Job 19:29

Be afraid of the sword,

   For your iniquity of outrage is worthy of punishment by the sword,

      Then you will know there is judgement.

 

This morning at Bible study, we got into it over the difference between a translation and a paraphrase and the meaning of the term unbelief in Romans 11:20. It was a great example of trying to learn and being ready to learn. Be afraid, punishment and judgement were all part of the discussion. The hard part was later in Romans 11 where Paul basically tells us we cannot resolve the mystery he is discussing because we are not God.

No substantive issue in the first stitch.

‘Your iniquity of outrage’ was also ‘wrath’, ‘your crimes’, ‘fury’, or ‘rage’.

‘There is judgement’ was once ‘Shaddai’s doom’ implying the person will experience the outcome of negative judgement.

This piece finishes Chapter 19 and the notebook that I used for Chapters 15 to 19. It’s also a Friday, so I feel a certain level of accomplishment. I also get that from finding success on a big project that was approved today. For each of these I am happy, but I also know that the glory belongs to God and not to me.

My biggest realization for the week has been that it is ok to take care of myself first and let other responsibilities take second place. As they say, you can’t do anyone any good dead. Easy words to say, but I have a drive to please others that is hard to push down. Funny how both kids were complaining about how late dinner was since I went for a walk before preparing it on the same day I changed my paradigm.

Lexicon was a word I heard someone use when I would normally use the word vocabulary. I would have to look up the definitions to know the difference. In having two different understandings of the word unbelief, two members of our Bible study were having to dig deeper to try and figure out what Paul was trying to say about the differences between Jews and Gentiles.  In the end, the gap was over an addition in a paraphrased Bible over a translated Bible. Also, the danger is using a paraphrased Bible to study as the intent to make it easier to read does not also maintain the true meaning. Close enough is good for a read, but exact is required to determine what you need to believe and how you need to act.

I have heard that there is a tv show based on the Bible that people enjoy. I have no desire to watch as I know they have to add things that are not explicitly in the Bible to make the story flow. I know each type of Bible and Bible story has its place, but they are not all for me. As long as I love God and love others, I can deal with a few differences of opinion.

Written 1/9/26, Posted 2/12/26, Job 459/~1070