These three characters warn us to be true to God in all things. Ananias and Saphira lost their lives for misrepresenting the extent of their generosity. Gamaliel was a priest who warned the Council about the dangers of opposing God and His purposes. Both stories give us pause to make sure we are honest with ourselves and God about our motivations for the choices we make.

Job defend his righteous cause by reflecting on the immutable and unfathomable wisdom of God, as it is displayed in creation. He appeals to God, pleading for an intercessor, a mediator, a savior who could plead his case before the Almighty. Job longed for the Savior we know. In Jesus, we know that we have the advocate that Job so desperately wanted.

Bildad suggests that Job's children perished for their sin, and that if Job were righteous, he would not suffer as he did. Here we are challenged with half-truths about God and earthly justice. On this side of eternity there is much sin and suffering. Not until we are in the Lord's presence will justice have her day.

The religious authorities were keen to treat the disciples as they had Jesus, by killing them. But the crowd was in awe of the men who had healed a man they all knew to be crippled since birth. The authorities threatened to mistreat them, but the disciples were undeterred. They couldn't withhold the good news of God's redeeming power in Jesus.

Job suffers by day and experiences nightmares during broken sleep. We reflect on the difficulty of sleepless nights and nightmares, experienced by many when they are depressed, anxious, or under stress. Where do you turn when you can't run from your distress?

Eliphaz is the first of Job's friends to speak, and in his opening rant, indicts Job for his suffering. The basic message of chapter four is that God protects the innocent. Chapter five suggests that evil purposes are thwarted by God. While both would be nice, neither is true in this life, so we hear in the words of Eliphaz, earthly wishes mixed with godly wisdom.

An undeniable miracle, the healing of a man who had been begging forty years at the Beautiful Gate, gave Peter and John platform to preach even to the religious authorities. They spoke words of restoration and refreshment in Christ, available even to those who had sent Jesus to His death.

Job's suffering is so great that he wishes he hadn't been born. Despite his wealth and righteousness, he lost everything. Given his terrible lot, we do well to set our hopes and minds on things above, where moth and rust do not destroy.

After Job loses his wealth and children in chapter one, he loses His wife and grows incurable sores in chapter two. He is now suffering in every conceivable way. In the depths of his despair, Job is joined by three friends who come to comfort him.

At Pentecost, the confusion caused at the Tower of Babel is reversed. The Holy Spirit descends to bring clarity and unity to the Church that is born of all tribes and languages. Here we see a glimmer of hope for humanity as longstanding divisions are overcome in Christ.