E-pistle for September 12, 2014
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation September 12, 2014
Holding fast to integrity
(Job 27:1-23)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Job swears, by the living God (who he thinks has treated him unjustly
and made him bitter), that as long as he lives he will continue to live
righteously, vv. 1-6.
2. Job pronounces a curse upon his friends who have become his enemies,
forecasting their doom: "For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though
he may gain much, if God takes away his life?" Compare with Jesus'
words: "For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but
loses his soul?" Mark 8:36.
3. Job then scolds his friends for their spiritual blindness: "Surely all of
you have seen it (the hand of God); why then do you behave with
complete nonsense? Vv. 11-12.
4. Job describes the punishment which God will pour out on a wicked man:
death of his family, poverty, homelessness, terror, and dishonor . . . all
of which, interestingly, seem to describe his own fate and bolster the
argument of his friends, vv. 13-23.
II. Meditation: on Job's oath to maintain his righteousness
1. Job swore that he would not speak any wicked words, v. 4.
2. Job swore that he would never tell a lie, v. 4.
3. Job swore that he would maintain his integrity, v. 5.
4. Job swore that he would never abandon his righteous lifestyle, v. 6.
If he lived this way, Job said, "My heart shall not reproach me as long
as I live," v. 6 . . . my conscience will be clear!
III. Revelation: on some spiritual observations about these noble pledges
1. Living a life which avoids wicked speech and falsehood is good, but it
is not proof of a person's right spiritual relationship with God.
2. Integrity and righteousness are godly characteristics, but they are spiritually
valid only if they are perceived as gifts from God; Job's use of "my" integrity
and "my" righteousness raises some suspicion of pride and arrogance.
3. Resolutions can be very profitable, but in the spiritual realm, man cannot
fulfill his good intentions without the help of Almighty God to strengthen and
sustain him.
4. Having a clear conscience is not a matter of living a perfect and sinless life;
it is knowing that one's sins are blotted out by the blood of Christ, through
the work of the Holy Spirit, Hebrews 9:14; Acts 24:16; Romans 9:1.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Speak only blessings, not curses, upon people and situations.
2. Speak only the truth in love, always avoiding lies and deceitfulness.
3. Maintain integrity (honesty; sincerity), with the help of God.
4. Live righteously; forgiven and strengthened by the Lord.
Great is your faithfulness!
(Lamentations 3:1-66)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Using the first person singular, Jeremiah identifies with Israel, describing
himself as sick and injured; as dead and buried; as a prisoner being
tortured; as a traveler making slow progress, being attacked by wild
animals and shot at with arrows; as an object of ridicule eating and
drinking bitter, contaminated food, vv. 1-24.
2. Jeremiah changes his writing style from poetry to prose and exhorts the
people on what they should do under the harsh discipline of the Lord,
vv. 25-39.
3. Jeremiah then identifies so closely with Israel that he speaks in the first
Person plural: "WE" and "US" rather than "I" or "YOU," vv. 40-41.
4. Jeremiah closes this third poem by returning to the use of the first person
Singular, again "becoming" the suffering nation of Israel, vv. 48-66.
II. Meditation: on some key verses in this chapter
1. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His
compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is Your
faithfulness, 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I
hope in Him!'" vv. 22-24.
2. "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks
Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation
of the Lord," vv. 25-26.
3. "Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord;
let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven," vv. 40-41.
4. "You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, 'Do not fear!'
O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed
my life," vv. 57-58.
III. Revelation and Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Hope in the Lord's mercies, His compassions, His faithfulness, and His
promise to be my "portion" (my inheritance and providential supply),
Psalm 16:5-6; Philippians 4:19.
2. Wait patiently for the salvation (deliverance) of the Lord, Psalm 27:14.
3. Examine my ways; repent of my sins; lift my heart and hands to the Lord;
ask for His mercy and grace, Acts 20:21; I John 1:9.
4. Draw near to the Lord; hear His words of encouragement; receive His
redemption, James 4:8; Galatians 3:13; Revelation 5:9.
"Every passing day is one that is gone forever.
Make sure it is one in which
you have done something for others,
especially those who cannot
do for themselves."
From: "Good Stuff"
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