READINGS FOR APRIL 16, 2024: JOB 41, 1 CORINTHIANS 8, PSALM 31:14-24
JOB 41
In this chapter, God completes his questioning of Job.
God questions Job about the Leviathan. As in chapter 40, the sea creature that this is describing is not known for sure. Most translations use the Hebrew word, Leviathan, for the name of the creature. Based upon the description of the creature, it most closely resembles the crocodile. Also based upon how God describes the creature, the Leviathan is even more terrifying than the Behemoth in chapter 40.
Nothing on Earth can subdue Leviathan. In verse 11-12, God urges Job to try and subdue the creature. It is a undertaking that Job does not have the knowledge or power to attempt. . Only God can humble the creature.
1 CORINTHIANS 8
In this chapter, Paul is addressing another question that has been asked by the people of Corinth. It concerns the eating of food that has been sacrificed to idols. TO fully understand Paul’s teaching, we must first put it in its context.
In the city of Corinth, there were at least twelve temples that where citizens could worship one of the “false gods” of Greek mythology. As was also the custom in the temple in Jerusalem, the temples in Corinth would offer up animal sacrifices to their “false god.” Any excess meat that was not consumed in the sacrifice, eaten as part of the temple worship, or eaten by the temple priest’s family was taken to the city market to be sold. In fact, most of the meat sold in the city market could be traced to one of these temples. This brings us to the issue in the Christian church.
There was a disagreement in the Church about whether it was acceptable for Christians to eat the meat sold in the market which had probably been sacrificed to an idol (false god). On the one hand, were those who believed it was acceptable. Their opinion was based upon the knowledge that since there was only one true God that the temples were sacrificing their meat to nothing. And since these “false gods” did not really exist, then there is no problem eating the meat.
On the other hand, were those who were against eating the meat from the market. It is possible that while they were worshipping the right God, they may not have fully rejected the rest of the Greek/Roman Gods as nonexistent. In their opinion, the food had been sacrificed to an idol and therefore was not to be eaten.
Paul’s teaching on this disagreement kind of finds a middle ground. He agrees for the most part that eating the meat is not sinful. However, he cautions those with the knowledge to make sure that their actions do not cause others to sin. If someone who believes the meat is “off limits” and eats it, it may cause them to fall away from the faith.
For us today, Paul’s words in verse 13 are worth discussing.
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. (NIV)
Even if we believe, due to our superior knowledge, that some action or behavior is not sinful, if that behavior causes another person to sin, then we should show caution when doing it (if at all). Maybe it is abstaining from alcoholic beverages in the presence of someone because they believe that drinking them is sinful. If engaging in an activity will lead another person into sin, then we should be willing to abstain while in their presence.
PSALM 31:14-24
This is the completion of the psalm of lament. In this section, we turn away from the event that led David to write the psalm and on to the resolution. David knows that his defense against his enemies is his unwavering reliance on God’s faithfulness.
David calls on God to protect him against his enemies. David has given himself to God and is relying on God’s shellter. David calls God to save him by God’s power.
The psalm wraps up by calling all who hope in God to give God praise. When we have faith in God, we can be strong. We can be assured that God is with us during trouble.
