Job 24-27; Revelation 17
Job 24-27
Continuing his reflections on the complexity of life, Job highlights numerous examples of injustice in the world. This is his response to his friends’ accusations. The prevalence of such evident injustices prompts Job to ask:
“If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?” (Job 24:25).
Bildad replies with accusatory words, stating:
“Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven” (Job 25:2).
As with many other statements from Job’s friends, this is an accurate observation but is misapplied and fails to address Job’s situation.
Job criticizes Bildad’s lack of helpfulness, saying he has not supported the weak:
“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble!” (Job 26:1-2).
He then shifts his focus to describing God’s greatness and humanity’s limited understanding of Him:
“And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” (Job 26:14).
Interestingly, in this ancient book, Job acknowledges a profound truth about creation:
“He suspends the earth over nothing” (Job 26:7).
Reaffirming his innocence, Job declares:
“My lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity” (Job 27:4-5).
Job acknowledges that his suffering is under the sovereignty of the Almighty but does not find an explanation for it.
Revelation 17
This chapter describes the judgment on Babylon, representing the pinnacle of human civilization in rebellion against God. Babylon is called the “great prostitute” because humanity, rather than worshiping God, has devoted itself to false gods. At the height of human achievements, Babylon has corrupted the rest of society, intoxicating it with the “wine of her adulteries.”
The woman sits on a beast, symbolizing her being empowered by the Antichrist. The kings and kingdoms mentioned here represent the most developed parts of humanity. Despite their power, their rebellion is futile:
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14).
The prostitute relies on the “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages,” referring to the population of the earth that has fallen under her influence.
Continuing his reflections on the complexity of life, Job highlights numerous examples of injustice in the world. This is his response to his friends’ accusations. The prevalence of such evident injustices prompts Job to ask:
“If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?” (Job 24:25).
Bildad replies with accusatory words, stating:
“Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven” (Job 25:2).
As with many other statements from Job’s friends, this is an accurate observation but is misapplied and fails to address Job’s situation.
Job criticizes Bildad’s lack of helpfulness, saying he has not supported the weak:
“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble!” (Job 26:1-2).
He then shifts his focus to describing God’s greatness and humanity’s limited understanding of Him:
“And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” (Job 26:14).
Interestingly, in this ancient book, Job acknowledges a profound truth about creation:
“He suspends the earth over nothing” (Job 26:7).
Reaffirming his innocence, Job declares:
“My lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity” (Job 27:4-5).
Job acknowledges that his suffering is under the sovereignty of the Almighty but does not find an explanation for it.
Revelation 17
This chapter describes the judgment on Babylon, representing the pinnacle of human civilization in rebellion against God. Babylon is called the “great prostitute” because humanity, rather than worshiping God, has devoted itself to false gods. At the height of human achievements, Babylon has corrupted the rest of society, intoxicating it with the “wine of her adulteries.”
The woman sits on a beast, symbolizing her being empowered by the Antichrist. The kings and kingdoms mentioned here represent the most developed parts of humanity. Despite their power, their rebellion is futile:
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14).
The prostitute relies on the “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages,” referring to the population of the earth that has fallen under her influence.
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