the one coming with the clouds to judge all the tribes of the earth (Rev. 1:5-8). 

his hair white as wool or snow. White is the color of purity (Isa. 1:18). All those made clean by the blood of Christ wear white robes (Heb 9:13-14; Rev. 7:9-14). White is also the color our hair turns when we are old. So the white hair points to experience and becomes a symbol of wisdom. Jesus is that wise One with eternal experience and wisdom in all things (Lev. 19:32; Job 32:7; Prov. 16:31).

his eyes like a flame of fire - they penetrate past our empty pretence, into our hearts. Jesus is the all-knowing One. None can hide fro His gaze. This then is a warning to all who will stand before Him. He is the all-consuming fire of those who resist Him (Ex. 24:17; Deut. 4:23-24; 9:3).  

his feet like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace - The LORD appeared to the prophets in a body shining like bright bronze and the mineral beryl. None dare resist this powerful One (Eze. 40:3; Dan. 10:6). 

his voice sounding like the roar of many waters. The waters rose in the days of the flood that destroyed all but Noah's family. Now the same Lord is coming in judgment, with power mightier than the waves of the sea (Psalm 93:4; Isa. 17:13; Ezek. 43:2). 

his face shining like the sun in full strength. The sun does destroy  those unprotected (Psalm 121:6; Isa. 49:10. But the Sun shines with healing upon those who are finally set free (Mal. 4:2).

Recall that John knew Jesus personally. He was one of the inner-circle of three who were with Him on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-2). In this revelation Jesus appears in much the same way, in His majesty, power and glory. This is the message John is to send through these symbols that serve both as a warning and as Good News of comfort to the seven churches—and to all members of the church.

Next time we shall consider the two-edged sword that came from the mouth of this mighty Son of Man and what that means to us who put our faith and hope in Him. 

My Times Are In The LORD's Hands

In my last post I promised to say one more thing about destiny, a word often misunderstood, but important. This will be relatively short, because in my own life many things are changing. I've had another major operation on my heart. This time the LORD blessed me with skillful surgeons who worked together to successfully replace my aortic valve. So, it appears that I may, under the LORD's blessings, continue my journey on the this earth for some time since the procedure was successful.

As a result of that and some other heart issues in our family, we are busy downsizing and changing our lives and are in the midst of some major negotiations. So, I'm feeling a bit stressed. Many times I visited with folks in the hospital who needed to hear God speak to them from His Word as they dealt with sickness and stress. One of the psalms I shared with them in those times was the psalm I quoted earlier.

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! - Psa 31:14-16 ESV

This is a beautifully comforting Word from the LORD and I commend it to you. Note particularly that not only are nations guided by God, but the LORD (read Jesus), my God, is the One in whom I put my trust. Since He has called me to faith in Him and assured me that He has freed me from guilt and sin upon the blessed cross, I can indeed trust Him. Therefore as I face health issues and other stresses I can turn to Him, certain that He pays very close attention to me, even as He cares personally for each and every single one of His sheep. David spoke about this in the most favorite psalm of all, Psalm 23.

Note how this psalm speaks about what is going on: "My times are in your hand." Here I'm reminded of how the LORD spoke to Abraham and Sarah about the upcoming and planned birth of their first—and only—son Isaac.

The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." - Gen 18:10-14 ESV

The time was set and as impossible as it seemed, Sarah became pregnant in her advanced years and gave birth to a son. So I am reminded again of how the LORD guides the events of His children and answers prayers. This is the destiny of us who have been adopted into His family and made heirs of a life that will never end. "My times are in your hand, O LORD." And no enemies, be they human, demonic or inward, personal doubts, will ever snatch me out of Your hand, dear LORD.

Yes, we have a destiny, you, my fellow believer and I. We are in His hands for all eternity, from one age to another, forever and ever. May this be of comfort to you this day and in all the days to come.

Encouraging Words

When my children were first learning to ride a bicycle, I recall running alongside them, speaking encouraging words, ready to catch them should they lose their balance. Eventually they would learn to ride on their own, at first somewhat wobbly, but then with growing confidence. Soon they were racing along with triumph and glee, waving and shouting at me. They were bicycle riders on their own.

This is an image of what it is like to be an encourager and to give encouraging words. It is, in fact, an apt image based upon the New Testament Greek word for the same. In Greek the word for encourage is one of the many 'para' words. My English dictionary tells me that 'para' attached to some other word means beside, near or alongside. In the case of the Greek, para is attached to their verb to call. In fact, our word 'call' is the very same as their 'kalleoo', we using a 'c' rather than a 'k'. So together the complex word means to call alongside.

With that bit of not entirely incomprehensible nonsense, I'm urging you to conclude with me that to encourage another is to get alongside him and call at-a-boys and you-can-do-it words, along with the promise that you will be with him as long as he needs you or until he can make it on his own.

The Bible adds one more dimension, however. It adds words of faith. So if I am to be a complete encourager I will not only promise to be with you, I will also remind you that our Lord and Master has promised never to stay alongside as well. I will bring to mind words Jesus spoke to His fearful disciples after He had revealed to them the fact of His imminent death. Listen, learn and be encouraged yourself.

". . . you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

". . . in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:16-33).

And finally, just before his ascension, he said, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

Do All Suicides Go To Hell?

A dear long-time friend called yesterday to ask about her sister. She is grieving still and cannot get past it. Her son committed suicide a couple years ago. The young man was in his twenties, suffered from bipolar disorder and had struggled with life for many years.

Her question: Did he go to hell because he took his own life? That's the question his mother is plagued with. What happened to her son? What a frightening question in this season of joy. What a frightening question at any time of the year.

My friend is a professional counselor, so I could speak with her about this issue in a way  that I might not with another. I emphasized the critical importance of listening to her sister and of helping her to explore the depths of her pain and sorrow. Then I encouraged her to walk with her through that suffering again and again and as often as she needs to until the time comes when she can accept her son's death and find comfort in the Word of our Savior.

What Word might that be? How can we speak comfortably to Jerusalem as the ancient prophet was told to do (Isaiah 40:2) and as we hear in Handel's Messiah?

I suggested to my friend that she meditate upon the apostle Paul's struggle outlined in Romans 7:7-25. What are some of the things he says and how will that help Lois to comfort her sister?

He writes, "I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members" (vv.21-23).

In other words, it is an established principle that evil wars against also the believer in his mind, in his inner being. This is the sin we have inherited from the fall of Adam. It is in us all. It will never be completely conquered and eliminated as long as we live. We are plagued by temptations, doubts, anxieties, guilt, fear and unmet desires. It is always there in our thinking, in our feelings, in our dreams and hopes. It is there despite our faith in the mercy and forgiveness Jesus bought at the price of His own precious blood.


Now complicate that with bipolar disorder. A person suffering from this chemical imbalance moves from depression to mania and back again. He moves from being weighed down by guilt, fear, confusion, doubts and hundreds of other deeply disturbing thoughts to suddenly being pulled up and out in to the manic state. In that state he feels as if nothing can go wrong. He can conquer the world. He is excited and often so filled with energy that he cannot sleep. He loses balance and often is unable to think rationally. So he goes up and down, down and up again and again.


As I said, add that disorder to the "law of sin that dwells in our members" and you have a most frightening situation. It is not unusual and unknown for a person with this disorder to give in to despair while in the depressive state.


So what does the Apostle say to us who know of friends or who have family members suffering from this disorder? He writes, 


"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (vv.24-25)


Paul knows what sin has done—and continues to do in his life. He is wretched, poor, pitiable, blind and naked (Revelation 3:17). All he can do as sin attacks again and again is to go to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and cry for mercy, forgiveness and help. And Jesus responds to the poor, helpless, hapless sinner with comfort even for murderers like Paul and the thief on the cross. He says, "You will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-44).


All of us poor sinners, regardless of what disorder we suffer from, need to hear again and again that blessed and joyful Word. So we join with the millions who have been comforted by the Christmas music of the Messiah: 

For unto us a child is born,
To us a son is giv’n;
The government shall rest on him,
Th’ anointed one from heav’n.
His name is Wonderful Counselor,
The Mighty God is he,
The Everlasting Father,
The humble Prince of Peace.

The increase of his government
And peace shall never end;
He’ll reign on David’s ancient throne
As ruler of all men.
Upheld with justice and righteousness,
Forever his kingdom will last;
The zeal of the Lord God Most High
Will bring these things to pass.

Lord Jesus, come now and reign in me,
Be Lord of my life this hour.
Come be my Counselor and my God,
My source of wisdom and power.
Watch o’er me with your Father care,
My heart and my mind, fill with peace.
I worship you, my Lord and King,
My praise will never cease.