Job 35:1-16 – WALLOWING IN SELF PITY AT CHRISTMAS

Job 35:1-16 – WALLOWING IN SELF PITY AT CHRISTMAS

When old people suffer more than normally, I find myself despairing, feeling sorry for them and myself. There is a gastric bug in one of the sections of Shalom, the Aged Care Facility where I work, and I can no longer have the Christmas Service for them in the Chapel. We are in lock-down quarantine mode. The Service is hastily held in another hall with residents from different parts of the site but it is not the same. I am feeling depressed. Sometimes I think “What use it is to live the Christian life? What difference am I really making?” What can I do except pray.

Then in the middle of wallowing in self pity I once again see Job. He is sitting in the dust covered in boils and feeling excruciating pain, asking the same questions.

In Job 35 a young man named Elihu is speaking to Job arrogantly and cruelly. He thinks God is causing Job to suffer because of his sin. One thing about Job’s friends is that they are verbose and come to the worst of conclusions and judgments. He says “Do you think it is right for you to claim, ‘I am righteous before God’?” For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’ (Job 35:2-3 NLT). Now those questions are straight from my mouth, and I’d like to justify asking them,… but I can’t entirely.

I’ve sorted out the “claim to be righteous before God” bit. The Old Testament and New Testament declare that I CAN claim that I am in RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God. For example Genesis 15:6 (NLT) says “Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH.” Notice it wasn’t because he was living such a good life that he deserved to be made right with God. It was because of his FAITH.

But Elihu says something that is disturbing, “If you are good, is this some great gift to Him? What could you possibly give Him?” (Job 35:7 NLT). So what is the point of even trying to be a good person? Isaiah 64:5-7 (NLT) says … how can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags…”

Christmas solves this dilemma of not being good enough and being estranged from God and the sin thing. In Luke 2:10-11 (NLT) an angel says “I bring you GOOD NEWS that will bring great joy to all people. The SAVIOUR—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, …!” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) says that the good news is that “For God made Christ, who NEVER sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be MADE RIGHT with God THROUGH CHRIST.” At the end of one of my devotions about this one lady summed it all up by saying “It is not what I have done but what Christ has done for me.” That’s the answer. Faith in Christ alone, not in how good I think I am.

Being righteous (in right relationship to God) is one thing. Living righteously is another. I still have the question “What good is being faithful to God if it achieves nothing? What is the use of living the life God intends me to live if there is nothing in it for me?” I know that sounds selfish, but please let me be honest when I am wallowing in self pity.

Elihu seems to agree with me. He says it doesn’t make any difference to God how I live. He says, “If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on Him?” (Job 35:6 NLT). But I know that’s just not true.

It affects Him a great deal! Don’t get me wrong. It doesn’t change His character or His purposes, nevertheless I can GRIEVE the Holy Spirit and QUENCH His work in me (Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

At least Elihu is right when he says “…it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.” I agree. He does listen. He is concerned. It makes a difference to Him. To say “… your sins affect only people like yourself,…” (Job 35:8 NLT) is not true. It made a huge impact upon Christ when He died for our sins. Christmas bears testimony to the fact that God is concerned with solving the problem of sin and our inadequacy to live as God intended.

Elihu says “People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty. Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the One who gives songs in the night? (Job 35:9-10 NLT). That’s not true either. Even Paul and Silas sang praises to God while in jail, greatly oppressed (Acts 16:25).

So today, as I walk down the halls of Shalom, and look into the rooms of suffering people, I take a portable CD player, sing Christmas Carols and wish them a Happy Christmas. Some old faces peer at me and smile and begin to sing with me. Jeffrey (not his real name) says, “I’ve been very sick.” I say “I know, I’ve been praying for you.” He says, “It must be working. I’m getting better.” We sing “Silent Night” together, and as we sing the words about Jesus being loves pure light, once again I am humbled by the dawn of His redeeming grace. 

Pastor Ross

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Job 34:21-37 – LOOKING BEYOND MYSELF AT CHRISTMAS

Job 34:21-37 – LOOKING BEYOND MYSELF AT CHRISTMAS

Looking Beyond Myself

I remember asking my Mum if Santa was real. She would say, “He’s real if you want him to be real.” Not a good answer. “But how does Santa get around to all the children on Christmas Eve? He can’t be everywhere at the same time, can he, and the reindeer can’t be that fast.” Good question. One scientist calculates that he would have to make 900 visits per second, and travel at 265 times the speed of sound to visit 152 million homes on Christmas Eve (North Carolina State University 2009, December 5. Santa’s sleigh).

Why do children believe in SANTA? Why do they believe in GOD? Santa, it seems, has the same supernatural powers of God: He can be in every household at once, powerful enough to make a sleigh fly, carry a sack filled with what must be tons and tons of presents, get it and himself down a chimney despite his obesity, not to mention his ability to drink and drive. He is so intuitive that he knows who has been naughty and nice.

It’s not surprising then that Scientists Larivée and Sénéchal want to explore a deeper question: If children attribute the same supernatural powers to Santa as they do to God, why do they stop believing in Santa, but continue their belief in God? (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208180345.htm) It seems that writing God off as a myth is a little more difficult for us to do.

In Job 34:21-22, Elihu is speaking to Job and to his friends. He makes some statements about God. He says “For God watches how people live; He sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from His eyes” (NLT). There it is again, OMNIPRESENCE (God is all present) and OMNISCIENCE (He is all knowing). Darkness – no problem. He still sees me. I can’t hide from Him. I can reject or seek Him but I can’t hide from Him.

Lou Damon from Texas shared an article on his facebook page recently called “30 things to stop doing to yourself.” (http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/) It includes “Stop spending time with the wrong people, stop running from your problems, stop lying to yourself.” Very helpful. Elihu would add “Stop lying to God. Stop trying to hide from God.” He says in Job 34:31-32 “Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?” Good advice.

When Job doesn’t co-operate, Elihu gets nasty and says “Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked. For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God” (Job 34:35-37 NLT). Nice!

I encourage people when they are angry with God to ask Him the tough questions? I’m not talking about being arrogant, defiant, disrespectful, but about staying in communication with the One who has the answers. Of course if it is merely for the sake of griping and not genuinely seeking answers, then it is foolish. In Isaiah 45:9-13 (NLT) God says to us “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’ … Do you give Me orders about the work of My hands?” For a follower of Christ Romans 8:28 (NLT) says “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

Elihu gets it wrong concerning Job. All too easy to see fault in someone else. I admit. I get it wrong too. I look at the outward appearance of those around me, make assumptions and speculate. God, on the other hand, is able to look at a person’s heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and see them for who they are.

What intrigues me is that all through the scriptures the Lord gives people words of knowledge and wisdom, supernatural insight into the lives of people around them. I need the eyes of God if I am truly to understand the people I meet each day, to look deeper than the surface, to see the unseen things that are going on inside, to be aware of the issues of a person’s life, to take an interest in them, to be present and carry God’s presence with me.

That’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it? God sending His Son into the world to identify with us and to get us to LOOK BEYOND the limitations of ourselves. To get us to admit we get it wrong and need a Saviour in order to live our lives as God intended.

Pastor Ross

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Job 34:13-20 – I OBJECT TO CHRISTMAS!

Job 34:13-20 – I OBJECT TO CHRISTMAS!

A man dressed in pure white and with a distinctly angelic face addresses the courtroom in answer to a question. His face is literally glowing with excitement. “Yes, it is true but don’t be afraid!” he says. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born in Bethlehem, the city of David! (Luke 2:10-11 NLT). “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14 NLT)

“Oh, please!” The prosecutor is nauseated by these words “Peace on earth! You have got to be kidding! I have no more questions, your honour, to a witness who is oblivious to the suffering, disease and death in this world. Roman Terrorists wreak havoc in our world and God sits there and allows it all to happen without blinking an eyelid! If this is his idea of Christmas, then I object! Let’s leave God out of Christmas this year!” The gallery hums with agreement.

The next witness is the accused Himself and He walks into the witness box. His awesome presence fills the room which is both compelling and disturbing. The prosecutor doesn’t seem to notice. The swearing in takes an odd twist as the witness produces His own Bible, but now the preliminaries are over. God is in the box, where we want Him.

Prosecutor: “You speak of Christmas, a time of peace, hope and joy, but amidst the echoes of angelic declarations of joy after Jesus birth there is deep, gut wrenching tragedy, is there not? King Herod, a military genius and cruel political tyrant has exercised ruthless terror in the village of Bethlehem. He has murdered the baby boys in an effort to destroy Your Son, Jesus, who supposedly is born king of the Jews. It is well known that he has also murdered his own wife and three of his sons because he is suspicious of them taking over his kingdom. The man is insane! Such merciless power. Yet You stood by while it all happened. Why didn’t You step in and do something?” The prosecutor is demanding and almost rude. Filling the gallery of the courtroom, we all agree with the prosecutor though each of us has a separate list of questions and grievances.

Elihu, counsellor to the accused, is on his feet. “I object, your honour. God ‘brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, …. He knows what they do, … He strikes them down because they are wicked, … For they turned away from following Him. … They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy… He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people.” (Job 34:24-30 NLT). The courtroom erupts with laughter. How naïve.

The prosecutor is relentless, taunting, sarcastic, and looking directly at Elihu says “Ask the grieving mothers in Bethlehem whether God hears the cries of the needy. Too late! It won’t bring back their children! Does God strike down the wicked openly? Sometimes maybe, but not when it would be obvious and logical for God to intervene with a lightning bolt or something equally fitting.” Turning away, he addresses God again, “Now answer the question. Where were You? Why didn’t You do something?”

It seems that every crevice of the room is filled with the sound of His voice as God speaks. “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, FOR I DO WHATEVER I WISH.” (Isaiah 46:10 NLT) “My plans are perfect. If I planned to destroy you, I could do so, quite easily. ‘If I were to take back My spirit and withdraw My breath, ALL life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.’ (Job 34:14-15 NLT) but I’m not really being slow about My promise, as some people think. No, I am being patient for your sake. I do not want anyone to be destroyed. I would rather everyone repent, including you counsellor” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT). The gallery breaths in a collective whisper of horror in the face of such audacity. We all expected that it was our right to put the Sovereignty of God on the spot, but God is not co-operating!

The prosecutor is relentless on our behalf, “Why did Pastor Bill die of cancer and another Pastor in our Church lose his baby recently? Why did Hilda die yesterday after having a massive stroke? This will be the first Christmas without them. And why does Job sit in ashes in excruciating pain waiting to die? Do you even know what it is like to experience such devastating tragedy?” God is silent.

“The witness will answer the question!” “But your honour”, says Elihu, giving a quick disclaimer for God in defence “… if He chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize Him?” (Job 34:29 NLT). Daniel, sitting in gallery shouts “He is SOVEREIGN, NOT CRUEL! … No one can stop Him or say to Him, “What do you mean by doing these things?” (Daniel 4:35 NLT). The judge is adamnant “Quiet in the court. The witness will answer the question or will be HELD IN CONTEMPT of this court.”

All of a sudden a CROSS appears in the witness box with a scroll attached by large nails. It reads “He was despised and rejected— a MAN OF SORROWS, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). And everyone knew that God had already been held in contempt, by us all. He had already been judged and convicted by us when we rejected His Son. He knows the deepest passages of our grief when He died on the cross for our sins.

Far from seeing God as a merciless tyrant, at Christmas I see Him as a loving Saviour. I see the tragedy of heaven’s Son bearing the weight of mankind’s rebellion and realise that I cannot hold Him in contempt or judge the only One who has come to save me. And as I see things through the eyes of the Cross, I find myself saying “I object to Christmas without Jesus!”

Pastor Ross

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Job 34:12-23, – NAUGHTY AND NICE

Job 34:12-23,  – NAUGHTY AND NICE

 

Checking it twice!

“… He’s making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s NAUGHTY AND NICE. … He knows if you’ve been BAD OR GOOD, so be good for goodness sake!”

You better watch out! But I wouldn’t worry too much. Santa overlooks a lot of the naughty part anyway. Except of course in third world countries. No gifts. Must have been very naughty. Lots of pouting. Certainly crying. Perhaps “naughty” equates with poverty and “nice” with commercialism and money in our bank account. Doesn’t seem all that JUST. I once saw a cartoon of Santa in the manger adored by bankers and businessmen!

Some people see God like Santa… old, white beard, overlooking the naughty and rewarding the nice. Afterall Romans 3:23 and 6:23 says we have ALL been NAUGHTY but we all have the opportunity of receiving A GIFT from God. What we water down and call “naughty” God calls “sin”. He says “the wages of sin is DEATH, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT).

In Job 34, Elihu is speaking to Job and his friends and he runs a short course in GOD’S CHARACTER 101. Among other things he says about God, he states “The Almighty will NOT TWIST JUSTICE” (Job 34:12). God is absolutely and TOTALLY FAIR. His character is JUST. 2 Chronicles 19:7 (NIV) says “… with the LORD our God there is NO INJUSTICE OR PARTIALITY OR BRIBERY.” Deuteronomy 32:4 (NLT) says “… Everything He does is JUST AND FAIR.” Romans 2:11 (NLT) says “For God does NOT SHOW FAVOURITISM.” Santa + us may discriminate by overlooking sin for the sake of a bank balance and commercial enterprise, but not God. Rich or poor. Third world or Westerners. He is just and fair to everyone.

Since He claims to be fair, I ask God “Why do You allow people to starve in India and live in poverty in Cambodia?” But I am interrupted mid sentence by God who is asking me the very same question! He’s provided all the resources. Since you have more, give more. What am I doing about it? Am I NAUGHTY OR NICE? Nothing FAIR about starvation and poverty, especially if I’m part of the problem!

Ever since the garden of Eden we seem obsessed with thinking that this world would be a better place if we ate from the tree of the knowledge of GOOD AND EVIL rather than from the tree of LIFE. In a childish flashback we say “I’ve lived a pretty good life. No Santa, I haven’t been naughty” rather than with childlike faith say “How can I live LIFE to the full? Yes God, I want to have significance and purpose in my life?”

And what about when I enter into eternity? You’ve heard the question AD NAUSEUM “How could a loving God send people to hell?” My wife met some monks in Cambodia who had never heard about Christ. Do they go to hell? At this point Elihu jumps in and says “Could God govern if He hated justice? Are you going to condemn the Almighty Judge?” (Job 34:17 NLT). “We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment.” (Job 34:23 NLT). John 3:18 (NLT) says “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him (Christ). But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s One and Only Son.”

“But God, what if I’ve been more NICE than NAUGHTY and don’t think that I DESERVE to be judged? And what if I don’t want anything to do with Jesus?” Elihu says “Must God TAILOR HIS JUSTICE to your demands? But you have REJECTED Him! The CHOICE is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us. (Job 34:33 NLT).

Our wisdom – the Santa principle – NAUGHTY AND NICE, is tenuous at the least. Think about it. A person’s good is only RELATIVE to other people. What about God? Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and COME SHORT of the glory of God.” I don’t measure up to the PERFECT CHARACTER of God. Habakkuk 1:13 (NLT) declares of God “You are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil.”

That’s where Christmas comes to the rescue. Enter Jesus. (Galatians 4:4). He lives a perfect life and dies upon a cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) says “God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.” The righteousness of God goes WAY BEYOND “NICE”. Romans 3:24 (NLT) says “Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that WE are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He FREED US from the penalty for our sins.”

Romans 3:22-26 (NLT) says it all. “This sacrifice (of Jesus) shows that God was being FAIR when He held back and did not punish those who sinned … God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He Himself is FAIR AND JUST, and He declares sinners to be right in His sight WHEN THEY BELIEVE IN JESUS.” Believing in Christ enables us to live LIFE TO THE FULL, beyond just keeping a set of rules of my own making and trying to keep God’s justice at bay. In Christ I can make a worthwhile difference way beyond nice.

The gift of eternal life has nothing to do with the SANTA TREADMILL of naughty or nice (Ephesians 2:8-9)! We do not work for it by not being naughty. We do not earn it or deserve it by being nice. It doesn’t need batteries to keep on keeping on and it makes an eternal difference starting from now. It is FREE to us but like most things which are free, someone pays for them. In this case, Jesus Christ has PAID THE PRICE. And He is the gift, the life. John 10:10 (NIV) says “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The invitation is to you. God bless you as you receive the gift of His life this Christmas.

Pastor Ross

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