Day 28- Genesis 50; Job 36-37; Psalm 16

I think that we can take various things from Genesis 50.
1)  Mourning and funerals with respect is expected and allowable.
2) Henry summarizes this better than I can,

Note, Though we must be ready to forgive all that are any way injurious to us, yet we must especially take heed of bearing malice towards any that are the servants of the God of our father: such we should always treat with a peculiar tenderness; for we and they have the same Master

3) I find this disturbing, somewhat.  It seems like a reservation of trust in God.  Henry says it, what do you think?

Note, 1. If the separate soul, at death, do but return to its rest with God, the matter is not great though the deserted body find not at all, or not quickly, its rest in the grave. 2. Yet care ought to be taken of the dead bodies of the saints, in the belief of their resurrection; for there is a covenant with the dust, which shall be remembered, and a commandment is given concerning the bones.            

Thus ends our reading of Genesis, but something tells me we will be referring back to our reading of it throughout the rest of our study.

Did anyone else read ahead just a touch?  Here in Job 36 we have, Henry's explanation that,

His other friends had stood to it that, because he was a wicked man, therefore his afflictions were so great and so long. But Elihu only maintained that the affliction was sent for his trial, and that therefore it was lengthened out because Job was not, as yet, thoroughly humbled under it, nor had duly accommodated himself to it. He urges many reasons, taken from the wisdom and righteousness of God, his care of his people, and especially his greatness and almighty power, with which, in this and the following chapter, he persuades him to submit to the hand of God.

I get this.  His friends are trying to take life and justify it with God.  Exactly what we keep being told not to do.  Job has it right.  He has accepted that God has brought this upon him and there must be a purpose, but his friends seek justification.  So, they reason, he must either be a sinner or a non believer. 

I think that 37 is more of a preface to 38.  Elihau is really on a roll now and now he likens the passage of life to the magnitude of the weather created and controlled by God.  But when you get to 38...you can see the lightning about to really strike.

You know my mixed feelings on psalms.  I think this is a beautiful passage. Henry explains it beautifully and I leave us with that.  Next week is posted today.

This psalm is entitled Michtam, which some translate a golden psalm, a very precious one, more to be valued by us than gold, yea, than much fine gold, because it speaks so plainly of Christ and his resurrection, who is the true treasure hidden in the field of the Old Testament.I. David here flies to God’s protection with a cheerful believing confidence in it.