The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the people of Simeon, according to their clans, and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the people of Judah. 2 And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, 3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, 6 Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities with their villages; 7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities with their villages, 8 together with all the villages around these cities as far as Baalath-beer, Ramah of the Negeb. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Simeon according to their clans.9 The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.
The Inheritance for Zebulun10 The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun, according to their clans. And the territory of their inheritance reached as far as Sarid. 11 Then their boundary goes up westward and on to Mareal and touches Dabbesheth, then the brook that is east of Jokneam. 12 From Sarid it goes in the other direction eastward toward the sunrise to the boundary of Chisloth-tabor. From there it goes to Daberath, then up to Japhia.13 From there it passes along on the east toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin, and going on to Rimmon it bends toward Neah, 14 then on the north the boundary turns about to Hannathon, and it ends at the Valley of Iphtahel; 15 and Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem—twelve cities with their villages.16 This is the inheritance of the people of Zebulun, according to their clans—these cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Issachar17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, for the people of Issachar, according to their clans. 18 Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, 19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, 21 Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, Beth-pazzez. 22 The boundary also touches Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and its boundary ends at the Jordan—sixteen cities with their villages. 23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Issachar, according to their clans—the cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Asher24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans. 25 Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, 26 Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west it touches Carmel and Shihor-libnath, 27 then it turns eastward, it goes to Beth-dagon, and touches Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtahel northward to Beth-emek and Neiel. Then it continues in the north to Cabul, 28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, as far as Sidon the Great. 29 Then the boundary turns to Ramah, reaching to the fortified city of Tyre. Then the boundary turns to Hosah, and it ends at the sea; Mahalab, Achzib, 30 Ummah, Aphek and Rehob—twenty-two cities with their villages. 31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans—these cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Naphtali32 The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans. 33 And their boundary ran from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, and Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and it ended at the Jordan. 34 Then the boundary turns westward to Aznoth-tabor and goes from there to Hukkok, touching Zebulun at the south and Asher on the west and Judah on the east at the Jordan.35 The fortified cities are Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, 36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, 37 Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor, 38 Yiron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh—nineteen cities with their villages. 39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Naphtali according to their clans—the cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Dan40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans. 41 And the territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, 43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, 45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, 46 and Me-jarkon and Rakkon with the territory over against Joppa. 47 When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans—these cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Joshua49 When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 50 By command of the Lord they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it.
51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.

Meditation
The Lord will deliver on all He has promised! Grace extends an invitation to trust the Lord, remaining “before” Him to experience the blessings of His covenant faithfulness.
 
Israel’s inheritance is allotted to the final tribes in typical pattern, south to north (1-48) with very little explanation. The tribe of Dan goes a bit rogue, a problem the book of Judges will flesh out, but the chapter is mostly simple historical record until Joshua receives his inheritance from before the entrance of the tent of meeting. God’s presence has not left His people.
 
The entrance to the tent of meeting is a precise description. Moses was in this same place when he received instruction for the construction of the tabernacle, the designated destination for God to meet and speak with His people (Exodus 29:42). Joshua, too, was dependent on Divine direction and revelation for possession and participation in the fulfillment of God’s promises. And so are we!
 
Joshua received his inheritance last, a strong reminder of the priority of Biblical leadership where the greatest leaders are servants of all. But more important is Joshua’s dependent posture, trusting the Lord by remaining before the Lord. Direction to experience God’s covenant blessings is derived through dependency on God’s revelation.
 
Jesus is a greater Joshua, totally faithful to God’s revelation so that all who trust in Him can have full participation in God’s covenant blessings. Through the work of Jesus, God delivers on all He promises! And grace welcomes you to come “before” the Lord to experience the blessings of His covenant faithfulness.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Why is the precise location of Joshua important for interpretation of the leadership of Joshua, the man who had just finished allocating the promised land for God’s people?
 
-Where do you find yourself seeking to be dependent outside of relationship with God and revelation from God?
 
-Jesus is God’s ultimate presence and revelation, God with us and God’s Word made flesh. How can you be more dependent on relationship with Jesus, and revelation from Jesus, to experience the fullness of God’s faithfulness through the fulfillment of His covenant promises?
 
Key Verse
51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.

Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. 2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. 3 And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4 And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; 6 you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
Curses from Mount Ebal9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 You shall therefore obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.”
11 That day Moses charged the people, saying, 12 “When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
16 “‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
17 “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
18 “‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
19 “‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
20 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
21 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
22 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
23 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
24 “‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
25 “‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
26 “‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

​Meditation
Symbols of God’s faithfulness reinforce God’s finished work, giving access to God’s promises, while pointing believers to a future celebrating God’s presence and power.
 
God’s people belong to Him (9), described as a people to display His praise above all other nations (26:19), set above all other nations on earth (28:1). Grace interprets the implications of this identity with explanation of celebration.
 
Israel’s covenant renewal ceremony took place “after crossing the Jordan” (2, 4) after fully entering into God’s promised land. The direction mediated by Moses was later enacted by Joshua (Joshua 4:3, 5, 8, 20), before being carried out in Joshua 24. God’s covenant faithfulness is the current carrying God’s story of redemption forward.
 
Twice repeated is the command for Israel to set up stones of remembrance when they enter into God’s promises (2-3, 6), symbols and signs to reorient and refocus the faith of God’s people. The stones were symbols reminding people of God’s faithfulness to this point, fueling formation to live in faithful worship of the Lord. The stones were signs pointing forward, a future of relationship with God inviting the people of God to celebrate His promises, presence, and power.
 
The symbol of Christ’s cross is complimented by the sign of the stone rolled away from Jesus’ empty grave. Christians are fueled for participation in God’s promises by the symbol of Christ’s finished work on the cross- Come enter into God’s promises! You will be empowered by the sign of the rolled away stone, promise of resurrection life and hope for new creation.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the stones set up by Joshua (4:3, 5, 8, 20) as symbol and signs?
 
-Do you embrace the symbol of the cross as an invitation for full participation in God’s covenant promises? Why or why not? And the stone rolled away from the empty grave- does it point you to eternal hope?
 
-The work of Jesus is finished. You are invited to participate in God’s covenant promises. Where do you need to refocus your faith to be formed by God’s finished work? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster.

​Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.
5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”
7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
 
Meditation
Those of the world who reject God will one day hide from the lamb.

God’s wrath against sin is real. The death of Jesus is a doorway of hope for all who believe, trusting His substitutionary death was a sufficient propitiation, a sacrifice satisfying God’s just wrath against sin. For all who do not believe the justice of God will come.

The first four seals come with four horsemen given authority to inflict suffering (1-8). The historical events their mission represent could be Nero’s persecution (64 AD), the destructive earthquakes @ 60 AD, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79, and the grain famine of 92 AD. Or they could represent our world today. Jesus gives permission for the horsemen to be sent out. Jesus is king and rules over everything, including the suffering and struggles of a fallen world.

The fifth seal reveals God’s sovereignty over Christian persecution. The question “how long!?” is answered with, “a little longer… until the number is complete” (9-11). The saints are secure in their suffering, but not so those who do not believe.

The world’s rulers run when the wrath of the Lamb is revealed (15-17). They hide for their life! In this life, you have the opportunity to turn to Christ for eternal life. Trust in the Lamb and the grace He has offered you through the cross.


Richly Dwelling
-This passage has some very unfamiliar imagery and intimidating messages. What stands out to you? Why?

-Would you hide from a lamb? Are you surprised to see the authority of the Lamb will one day intimidate the authorities of today?

-Do you have faith in the sacrifice of Jesus to satisfy God’s just wrath against sin? If so, who do you need to share with because they do not believe? IF YOU DO NOT TRUST JESUS’ SACRIFICE TO PAY THE PENALTY OF YOUR SIN, please reach out to us so we can pray with you.

Key Verses
15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

​Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
One Body with Many Members
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.19 If all were a single member, where would the body be?20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.

​Meditation
Bill Bryson says that in some cases a human body part can survive four days before reattachment (The Body: A Guide for Occupant)! Yet no body part can perpetually endure without being attached to the body. A healthy body must remain unified.
 
Paul’s priority is unity when teaching on spiritual gifts. Some Christians try to advocate for continuation of tongues or cessation of miracles. The gospel grabs our gaze to seek unity, “that there may be no division in the body” (25).
 
The same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God empowers every gift (1-6) for the common good (7). The same Spirit giving a variety of gifts (8-10) also empowers each gift (11). The body is one (12) and the Spirit is one in the body of Christ (13). There are many parts but only one body (14-20). God gives gifts to increase unity, not divide the body from itself.
 
The unity of Christ’s body is exemplified when we all suffer together and rejoice together, caring for one another as Christ cares for us (21-26). Christians in Corinth were sinfully desiring more public gifts, taking pride in gifts they had been given at the expense of marginalizing others who seemed weaker or unnecessary.  In Christ’s Body, every member matters and every gift is gain for the whole.
 
Grace invites severed body parts to reconnect. For the sake of our health and the glory of our Head, we must turn from our pride and spiritual gift self-righteousness to unity through the person and work of Jesus.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from Paul’s focus on unity in today’s reading?
 
-Where do you identify with the Corinthians, allowing there to be division from different gifts depending on how public or celebrated the gifts might be? In your church? In the Church in your city?
 
-Where do you need to repent, realizing you have allowed division in Christ’s Body? How can you show a changed heart by suffering or rejoicing with other members of the Body of Christ?
 
Key Verse
25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    observe carefully what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,
    for they are deceptive food.

4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;
    be discerning enough to desist.

5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
    for suddenly it sprouts wings,
    flying like an eagle toward heaven.

6 Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;
    do not desire his delicacies,
7 for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.
 
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.

8 You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,
    and waste your pleasant words.

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
    for he will despise the good sense of your words.

10 Do not move an ancient landmark
    or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Redeemer is strong;
    he will plead their cause against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

14 If you strike him with the rod,
    you will save his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    my heart too will be glad.

16 My inmost being will exult
    when your lips speak what is right.

17 Let not your heart envy sinners,
    but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

18 Surely there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.
 
19 Hear, my son, and be wise,
    and direct your heart in the way.

20 Be not among drunkards
    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
    and slumber will clothe them with rags.
 
22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

25 Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.
 
26 My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.

27 For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    an adulteress[g] is a narrow well.

28 She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.
 
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
    Who has redness of eyes?

30 Those who tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try mixed wine.

31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.

32 In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter perverse things.

34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.

35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.

When shall I awake?
    I must have another drink.”
 
 
Meditation
Wisdom walks with redeemed appetites, satisfied souls hungering for God and His glory. Enemies of the cross live as if their appetite, or stomachs, are their god. In contrast, believers are citizens of heaven who hope in Jesus to satisfy and who hunger for the glory of God (Philippians 3:18-20).
 
Wisdom calls you to examine and redirect your appetites in regards to:
 
Delicacies of the wealthy (1-3): Hungering for these will only deceive your heart.
Wealth in general (4-5): Discerning when enough is enough is wisdom to live by.
Food of the stingy person (6-8): Their heart is not with you as they are manipulating you.
More land and power (10-11): Moving ancient landmarks only to make your mark is foolish.
Sexual sin (26-28): Playing outside God’s design is only destructive.
Alcohol and drinking (29-35): Not knowing when to say when is more than a sin, it will sting like venom of a serpent to kill you and what you hold dear.
 
Today’s reading begins and ends with wise warnings to re-order appetites, but it also includes direction for what to hunger for:
 
Hunger for heart instruction and knowledge (12-15): You will be glad and gain life!
Hunger for wisdom and listen to the ways of wisdom (16-26): Your inmost being will exult!
 
Lustful appetites seeking to dominate food, wealth, power, sex, or alcohol will end up dominating and destroying us. Jesus redeems our hearts and redirects our hungers, satisfying our souls so we can feast on His sovereign grace and hunger for His glory.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Which aspects of our appetites that wisdom highlights stand out to you the most, and why?
 
-Do you control your appetite or does your appetite control you? What does this reveal about the satisfaction level of your heart?
 
-Jesus is the only one who can satisfy the desires of our hearts. How can you redirect your hungers for Him and His glory? Be specific.
 
Key Verses
2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.

Then Job answered and said:
2 “Truly I know that it is so:
    But how can a man be in the right before God?

3 If one wished to contend with him,
    one could not answer him once in a thousand times.

4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength
    —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?--
5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not,
    when he overturns them in his anger,
6 who shakes the earth out of its place,
    and its pillars tremble;
7 who commands the sun, and it does not rise;
    who seals up the stars;
8 who alone stretched out the heavens
    and trampled the waves of the sea;
9 who made the Bear and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
10 who does great things beyond searching out,
    and marvelous things beyond number.

11 Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not;
    he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
12 Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back?
    Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
13 “God will not turn back his anger;
    beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab.

14 How then can I answer him,
    choosing my words with him?
15 Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him;
    I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.
 
16 If I summoned him and he answered me,
    I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.

17 For he crushes me with a tempest
    and multiplies my wounds without cause;
18 he will not let me get my breath,
    but fills me with bitterness.

19 If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty!
    If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
20 Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;
    though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.

21 I am blameless; I regard not myself;
    I loathe my life.
22 It is all one; therefore I say,
    ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23 When disaster brings sudden death,
    he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked;
    he covers the faces of its judges--
    if it is not he, who then is it?
 
25 “My days are swifter than a runner;
    they flee away; they see no good.
26 They go by like skiffs of reed,
    like an eagle swooping on the prey.
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,
    I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’
28 I become afraid of all my suffering,
    for I know you will not hold me innocent.

29 I shall be condemned;
    why then do I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow
    and cleanse my hands with lye,
31 yet you will plunge me into a pit,
    and my own clothes will abhor me.

32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him,
    that we should come to trial together.
33 There is no arbiter between us,
    who might lay his hand on us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me,
    and let not dread of him terrify me.

35 Then I would speak without fear of him,
    for I am not so in myself.
 
Meditation
Grace invites us into a space to journey with Job, experiencing God’s patience as we learn to trust God and His unchanging character. God is both good AND sovereign- all the time.
 
The deepest desire of Job’s heart is to be “right with God” through a mediator (1-4, 33-35), not in sinless perfection but in the ability to stand before God- ultimately this can only happen through the gift of grace coming through the only mediator between God and man- Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). The deepest desires of our hearts reveal who (or what) we worship.
 
To be right with God does not mean we fully understand God. Job is like us, often misunderstanding God’s character because he interprets God through his experiences.  The reader knows God is consistent in His character, allowing Satan to work (and trusting God will work good from what the enemy intends for evil). Through the grid of his situation, Job considers God unjust, executing evil against an innocent man like himself. This would mean God is not good and is a misunderstanding of the character of God. Job is right with God but wrong about God.
 
God is good, all the time. God is sovereign, working all things according to His will (Ephesians 1:11), the good of His people (Romans 8:28-29), and the glory of His name (Habakkuk 2:14). With Job, we often interpret God through our experiences and doubt God’s goodness, love, justice, and sovereignty.  Grace invites us to journey with Job, to experience God’s patience as we learn to trust Him and His unchanging character.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you identify with Job, misunderstanding God because you interpret God more through your experiences than His revelation of Himself?
 
-God is good all the time AND sovereign over everything. Does this feed peace or fuel frustration? What does this reveal about your heart?
 
-Where do you, specifically, need to journey with Job? What steps do you need to take to close the gap between your experience and interpretation of God and His unchanging character?
 
Key Verses
2 “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God?