Zophar continues to sound like an expert health, wealth and prosperity preacher. Zophar seems to pick up from Job’s words that Job isn’t taking him seriously or listening his perspective (3). He then proceeds to tell Job what is supposedly so obvious that everyone knows it, but Job (4). Verse 5 sums up Zophar’s thesis – “the exulting of the… Read more →
Joe Fleener
Lover of Christ & His Gospel, Husband to Mandy, Father to three wonderful children, & Servant to the Local Church. Joe earned a Master of Divinity degree from Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003, completed his Masters of Theology courses in 2005 and moved to New Zealand with his family in 2006. Joe has served as a Bible College lecturer and “lay preacher” (churches, camps, conferences, etc.) in the US and New Zealand. In addition, Joe has taught courses for Bible Colleges in South Africa, Romania, Ukraine, and Australia. From 2010 to 2014, Joe served as the Associate Pastor at Howick Baptist Church in Auckland. Since August 2014, he has been privileged to serve as Pastor of Rolleston Baptist Church. Joe also serves in the following ministry roles here in New Zealand: Steering Committee, Stand for the Gospel | Coordinator, TIM Training Course | Board Member, Gospel Training Trust | Adjunct Lecturer, Grace Theological College. Finally I serve as a trainer for BibleWorks. Infrequently, Joe blogs on his personal blog where you can learn a lot more about him and his family over the years.
Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 19
If I were planning this series down to the day, I would have planned for this chapter to fall on Easter Sunday. Yet we come to it on Easter Monday – as it is called here in New Zealand. Through the first 22 verses of his reply, Job continues to describe and lament his plight. His “counsellors” have continued to… Read more →
The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God by John Piper
I highly recommend taking the time, even this Easter Sunday to watch and listen to John Piper’s retelling of the Job story. You can download and read the book free here. You can watch the film here. (This is what I am particularly recommending. 45 minutes well spent for your soul!) Here are the words to Piper’s poem which he… Read more →
Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 18
Today is Easter Sunday and a most unusual Easter Sunday at that. it is also day 18 of our national lockdown in New Zealand. As a result this will be the third Sunday when we will meet as a church online rather than in one another’s physical presence. As far as I know this will be the first Easter Sunday… Read more →
Psalm 22:21-31 – Easter Sunday – Quotes from Calvin
Quotes from Calvin: He does not pray in a doubting manner; but he promises himself the assistance which the eye of sense did not as yet perceive. The cause is only put instead of the effect; for our deliverance is the consequence or effect of God’s hearing us. If it is asked how this can be applied to Christ, whom… Read more →
Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 17
Job 17 is a difficult chapter. Here Job concludes this speech. In his conclusion he further critiques his friends and their lack of help. He further loathes his suffering. He then raises some difficult questions near the end, which he does venture to answer here. Firstly, it is helpful to recognise in the Old Testament, the word “Sheol” is not… Read more →
Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 16
Job’s reply in chapter 16, though immediately following Eliphaz’s second speech is more a reply to all of his “friends” than only Eliphaz. We see this in how he refers to them as a group in verse 2. He begins his reply by stating how worthless their words have been thus far. Job could have said as much as they… Read more →
Psalm 22:1-21 – Good Friday – Quotes from Calvin
Quotes from Calvin: From the tenor of the whole composition, it appears that David does not here refer merely to one persecution, but comprehends all the persecutions which he suffered under Saul. It is, however, uncertain whether he composed this psalm when he peaceably enjoyed his kingdom, or in the time of his affliction; but there is no doubt that… Read more →
Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 15
Round two begins. Eliphaz steps back up to the mic. He has much to say, at least in words. He doesn’t really say much in substance. His message is similar to what has already been said – Job has sinned. All of this would not have happened to him unless he had sinned in some way. Specifically, Job is accused… Read more →
Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 14
Today marks the halfway point for our four week lockdown here in New Zealand. There are, of course, rumours the lockdown could be extended. There are, of course, calls for it to be lifted early. The one thing, I think, most of us know is that we really have no idea what the next weeks or even months will be… Read more →