From the Top to the Bottom - Job 29-30

Job 30:1-8 (ESV)

“But now they laugh at me,

men who are younger than I,

whose fathers I would have disdained

to set with the dogs of my flock.

What could I gain from the strength of their hands,

men whose vigor is gone?

Through want and hard hunger

they gnaw the dry ground by night in waste and desolation;

they pick saltwort and the leaves of bushes,

and the roots of the broom tree for their food.

They are driven out from human company;

they shout after them as after a thief.

In the gullies of the torrents they must dwell,

in holes of the earth and of the rocks.

Among the bushes they bray;

under the nettles they huddle together.

A senseless, a nameless brood,

they have been whipped out of the land.

To better understand the above verses of Job we need to take a quick glimpse at the preceding chapter.   In chapter 29 Job is remembering his high status in life, before Satan attacked him (Job 1-2).   Job had it all. He had family, fame and, most important to the contrast of chapter 30, high respect.  He had status and significance among the people of the land.   Then trauma impacted his life.  Now, as he states in the above passages, he is mocked by even the lowest of the land.  As we read the passage we might have an unsettling of our own sense of moral outrage at Job’s attitude.  Remember, this is the Job that God said in the beginning of the book that he was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1).     God said this three times in the first two chapters (Job 1:1; 1:10; 2:3).   Yet, as we read Job’s above words, now it would seem that Job is quite arrogant, bias and certainly possessed some societal scorn for those who were less than he was.   However, it might well wise to consider a few things before we cast doubt on Job’s character, especially since only God knew his heart.  

1.  We must never forget when reading Job, past chapter 2, that this man is in deep despair and turmoil.   This does not give him and excuse to now act corrupt, but his lens has changed significantly.   In these two chapters he is just making a comparison trying to figure out why he has gone from respect to ruin.   He wants to know why he has fallen from the diadem of the elite to the disdain of  dregs.   When we are in trauma  we simply want to know what just happened.  

2.  We must remember that the days of Job, societal class was a normal function of the community.  This does not dismiss the thought of  bias or class warfare, but it does explain Job’s innate perspective on it.  Just as slavery in the time of Paul was accepted, didn’t mean Paul accepted it.  It simply meant it was part of society and the lens by which all lived.  Undoubtedly in Job’s day, as in ours, there were those less fortunate.  Some by the act of God (Proverbs 22:2).  Some by their acts of their own foolishness (Proverbs 21:10).  

3. Lastly, to Job’s point, he was now less than he was.   He is, yes, writing about those who he would have never even associated with, but he is doing so to demonstrate his fall, not their weaknesses.   Job has gone from the top to the bottom, in a moment. He is simply making the point that those who would have never been in his circle are now mocking him to their delight in their circus.  This also speaks of their lack of character.  They see before them a man to be mocked, not someone to shown mercy.   Those of low character, no matter the reason, remain of low character.  Job has a reason to speak the way he does (although we would all prefer we could be better in these situations).   They do not.   They simply want to mock the man who was above them to now elevate their own status above him.  The adage don’t kick a man when he is down, comes to mind. 

Proverbs 24:17-18 (ESV)

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased,  and turn away his anger from him.

Don’t Seek Revenge- Psalms 42-44

Psalms 43:1 (ESV)

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause

against an ungodly people,

from the deceitful and unjust man

deliver me!

We’re not sure who wrote this song. It appears between the two sections of psalms that are attributed to King David (3-41 & 51-72).  It may still be David’s prayer.  His situation in life certainly fits the theme of the song. 

Apparently the writer is being attacked from someone. The attack is unjust. Because God holds the balance of justice, the writer appeals to God for vindication.

This is our take away. We are not to seek our own vengeance, we are not to look for vindication through our own means. Peter outlines this in his book to the church:

1 Peter 3:8-12 (ESV)

Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Paul tells the Roman Christians the same thing:

Romans 12:17-21 (ESV)

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Our appeal for vindication needs to come to God. We are evil and therefore our vindication will carry a measure of evilness, of unfairness. We simply want to get back at people. God is the God of justice. When He vindicates us, He does so with perfect justice. He balances His wrath with His grace. When we vindicate our ourselves, we only have wrath. The next time you need vindication turn to God. Not to self.

Fear Costs You and Others - 1 Samuel 21-25

1 Samuel 22:18-19 (ESV)

Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword; both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword.

David is on the run from Saul.  Although he was promised by God, through Samuel, to be the next king, he is running.  Saul has tried to kill him twice.  Who wouldn’t run?   Yet, in his fear he was making mistakes.  He stopped at the Tabernacle and ate the Showbread and took the sword of Goliath that was kept there.  A guy named Doeg the Edomite was there, as well.   This is where the story becomes a tragedy.   

Doeg wanted to impress Saul.  Saul needed a fool to do his evil work.  They become the perfect evil pair.   However, Doeg and Saul are only acting out of their heart of evil.  It is David who put them in this situation.  We need to see the lesson here:  Our fear and running from God costs others their lives.  

Men, women, children and priests were all killed because David ran in fear.  Notice what he, himself, says about this, once he hears the account:

1 Samuel 22:22 (ESV)

And David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father’s house.

Our lack of faith has more ramifications than on our own walk with God. It can impact those around us.   Never think that disobedience by fear is only damaging you. It is not.  Our fear costs others.  A good example of this is Jonah.  He ran from God in fear and the sailors lost all their cargo.   

Our lack of faith produces fear. Our fear brings havoc into the lives of others.  

Don’t Let Sin Blind You - Exodus 5-8

Exodus 8:16-19 (ESV)

The Third Plague: Gnats

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

The third plague brought on the Egyptians in general and Pharaoh specifically, was gnats.   The Hebrew word can be translated many ways and one was gnats and the other is mosquitos.   Both were plentiful in Egypt.  

The interesting thing about this plaque is that God was creating something different out of the dust of the earth. In the first two plagues He turned water to blood and multiplied a known animal, the frog.  Here God takes dust and makes it into a pesky little animal that would bite and bother the Egyptians.   

Here the Egyptian magicians have finally met their match.  They can’t produce gnats or mosquitos out of dust.  Here they are willing to at least confess this is god-like.  They are still not ready to give glory to Yahweh.  The translation of their phrase can simply mean this is the finger of a god.   

Pharaoh still won’t listen.   Even though his own magic team was now confessing this was quite different, he is not willing to humble himself before Yahweh.   Even though a miracle is performed in front of him, he will not submit to God. Like the religious leaders later would not confess that Jesus was the Son of God, despite, His miracles, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.  Man wants a miracle to believe in God but still won’t submit to God when they see one.  This is the hardness of man’s heart.  Sin keeps man from seeing the glory of who God is.  Satan has truly blinded their eyes:

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Don’t let sin cause you to miss seeing the power and glory of God. 

Submit for the Sake of Angels - 1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11:10 (ESV)

That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

In this section of Paul’s words to the church at Corinth, he addresses women having their head covered in worship.   He begins the discussion by not talking about these head coverings by addressing the thought of submitting to authority.   He begins with this verse:

1 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

 The bigger issue in Corinth is that there were some women who did not submit to the authority of the church, or their husbands.   Paul is not addressing head coverings as much as he is addressing submission to authority.  That is the history of the context. 

The above verse gives us even more understanding about this challenge in the church as Paul gives the reason for the head coverings as it is a symbol of authority for the women, because of the angels.  

One of the truths of the New Testament seldom talked about is the fallen angels and how our spiritual walk with Christ is a rebuke to them.  One of the reasons we are to preach the gospel and live the gospel out in our lives is to make know the wisdom of God to the fallen angels.  Notice what Paul says to the church of Ephesus on this subject:

Ephesians 3:10 (ESV)

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

It is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.  And who is it to be made known to?  The rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Those are angels.   

Our walk in obedience, in the context of the church, is to show the fallen angels our submission to Christ.   Something Satan and his fallen angels would not do.   Our willingness to be submissive to authority is more than just our obedient walk in Christ.  God is using the church as exhibit A to His amazing grace. We are on display for the universe to see.  Submission is one act of that exhibit.   

Deity and Humility - Mark 7-8

Mark 8:22-26 (ESV)

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

The above miracle and the one of Jesus hearing the deaf man in Mark 7:31-37, are only found in the Gospel of Mark. In both of these miracles Jesus takes the person aside, privately and uses spit in some part of the miracle.   There is nothing we know of the Jesus using His own spit.  It seems to be just a way to convey in picture form Jesus transferring His power to this situation. 

Taking the men away privately seems to serve two purposes:

1. One purpose was for those in the villages who brought the deaf and blind man to Him.  Jesus was already wanting to make sure the religious leaders were not too quick to take Jesus by force.  There was a time for His death and resurrection, but not now.

2. Another purpose would be to teach the disciples.  After each miracle, Jesus uses the moment to do some teaching.   

Both miracles required the man to believe in Jesus.   Both required the man to leave and not tell anyone.  But they did any how.   

These two miracles show us the power of Jesus and display His deity.   It also displays His humility.  He was not doing these things to make a name for Himself.  He was doing these things to glorify His Father and to educate His disciples.  When we read these miracles we are to see both His deity and humility.  We are to recognize His power but also that He is meek in the use of that power.  Jesus didn’t need to flex to prove anything.  Our walk with Him is to be the same.  We don’t need to flex and proclaim our fame.  Jesus didn’t do it, neither do we.  

Don’t Disobey God’s Messengers - Jeremiah 7-11

Jeremiah 7:25-26 (ESV)

From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.

If you want the formula for disaster, there it is.  You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.  Obedience to God introduces His blessings.  Disobedience brings disaster. It is that simple.  Note what Solomon said about this regarding leadership vs followership:

Those who do not support God‘s leaders will eventually fall by God‘s disasters:

Proverbs 24:21-22 (ESV)

My son, fear the LORD and the king,

and do not join with those who do otherwise,

for disaster will arise suddenly from them,

and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

Be careful who surrounds you. How they treat a leader may end up how you are also treated.  Be careful how you respond to God’s leadership in your life.  He will send prophets and leaders to us to lead us. If we reject them, disaster is soon to follow.