Job Follows Jesus
Daniel's sermon yesterday added to things I have already been thinking about over the years. I love the concept that as followers of Jesus, we are the ones who exalt the humble and bring down the powerful. We are the body of Christ. We bring about Christ's kingdom. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..."
There are other teachings that back up this idea of it being our responsibility to humble the rich and exalt the humble. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. The instructions accomplish both objectives.
Storing up treasures in heaven forces us to more humble circumstances. Caring for widows and orphans exalts those who have difficult circumstances.
In my Bible reading I came upon Job's final defense last week. It has been a long time since I've read Job and this particular passage took me by surprise. Job has been telling his friends that the misfortunes that have come to him are not a result of sin. His friends continue to insist that these terrible events are a direct consequence for Job's sin. They encourage him and scold him and even try to shame him into admitting the secret sin that has brought disaster on himself.
In Job's final defense he states why he knows he is blameless:
Job did understand that no matter what happened, his response would still be to follow God. Job 13:15 says "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." It reminds me of the post from a couple of days ago that included the letter written by Bart Campolo. Bart writes about continuing his commitment to 'exalt the humble' even when it seems not to make any difference. He calls it keeping the faith. That is what I need to do.
There are other teachings that back up this idea of it being our responsibility to humble the rich and exalt the humble. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. The instructions accomplish both objectives.
Storing up treasures in heaven forces us to more humble circumstances. Caring for widows and orphans exalts those who have difficult circumstances.
In my Bible reading I came upon Job's final defense last week. It has been a long time since I've read Job and this particular passage took me by surprise. Job has been telling his friends that the misfortunes that have come to him are not a result of sin. His friends continue to insist that these terrible events are a direct consequence for Job's sin. They encourage him and scold him and even try to shame him into admitting the secret sin that has brought disaster on himself.
In Job's final defense he states why he knows he is blameless:
- He avoided lust
- He was honest
- He has consistently followed God's law
- He has been faithful to his wife
- He has given justice to those who work for him whenever they had a grievance against him.
- He has granted the desires of the poor
- He has helped the widow
- He has fed the fatherless and reared them as a father would
- He has clothed those who needed it, using the fleece from his own sheep
- He has not trusted in wealth or taken pride in fortune
- He has not worshiped false gods
- He has not rejoiced at his enemies' misfortunes
- He has not cursed his enemies
- He has fed anyone who wanted to eat
- He has not allowed strangers to sleep in the streets
- His door was always open to the traveler
- He has cared for his land
- He has been good to his tenants
Job did understand that no matter what happened, his response would still be to follow God. Job 13:15 says "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." It reminds me of the post from a couple of days ago that included the letter written by Bart Campolo. Bart writes about continuing his commitment to 'exalt the humble' even when it seems not to make any difference. He calls it keeping the faith. That is what I need to do.
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