And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, “He is a good man:” others said, “Nay; but he deceives the people.” (Howbeit no man spoke openly of him for fear of the religious.)
The above is John 7:12 & 13, with the “Jews” replaced with the modern contextual implicative clarifier, “religious.” The word rendered “openly,” which leads us into today’s message, is the Greek word parrhesia, meaning “all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance.”
Today, the message centers on the LORD’s words from the previous post, speaking there of things He has “openly” shown us, which reveal the Father.
John 16
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he says unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he says, A little while? we cannot tell what he says.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me?
20 Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish [thlipsis – the tribulation], for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
23 And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name [Jehovah’s Salvation]: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full [pleroo – complete].
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly [parrhesia] of the Father [when you see Him you will see Me].
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speak you plainly [parrhesia], and speak no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe?
32 Behold, the hour comes, yea, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone [shall not be joined with me in understanding, when the world no longer sees or hears me]: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
Colossians 2
9 For in him [me] dwells all the fulness [pleroma] of the Godhead bodily.
10 And you are complete [pleroo – full] in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled [the spoilers:] principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly [parrhesia], triumphing [thriambeuo] over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
John only uses the word pleroma one time, in John 1:16, as he describes the appearing of the LORD (seeing Him after not seeing Him).
John 1
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God [who has circumcised your minds, removing the flesh that veils His presence].
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness [pleroma] have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him [by the Word of God dwelling in me].
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light [understanding] of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness [the ignorance covering the world]; and the darkness [ignorant] comprehended it not.
Galatians 3
22 But the scripture has concluded [sugkleio – the scriptures have been shut to] all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe [the word he speaks is the open Word of God].
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up [sugkleio – without understanding] unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith [believing the Word is God’s]
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ [One God in us all].
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one [BODY] in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be LORD of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed [Armageddon] of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements [stoicheion – the corrupt foundational ideas and ways] of the world:
4 But when the fulness [pleroma] of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8 Howbeit then, when you knew not God, you did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9 But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements [stoicheion], whereunto you desire again to be in bondage?
10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as you are: you have not injured me at all.
13 You know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
The Hebrew word sugkleio, only appears four times, above twice, once in Romans 11:32 saying the same thing as above, and the other in Luke 5:6 telling of when the disciples, doing as the LORD said, caught (“enclosed”) a multitude of fish.
Romans 11
25 For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness [pleroma] of the Gentiles [when all are in unbelief, not knowing God or His ways] be come in.
26 And so all Israel [all the family of God: who call themselves by His name] shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion [to His throne, as a mountain rising from the parched desert] the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness [asebeia – a lack of reverence, respect, and adoration – dishonoring God] from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant [as He told Enoch] unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance [without change].
30 For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy [by receiving the gifts from you, and in them hearing God’s calling].
32 For God has concluded them all [sugkleio – without understanding] in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all [and so is the coming of the son of man, as the light coming out of the east and shining to the west, upon all who come out of the houses of darkness: out of ignorance into understanding].
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who has known the mind of the LORD? or who has been his counsellor?
35 Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.
The use of sugkleio is an allegory of when the LORD (now) build His church, His ONE BODY, when His disciples follow His leading, and Abraham’s multitude are brought out of the sea, to the Father.
Genesis 22
13 And Abraham [the father of the multitude] lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns [the misleaders in power, chained there in darkness]: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh [Jehovah sees to it]: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, says the LORD, for because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore [by the waves, the tightening {tsarah & thlipsis – tribulation} of the multitude, pressed from it into clarity {shaphah}]; and your seed shall possess the gate [of hell] of his enemies;
18 And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice.
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together [yachad – united in ONE BODY] to Beersheba [well of seven oaths – God’s unchangeable promises]; and Abraham [I and the children the LORD has given me] dwelt at Beersheba [at these living waters flowing from Him].
Luke 5
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed [epikeimai – the no small tempest “laid upon” the ship {the church} in which Paul was being taken to Rome] upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret [gennesis’erets – the birth of the new earth] ,
2 And saw two ships [the old and corrupt and the new] standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s [the rock {who put their trust in Him along} upon which the LORD will build His church, and the gates of hell shall not stand against it], and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep [into this deep understanding], and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master [Teacher of teachers], we have toiled all the night [while ignorance covered the earth/world], and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they enclosed [sugkleio – brought to this conclusion] a great multitude [as the Father promised Abraham] of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship [the old and corrupt], that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink [buthizo – only used here and in 1 Timothy 6:9 where it’s the hurtful lust for money that “drowns” men in destruction {apoleia – perdition}].
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O LORD.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth you shall catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy [all flesh being destroyed by the evil in power in church and state]: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, LORD, if you will, you can make me clean.
13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be you clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came [as fish from the sea, out of tribulation into understanding] together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the LORD was present to heal them.
The word “astonished” in verse 9 above is the three times used (all by Luke) Greek word thambos, “akin to an obsolete tapho (to dumbfound); stupefaction (by surprise), i.e. astonishment:–X amazed, + astonished, wonder.” It’s telling of realizing a state of ignorance, understanding the word of God isn’t meant to be used to bind men, but to release them from those who do hold them (katecho), who will hold them down, until they are taken out of the way. This process as what “astonishes,” in Luke 4, is described as casting an unclean devil (who knows it’s the LORD doing it) out of a man in the synagogue (misleaders in the church).
Luke 4
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the LORD [see Isaiah 61 below].
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
23 And he said unto them, You will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal yourself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.
24 And he said, Truly I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up [kleio] three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta [into the refiner’s fires], a city of Sidon [where souls are hunted], unto a woman that was a widow.
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha [the time of God’s Salvation] the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman [those who please God, willing to love as He loves] the Syrian.
28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
31 And came down to Capernaum [the place of the comforter, the LORD working unknown leading into all truth], a city of Galilee [to His inner circle], and taught them on the sabbath days.
32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
33 And in the synagogue [the church] there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil [of a misleader], and cried out with a loud voice,
34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth [they know who I Am]? are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are; the Holy One of God.
35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
36 And they were all amazed [thambos – they realized their own ignorance], and spoke among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commanded the unclean spirits, and they come out.
37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: you shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves.
7 For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion [Babylon] they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the LORD God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word kleio (to shut) is ‘atsar. It refers us to its uses in 1 Kings 8:35 and Job 12:15, both telling of when understanding is held in heaven. These passages also speak of the above-mentioned effect, when the LORD sends understanding, overturning the wicked misleaders, causing the earth to bring forth new life.
1 Kings 8
17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
18 And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in your heart to build an house unto my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
19 Nevertheless you shall not build the house; but your son that shall come forth out of your loins, he shall build the house unto my name.
20 And the LORD has performed his word that he spoke, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
22 And Solomon [Shiloh] stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and mercy with your servants that walk [halak] before [paniym – in the LORD’s presence] you with all their heart:
24 Who have kept with your servant David my father that you promised him: you spoke also with your mouth, and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day.
25 Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that you promised him, saying, There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that your children take heed to their way [derek], that they walk [halak] before [paniym – in the LORD’s presence] me as you have walked [halak] before [paniym – in the LORD’s presence] me.
26 And now, O God of Israel, let your word, I pray you, be verified, which you spoke unto your servant David my father.
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built?
28 Yet have you respect unto the prayer of your servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which your servant prays before you today:
29 That your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which you have said, My name shall be there: that you mayest hearken unto the prayer which your servant shall make toward this place.
30 And hearken you to the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear you in heaven your dwelling place: and when you hear, forgive.
31 If any man trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before your altar in this house:
32 Then hear you in heaven, and do, and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.
33 When your people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against you, and shall turn again to you, and confess your name, and pray, and make supplication unto you in this house:
34 Then hear you in heaven, and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which you gave unto their fathers.
35 When heaven is shut up [‘atsar], and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you; if they pray toward this place, and confess your name, and turn from their sin, when you afflictest them:
36 Then hear you in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, and of your people Israel, that you teach [yara’ – flow your way of peace, yara’shalam, Jerusalem] them the good way [derek] wherein they should walk [halak], and give rain [understanding from the cloud] upon your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.
Job 12
1 And Job [God’s people hated in the world] answered and said,
2 No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom shall die with you [and has because of the wickedness that led you away].
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knows not such things as these [the ancient understand now forgotten]?
4 I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calls upon God, and he answers him: the just upright man [who believes God and hears His voice] is laughed to scorn [in this corrupt world].
5 He [the wicked] that is ready to slip with his feet [his walk in the dark] is as a lamp despised [is one who despises the light {understanding}] in the thought of him that is at ease [peace that comes with understanding].
6 [But now we see] The tabernacles of robbers prosper [the wicked misleaders of our time], and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto you.
9 Who know not in all these that the hand of the LORD has wrought this [all {the beasts, the fowls, the fish, and the earth itself} know that after the darkness, the LORD brings the light of the new day, drawing out the wicked into the light]?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
11 Does not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat [the sweet savor of the sacrifice of those who speak the LORD’s words]?
12 With the ancient [of days] is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again: he shuts up [‘atsar] a man, and there can be no opening [of His word].
15 Behold, he withholds the waters [His word/understanding from the cloud], and they dry up: also he sends [His understanding] them out, and they overturn the [old] earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leads counsellors away spoiled [by their own ignorance], and makes the judges fools.
18 He loosens the bond [of deception] of kings, and gird [prepares them for His work] their loins with a girdle.
19 He leads [wicked] princes away spoiled, and overthrows the mighty [those in power].
20 He removes away the speech of the trusty [the lies in which they trust], and taketh away the understanding of the aged [showing them to be ignorant].
21 He pours contempt upon princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty.
22 He discovers [these] deep things out of darkness [hidden in ignorance], and bringeth out to light [understanding that ignorance is] the shadow of death.
23 He increases the nations, and destroys them [by their own ignorance and misleading]: he [by understanding] enlarges the nations, and straiten them again [that were crooked].
24 He takes away the heart [the well-founded mind] of the chief [Bandon and Francis] of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way [derek].
25 They grope in the dark [in their ignorance] without light [understanding], and he make them to stagger like a drunken man.
The word “overturn,” in Job 12:15, is the Hebrew word haphak, which refers us to the same description by Elihu and LORD from the whirlwind, describing it as does Job.
Job 34 [the LORD in Elihu speaking unknown]
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world?
14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
16 If now you have understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns [haphak] them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face [presence], who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore speak what you know.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
Job 37 [the LORD in Elihu speaking]
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things does he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow [His word frozen in heaven], Be you on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7 He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 Out of the south comes the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearies the thick cloud [when all understanding fills it]: he scatters his bright cloud [and the cloud itself leaves]:
12 And it is turned [haphak] round about [when he brings again understanding, by overturning the wicked] by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of [paniym – showing His presence to] the world in the earth.
13 He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
Job 38 [the LORD speaking, making Himself known]
12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; [2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light {understanding} that shines {is given, which is the love, agape – charity, of God} in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star {phosphoros – light-bearer} arise in your hearts {in your mind, giving you the same mind of Christ}:]”
13 That it might take hold of the ends [the end of the old and the beginning] of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned [haphak] as clay to the seal [the overturning of the wicked and the old world, by God’s counsel, is as His signature pressed into the earth]; and they stand as a garment [that covers Him].
15 And from the wicked their light [understanding] is withholden, and the high arm [pride] shall be broken.
16 Have you entered into the springs [the water, these words, that flow to all humanity] of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto you? or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth [its end and beginning]? declare if you knowit all.
19 Where is the way where light [understanding] dwelleth? and as for darkness [ignorance], where is the place thereof,
20 That you shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that you shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Know you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great [like the Ancient of days]?
22 Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scatters the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who has [rightly] divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way [derek] for the lightning of thunder [the voice of understanding to be heard from heaven];
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no [living] man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no [living] man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground [without this word of God]; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth [new life by these waters from heaven]?
28 Has the rain a father? or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone [who is the shepherd, and Shiloh], and the face of the deep is frozen [prepared and waiting for Him to open what only he opens].
Psalms 20
1 The LORD hear you in the day of trouble [tsarah – tribulation]; the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant you according to your own heart, and fulfil all your counsel.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all your petitions.
6 Now know I that the LORD saves his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
Psalms 21
1 The king shall joy in your strength, O LORD; and in your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3 For you prevent [go before and prepare] him with the blessings of goodness: you set a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked life of you, and you gave it him, even length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great in your salvation: honor and majesty have you laid upon him.
6 For you have made him most blessed forever: you have made him exceeding glad with your countenance [presence].
7 For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.
8 Your hand shall find out all your enemies: your right hand shall find out those that hate you.
9 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
10 Their fruit shall you destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
11 For they intended evil against you: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
12 Therefore shall you make them turn their back, when you shall make ready your arrows upon your strings against the face of them.
13 Be you exalted, LORD, in your own strength: so will we sing and praise your power.
