Autor: eabrazil

God now confronts Job for wanting to correct and accuse him. So Job admits he is unworthy and acknowledges that he has no answer. Then God asks Job if he wants to discredit his justice? God points out that Job cannot clothe himself with honour and majesty nor can he crush the wicked. God then tells Job to look at the enormous herbivorous animal called the behemoth which is extremely powerful with limbs like rods of iron. God says his maker is able to approach him but asks Job if he can capture him and piece his nose? Seeing that he can’t Job must not accuse God!

God continues questioning Job, this time concerning wildlife, which all is beyond Job’s ability to answer. God asks about goats, deer, donkeys, oxen, ostriches, horses, hawks and eagles. The questions are about them giving birth, gestation periods, nesting, flying, living conditions, feeding etc. Thus God continues to humble Job to make him realize that things of creation and nature are so often beyond his understanding. So the logic is that Job should not be dismayed if he cannot understand his suffering. 

God continues questioning Job, this time concerning wildlife, which all is beyond Job’s ability to answer. God asks about goats, deer, donkeys, oxen, ostriches, horses, hawks and eagles. The questions are about them giving birth, gestation periods, nesting, flying, living conditions, feeding etc. Thus God continues to humble Job to make him realize that things of creation and nature are so often beyond his understanding. So the logic is that Job should not be dismayed if he cannot understand his suffering. 

Liz and I spent considerable time counselling a pastor and his wife yesterday. This constitutes an important part of our ministry. We value your prayers for this couple. No names can be given. We will have a further counselling session with another person today.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and young lawyer Murilo brought the study from 1 John 3. Murilo is doing a series of studies in first John. It was a very good study and service. Vasti and Espedita sang solos.

Liz and I spent considerable time counselling a pastor and his wife yesterday. This constitutes an important part of our ministry. We value your prayers for this couple. No names can be given. We will have a further counselling session with another person today.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and young lawyer Murilo brought the study from 1 John 3. Murilo is doing a series of studies in first John. It was a very good study and service. Vasti and Espedita sang solos.

Yesterday I did the first reading of the new Easter play with Liz and drama leader Dilma. I always do things this way with plays that I write, reading them the play and then officially handing it over to the drama group. The play is called ‘Two Days from Easter’ and essentially follows the text of Matthew 26 to 28 with an addition from John. The play has 4 acts and will be performed on Easter Sunday which is April 5th. 

Yesterday I did the first reading of the new Easter play with Liz and drama leader Dilma. I always do things this way with plays that I write, reading them the play and then officially handing it over to the drama group. The play is called ‘Two Days from Easter’ and essentially follows the text of Matthew 26 to 28 with an addition from John. The play has 4 acts and will be performed on Easter Sunday which is April 5th. 

With the imagery of a gathering storm Elihu concludes his contribution to the book of Job showing God’s majestic power over thunder, lightening, snow, rain and ice. On the one hand, Elihu says, the clouds can punish men, but on the other hand they water the earth and thus show God’s love. So Elihu points out to Job that he has no way of knowing how the different forces and aspects of nature function so it is that God is beyond our understanding. He says “the Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”

With the imagery of a gathering storm Elihu concludes his contribution to the book of Job showing God’s majestic power over thunder, lightening, snow, rain and ice. On the one hand, Elihu says, the clouds can punish men, but on the other hand they water the earth and thus show God’s love. So Elihu points out to Job that he has no way of knowing how the different forces and aspects of nature function so it is that God is beyond our understanding. He says “the Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”

Elihu starts saying he will speak on God’s behalf as “one perfect in knowledge is with you”! He then goes on to say that God is mighty, but doesn’t despise men. He does not take his eyes off the righteous, but men bound in chains he commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey they will prosper, but if they don’t they will perish by the sword. The godless die in their youth among male sacred prostitutes and he speaks to those who suffer – he speaks to them in their affliction. God is wooing you from the jaws of distress to the comfort of your table laden with food. Now justice and judgement have taken hold of you. Elihu exalts God in his power. How great is God – beyond our understanding. God governs the nations and blesses with clouds, rain, thunder and lightening. Thus Elihu exalts the Lord whilst constantly insinuating Job’s need to repent.

Elihu starts here arguing that wickedness or not makes no difference to God. He says that right or wrong only affects man. God is far above human morality he says. He goes on to argue that God doesn’t answer when men cry out arrogantly, and God doesn’t listen to empty pleas. Clearly Elihu is calling Job arrogant and insincere. The fact is, says Elihu, is that “Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words”.

Elihu starts here arguing that wickedness or not makes no difference to God. He says that right or wrong only affects man. God is far above human morality he says. He goes on to argue that God doesn’t answer when men cry out arrogantly, and God doesn’t listen to empty pleas. Clearly Elihu is calling Job arrogant and insincere. The fact is, says Elihu, is that “Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words”.

Elihu starts this chapter addressing the “wise men” who presumably refers to Job and the friends, maybe sarcastically, or maybe a wider group of listeners. He then says that Job says that “it profits a man nothing when he tries to please God”. Elihu stresses that it is impossible for God to do wrong but he repays a man for what he has done. Here Elihu is reinforcing the retribution arguments of the 3 friends. God, says Elihu, is perfectly above all rulers and kings deciding on matters totally without partiality.  He says there is no place to hide for the evil doers. God overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. Job, says Elihu, speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight. “Oh that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man”! Elihu is therefore essentially following the same line of argument as the 3 friends that secret sin in Job needs to be confessed as this is the cause of Job’s suffering.

Elihu starts this chapter addressing the “wise men” who presumably refers to Job and the friends, maybe sarcastically, or maybe a wider group of listeners. He then says that Job says that “it profits a man nothing when he tries to please God”. Elihu stresses that it is impossible for God to do wrong but he repays a man for what he has done. Here Elihu is reinforcing the retribution arguments of the 3 friends. God, says Elihu, is perfectly above all rulers and kings deciding on matters totally without partiality.  He says there is no place to hide for the evil doers. God overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. Job, says Elihu, speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight. “Oh that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man”! Elihu is therefore essentially following the same line of argument as the 3 friends that secret sin in Job needs to be confessed as this is the cause of Job’s suffering.

Job has concluded his defence and Job’s 3 friends or comforters have concluded their accusations, but prior to God’s response to everything and Job’s final words, a 4th younger friend named Elihu enters the fray criticizing Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for their inability to refute Job and criticizing Job for “justifying himself rather than God”. Elihu’s 6-chapter intervention starts by arguing that is not just the elders who have wisdom, but it is the breath of the Almighty that transmits it. He then asserts that the 3 friends were unable to prove Job wrong. Therefore Elihu said he was bursting to speak “like bottled-up wine” in “new wineskins ready to burst”. He promised to be completely unbiased and would flatter no one. 

This chapter is Job’s final defence in this book’s debate about human suffering. First of all Job lists the sins he has not committed like lust (“to look lustfully at a girl”), deceit, adultery (“enticed by a woman”), injustice to servants, negligence concerning the poor, and greed “pure gold” and “great wealth”). Job requests again for God to hear his case saying: “Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defence – let the Almighty answer me”. “Let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless”.

Now Job laments being mocked by worthless men who spit in his face and remove all his dignity. Job also bemoans his physical suffering as his “skin grows black” and his body burns with fever. He says he has become a brother of jackals and a companion of owls as he just mourns and wails. Job also says that he cries out to God without receiving an answer and he feels that God is attacking him and tossing him about in a storm! This chapter focusing on Job’s current suffering stands in stark contrast to the previous chapter which relished his life prior to everything going wrong.

 Chapter 29 is a long reminiscence of the good old days when Job recalls the time “when God watched over” him, and when “God’s intimate friendship blessed” his house. He says that then his “path was drenched with cream” and olive oil poured out of the rock. Job then goes on to recall how respected he used to be in the city and how he was spoken well of. He also remembers his positive social action rescuing the poor, assisting orphans, helping the dying, bereaved, blind and lame. He recalls how he was all set for a long blessed life. Sadly for Job all this had drastically changed.

 Chapter 29 is a long reminiscence of the good old days when Job recalls the time “when God watched over” him, and when “God’s intimate friendship blessed” his house. He says that then his “path was drenched with cream” and olive oil poured out of the rock. Job then goes on to recall how respected he used to be in the city and how he was spoken well of. He also remembers his positive social action rescuing the poor, assisting orphans, helping the dying, bereaved, blind and lame. He recalls how he was all set for a long blessed life. Sadly for Job all this had drastically changed.

We are putting new rear shock absorbers on our off-road Jimny Jeep as one came adrift on our recent journey to Caroá with Amy. 

I did both Pilates and Hydro gymnastics yesterday. It’s good to keep fit! 🏃

The northeast of Brazil is where most fatal road accidents happen with 11,984 of the 37,150 deaths. Second in line is the southeast region with 10,995 fatalities. These are the latest statistics for 2024.

We have one church in the northeastern state of Bahia, in the town of São Sebastião do Passé, which has a population of 43,000. The church is led by Missionary Ivonete in her house but they are in the process of building a church. Please pray for Ivonete and this church which she used to lead with her husband until he died of a heart attack. The overseeing pastor is Pastor Jânio Rilangio from our Campina Grande Catolé church.

It rained 8 mm at Green Pastures last night.

We are putting new rear shock absorbers on our off-road Jimny Jeep as one came adrift on our recent journey to Caroá with Amy. 

I did both Pilates and Hydro gymnastics yesterday. It’s good to keep fit! 🏃

The northeast of Brazil is where most fatal road accidents happen with 11,984 of the 37,150 deaths. Second in line is the southeast region with 10,995 fatalities. These are the latest statistics for 2024.

We have one church in the northeastern state of Bahia, in the town of São Sebastião do Passé, which has a population of 43,000. The church is led by Missionary Ivonete in her house but they are in the process of building a church. Please pray for Ivonete and this church which she used to lead with her husband until he died of a heart attack. The overseeing pastor is Pastor Jânio Rilangio from our Campina Grande Catolé church.

It rained 8 mm at Green Pastures last night.

In chapter 28 Job presents a poetic interlude to the heated debate about suffering when he praises man’s abilities to mine gold, silver, copper, iron and precious stones whilst on the other hand being totally unable to find true priceless wisdom. God, says Job, is the only source of true wisdom. “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells”. For Job concludes that “the fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding”.

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the head teacher of our Pastor Frank Dyer School in the borough of Jatobá on the south side of Patos. The head teacher is Gerlânia who continues to do a great work educating, feeding and evangelizing needy children in that area of town. We had an in-depth discussion of the work of the school and took some important decisions for the glory of God.

Please pray for all 16 of the EAB Action Schools ministering to 850 children in the interior of northeast Brazil.

Liz went to the ladies’ prayer meeting last night attended by 10, and the youth prayer meeting, which Alice and Bia went to, had 18 present. The youth are really on fire after the Outreach.

Now comes the longest speech of Job in the book lasting 6 chapters. Initially Job sarcastically criticizes Bildad’s unhelpful words as worthless. Then Job goes on to exalt God’s supreme power over creation who “suspends the earth over nothing and wraps up the waters in the clouds”, yet they don’t burst. However, says Job, these are but the fringe of his works. For our great God is incomprehensible. 

This short chapter contains Job’s friend Bildad’s third and final speech in which he exalts God’s supreme power and perfection as opposed to the weakness and impurity of man who is but a maggot and a worm! Implied here is Job’s impossibility to being justified before God as he is so weak, inferior and insignificant. Bildad’s argument against Job seems to me to be painfully weak.

This short chapter contains Job’s friend Bildad’s third and final speech in which he exalts God’s supreme power and perfection as opposed to the weakness and impurity of man who is but a maggot and a worm! Implied here is Job’s impossibility to being justified before God as he is so weak, inferior and insignificant. Bildad’s argument against Job seems to me to be painfully weak.

Job now questions why God does not set times for judgements as he observes that the wicked go unpunished for long periods though eventually God’s justice catches up with them. Job says that the wicked feed their flocks on stolen pasture, drive away the orphan’s donkey, take the widow’s ox, and ill-treat the poor. The poor are also left lacking clothes, lack adequate housing, and children are ill-treated and go hungry. Despite all this God does nothing Job says. Job also cites murder and theft as practiced crimes as well as adultery and burglary. Eventually though Job says that the grave snatches away sinners and the worm feasts on them, and they are forgotten. “For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone”!

It is lovely to share our house with House Sparrows. I was just sitting talking to Liz when one came hopping through the kitchen and front room looking for crumbs on the floor! 🐦 In our garden we are hearing a number of Sayaca Tanagers. 

Last night my co-pastor Rafael led the service and I preached on ‘Hezekiah trusted in the Lord’ from 2 Kings 18:5-8. It was a lovely service.

It is lovely to share our house with House Sparrows. I was just sitting talking to Liz when one came hopping through the kitchen and front room looking for crumbs on the floor! 🐦 In our garden we are hearing a number of Sayaca Tanagers. 

Last night my co-pastor Rafael led the service and I preached on ‘Hezekiah trusted in the Lord’ from 2 Kings 18:5-8. It was a lovely service.

It is lovely to share our house with House Sparrows. I was just sitting talking to Liz when one came hopping through the kitchen and front room looking for crumbs on the floor! 🐦 In our garden we are hearing a number of Sayaca Tanagers. 

Last night my co-pastor Rafael led the service and I preached on ‘Hezekiah trusted in the Lord’ from 2 Kings 18:5-8. It was a lovely service.

Eliphaz now returns for his third and final time and he accuses Job of unrighteousness with endless sins, stripping men of their clothes, denying water to the weary, withholding food from the hungry, and sending widows away empty handed as a callous rich landowner. Eliphaz accuses Job of thinking God is way up in the sky where “thick clouds veil him, so he does not see us”. He urges Job to “submit to God and be at peace with him” so as to regain his prosperity. He further urges Job to return to God so as to experience restoration. Constantly Eliphaz accuses and urges Job presuming his hidden sin and guilt. Eliphaz is judgmentally misguided and misdirected.  

One of the very beautiful and colourful birds in the northeast of Brazil is the bright yellow Great Kiskadee, and I am hearing them a lot of late from my office in Patos.

The average rainfall at Green Pastures in January over the past 25 years is 112 mm, but this year we have only had 6 mm! The situation is critical. Please pray.

Sadly QPR lost 3 x 2 at home to Wrexham yesterday. Oh dear! 😖

I went and took the service, as I always do on Saturdays, of the Green Pastures church and I preached on Jesus walking on the water from John 6 (I am going through John’s Gospel with the church) with the help of Matthew’s added information that Peter had a go too! It was a lovely service with the children singing beautifully and Fred singing sat down, debilitated by a stroke, but he still sang. I heard a Ferruginous Pigmy-Owl whilst there.