In Job 12 we have a continuation of his response to Zophar. This chapter tells us Job accepts that all that has happened to him is from the Almighty (Shaddai - a Hebrew word which expresses two different aspects of God's character - it means "the destroyers" and also, "the nourishers"). In chapter 42verses11 we are told that Job's suffering was from God. Job starts chapter 12 with supreme sarcasm, "No doubt you (my 3 friends) are the people, and wisdom will die with you" ESV verse 1; i.e. you're...
In Job 12 we have a continuation of his response to Zophar. This chapter tells us Job accepts that all that has happened to him is from the Almighty (Shaddai - a Hebrew word which expresses two different aspects of God's character - it means "the destroyers" and also, "the nourishers"). In chapter 42verses11 we are told that Job's suffering was from God. Job starts chapter 12 with supreme sarcasm, "No doubt you (my 3 friends) are the people, and wisdom will die with you" ESV verse 1; i.e. you're know-alls so why should I, Job, bother talking to you. Can't you see the wicked also prospering, he contends. In verse 10 we have another Hebrew parallelism i.e. the first expression meaningfully correlates to the second - the life of the beasts equates to the breath of humanity (Ecclesiastes 3verses19).
Nahum was an Elkoshite from the southern kingdom of Judah. His name means "comfort" (a similar idea to the "parakletos" - Comforter of the New Testament). Jesus made Capernaum (city of comfort, or consolation) his base of operations in Galilee. The comfort of the prophecy of Nahum was that Judah's oppressor would be dealt with by the Almighty. The book was written between 624 AD and
612 AD when Nineveh was overthrown by Babylon. As Egyptian power declined from the middle of the 7th century BC Assyria rose to prominence. Firstly, Nineveh and then Babylon assumed the dominant position in the threatening Assyrian development. Then in 612 BC Babylon conquered Nineveh and she no longer had a rival. Judah rejoiced for although the Babylonians, who God would bring against them in His chastisement, were exceedingly cruel they were more humane than their Ninevite brothers. Chapter 1 of Nahum deals with the Almighty's wrath against Nineveh. Verse 2 describes God's jealousy - Nineveh had been the nation who had brought the LORD's punishment upon God's guilty people. But the Assyrians had delighted in the cruelty meted out on Israel. Israel's Sovereign demonstrated His power
over nature. When Yahweh is aroused to judge who can withstand His might. But after chastisement has been given our Potentate will compassionately pardon His people and destroy their oppressors. Chapter 2 details the destruction of Nineveh. All of Nineveh's powerful defenders and defences would be useless against the coming Babylonian onslaught. The panic within Nineveh is graphically portrayed. Colourful and emotional language describes the chaos experienced by the Ninevites. The den of the former ravening lion has itself become plundered.
James 5 concludes this letter from the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 1-6 contain a warning to the rich. We remember that in chapter 2 the poor were showing favour to their rich oppressors but, as chapter 5 tells us, the time of reckoning had arrived. The soldiers of Rome, who had encircled Jerusalem in 70 AD, had heard that the rich had swallowed their gems in an attempt to escape with some of their wealth. So, when the fleeing rich (identified by their fatter flesh) fled they were opened up to see what wealth they had swallowed. Accumulated wealth in any form other than faithful and charitable works of love is useless, worthless and may in fact witness against us having been faithful servants of Christ.
Verse 4 is a reference to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 19verses13; see also Jeremiah 22verses13; Malachi 3verses5). The field day labourers were having their wages held back overnight by the wealthy landowners, which God detested. The powerful would find opposition from Yahweh Tz'vaoth - He whose omnipotent power is with the host of heaven. The time to account for their self-indulgent apathy had come. They, verse 6, had condemned and murdered the righteous Lord Jesus Christ, who as he taught them had not resisted.
James also according to history was clubbed to death by the Jews, who called him "James the just". Verses 7-12 speak of patience in suffering. Verse 7 is certainly the key to daily living. The farmer must patiently await for God to give him a crop. Grumble not and judge not, for our Judge is at the door (Acts 17verses31). The prophets and especially Job suffered long under trial. Let this console all believers in patiently enduring suffering whilst praying earnestly for the kingdom for which we long. We must always be true to our word - an oath adds no validity (Matthew 6verses36-37). Verses 13-19 deal with the prayer of faith. These verses contain five prayers. How significant it is that that this letter stresses the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. "Prayer", said brother Harry Tennant, "is not the spare wheel in the boot of the car - for use when an emergency arises - it is the steering wheel that directs our life". There were in the first century believers who had been afflicted with sickness as a consequence of their wayward behaviour.
Repentance and prayer were the key to their recovery. If we have a friend who is a close confidant who can keep the matter undisclosed, they may be able to help us through a trauma (see Galatians 6verses1-3). Consider the example of persistence in prayer until resolving the pressing problem that was demonstrated in Elijah's life (1 Kings 18verses41-46). God has given each one of us the responsibility to help one another to the kingdom.
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