July 8, 2006 - Job 36-37 and Acts 15:22-41
Since I already explained about the differences between the right kind of judging and the wrong kind of judging, I will not repeat all of that. However, in chapter 36 we have a very good example of the wrong type of judging. Elihu is way off base, when he asserts that he is "perfect in knowledge." No one except God is perfect in knowledge. Then, he tells us that Job is filled with the judgment due the wicked. He is criticizing Job, and he is assuming that Job has sinned. He should have left that to the Lord. He did not have any evidence that Job had sinned. Therefore, Elihu was sinning in what he said to Job. We must all be careful about that. Sometimes, when we accuse someone else of a sin, we are guilty of the same thing. In that case we are condemning ourselves.
In chapter 37 Elihu does give a good account of the power of God, though. He is right when he affirms that we can't tell God anything. (v.20) He uses the cycle of rain and snow to show the power of God. It is just one simple aspect of His power and wisdom, but no human could come close to figuring out how to cause it to rain over all of the earth. The lightning and thunder show us the majesty of God, and we are amazed at His power. We should bow at His feet and worship Him as the great Lord of the universe.
Acts 15 shows us some specific groups in the early church. Even though the church was not very old, there is the mention of the apostles, the elders, and the church. (v.22, 23) The apostles were the ones picked by Jesus to spread the gospel. They were a specific group. Then, in each church there were elders who were the leaders of the church. They were appointed as God led the apostles. Then, there was the whole church. This shows that God had a leadership structure for the church, and it is still good for today. Then, in verse 32, there is a reference to prophets. These are not like the Old Testament prophets. This refers to preachers. The word means a person who speaks forth God's word. Of course, we have preachers, today, too. I say all of this to say that God has a plan for the church, and we should follow His plan. He knows what is best, since it is His church.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 38-40 and Acts 16:1-21.
In chapter 37 Elihu does give a good account of the power of God, though. He is right when he affirms that we can't tell God anything. (v.20) He uses the cycle of rain and snow to show the power of God. It is just one simple aspect of His power and wisdom, but no human could come close to figuring out how to cause it to rain over all of the earth. The lightning and thunder show us the majesty of God, and we are amazed at His power. We should bow at His feet and worship Him as the great Lord of the universe.
Acts 15 shows us some specific groups in the early church. Even though the church was not very old, there is the mention of the apostles, the elders, and the church. (v.22, 23) The apostles were the ones picked by Jesus to spread the gospel. They were a specific group. Then, in each church there were elders who were the leaders of the church. They were appointed as God led the apostles. Then, there was the whole church. This shows that God had a leadership structure for the church, and it is still good for today. Then, in verse 32, there is a reference to prophets. These are not like the Old Testament prophets. This refers to preachers. The word means a person who speaks forth God's word. Of course, we have preachers, today, too. I say all of this to say that God has a plan for the church, and we should follow His plan. He knows what is best, since it is His church.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 38-40 and Acts 16:1-21.