Old Testament reading: Job 32-34
You don’t get to be old by being a fool. On the other hand, “Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice” (Job 32:9). With this latter phrase we are introduced to Elihu, a new character in this great discourse. Wearied with the baseless accusations of Job’s companions and Job’s own self justification, Elihu can no longer hold his peace. But before he speaks his piece, he assures Job’s companions that he has listened carefully to them all, declaring, “Surely not one of you convinced Job or answered his words.” Elihu begins his rebuke of Job by noting he has surely heard Job’s words with his own hearing, and accurately represents Job’s complaint. What follows in this and the following four chapters is a beautiful declaration of God’s justice and a condemnation of self-righteousness. Elihu’s rhetorical inquiry, “Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the world?” (34:13) exalts God as answering to nothing in heaven and certainly not on earth. Verses 14-15 continue with this exaltation of God’s majestic power and provision. To paraphrase, ‘If God were to inhale and withhold His breath, everything on earth would die and return to dust.’
New Testament reading: Mark 11-12
Don’t let Jesus find you guilty of “false advertising.” This is the message behind the cursed fig tree. The fig tree is an interesting plant insofar as it sets its fruit before putting on foliage. The text is clear that “it was not the season for figs” (11:13). However, the fig tree advertised itself as having figs because it had put on its foliage. Fig trees are well known for setting fruit as the leaves begin to spring forth. Thus, seeing the leaves, Jesus expected to find figs on the tree. Finding none, He cursed the tree, which immediately began to wither from the roots. The lesson for us is clear, being a Christian is more than just showing off our leaves, there has to be fruit too! If Jesus returns and finds us fruitless, we too shall fall under His curse.
(For more information on the fig tree, please see this article, www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1956.)
Leave a Reply