.
That's why I originally mentioned 2 Corinthians ch. 11, (the chapter before Paul spoke of the "thorn in the flesh.") Because who speaks of many circumstances where he suffered.
2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Corinthians 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
2 Corinthians 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
This also reminds me of the wilderness tempation of Jesus. (Luke 4: 4) This didn't involve any natural person: Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Of course we know that even after that, Jesus still faced persecution, even to the cross.
Luke 6:44
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Matthew 7:16
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Very good points with the example of Job. His friends also stood in that place and were corrected at the end of the chapter.
I've always found that amazing..for several reasons...but I'll leave that for another discussion.
Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job,
the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
Job 42:8
Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
At the end Job prays for his friends, and there's the mercy and forgiveness. Jesus showed that great mercy even to the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Agreed, I love when that happens! Part of continuing, seeking, knocking and asking. Waiting on the Lord to bring it together in His timing. That always reminds me of when Jesus said:
John 16:12
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
I believe that is precisely the reason Jesus said that "if we continue in His word we are His disciples indeed, and we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us free."
Still prayerfully examining these different passages as well.
Thanks for sharing your insights. It's so nice to discuss the scriptures as they are without debate and strife. So much more ground is gained that way.
God bless