READING FOR APRIL 2, 2024: JOB 31, ROMANS 14, PSALM 26:1-6 JOB 31 Job presents a comprehensive ethical system in this chapter that anticipates what later biblical books present. It is worth a detailed look. First, he commits to not even looking lustfully at a young woman. This foreshadows what Jesus commanded (Matt. 5:28). His statement about God evaluating his deeds is echoed throughout the Bible: Ps. 62:12; Prov. 24:12; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; Rev. 2:23; 22:12. Deception mentioned in verse 5 is strongly condemned a shocking number of times in the Bible: 1 Peter 2:1, 2 Cor. 11:13, Eph. 5:16, Psalm 5:6, Psalm 36:3, Psalm 43:1, Psalm 101: 7, Rom 3:13, 2 Tim. 3:13, Mark 7:22. By reading just a few of these verses, we should be permanently cured of speaking and acting deceitfully. Verses 9-12 double down on the dangers of putting oneself in a sexually compromising position. This seems to advocate for what is known as the “Billy Graham Rule.”
While the first half of the chapter addresses what might be called personal holiness, starting with verse 16, Job questions his interactions with social justice issues. Has he responded to his workers’ concerns? Has he made life more difficult for the poor? Has he been sensitive to the needs of widows, orphans, and those lacking clothing? Here is a good question for all of us: Have we just assumed people are needy due to their own negligence or do we see them, as Job expressed, as fellow image bearers of God, also woven together by God in the womb?
Finally, starting in verse 15, Job considers his deepest internal values. Has he placed too high a value on money? Has he had any secret thoughts that have not given God full glory above all else? Has he secretly rejoiced when his enemies struggled? Has he always provided gracious hospitality? Has he covered up his shortcomings because he was embarrassed? Has he treated the environment respectfully? Has he paid a fair price for goods he has consumed, or has he cheated any vendors?
In some ways, liberal Democrats might consider Job to be a prude, even repressed. In other ways, conservative Republicans might consider Job dangerously woke. Remember God’s opinion of Job: “For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8). Maybe we should use Job’s checklist above to evaluate ourselves.
ROMANS 14 This chapter provides some essential advice for maintaining harmony among the church body. Don’t make a big deal about minor matters! The Greek word is “dialogismos.” Some versions translate this as disputable issues, opinions, or doubtful things. Paul’s lists two items not worth arguing about: eating certain kinds of foods and celebrating certain days. He said these things have no significance, so just go along with whatever causes the least amount of turmoil. Comparable items today might include church carry ins, types of music used, color
READING FOR APRIL 2, 2024 CONTINUED: ROMANS 14, PSALM 26:1-6 schemes in the sanctuary, or employing the liturgical calendar. These items are non-essentials that should not be criteria for judging each other. Yet they are often the very issues that cause dissension in the church and people to leave. The Lord must be grieved at our childishness.
This does not mean there are no issues with which to contend. Romans 1:18 says, "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” The rest of Rom. 1 emphasizes kind of sins that must be called out in the church. It would be unloving in the extreme not to address them.
Essential doctrine must also be closely monitored. For example, the church must stand up against those who are either not preaching or preaching a distorted version of the Gospel: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-8).
PSALM 26:1-6 Although there is not a detailed description of David’s situation, we know David feels the need for divine vindication. Perhaps this happens to us when we feel our lives are not purposeful or when we have failed to achieve certain expectations. David proclaims his integrity, but also invites God’s scrutiny. In the process, David describes his personal value system, which complements Job’s ethics described above in today’s reading.
The positive traits to which he points include these virtues: lives with integrity, trusts God, sets his mind on God’s love and kindness, honors truth, voices his thanksgiving to God, declares God’s wonders, and loves worshipping God. He also lists negative traits he avoids: hanging out with deceitful men, planning evil schemes, committing violence, and offering bribes.
Mixing with the “deceitful men” is an interesting issue. We know Jesus ate with those considered sinners (Matt. 9:11). Yet in 1 Cor. 15:33 Paul cautions, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” How does one reconcile these verses? The context helps. In Jesus’s case he was seeking to save the lost. Paul’s comments described a lifestyle unconcerned with eternal life, but only temporary, earthly pleasures. So, our intent makes all the difference.
C.S. Lewis has good insights on this: “I am inclined to think a Christian would be wise to avoid, where he decently can, any meeting with people who are bullies, or lascivious, cruel, dishonest, spiteful and so forth. Not because we are ‘too good’ for them. In a sense we are not good enough. We are not good enough to cope with all the temptations, nor clever enough to cope with all the problems, which an evening spent in such society produces.”
Applying this principle to our time, might the kind of “bad company” we are keeping include the television shows we watch, the Facebook pages we view, the online links we click, or the YouTube videos we view? Every ad we see is designed to make us unhappy with our life.
