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Today we notice, not quotes from the Book of Job, but a few things that have been said about the Book of unique Old Testament Book of Job.

For example: “I call the BOOK OF JOB, apart from all theories about it, ONE OF THE GRANDEST THINGS EVER WRITTEN WITH THE PEN.” So said the Scottish writer named Thomas Carlyle.

This one caught my eye as well. “The Illiad is only great because all life is a battle, the Odyssey because all life is a journey, THE BOOK OF JOB BECAUSE ALL LIFE IS A RIDDLE.” Written by G. K. Chesterton, British Philosopher.

And novelist Virginia Woolf quipped: “I read the Book of Job last night. I don’t think God comes out well in it.” (By the way, I strongly disagree with her!)

Now …

Here are some of the pertinent facts about Job, statistically anyway. The Book contains 42 chapters, a total of 1,070 verses. Note this too, the Masterpiece encompasses 18,098 words, in the King James Version. And the time it takes to cover it all? If you’re an average reader, one hour and a half.

Tomorrow I’d like to begin sharing what I have found to be the most unusual, amazing, unique parts of the Book of Job. Surely we shall profit from this study!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ….” 2nd Timothy 3:16, note the word “profitable!”

The Lord willing, until tomorrow …

Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

After listing the bulk of these “hard times,” events that had proved Paul’s faithfulness to Christ, his tenacity to the Gospel … he adds a final word of affirmation.

“The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.” 2nd Corinthians 11:31

The verb “to lie” is “pseudomai” in Greek. It, of course, means “to speak falsely.”

Of all the things Paul has related, from the stoning to the shipwrecks, none have been fabricated. All are events of history.

The very fact that Paul felt impressed, indeed forced, to utter such a statement … (“God knoweth that I lie not”) … proves that he has been accused (likely over and over again) of being untruthful.

And remember, these “trials,” these “hardships,” serve as Paul’s “badges of commitment,” clear “signs of determination” … many “evidences” of his genuine faith in Jesus.

But even here, Paul blends PRAISE to God along with his statement of fact. “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore …”

The word “blessed” is “eulogetos” in Greek. It actually means “well spoken.” Then exalted, commended, honored, (indeed) worshipped!

So, ultimately, in a text that appeared to be all about Paul … the Apostle turns its emphasis and now it is … ALL ABOUT GOD THE FATHER AND HIS DEAR SON, JESUS CHRIST!

This is so very Pauline!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Essentially Paul’s “list” has been completed now, an enumeration of some of his “hardships” serving Christ Jesus our Lord. It has been a rather long paragraph, too!

“Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. ²³ Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. ²⁴ Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. ²⁵ Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. ²⁸ Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” Taken from 2nd Corinthians chapter 11, Paul’s most personal Epistle ever. I’ve reproduced only verses 22-29, for brevity and clarity purposes.

But today, our little hero adds one more thought. Discussing WHY he has felt so compelled to give us this data in the first place.

Paul next writes: “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” 2nd Corinthians 11:30

The verb “must needs” is spelled (in Greek) “dei.” It means “necessary!” It is derived from “deo,” a verb meaning “to bind, fasten, tie up in chains!”

See it?

“No choice,” an absolutely “must-be-done” situation!

An obligation, a debt!

There had come to the Church at Corinth a group of men (calling themselves preachers and teachers of Christ) who had told everybody that … Paul was an “impostor!”

And Paul felt (for the Cause of the Gospel of Grace) he had to defend himself. To “brag” on himself a bit, on his authenticity as a true Minister!

Thus, he must “needs” glory.

And the verb “glory” (in Greek “kauchaomai”) clearly means “to boast!” And it is so translated 8 times in the King James Version of the New Testament.

It can also mean “to rejoice” in something. And is expressed this way 4 times.

So … what is Paul’s basis for so rejoicing, to boasting … about his Ministry?

“If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”

In his “weaknesses,” exactly what “infirmities” means! “Astheneia” in Greek, suggesting a great “lack of strength!”

Paul bragging, not on his education or speaking ability or other talent … but on what he had faced (crisis after crisis) serving Jesus!

All those “things” … without quitting!

Or grumbling!

Or criticizing others!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Once the Lord told Paul that when he (the Apostle himself) was WEAK … God would give him supernatural STRENGTH!

Jesus’ actual words to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in (your) weakness.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9

 

 

Yes, the Title of today’s Lesson is “Paul on fire!”

That thought is based on a line from 2nd Corinthians 11:29. Which is Holy Spirit inspired Scripture, I might add! Still part of Paul’s “Hardships List,” he continues by surprisingly asking: “Who is offended, and I burn not?”

Two verbs in seven words!

“Is offended” translates “skandalizo,” which means “to cause someone to stumble.” It’s our very word “scandal.” The Greek noun “skandalon” is 3 times expressed as “stumbling block” in the New Testament, King James Version. And “offense” 9 times.

Paul obviously tried exceedingly hard to keep his little converts to Christ … protected and encouraged … and “on the path” to spiritual maturity!

He did not want them “tripped up” on the journey, “offended.”

But things like this did happen, careless people putting “stumbling blocks” in front of eager learners, unsuspecting “babes” in Christ.

The false teachers who had infiltrated the Corinthian Church (the addressees of this letter, 2nd Corinthians) were especially adept at … causing these innocents to fall by the wayside.

So did a lot of “arguing” and “dissension” in the Churches!

Or “questionable” behavior!

Here’s Paul, with an example: “It is good neither to eat flesh (originally offered to idols), nor to drink wine (hurting one’s body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit), nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or IS OFFENDED (skandalizo), or is made weak.” Romans 14:21

Paul made this kind of sensitive living a “conviction” in his life.

Never (knowingly) hurting others, brothers and sisters in Christ!

And if someone did carelessly “offend” such a child of God …

Paul “burned,” the second verb in today’s Text.

The word is “puroo,” literally, “to be set on fire!”

Paul got “hot!”

Upset.

In a righteous sense, angry!

He would vigorously defend “offended” children of God!

He would oppose spiritual “bullies!”

“Who is offended, and I burn not?”

But I must now say this. The Apostle is not advocating someone being “thin-skinned,” being “hurt” at every little thing that happens in his or her life.

We must also (eventually) learn to be “tough” in our faith.

But at the same time (“balance,” it’s called) we must be “sensitive” to NOT HURTING others who are legitimately weak in their faith.

Yes, God has (in many Assemblies, many Churches) a godly overseer, a Pastor, in place … who will (among other things) protect and defend the little members of the flock!

Jesus adds to our discussion now. “Whosoever SHALL OFFEND one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” Mark 9:42, Wow!

Let’s treat one another (my fellow Believers) “tenderly, kindly, with love,” not causing anyone to stumble, certainly not deliberately so. Paul once more: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Does it “bother” you … when people are “hurt” and thus their Christian progress is blunted?

Maybe it should!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

As we near the end of our current Series, Paul asks a question or two. Questions that answer themselves, really. Questions that teach.

For example … “Who is weak, and I am not weak?” 2nd Corinthians 11:29

The verb “is weak” translates the Greek word “astheneo.”

It is derived from “sthenoo,” actually meaning “to be strong!” The noun “sthenos” means “bodily vigor.” But the word we’re studying (“astheneo”) has that little “a” in front of it.

And the letter “a” there serves as an “alpha privative,” demanding that the meaning of the root word be “reversed.”

Thus, “not to be strong!”

In the King James Version we love, “weak.”

This weakness can be physical or emotional or spiritual, whatever.

“Who is weak, and I am not weak?”

I think Paul is telling us here that he loves his people (those in the Churches he has helped establish) so much … that if they go through a “hard time” of trial and discouragement (weakness in that sense) … he is also (in sympathy with them) “weak!”

It’s like Paul is asking … “Who is weak, and I do not feel his (or her) weakness?”

One writer thought it could be worded this way … “Who makes a mistake and I do not feel his sadness? Who falls without my longing to help him?”

And yet another, less effectively I believe … “When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones.”

Paul himself wrote: “To the weak became I as weak ….” To these same Corinthians Paul said this, back in 1st Corinthians 9:22.

And this “empathy,” this “bearing the burdens of others,” really took its “toll” on Paul. It is part of the “warfare” he wages for the Cause of Christ.

I am admiring this man of God more and more!

A real Pastor indeed!

This sounds a lot like Jesus being “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” doesn’t it? Hebrews 4:15, praise the Lord!

What examples we have to follow!

What a great “cloud of witnesses!”

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell