Reformed & Expository Preaching

It is time for Zophar to express his concerns regarding Job’s convictions. He is going to continue his conviction about traditional wisdom making clear that this is the wisdom that has been manifested since man walked the earth. If Zophar has surveyed human history then he has to be right in his assessment of the problem right?

Joshua left God’s people in a good place as people who can find rest in the land. In many ways they were tasting a promised sabbath rest in the land that God had given them. The Lord has been merciful to His people and has given them judges to rule over them, to deliver them, and to provide some wise guidance. Judges records for us a tragic history of Israel continually sliding down away from the Lord, but the Lord still gives them a judge. What is the significance of Samson? How does he represent the current state of Israel?

The people of Israel are about to find themselves in a situation where they are no longer lead by a physical leader. This is Joshua’s farewell and it would see that as Israel is now situated in the land that Israel has secured rest. First, why should Israel want to enjoy the rest? Second, how is Israel supposed to transform this land?

The people of Israel finally have the joy of celebrating their passover in the promised land. They are finally cut off from the manna that sustained their life in the wilderness. Now, it is time for them to secure this land. Will Israel recognize that it has been the Lord this whole time sustaining and giving them life? Will Israel see that God is the one who fights for His people? How is our Lord going to communicate this to the Israelites?

Job has made a passionate speech about someone taking his case to the heavenly courts. He is done with the counselors for they are not taking his case seriously. Bildad has heard these words and he responds to Job. Will this man, who is most likely a grandson of Abraham, respond with the promises of the Gospel? Will they come together and realize that maybe the Lord’s purpose is bigger than their understanding?

- The interactions between Job and the counselors has not been overly positive. In fact, Job has been beaten up pretty badly in this process and their interactions have by and large bypassed each other. One would hope that at some point the gospel would come out. Unfortunately, Job continues to cling to his righteousness, but is he beginning to see that his righteousness is not enough? Is Job finally starting to see that retreating into the pit of Sheol is not a refuge at all?

Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell address to Israel. This address is tragic as Moses is about to die. However, the day Moses delivers this speech is not just a day of mourning because this is a context where Moses is close to passing the baton to Joshua. Israel is about to finally enter into the promised land. Is this finally a time when the Sabbath will be fully realized? Is Moses optimistic about Israel’s performance? What does Moses have to say as he says goodbye to this exodus people?

The book Job progresses into the second cycle of speeches. Job and the counselors have had a few interactions regarding Job’s trial. You would hope that they would start to think about this life and suffering in light of the Gospel rather than whether or not Job is righteous enough for God to love him. So, as we start the second cycle do they actually start talking about a cross shaped logic/wisdom or do they just shout louder?

Please enjoy this sermon from Mr. Charles Davis.