Our Old Testament reading: Job 27-29
Job 27 continues Job’s final defense against the attacks of his three companions. This defense is the longest, uninterrupted text thus far in the book, beginning in chapter 26 and concluded at the end of chapter 31. Some passages of note: “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he may gain much, if God takes away his life?” (27:8), and, “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding” (28:28). It sounds like Solomon must have read this great book before he wrote Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” and Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” A man as schooled and wise as Solomon was certainly conversant with the writings of Job. Also, Job declares his innocence by refuting the specific charges of sin against him (29:12-17). This is a great lesson for us, that we should also so live as to be able to refute and rebuke those who charge us with error. This is the essence of Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 3:15-16 – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that whey they defame you as evil doers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”
New Testament reading: Mark 7-8
Mark 7 contains an interesting use of the word commonly translated “baptize.” In Mark 7:4, Jesus speaks of the Pharisees not eating after coming from the marketplace until they wash. This “wash” is from the Greek baptizo, meaning to immerse, submerge, make fully wet. Thus, the Pharisees would take a bath to make themselves completely clean. Later in this same verse, Jesus uses the same word to describe the Pharisees’ washing of cups. Again the word here translated “wash” speaks of immersing for the purpose of cleansing. This is important to a proper understanding of what is entailed in baptism. The demands of the word cannot be met in the form of sprinkling or pouring. Moreover, the action of baptism takes place on the object of the act (the penitent believer), and not on the medium used (the water).
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