ESV Chronological Plan, Day 25 | Job 29-31

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read Job 29:1-31:40

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

(A) We are blessed so that we can bless others. One thing that's interesting to see throughout Job 29-31 is this conviction that is treated like common sense: that the one who has been given much is required to use what he has to be a blessing to others. When Job is recounting proof that he has been faithful, he says: "I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him... I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame" (Job 29:12, 15). Later on he says of himself, "If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless had not eaten of it... then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket" (Job 31:16-17, 22). In Job's day the only social safety net that existed was the kindness of strangers. If Job didn't help, no one else would (or could). In our day, while our centralized governments are able to provide better security, these kinds of programs are often blunt instruments that do not (and can not) really provide careful, individualized, comprehensive care  to specific people--along with a challenge to move beyond receiving blessing to the point where these they might be able to bless others. This means that the Church, and Christians, who follow God's Word and believe that material blessing comes from God and is given for a purpose, still have  a unique role to play in providing the kind of "on the ground" care that even the most generous governments could not. In many areas where the government works province-by-province and city-by-city, we as Christians are able to serve and see the impact of care that is provided neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood and person-by-person. The one who God has blessed with material goods and wisdom, in order for them to bless others, is still the best social program available.

(B) The categories of sin that Job disavows. Job's speech follows a structure of 1. recounting his former glory; 2. recounting his righteous deeds; 3. recounting his current suffering; 4. proving his innocence by listing common sins and showing that he has not even committed those--at least not as a pattern of living. These categories would be good for us to keep in mind, as we seek to flee from sin and live for righteousness. First, Job denies living in falsehood or with deceit (Job 31:5-8). This includes deceit whose purpose is to get something from others, to seem different than we really are for attention or for an opportunity that we haven't earned, or to make someone else look different than they really are--as in lying about them through gossip. Second, Job denies being enticed by lust (Job 31:9-12). This one is self-explanatory; there is no amount of looking that does not change the heart in some way. Third, Job denies withholding things from those in need (Job 31:13-23). We covered this above. Fourth, Job denies committing the sin of idolatry (Job 31:24-28). It's interesting that along with denying that he has worshipped the sun or moon in secret, Job also mentions that he has not trusted in his wealth. As far as I know, this is the only Old Testament reference which makes the connection between literal idolatry and trusting in one's own material riches. Fifth, and this might surprise someone, Job denies ever being glad that someone who did evil to him got their comeuppance (Job 31:29-36). When God hands out justice in this life, it is either to turn someone on to the right path, to prevent even worse actions, or to display his own glory--and he could just as well at various times have turned his hand against you for other things, but in his mercy, he didn't. None of these reasons for God handing out justice allows  for your celebrating what has happened. We may pray that God would stop an evil person, or that he would show them their error so that they can be restored, or that he would display his glory. But God does not appreciate when he shows us mercy, and we use the opportunity to sit on the sidelines and root for the next person's destruction. We are all deeply in need of the grace of God. This is why Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors.

C. Hardship makes the Kingdom of God more clear to us. As Job has wrestled with the purpose for his suffering, we have also seen how hardship has made him aware of things he had not known before. He has, several times, intuited the need for the Gospel, for eternal life, for God to cover even the remaining sin of an otherwise righteous person (though as has been stated several times in Job, no one is completely righteous), and for an advocate within God that somehow mediates against the wrath of God. Without suffering, Job would have never come to see any of these things. If God is merciful and gracious and good, then Job may dare to boldy approach him on his throne in order to find favor: "Oh, that I had one to hear me!... I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him" (Job 31:37).

RESPOND | WHAT IS OUR PART?

There are many things in this reading, both that I mentioned and that I didn't, which could draw us to respond in attitude, action, and worship. Some of these applications have already been mentioned above. Job has shown us that we can worship God as the source of both the blessing with which we can bless others, and the hardship that guides us into further understanding. He's shown us that we can use both seasons of wealth and harship to grow in personal maturity, understanding, and holiness. 

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US CLOSER TO GOD?

Here is a prayer prompt: "God, I ask that you would teach me, in this season, to be faithful with what you have given me. Help me not to spend my time wishing for a different season of life, but to honor and grow in you where I am at. Help me to draw near to you."