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Morning Bible Reading - Job 29

  1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,  2 Oh that I were as [in] months past, as [in] the days [when] God preserved me;  3 When his candle shined upon my head, [and when] by his light I walked [through] darkness;  4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God [was] upon my tabernacle;  5 When the Almighty [was] yet with me, [when] my children [were] about me;  6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;  7 When I went out to the gate through the city, [when] I prepared my seat in the street!  8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, [and] stood up.  9 The princes refrained talking, and laid [their] hand on their mouth.  10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.  11 When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me; and when the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me:  12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and [him that had] none to help him.  13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.  14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment [was] as a robe and a diadem.  15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet [was] I to the lame.  16 I [was] a father to the poor: and the cause [which] I knew not I searched out.  17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.  18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply [my] days as the sand.  19 My root [was] spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.  20 My glory [was] fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.  21 Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.  22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.  23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain.  24 [If] I laughed on them, they believed [it] not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.  25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one [that] comforteth the mourners.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline Job|s former comforts. (1-6) The honour paid to Job, His usefulness. (7-17) His prospect of prosperity. (18-25)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-6 Job proceeds to contrast his former prosperity with his present misery, through God|s withdrawing from him. A gracious soul delights in God|s smiles, not in the smiles of this world. Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job. 1. The confidence he had in the Divine protection. 2. The enjoyment he had of the Divine favour. 3. The communion he had with the Divine word. 4. The assurance he had of the Divine presence. God|s presence with a man in his house, though it be but a cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then also he had comfort in his family. Riches and flourishing families, like a candle, may be soon extinguished. But when the mind is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, when a man walks in the light of God|s countenance, every outward comfort is doubled, every trouble is diminished, and he may pass cheerfully by this light through life and through death. Yet the sensible comfort of this state is often withdrawn for a season; and commonly this arises from sinful neglect, and grieving the Holy Spirit: sometimes it may be a trial of a man|s faith and grace. But it is needful to examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   18-25 Being thus honoured and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honour, in a good old age. If such an expectation arise from lively faith in the providence and promise of God, it is well; but if from conceit of our own wisdom, and dependence on changeable, earthly things, it is ill grounded, and turns to sin. Every one that has the spirit of wisdom, has not the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. This he thought upon with pleasure, when he was himself a mourner. Our Lord Jesus is a King who hates iniquity, and upon whom the blessing of a world ready to perish comes. To Him let us give ear.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Job 29:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Job 29:11-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Job 29:18-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Job 30

  1 But now [they that are] younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.  2 Yea, whereto [might] the strength of their hands [profit] me, in whom old age was perished?  3 For want and famine [they were] solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.  4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots [for] their meat.  5 They were driven forth from among [men], (they cried after them as [after] a thief;)  6 To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, [in] caves of the earth, and [in] the rocks.  7 Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.  8 [They were] children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.  9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.  10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.  11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.  12 Upon [my] right [hand] rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.  13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.  14 They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]: in the desolation they rolled themselves [upon me].  15 Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.  16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.  17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.  18 By the great force [of my disease] is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.  19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.  20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me [not].  21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.  22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride [upon it], and dissolvest my substance.  23 For I know [that] thou wilt bring me [to] death, and [to] the house appointed for all living.  24 Howbeit he will not stretch out [his] hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.  25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was [not] my soul grieved for the poor?  26 When I looked for good, then evil came [unto me]: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.  27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.  28 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, [and] I cried in the congregation.  29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.  30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.  31 My harp also is [turned] to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline Job|s honour is turned into contempt. (1-14) Job a burden to himself. (15-31)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-14 Job contrasts his present condition with his former honour and authority. What little cause have men to be ambitious or proud of that which may be so easily lost, and what little confidence is to be put in it! We should not be cast down if we are despised, reviled, and hated by wicked men. We should look to Jesus, who endured the contradiction of sinners.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   15-31 Job complains a great deal. Harbouring hard thoughts of God was the sin which did, at this time, most easily beset Job. When inward temptations join with outward calamities, the soul is hurried as in a tempest, and is filled with confusion. But woe be to those who really have God for an enemy! Compared with the awful state of ungodly men, what are all outward, or even inward temporal afflictions? There is something with which Job comforts himself, yet it is but a little. He foresees that death will be the end of all his troubles. God|s wrath might bring him to death; but his soul would be safe and happy in the world of spirits. If none pity us, yet our God, who corrects, pities us, even as a father pitieth his own children. And let us look more to the things of eternity: then the believer will cease from mourning, and joyfully praise redeeming love.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Job 30:1-999 

Evening Bible Reading - Acts 12

  1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church.  2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)  4 And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.  5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon [him], and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from [his] hands.  8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.  9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.  10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.  11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.  12 And when he had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.  13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.  14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.  16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened [the door], and saw him, they were astonished.  17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.  18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.  19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that [they] should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and [there] abode.  20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s [country].  21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  22 And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.  23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.  24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.  25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled [their] ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline The martyrdom of James, and the imprisonment of Peter. (1-5) He is delivered from prison by an angel. (6-11) Peter departs, Herod|s rage. (12-19) The death of Herod. (20-25)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-5 James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Mt 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to please men. Thus James finished his course. But Peter, being designed for further services, was safe; though he seemed now marked out for a speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold, prayerless generation, can hardly form an idea of the earnestness of these holy men of old. But if the Lord should bring on the church an awful persecution like this of Herod, the faithful in Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer is.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   6-11 A peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even those very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on that account. God|s time to help, is when things are brought to the last extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who are delivered out of spiritual imprisonment must follow their Deliverer, like the Israelites when they went out of the house of bondage. They knew not whither they went, but knew whom they followed. When God will work salvation for his people, all difficulties in their way will be overcome, even gates of iron are made to open of their own accord. This deliverance of Peter represents our redemption by Christ, which not only proclaims liberty to the captives, but brings them out of the prison-house. Peter, when he recollected himself, perceived what great things God had done for him. Thus souls delivered out of spiritual bondage, are not at first aware what God has wrought in them; many have the truth of grace, that want evidence of it. But when the Comforter comes, whom the Father will send, sooner or later, he will let them know what a blessed change is wrought.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   12-19 God|s providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   20-25 Many heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours, but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word and worship of the living God, to accept such idolatrous honours without rebuking the blasphemy. And such men as Herod, when puffed with pride and vanity, are ripening fast for signal vengeance. God is very jealous for his own honour, and will be glorified upon those whom he is not glorified by. See what vile bodies we carry about with us; they have in them the seeds of their own dissolution, by which they will soon be destroyed, whenever God does but speak the word. We may learn wisdom from the people of Tyre and Sidon, for we have offended the Lord with our sins. We depend on him for life, and breath, and all things; it surely then behoves us to humble ourselves before him, that through the appointed Mediator, who is ever ready to befriend us, we may be reconciled to him, lest wrath come upon us to the utmost.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 12:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 12:4-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 12:11-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 12:17-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Acts 12:20-999