“My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! Why do you, like God, pursue me, never satisfied with my flesh? “O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever!

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” Job 19:20-27

“By the skin of my teeth:” This incredibly common, yet really unusual phrase obviously has no physiological origin, but most English-speaking peoples will probably be surprised to its origin. The Geneva Bible, first published in 1560, translated Job 19:20 as such, and the idiom’s meaning was used in much the same as it is now. Subsequent English bible translations relate it as either something similar, as in the NRSV translation above, or referencing the gums rather than literally skinned teeth.

Job of course is reacting to the calamity that has come upon him — he has lost all or most of his property, his help, and his family. A closer reading of the entire book is necessary to truly understand the “game” that seems to be taking place between G-d and “the Accuser” (Satan). But Job, after escaping death by the “skin of his teeth” soon pronounces this profound statement of faith:

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

Job was taught that G-d was as much a living Redeemer as G-d was in the heavens. Job knew to look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come; he comforted himself with the expectation of these. Job was assured, that this Redeemer of sinners was his Redeemer, and to expect salvation through him. And though he had not yet come in the flesh, one day, on the last day, this Redeemer would stand upon the earth and complete the redemption of his people.

We have this clear understanding of the coming of Christ in the “end of days” — and Job, the one who has lost so much, looked to his Redeemer for solace.

Pastor Dave

Every language and every culture has its own complex system of idioms, metaphors and other bits of figurative language that oftentimes perplex non-native speakers. The same is true in the Bible. However, even some of the most well-educated individuals don’t always know how even the most familiar phrases have come into the vernacular. While I will not be able to present a comprehensive list by any definition, the following summaries explore some of the more popular English-language idioms.

“And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way.” Luke 4:28-30

“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23:13-21)

“Read the Riot Act:” The idea of an “Act” in this idiom references a legal proclamation that did, in fact, exist. Under King George I, the real “Riot Act” was passed in 1714. Read out loud in order to quell gatherings of subjects, the throne tried to keep in check those it considered potentially threatening. Once the reading of the “Act” concluded the “rioters” were given one hour to disperse before getting slapped with penalties such as servitude and imprisonment.

There were times in the Bible where riots broke out — that day at the Synagogue when Jesus told the audience they were unable to hear his words of Grace and Truth, and when the people were calling for the crucifixion of Jesus. I guess we have to agree that people have been people since the beginning of time. I imagine the scene at the building of the Golden Calf started with such a riot.

I find that when I am at my most angry, I turn to the Word of G-d and prayer to calm my anger and soothe my nerves. It doesn’t always work immediately, but it gets me off the things that are upsetting me. It is a model that Jesus gives us — for when he was on the cross, he turned to Psalm 22: “My God, My God, why…….”

Pastor Dave