Monthly Archives: January 2009

So What About How I Read the Bible- Part 1

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It is good for me to often revisit the question of “so what?”

If I settle on a hermeneutic that is literary-canonical instead of grammatical-historical, why does it really matter? Authorial intent instead of sensus plenior, who cares? Bla, bla, bla…

What difference does it make to the congregation that one day I hope to shepherd?

The Apostle Peter says there is significance. 1 Peter 1:10-12 is about hermeneutics. He tells us something amazing about the prophets, and then he tells us “therefore…”

Peter writes that the prophets knew that they were writing for us about the “sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.” He tells us that they were writing for us about the gospel message we have heard. And then he says, “Therefore… set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13). The OT authors intended what they wrote about Christ to be for you, so then (Aorist Active Imperative 2nd plural) “you set your hope fully” on Christ. You believe completely, unwaveringly. You exert a relentless faith in Jesus Christ and the grace that is yours in Him.

This is the pastoral application and its beautiful significance. This is the “so what?” described by the apostle…  How we view the Hebrew Bible is not arbitrary. The authorial understanding of 1:10-12 enkindles our faith in Jesus Christ and all that He is for us.

Conclusion: Job, 16

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And Job died, an old man, and full of days (42:17).

And he died well. He had learned wisdom. He knew God.

The narrative intends the same for us. May we see Job and learn from his story. May we gain wisdom, that is, may we say amen to God. May the holiness of His person disintegrate our trust in everything other than Jesus Christ… and may the reality of the gospel supply us with galaxies of joy unknown to this world.

Canonical Context Says More Than Wisdom: Job, 15

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The LORD rebukes the friends, Job intercedes on their behalf. The restoration of property and children at the narrative’s end seem arbitrary after 42:1-6. That is the point, right? Yes! Wisdom, the fear of the LORD, humble submission to His sovereign goodness.

But that concluding information about the LORD restoring the “fortunes of Job” reminds us of something wonderful. It sends us back to the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 30:1-3. There to “return to the LORD” means that He will “restore your fortunes and have compassion on you.” It was His promise to be fulfilled upon His people’s repentance. A narrative about wisdom that follows the Psalter’s praise of the LORD’s covenant faithfulness concludes with an illustration of just that.

Yes, Job learns wisdom. Yes, the righteous and good sovereign God is displayed. And moreover, this God is the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob… this is the God of “steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”

The stuff is peripheral. The point is the sovereign LORD in context. Oh, look at Who He is!

 

 

When Accusations Vanish: Job, 14

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Job 42:1-6 is the example of true wisdom.

The LORD can do all things and no purpose that he has for whatever He does can be hindered. He is incomprehensibly great in knowledge, too wonderful for me.

This revelation of God is so great that Job despises himself and repents. He submits to God, the only Sovereign before Whom he has no rights. His bickering and complaining, his accusations and unbelief, they all are to be loathed now… for Job has seen God. With his hand over his mouth he bows before the sovereign LORD. There is no platform to argue or hatred to condemn. Job has learned to trust.

Standing Before the Owner of It All

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Just as in 38:3, the LORD answers Job. The concern is sovereign righteousness, 40:8 –

Will you even put me in the wrong?

Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? 

Father, You tell us again of Your work in creation. Behold Behemoth and Leviathan and the wonder of their frame, beyond our ability to tame or outmatch. You made the great creatures of the earth, You made house flies, You made us.

The climax of Your words to Job come in 41:10-11. The reference to the creatures described is an expression of the Your divine power and sovereign will. So much that You ask Job, and Father, You ask us…

Who then is he who can stand before me? Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine” (41:10-11).

Turning on This Thing

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Being more stupid than sin could be a way of overcoming it.

I care very much about what others think about me so that I question and become anxious about everything I say. What will they think? The best thing for me to do then would be to be silent, to say nothing. But I am too stupid to do that, or I lack the self-control. Either way, I am forced to deal with my sin because I am too dumb to tip toe around it. Hopefully one day I will overcome this sin and shut up more.