Opened Ears
The book of Job remains an interesting exercise in human nature. Job himself is the central character and the lesson readily presented to us is one of self-righteousness. This assumption is casually based on Job’s assertion that he would hold on to his righteousness and would not let it go – in the face of wrong presumptions about him by his friends.
We must not overlook the context given at the beginning of the book that by God’s estimation, “… there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8).
Yet God allowed Job to suffer terribly at the hands of Satan. His physical discomfort and pain is difficult to imagine – “… painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7).
Is there anything in this story of Job that might be helpful to us as we follow the scriptural injunction to prepare for the Passover and take it in a worthy manner?
When the Apostle Paul instructed the members to “test” themselves to make sure they were “approved”, he was responding to the influences of the world around them. It was negatively dictating the members’ conduct towards the sacredness of the memorial of Christ’s supreme sacrifice on their behalf.
We live in a similar situation today, as in Corinth at that time. It was a thoroughly paganized society which served to dilute the place of God and His requirements upon those who chose to follow Him. The influences upon God’s people today from a thoroughly satanized world can also dilute our approach to godly living.
Paul said that the members should judge themselves rather than receive judgment from God. This is an interesting element in our personal relationship with God. “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32).
If we don’t judge ourselves and respond to what we see that needs to be addressed, God, in His love, will chasten us to produce the desired corrections.
Back to Job. When Elihu spoke with Job, he cut through the wrong understanding of the other friends and addressed the heart of the matter. His statement in chapter 36 connects us to Paul’s approach to the Corinthians. “He delivers the poor in their (his) affliction, and opens their ears in oppression” (Job 36:15).
God had allowed Job’s suffering, but through it something better was to be achieved. And as we follow the story, that most certainly took place. Job’s latter days were more blessed than his beginning. Something of great spiritual value was achieved by his trials and suffering. God opened Job’s ears to the purpose of His allowing affliction.
Many of God’s people are suffering trials and difficulties – some quite severe. In examining ourselves, God will open our ears and allow us to spiritually grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Like Job, our latter days will be more blessed than when we first were called.
Brian Orchard
