Job in depth Study 18

Dear Readers,

Today we will go over Job 39:13-18

13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

This may seem strange. Peacocks, in my opinion, do indeed have beautiful feathers. Yet from what I understand, they are very insanity creatures. Not taking care of their feathers and getting very dirty. I only know a little about them, due to some loose ones somewhat near where I lived in Cottonwood.


The second part about the ostriches clears is up though. Mostly because ostriches are large flightless birds that mostly use their wings for balance.

14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

From what I understand, so feel free to comment if I am incorrect, but the peacocks are good with their eggs. The ostriches, on the other hand, do indeed leave their eggs in large shallow holes mostly exposed to the elements. Sometimes, even abandoned for large periods of time.

16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

I think that the "fear" word here is nicely placed. So is "vain".

Vanity, as we usually think of it today, is self obsessed, prideful, and mostly being focused on one's own appearance, whether physical or social. But generally in the past, vain has similar relations to fruitless. Like planting a tree, or vine, watering and nourishing it for years, and then it being burned down before you get the fruit, or rewards from your labor. Your efforts to grow the tree in order to get fruit from it was pointless, or vain. So the ostrich's labor, possibly actual labour, as in laying the eggs, would be pointless if the eggs are trampled and crushed.

Now "without fear". How many mothers and fathers worry and care about their children? They are afraid for them. So simply, that makes sense. But also, " fear" in the Old Testament, like the "fear of God" works as being actually afraid of punishment or retribution, but was initially meant as honor. God commanded that we honor our father and mother. So I think of two things. 1: the offspring do not honor the mother, because of the neglect, and that the ostrich has no honor. 2: that the ostrich shows no honor to the children, nor to her great Creator.

17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

Why would God withhold blessings such as these? Maybe because she did not honor the blessing she already received, children, wings, feathers. Maybe because she was meant for other things,

18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.



With this scripture, my mind immediately goes to Prince of Persia. When he is captured by the merchant with the ostrich racing. The one time that the ostrich finds it's place, finds it's talents for running, it becomes prideful, and thus hates the horse and it's rider, because they are better. Like in 2 Timothy 3:3 "despisers of those that are good", so are all those who fall into the trap of pride, and are in wickedness.

So, a few things we can learn from this is, honor, and be thankful for the blessings God gives you. Then He will give you more. Then also shall the talents that you already possess be used for your good, instead of just causing you more despair because you are not like others. God will help you see the truth, that God has made you the way you are, for a reason, and that good things will come.

Until next time...
Love,
Elder Smithson

Job in depth study 17

Dear Readers,

Today we will be talking about Job 39:9-12

9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?









First of all, I would like to make it clear, we are not talking about actual unicorns. They are actually bulls or oxen. But I will admit, having a pet unicorn would be nice. Anyway, God is asking if the ox would serve Job, not just serve but watch over him as baby, or even his children.

10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?


I don't use words like "furrow" very often, but that is the ditch that is made by a plow. So, God is asking if Job could strap or yoke (the large wooden brace upon an ox's shoulders) the ox so that it can work. Or could Job lead the ox in its work.


11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labor to him?


"Wilt" derived from "will" a conscious effort, choice of agency. Putting trust in this beast, because of its physical strength. Letting it labor in Job's stead.


12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?



Again, that funny word "wilt". Believe the ox, like the ox said something. Oh, the ox said it would bring the grain into the house and barn.

I like having a pondering parable mind. I shall liken Christ to the Unicorn. Something/someone that we consider magically powerful, rare and majestic. The first question is, will the Unicorn serve Job. Will Christ look after him, then as Jehovah. Indeed, God, and Christ, looked over him from the moment of his birth.


Then, can Job put labors upon Christ. Can he knowingly do things that would make His burden greater. Or will he be a representative, going before Christ's face and preparing the way.


Then, can Job trust Christ, put his faith in Him, because of the wonders and works He will do, or would it rather be because of what love Christ has for him. Since Job was pleading for death, God could be asking him, if he would be willing to trust completely in God and Christ to finish the work, and bring peace and happiness to him, and those of the posterity of Adam.


Then directly asking: "Wild thou believe him[?]"  God and Christ are telling him that everything is going to be okay. That They are watching over him, and his personal descendents, his seed, his children. Even though they were slain. Indeed, not just them, but all the fruits of his labor, will God and Christ bring into the storehouse, bring them home. Lay them up in store that he may have them again.


Can you trust in Christ? Can you put your faith in Him, that everything is going to be okay? Indeed, He has said that He will take care of us. Love us. Watch over us. Even "suffer the little children to come unto [Him]" May we all love Christ, and put our trust in Him.


Love,
Elder Smithson

Job In Depth Study 16

Dear Readers,

Today we have another parable. Job 39:5-8 talks about an ass, aka a donkey.

5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

This implies that first of all, there was someone involved, and that the donkey was bound.

6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

The donkey's home or dwelling or abode God has made in the wilderness and barren or dry empty land.

7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

The donkey has thoughts, hate and mocking of people in the city, where he is not. Nor does he listen or esteem the counsel, or commands of his overseer.

8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

He feeds in the mountains, were people are not, and he is actively looking, indeed searching for every, not just some, but every green thing. That which is good and nourishing.

I think of this parable in two main ways. First is as something we should do, the second as something we should not do


Firstly, we could answer the first question with Christ. He is the one that has freed us from sin and death. God has made us in the world, but not of the world, or not in the city. We dislike the worldly things, though they are nice and easy, we are living a better life, though it may be harder. Nor do we listen to the enticing of those who would make us slaves to our appetites. We are in the high places, and we look for all that is good. Sounds fairly accurate to me.

Secondly, more of the stubborn ass approach. A more sincere question, why would the donkey be loose. Loosed from what bands? Possibly the bands of commandments, or covenants. Loosed from all obligations. So, who looses these bands? The donkey himself. He is the one who chooses whether or not to be bound by his covenants to God. So he is cast out, good for nothing in the kingdom of God. Left with little food, no shelter, and exposed to the buffetings of the elements. Because of this, he hates the righteous, those who are in the city. Nor does he listen to those who try to help, and lead him back. To help him make something of his life. He tries to gain knowledge and nourishment the hard way, in the mountains. Searching after every good thing, or every thing that brings him pleasure, even though it might lead him away from food for life, in his master's house.

Which ass are you going to be?

Make the decision now.

Love,
Elder Smithson