Bible Commentary

The Book of Revelation is strange to many, but when it is studied in its historical context, its language becomes understandable.

Two themes are prominent in this lesson from Jonah. One is the necessity of renewing one’s commitment to God’s will for life. The other is the need to take advantage of opportunities to share the gospel message with others in accord with God’s intention for the world.

As an adult, I understand there are individuals whose identity is defined by their suffering. But I have also learned that suffering, whether physical or emotional, can nourish depression, affect our health, and cause us to withdraw from friends and abandon spiritual hope.

In his final act of public leadership as recorded in Scripture, Joshua challenged the nation to choose decisively whether they would follow the God of Israel or other gods.

Job is one of five books classified as “wisdom literature,” including Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. Rather than a collection of beautiful songs or wise sayings, Job is a tale of suffering, discovery and faith that overcomes all odds.

Conflict is prominent in the picture of some human relationships in the Bible. It may be conflict in families, conflict brought about by theological differences, conflict between political groups, or conflict in struggles for prominence among individuals.

A church member asked, “Why do you preachers preach on those terrible Bible stories about suffering and death? We get enough of that stuff every day in the news.”

The simple answer is that we live in a flawed world where hope can be smothered by the darkness unless we can learn to see God present and loving through everything. Job is not a Hallmark movie.

The assigned lesson Scripture ends with Joshua 8:1. However, to move beyond failure requires continuing further into Scripture to observe how Joshua dealt with the initial defeat and his further attack on the site of his defeat.

When I first discovered Job, two words expressed my thinking — enigma and discomfort.