Pictures

 Well, I would love to regale you with what's going on in life, and post tons of pictures of our latest walks, but... It's been a pretty quiet week.  However...

A few days ago, I captured our resident red squirrels....

Scamper was busy being a moo pig at the bird feeder...

While Camper, as usual, stayed near the shed door

Today, our other Squirrel completed shed #4...

"Oh, look, it's me!"

"What about me?  I shed all the time!"

"Oh.  Okay!"

Wisdom Truck 21

 

We come to the climax of our tour of Job, when God himself speaks.  Note that two conditions are now present that were not earlier: one, the back and forth, "woe is me", dialogue between himself and his friends, and two: he was actually ready to listen, after Elihu gave him 'the facts of life', as it were.  To hear God you have to be 1) willing to shut up, and 2) willing to listen.

Now God hits him with a lot in chapters 38-41, but if you take a step back and big picture the passages, it neatly breaks down into 2 sections that are each bookmarked with a question.

SECTION ONE

Question one: 

Job 38:1  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 

Job 38:2  “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 

Job 38:3  Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 

Question two:

Job 40:1  And the LORD said to Job: 

Job 40:2  “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” 

So big picture:  God starts with telling Job he doesn't really know what he's talking about.  Then, He proceeds to describe to Job all the things that God in His Wisdom has set up:

-38:4-11: The designing of the universe;

-38:12-15 The concept of time;

-38:16-20 The depths of the unseen world;

And so on.  Midway through this, God uses a little of the sarcasm Job used (indirectly) on Him right back:

Job 38:21  You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! 

What God is doing here is destroying Job's right to question Him- God had NO duty to Job, not even that of appopinting a mediator- though He eventually would with Christ!  By calling Job a 'faultfinder', God is pointing out Job's sin- not questioning God, but the attitude that God had wronged him.

SECTION TWO

Question one:

Job 40:6  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 

Job 40:7  “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 

Job 40:8  Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? 

Question two, this time about midway through:

Job 41:10  No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me? 

Job 41:11  Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. 

Who God is talking about we will hit in a second.  This second section turns towards a less esoteric, more in-Job's face showing of the vast difference between God and man.  God does this through the description of two creatures that blows away the entirity of the evolution/10 billion year old universe.

The first of these creatures, described in 40:15 to 24, any little kid could tell you, is a dinosaur- specifically, something like an Apatosaurus.

Job 40:17  He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. 

Job 40:18  His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron. 

Job 40:19  “He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword! 

Job 40:20  For the mountains yield food for him where all the wild beasts play. 

Job 40:21  Under the lotus plants he lies, in the shelter of the reeds and in the marsh. 

Job 40:22  For his shade the lotus trees cover him; the willows of the brook surround him. 

Job 40:23  Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened; he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth. 

I want you to think hard on this:  If this was a creature that died out 70 million years before man existed, and not discovered by man for at least another 3,000 years, WHY would God describe it to him?  The commentators, most of whom never heard of dinosaurs, tried to pass it off as a hippo- and I doubt I need to find a picture of the back end of a hippo to convince you that its tail has very little resemblance to a cedar!  The point was, that this was a creature Job knew he could not kill; and yet, the God Job tried to make himself even with had MADE him, even before He made man.

The second creature after this Behemoth, was called Leviathan.  Again, commentators and skeptics have tried to scale it down into 'a crocodile'.  What crocodile have you seen that could do this:

Job 41:18  His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. 

Job 41:19  Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. 

Job 41:20  Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. 

Job 41:21  His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth. 

..... 

Job 41:27  He counts iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. 

Job 41:28  The arrow cannot make him flee; for him, sling stones are turned to stubble. 

Job 41:29  Clubs are counted as stubble; he laughs at the rattle of javelins. 

Job 41:30  His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire. 

Job 41:31  He makes the deep boil like a pot; he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 

Job 41:32  Behind him he leaves a shining wake; one would think the deep to be white-haired. 

You would say, "This sounds like a fire-breathing sea monster"; you would be right.  And if it was a fanciful creature, WHY would God be using it?  If you believe, as I do, the Bible is the Word of God, you have to believe these creatures existed with man. 

In studying this, I found a little corroboration in the form of the Roman Marcus Attilius Regulus, a Counsul and general in the 260s-250s BC.  According to several sources, during his invasion of Carthaginian Africa in 255 BC, his army came to the Bagradas River.  There they encountered a beast much like what was described in Job.  It nearly shattered his army (which was then defeated by Carthage), until a lucky shot from a catapult hit a weak spot in that armor and broke its back.  The finished it off and skinned it, and that skin- 120 feet long, or three times the size of the largest recorded crocodile- was sent to Rome.

Did this really happen? Who knows- a defeated general might say anything.  However the skin was attested to in more than one source.

Point being that after the first line of questioning, Job said, basically, I'll shut up now.  By the second, he saw himself- and God- for what they really were...

Job 42:1  Then Job answered the LORD and said: 

Job 42:2  “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 

Job 42:3  ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 

Job 42:4  ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 

Job 42:5  I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 

Job 42:6  therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” 

Now Job and God were good; because deep in Job's heart, he had never wronged God in disbelief.  The three friends, however, had been deceived by the demonic,and God basically told them, "If you want forgiveness, ask Job to pray for you, because I'm not listening to you."  Which brings us to the flip side of where we started:   3)God can ALWAYS hear; but 4) He won't listen to sin.  

Martin World News

 

Okay, I have at least two stories that could be taken as mildly amusing...

CNN- Shoulda said it then...

Headline: Jill Biden says she worried Joe Biden was having a stroke during 2024 debate

YOU were worried? That poor man had no buisiness being out there.  But, let me ask you, Jill, what was it you said that night?

 In a post-debate event that night, Jill Biden said, “Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question. You knew all the facts.”

You know, had you said something about a stroke, or at least acknowledged that, "We beat Medicare" wasNOT a correct answer to any question, maybe Harris might have done a bit better in the election that fall.  Better late than never doesn't always apply.

KTLA Los Angeles:  Perhaps a branch office was not required...

Headline: Bizarre U-Haul tree branch rampage damages a dozen cars in North Hollywood

My thanks to Bo Snerdly's X account for showing me this one.  And let's see what happened via the police report...

“V1 (the U-Haul truck) traveling eastbound on La Maida Street, struck a very large tree branch, which ripped off and lodged itself between the truck and its trailer,” police said in the statement.

Police said the U-Haul truck continued eastbound on La Maida Street, resulting in the tree colliding with and damaging 12 other vehicles parked along the street.

As you can see, this was no small tree branch.

"She has huge rearview mirrors on both sides, like, there's no way you couldn't see and feel," said Nate Bridges, one of the North Hollywood residents who witnessed the chaos unfold. "It was a huge mistake, obviously. It was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen."

One person harmed and maybe helped, was witness Clark Heiser, whose Prius (which he was living in while trying to get his music noticed), whose immediate reaction was:

“What the f— lady!” Heisler could be heard yelling at the U-Haul driver after the truck came to a stop up the street. “You couldn’t tell? You just hit everybody’s car down the street!”

But soon later, he put on his rose colored glasses and said:

Clark says his Prius was totaled in the incident, because they no longer make replacement roof panels and the car is only worth around $3,000. He hopes that if anything good comes from the ordeal, it's that more people view the video he posted on his Instagram and begin listening to his band Papercut Massacre. 

Can't say I didn't try to help.  I'll see if I can find their tunes later.

RT News: If ya can't beat 'em...

Headline: Pope used AI to warn about dangers of AI – researcher

Recently, our friendly neighborhood Pope issued a 42K-page encyclical called  ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, in which he discussed a growing concern to most in-the-know people- the lack of oversight of AI programs, which he and many others feel may end up being harmful.  But...

Despite its appeal for AI to be regulated and “disarmed,” large portions of ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ show some telltale signs of being written by AI, Zhang claimed in a blog post on Tuesday.

“Phrases and punctuation much more commonly used by AI are much more present in this papal encyclical than past encyclicals,” Zhang wrote, pointing to the document’s use of em-dashes (127 instances, compared to 26 across four encyclicals by Pope Francis) and “tricolons: a series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses used for rhetorical effect.”

Not surprisingly on this big of a work, the problem might just be the men who Leo XIV sublet the work out to:

The fact that certain paragraphs appear completely free of AI suggests that “some senior Vatican officials heavily used AI assistance for this encyclical and many (probably including Pope Leo himself) didn’t,” Zhang wrote.

Or maybe Leo himself is a figment of AI.... "Look at them, not at me..."

(NOTE: This is a totally fictitious attempt to start a viral rumor.  Feel free to spread it!)

Xinhua: And speaking of AI...

Headline: Robot tea picker takes on West Lake's delicate harvest

I watched the video- sure looked like he was grabbing a lot of imaginary leaves.  A friend of the Pope's, perhaps?

(BTW:  I tried to screen shot it and crop it on Paint, but the new paint has hidden the crop function somewhere that I can't find it.  So I went to grok and HE did it.  Grok 1, Pope 0.)

And certainly after all that battle, the closer should be a good one...

Japan Times: At least it's not during Pride Month

Headline: At Kawasaki’s ‘penis festival,’ phalluses are vessels of compassion

I only get so much of this story without signing in, but here's the gist.  Shinto gods live in mikoshi, temporary abodes that can be paraded about on special occasions.  One such occasion is the Kanamara festival in Kawasaki, Japan.  What sets this fesitval apart is what that name means- the Festival of the Steel Phallus".  During this festival, the gods get to ride around in replicas of the original Steely Dan (wiki how the band got its name for further details).  But the star of the show is...

"...a fuschia clored, 2-meter tall sculpture- that happens to be named Elizabeth."

"All right, fellow deities- short straw rides in Elizabeth this year."

Wisdom Truck 20

 

I begin to realize how much like Job I am as I look at the 5 chapters that contain Elihu's speech to Job.  Now Elihu is much younger than Job or his three misled friends, and so he respectfully waits- because he's had enough of both of them! We are told he is "burning with anger" over how the back and forth between them has gone.  Against Job, because he was turned from justifying God to justifying himself (as we learned last time); against the others because the came with accusations but no answers, no help, no mercy.

I am going to split Elihu's five chapters (and not without leaving a LOT of valuable stuff out) into 2 groups.  Group one is seven things that we need to do to lovingly rebuke someone; group 2 are the 4 sins of Job that Elihu points out to him.  Group one is a lot like the four principles that Dr David Jeremiah gave us way back when we started Job, so let's start there.

In order of appearance, the seven guides that Elihu's example give us:

1- Job 32:8  But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 

Job 32:9  It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. 

Throwing out the entire arguments of the 3 friends, Elihu points out- just as Job did last time- it's God that gives wisdom, not how long you've lived, or your many traditions.  Jeremiah's rule- The suffering need encouragement, not experiences.

2- Job 32:11  “Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. 

Job 32:12  I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words. 

Elihu LISTENED before opening his mouth.  By the time you get to the end of the back and forth, it's obvious that Job et al are speaking PAST each other.  Hearing what they wished to hear.  If you want to rebuke someone, first hear THEIR side.  Jeremiah rule- they need support, not sarcasm.

3- Job 32:14  He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.

He's not going to parrot some old talking point, like politicians do.  He's going to give constructive talk, talk that requires thinking on your own. Jeremiah rule- they need assurance, not advice.

4- Job 32:21  I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. 

Job 32:22  For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. 

He's not here to butter Job up, or take one side against another.  This one is actually going to tie into the seventh, so hang in there.

5- Job 33:31  Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 

Job 33:32  If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. 

Job 33:33  If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” 

Lesson here- to rebuke someone is not to contest them, but to JUSTIFY them.  This doesn't mean agree with them- the word translated "justify" means 'to make right.'  He desires for Job to walk rightly again, where the 3 'friends' got caught up in the blame game. Jeremiah rule- they need assurance, not assumptions.

6- Same verses- he gives Job a chance to respond.  You cannot help someone without a dialogue.  And boy have I learned that lesson recently coming into this post! 

7- Job 36:1  And Elihu continued, and said: 

Job 36:2  “Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf. 

Job 36:3  I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 

To rebuke someone properly, keep in mind you should be speaking on God's behalf.  Even if you feel like a 2X4 should be used, that's up to God, not you.  Jeremiah rule- they need power principles, not pious platitudes.  Which is why it ties into #4.  He's not here to make friends, he's here to BE a friend.

So now that we understand how Elihu was to rebuke Job, it's time to look at what he was going to rebuke him for:

1- Job 33:9  You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. 

Job 33:10  Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy, 

Job 33:11  he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.’ 

Job 33:12  “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.   

Job bases his contention with God on his having done nothing wrong.  But Elihu answers with the same wisdom John would use millenia later:

1Jn 1:10  If we say we have not sinned, we make (God) a liar, and his word is not in us. 

2- Job 35:1  And Elihu answered and said: 

Job 35:2  “Do you think this to be just? Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’ ...

Job has come to believe he has 'rights' before God- as if he is an equal.  Ehilu goes on with a description of the majesty of God, and just where Job actually stands...

Job 35:4  I will answer you and your friends with you. 

Job 35:5  Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. 

Job 35:6  If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 

Job 35:7  If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? 

Answers: nothing.  Without God's love and mercy, you are next to nothing before Him.

3- Job 36:21  Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction. 

Instead of accepting the affliction, and learning from it, as he did in the beginning, Job has turned instead to justifying himself before God.

4- Job 37:23  The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. 

Job 37:24  Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” 

Job complains that he calls out to God and gets no response- and Elihu tells him WHY he gets no response.  Again, we can see the same principle in the New Testament:

Jas 4:2  You desire, and do not have. You murder, and are jealous, and cannot obtain. You fight and war, yet you have not because you ask not. 

Jas 4:3  You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it upon your lusts. 

Our prayers, like our rebukes, need to be on God's behalf, according to His will.

Now, Elihu has stopped the sin-momentum that the other three started in Job; he is ready at last to hear what GOD has to say...

Picture time

 I have a bankroll of semi-interesting pictures to share today-  thank the Lord not everyday lately has been a rain-out!

We start with a Thursday afternoon walk

It was at this point I got a call from a lady who claimed I was looking into life insurance back in March...

A lot of tall grass depressions where the deer I never get to see anymore took naps

Odd spot for a teething ring

You tell me, we'll both know.  On the back end of the footbridge trail

They tried to grade the road, spent a lot of time making ruts, though

A 300 pound man in a kayak with his wife on his lap.  His buddy, out further: "At least we know it will hold a week's worth of supplies!"

In addition to kayakers, the Latino Fishing Team

Not to mention bicyclers and people turning around 

We move to Friday, where we try out the first of the Fortlandia growlers- Standing Hampton Porter.

And boy, it was good!

Saturday I had found on a FB group that someone took a poll of everyone's favorite ELO song.  Compiled the results and played it to the sweet tastes of the other growler, Dr Evils Belgian Golden

Squirrel was up and rocking out...

Misty, not so much

Sunday was the races and semi-drunken Karaoke.  Laurie proved to have the best voice, though we did hit a few good notes

Brings us to the walk we just got back from...

Bright and beautiful

Lotsa toadstools thanks to all the rain

Misty's find of the day- a mess of apparently too-small fish

Looks like we'll have a raspberry bumper crop

Lilacs at the duck pond

Another busy day at the landing

Water's clear for a change at the bridge

But honestly, we were getting hot, and happy just to be in the woods.