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Scriptures: Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 1
When the Apostle Paul closes what is the magnum opus of Christian doctrine in the Bible, he breaks into song! It’s only right that he do so. How should you tie off the greatest story ever told? After walking through the grand reasons behind God’s rescuing love for rebel sinners, only a doxology will do.
So with a heart that is full and a mind on fire, Paul intones the words of Rom. 16:25-27: “Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the sacred secret kept silent for long ages, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God, to advance the obedience of faith among all nations – to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ – to Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Notice the in last phrases of the entire book of Romans, Paul emphasizes one attribute of God – His wisdom. Verse 27: “to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever! Amen.” My aim in this message, as it has been in every message under the banner of SEEING GOD FOR WHO HE IS, is to open a window in your mind to the infinite expanses of God. And particularly this morning, my goal is to display before you the wisdom of God, so that you see it more clearly and admire Him more intensely and trust Him more firmly and therefore obey Him more consistently and joyfully. (Pray)
One main statement will dominate the next several minutes in my speaking. I call you to let it take hold in your thoughts first, and then, by the Holy Spirit’s enabling, in your heart as well. The statement is simple and deep: God is infinitely wise. I want to unpack that for a moment and then we will see that flowing from that truth is a perspective-shaping, comfort-giving, anxiety-killing, prayer-inducing implication that will revolutionize your life if you will take it as you own.
Let me start with a definition: “Wisdom,” in the Bible, “is knowing the greatest goal in any situation, and the best way to achieve that goal.” (Sermon by John Piper, “The Great Work of the Only Wise God”, based on Romans 16:25-27) Wisdom sees the big picture, in focus, each part in its proper relationship to rest. Wisdom is different from knowledge. You can have knowledge without wisdom. There are a lot of brilliant fools. But you cannot have wisdom without knowledge, because in order to discern the best way to achieve a goal, you have to be able to integrate, to fuse together all kinds of factors from various sources of knowledge and experience.
Now, take up this attribute and think about God. And while you’re connecting those dots, listen to the psalmist say of God, “His understanding is infinite” (Ps. 147:5). Listen to Jeremiah pray to the “great and mighty God whose name is the Lord of Hosts, the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men in order to give to each person according to his ways and the result of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 32:19).
When Daniel described God’s wisdom, he wrote, “He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Dan. 2:21-22) Nothing’s ever a mystery to God. He is never puzzled or confused or uncertain.
Paul tries to talk about the wisdom of God, and when he does, it moves to praise: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Or who has ever first given to Him, and has to be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:33-36)
What the apostle is saying is that God’s wisdom is very deep – so deep that His judgments are unsearchable. I can’t get there from here; it’s beyond me. God’s wisdom is so deep that His ways are untraceable. I can’t follow what He’s doing without being hopelessly over my head. It is so deep that no one has been or could be His counselor, ever.
In fact, the wisdom of God is so deep and so expansive that He does not and cannot increase in wisdom. The only way He could increase in wisdom is for something to come into God’s mind that has not already come out of God’s mind. But Romans 11:36 insists that this cannot be done: for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
So God’s actions are always perfectly wise. There are no upgrades to His wisdom that are needed or even available. Think about this: God is constantly synthesizing billions and billions of strands of data, drawn from all possible fields of knowledge and realms of experience, so that He holds every relevant factor in every situation with total and perfect knowledge. He constantly weighs the facts, implications, costs, consequences, and how it fits into His purposes with flawless skill, so that what He does or wills is always the best possible move that can be made. And God does this all the time, without the least strain and without crashing a hard drive.
Does anybody on earth understand this? No way. He is totally out of our league. Do we trust Him more because of it? Well, let’s see. I’m going to draw a massive implication from the wisdom of God that is challenging to consider. Are you ready?
“The wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means, for the most possible people, for the longest possible time.” (Charles Ryrie, quoted by Chip Ingram in God: As He Longs For You To See Him, p. 128.) Let’s say that out loud and weigh the words as they pass through our mouths. (Repeat)
Now run that around the block in your present experience. Take that home with you and see how it works. What this implication from God’s wisdom means is that whatever your life is like right now, God is wisely and sovereignly ordering your circumstances to do something in you, through you, in your marriage, in your family, in your work, in your witness, and in your worship that could not be accomplished any other way.
If there was a better way to accomplish these purposes, then you would be experiencing those other circumstances instead of what you are right now. If there was a kinder, faster, more expedient way, God would be using it. So the circumstances you are in right now are exactly what you need for this period in your life.
Let me ask you something: Would it change things for you if you firmly believed that the problem in your life that is pressing and difficult – the one you don’t understand, that you chafe against, that makes you feel overwhelmed and ready to give up – was orchestrated or allowed by an all-wise, loving Father to bring about the best possible, longest lasting results for His glory and your good?
Would it make a difference if you understood that your life is not God’s Plan B or Plan C – that it is always and only Plan A, designed specifically for you while you live in this fallen world? What is everything in your life was a part of His wise plan? What would happen to your anxiety level? How would that affect your confidence in God?
Objection!
But it’s right here where we push back. “I would love to believe that, Lloyd, but it doesn’t add up in my life. You call what has happened to me the best possible circumstances for me right now? And it’s going to produce the best possible outcome! What outcome is God shooting for? I lost my baby! My son was killed in a car wreck. The storm took everything I had. I got a pink slip. My husband beat me. You’re telling me that this is the best! I can think of better ways toward better outcomes. I don’t buy it!”
All over this room, there are circumstances that defy any connection with this teaching. Those circumstances contradict phrases like “best possible” because they are awful, scaring, and painful. There are two things with which I want to plead with you to consider:
1. Remember that our experience of the wisdom of God comes in a fallen world.
This is not the best of all possible worlds, but one that lies under the shadow of the Fall of man. All creation groans and travails under the mighty shock of the Fall, when sin entered this world and death by sin. In this present evil world, God’s wisdom does not necessarily shield His children from sin or calamity, nor punish wicked people in their sin. Right now, in His wisdom, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). But one day, all will be set right.
You have His Word on that in places like Galatians 6:7 where the Bible says, “Do not be deceived” (Don’t be fooled by the delay in the full execution of God’s perfect justice so that you think that He lets the wicked off the hook): “God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap.” You can believe this: God will see to it in full on the day of His judgment.
2. Remember the wisdom of God in securing your salvation.
Everything about God’s plan to save us through Christ looked doomed to fail. A teenage girl in a stable in a little flea-bag town? A carpenter’s son? And then consider the disciples Jesus chose to whom He would delegate His cause. Not exactly your top-of-the-class group.
But the most foolish move of all was the crucifixion. I Corinthians 1:21-24 connects this for us: “For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom” (In other words, God rejected the possibility of salvation by human intellect and wisdom. We will see why in a moment.) “… God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom.”
In God’s infinite wisdom, He chose a way of salvation through Christ that looks totally insane to us. No one on earth would have come up with a plan involving the brutal murder of the Son of God for sinners. Yet at precisely the most foolish-looking moment, God’s wisdom triumphs. And at the point of His greatest weakness, God’s power is unleashed. Verse 25: “because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”
In God’s all-wise plan, this was the perfect way to achieve the greatest goal. What goal? Skip to v. 31: “Therefore, as it is written, ‘The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.'” This is what His wisdom was aiming at. God chose us, purchased us, called us, and given to us everything else involving our salvation in such a way as to strip us of all self-congratulation and replace it with glorying only in the Lord.
I make this point for this reason: you and I don’t know enough to fathom why pain and suffering and injustice and brutality happens to us in this sin-wrecked world. Like Job, we come to God with our questions. But in the end, God simply points out that in the grand scope of things, we know nothing. Suggesting our “better plan” to help God out is like proposing “1 + 1” to Einstein. When it comes to divine wisdom, we haven’t been there and we haven’t done that.
It takes time and repeated lessons in humility to bring us to the place where we can rest in His wisdom and trust His plan. But there are a few spiritual booster shots that can help us get there:
1. Wise Living Starts With Fearing the Lord.
Prov. 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Fearing the Lord is basically this: you recognize that He is the Creator, your Master, the Lord of all; He’s holy and awesome and calls the shots. And in response you willingly submit yourself to Him and His plan for your life. Without this, there is no wisdom. It starts with salvation. It continues in reverent humility.
2. Wise Living Grows by Receiving God’s Word.
Wise living grows by receiving God’s Word. Ps. 19:7 says, “The instruction of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.” Nothing can match the Bible for showing you the mind of God. The more you sink roots in God through His Word, the more wisdom will mark your life.
3. Wise Living Requires that We Ask for It Specifically.
James 1:5-6: “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” In other words, you don’t come to God for a second opinion. We come to God to say, “Overwrite your wisdom on this, Lord. Whatever you show me, I will follow.”
A.W. Tozer, in The Knowledge of the Holy, wrote these words about God’s wisdom in our lives: “To believe actively that our Heavenly Father constantly spreads around us providential circumstances that work for our present good and our everlasting well-being brings to the soul a veritable benediction. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart.
“There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God… God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.” (A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 63.)
Lloyd Stilley is pastor of First Baptist Church, Gulf Shores, Alabama. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Leeanne and is the father of Joey and Craig.
Sermon: All Creation Points to HimThe more we focus on Jesus, the more there is to see, and the more we realize we’ll never see it all. That, of course, is also true about Creation.
Sermon: My Heart Beating in Time with HisThe closer we get to God and the more depth that we build into our relationship with Him, the more we begin to see God’s power and presence in the world. This power and presence are elements of the character of God.
Sermon: He Is Personal – Psalm 91Let me remind you that God is not simply a power, he is a person. As a person, you can relate to him and love him and get to know him.
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How chill are you really?
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Published on July 22, 2025
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We all approach life a little differently. Some people are driven by deadlines, schedules, and to-do lists; whereas, some of us prefer to take things as they come. If you’ve ever been called chill, easygoing, or the calm one in a crisis, you might just have what’s known as a Type B personality.
“Relaxed, spontaneous, and flexible, Type B personalities are the Ernie to Type A’s Bert, Han to Leia, and Kermit to Miss Piggy,” says Eric Gee, a life coach and author of “The Power of Personality.”
The personality dichotomy was created by American cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray H. Rosenman in the 1970s.1 The physicians characterized people into two buckets: Type A and Type B personalities. They felt that Type A personalities push themselves harder and operate at higher stress levels; whereas, people with Type B personalities work less aggressively and more steadily.2
Type A
Type B
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A Type A person might thrive on structure, deadlines, and high achievement, while someone with more Type B traits might feel most at ease when things are flexible, creative, and low-pressure.
Compared to Type As, who are driven by ambition, Type B personalities are more relaxed and easygoing, says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Clarity Clinic, Chicago.
Neither approach is better or worse, they’re just different ways of moving through life.
The Pros and Cons of Being in a Type A/Type B RelationshipCan a Relationship Between Two Type B Personalities Work? Here’s What Experts Think
Think you might be a Type B personality? Take this quiz to find out. Remember, there are no wrong answers. Just pick the option that best describes you.
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This quiz is not intended to be a substitute for a clinical diagnosis, professional assessment, or the basis of any significant life decisions. Think of it as a fun and engaging way to spark some self-awareness.
This quiz is designed for anyone who’s curious about where they fall on the Type A to Type B personality spectrum. Maybe you’ve been called Type A or Type B before and wondered if it’s true, or maybe you feel like you identify with both personality types simultaneously.
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Whether you’re a student juggling assignments, a professional balancing work and life, or just someone who enjoys a little self-reflection, this quiz offers a light, relatable way to get to know yourself better. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to understand your strengths or see where you might bring a little more balance into your life.
While we often talk about Type A and Type B as opposites, the truth is most people are a blend of both. You might be super organized and driven at work (very Type A), but totally laid-back on the weekends (hello, Type B).
“Despite their often easygoing natures, Type B personalities can be just as demanding, focused, and driven as Type A personalities (and vice versa),” says Gee.
Our personalities aren’t fixed—they shift depending on the situation, the environment, and even our energy levels.3 You may lean more one way than the other, but chances are you tap into both styles at different times.
Our unique blend of traits influences everything from how we handle stress to how we connect with others. It’s what gives us our rhythm, our energy, and our personal style—making each of us a little different, and totally our own.
Read more:
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Anyone who is called by God learns the basic Bible truth that Satan holds sway over the nations today (Rev. 12:9; II Cor. 4:4). As prince of the power of the air, he broadcasts moods, feelings and attitudes such as hostility, lust and greed around the globe, affecting and influencing all people.But can all the world’s evils be attributed solely to the direct actions of Satan?Although Satan is the catalyst who stirs up violence, crime, wars and other insolvable dilemmas, his nature also operates in a place that has traditionally been overlooked by mankind. Inside every human being there is what is called human nature. Human nature is somewhat of a misnomer, for it is Satan’s very nature operating in the mind of every person.The Bible reveals precisely when and how human nature first manifested its presence.The Origin of Human Nature(1) Did God give Adam a choice as to which tree—the tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—he could eat from? Genesis 2:8-9.(2) Did God specifically warn Adam which tree not to eat from, and of the consequences of eating from it? Genesis 2:16-17.(3) Later, when Satan appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent, did she understand the instructions that God had given concerning which tree was forbidden? Genesis 3:2-3.(4) Should God’s warnings as to what we are to avoid be regarded with the same seriousness as avoiding the forbidden tree? Proverbs 4:14-15; II Timothy 2:23; 3:5; Romans 16:17.(5) What did the serpent say to Eve? Genesis 3:4-5. When put to the test, what tree did Adam and Eve choose? Verse 6.Satan directly contradicted God by his assertion in verse 4, “you shall not surely die.” Satan was saying in effect, “you can’t rely on God’s word.” Influenced by Satan’s argument, Eve was persuaded to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.(6) After eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, what change came over Adam and Eve? Genesis 3:7.The statement “the eyes of them both were opened” pertained to a new awareness that they did not have before eating from the forbidden tree. Satan told Eve, “your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (vs. 5). God alone has the prerogative to determine what is good and what is evil. Mankind has the choice of whether to comply with God’s will. Satan’s goal is to keep man from obeying God.Adam and Eve’s awareness went far beyond their realization of being naked. Genesis 2:25 indicates that before this event, they were naked and were not ashamed. This new mindset brought with it a sense of shame.When Adam took of the tree that God had forbidden, he took it upon himself to decide between what was right and what was wrong—good and evil. His decision did “open his eyes,” and Satan’s influence did enter the minds of Adam and Eve at this time.Their decision precluded the opportunity to acquire spiritual knowledge and understanding that they could have had by eating from the tree of life. Their understanding was now limited to what they could learn through the five physical senses, and human nature came into being for the first time.(7) Was the sin that Adam and Eve committed the “original sin”? Ezekiel 28:15-16.The verses cited in Ezekiel 28 pertain to Satan’s sin, which predated the sin of Adam and Eve by many millions—possibly billions—of years. The one who committed the first sin was Satan. The popular concept of “original sin” in mainstream Christianity is false. Read our Real Truth article “Is There ‘Original Sin’?” to learn more.(8) Besides the physical curses brought upon Adam and Eve and their descendants, what were the consequences of their sin? Genesis 3:22-24.Their sin resulted in being cut off from the tree of life—along with all mankind.(9) What other consequence resulted from the sin of Adam and Eve? Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27.Through their actions, Adam and Eve brought the death penalty upon themselves and all mankind.The Spirit in Man(1) Did God create a spirit in man—a dimension of innate capability empowering the mind to acquire intelligence—making mankind different from animals? Job 32:8; Zechariah 12:1.This spirit in man does not refer to the Spirit of God. Neither does it refer to what some mistakenly consider a “soul.” The spirit in man is what gives him the ability to reason, dream, hope and think. The personality of every human being is unique.(2) Since the spirit in man is limited to the five senses, can he understand spiritual matters? I Corinthians 2:9-11, 14.(3) Is the spirit in man subject to God’s laws? Romans 8:7.Because human beings are influenced by Satan, human nature is hostile to God.(4) Were Adam and Eve hostile toward God from the moment they were created? Compare Genesis 2:25 with 3:7.They were not immediately disobedient or hostile to God. Rather, their minds were neutral until corrupted by Satan. The change in their awareness and their acquisition of human nature did not occur until after they had disobeyed God.(5) Is every child immediately hostile toward God? Matthew 18:1-4; 19:13-14.As children are subjected to the influence of Satan’s broadcast, they eventually take on the spirit of this world and the imaginations of their hearts become evil (Gen. 8:21).From such time forward, they become more firmly under the influence of the god of this world. But, as little children, their minds are mostly neutral and more open, honest and humble—representative of the mindset that those called out of this world must acquire.The spirit in man gives one the capacity for thought, intelligence and personality. Mankind is physical and carnal, though made in the image of God. After the initial years of childhood in mostly a neutral state of mind, everyone’s human nature is significantly molded and influenced by Satan.The Pull of Human Nature(1) Is the heart (the innermost mind) of man deceitful and wicked? Jeremiah 17:9.God uses strong language in describing the heart of man as “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”(2) What did Jesus Christ say defiles a man? Matthew 15:18-20; Mark 7:20-23.In this account, the Pharisees first asked why Christ’s disciples never followed the tradition of their elders by washing their hands in the manner prescribed by Pharisaical tradition. Jesus pointed out that they put their manmade traditions ahead of the commandments of God. He proceeded to show that it is a man’s thoughts that defile him. All the attributes mentioned in the above verses are ingrained into human nature.(3) How did the apostle Paul define the pulls of the flesh—human nature? Galatians 5:19-21.Paul listed 17 distinct (though partially overlapping) attributes of human nature. Since these various aspects of human nature are acquired and developed over time from exposure to Satan’s wavelength, the cumulative effect is that human nature reflects Satan’s nature. After these characteristics of Satan’s nature are acquired, they become natural to people—accepted as their own nature.(4) How do we know that human nature is acquired and not inherited? II Corinthians 11:2-3.Before the serpent beguiled Eve, her mind was neutral. Once she sinned, her mind became corrupted. Paul mentioned that the minds of others could likewise become corrupted by Satan. Thus, we see that human nature is acquired, not inherited.The World Corrupted(1) What conditions in the pre-Flood world brought about the necessity of its destruction? Genesis 6:5-6, 12-13.The wickedness of mankind was so prominent that all of civilization was corrupted. The definition of corrupt includes: debased in character, depraved, perverted, wicked, evil, putrid, infected and tainted. Since wickedness so dominated civilization, God knew that man had to be destroyed.(2) Will society approach this same condition just before Christ comes? Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26.(3) Did society take Noah’s warning seriously, or did they continue with life as usual? Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 17:27.Although Scripture does not explicitly state that Noah preached a warning to the world for 120 years, the timeframe is implied in Genesis 6:3: “…yet his [man’s] days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” Josephus refers to this time as “the 120 years of God’s patience (perhaps while the ark was preparing) till the deluge…” (Antiquities, Bk. 1, ch. 3). I Peter 3:20 also shows that “the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing.” It is unthinkable that Noah would have remained silent during this time before such a calamity to strike the world, especially since he was “a preacher of righteousness” (II Pet. 2:5). The very construction of the ark was a powerful witness, although the pre-Flood world perceived it as fanatical or laughable—until the Flood struck.From Josephus, we find more about the depravity of the people of this time and of Noah’s response: “But Noah was very uneasy at what they did; and being displeased at their conduct, persuaded them to change their dispositions and their acts for the better; but seeing they did not yield to him, but were slaves to their wicked pleasures, he was afraid they would kill him, together with his wife and children, and those they had married; so he departed out of that land.”(4) Will society at the end of the age mirror the conditions that Lot faced during his time? Luke 17:28-30; II Peter 2:5-8.The depravity and perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah are also representative of the state to which the world will degenerate by the time of Christ’s coming. We find that Lot was “vexed with the filthy [conduct] of the wicked” (II Pet. 2:7). Those who seek God’s way should be vexed by such conduct.Those in the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 who are given an identifying mark, and therefore spared, are shown in verse 4 to be those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst [of Jerusalem, typifying all of modern Israel, vs. 9] thereof.” God’s people must be sorely grieved and repulsed by the wickedness of this present world.(5) What are some of the characteristics of mankind in the last days? II Timothy 3:1-5.The inclinations of human nature have culminated in civilization being essentially corrupted, just as we read in Genesis 6:12.(6) What instructions does God give His people about this world? John 15:19; I John 2:15-17; James 4:4.I John 2:16 talks about “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” These lusts appeal to human nature, but are all temporary and will pass away along with this world—“but he that does the will of God abides forever” (vs. 17).(7) By what means can one avoid being corrupted along with the world? II Peter 1:4; James 1:27; Romans 12:2.Partaking of the divine nature means to be molded by God’s Spirit, becoming more like Christ. There is no other way!Society Under Satan’s Influence(1) Where does the influence that inspires human nature come from? Ephesians 2:2-3; John 3:19.Before responding to the truth, everyone has walked according to the course of this world, responding to Satan’s broadcast.Verse 3 discloses the usual pattern of carnal tendency of the lust of the flesh and being “by nature the children of wrath, even as others”—all society. Society and public opinion are molded by Satan’s wavelength. Therefore, the general public could never accept or delight in the truth, since the truth would only serve to reprove them (John 3:20).(2) Though society is corrupt, does the world as a whole aspire to higher levels of morality? I John 5:19.(3) Does the world perceive the true servants of God as misrepresenting the world? Acts 17:6.The whole world has long been upside down. From their inverted perspective, the way of truth appears to be downside up.A Coming ChangeSatan and his angels manifested their influence upon mankind in the pre-Flood world. II Peter 3:6 says, “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” Satan and his angels still dominate this current society, referred to as “this present evil world” in Galatians 1:4.However, all this will change in the near future. Notice: “For unto the angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak” (Heb. 2:5). It is the world to come, meaning the Kingdom of God, that is the hope of every true Christian. Humanity will learn the way of truth and willingly change with God’s help.Human nature, within each individual and in all society, works against God’s purpose. Everyone called to the truth has to overcome his own human nature and swim against the current of a hostile society. This is why it can be said that every Christian has three enemies to overcome—Satan, self, and society.To learn more, read our booklets Why Man Cannot Solve His Problems and Did God Create Human Nature?
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Purpose: To help us love our enemies.
For many years Dr. Richard C. Halverson has written a weekly devotional letter for business and professional men called Perspective. I pulled one from my file dated March 21, 1973, which sums up the next section of Paul’s letter to the Romans. I’d like to read it to you:
“There are many ways to fight….You may fight with your fists…but what does it prove–even if you win? It certainly doesn’t prove you are right…it just proves you have more muscle, or can duck better…or maybe you’ve got a harder skull. In fact, chances are the guy who uses his fists knows he’s wrong–that’s why he resorts to muscle instead of brains…he bluffs his way through life with a strong arm instead of intelligence.
“A man may fight with words…even win the argument. But what does that prove? Except that he is smarter with the king’s English–more adept at language. Or maybe it just proves that he is a loud mouth!
“Love is a way to fight, too! Love is a mighty force–the mightiest force in history! This does not mean that love never loses–it often loses on the short-term basis…but it always wins ultimately! Jesus loved…and they put Him on a cross–crucified Him like a common criminal. The man who fights with love must be prepared to lose–temporarily! He’ll be invincible in the long run–but he must be willing to suffer setbacks. That’s why only strong men can fight with love. Weak men don’t love–love requires strength, courage, fortitude! Weaklings must use fists–or arguments–or guns. But they are no match for love! ‘Love outlasts anything.'”
LOVE! That’s the major theme of Romans 12:9-21. Unhypocritical love! In Romans 12:9-13, it was love for other Christians. In Romans 12:14-16, it was love for all human beings generally–believers and unbelievers. And now in Romans 12:17-21, it is love particularly for people who hate us and persecute us. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Paul briefly echoed that command of Christ in Romans 12:14, when he wrote, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Now he wants to amplify it and show us how love can help us win our battles, for love is THE ULTIMATE WEAPON!
Christians in first century Rome were occasionally singled out for special threats, intimidation, or outright persecution because of their faith in Christ. They were asking, “How does God want us to respond?”
Some of us may be facing opposition, antagonism, harassment, or persecution for our faith in Christ. How does God want us to respond? Or maybe it’s simply that somebody who doesn’t like us is trying to make life miserable for us–for any reason, not just for our faith in Christ. How does God want us to respond?
Paul has an answer to that question–a shocking and surprising answer. His answer is, essentially, LOVE THEM! Because love is the ultimate weapon. Love conquers all. But our love will include negative elements as well as positive elements. There are some things we won’t do, and there are some things we will do. They’re all mixed together in this passage. So let’s see if we can separate them out.
There are three negative commands.
The evil that people do to us may be unintentional, such as a thoughtless remark that hurts our feelings, or a careless act that creates more work for us and adds pressure to our lives, or an accidental slight when we needed support and encouragement. But the evil Paul is talking about is more likely intentional. Somebody is mocking us for our Christian testimony, or trying to deny us our rights, or keeping us from getting the honor we deserve, or undermining our authority, or spreading lies about us and ruining our reputation, or trying to take something away from us, or even trying to hurt us physically.
What is your first reaction when somebody does something like that to you? It’s to pay them back. That’s the normal human response. To give them what they deserve. “If that’s the way they want to play, two can play that game as well as one.” So we begin to ignore them just as they have ignored us. We tell the boss what they did wrong, just as they told on us. We spread some malicious stories about them just as they did to us. We counter-sue for everything they’ve got. But that’s exactly what God tells us not to do. Love will not repay evil for evil. He repeats the same negative command in verse 19, but in slightly different words.
Romans 12:19. “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Why shouldn’t we avenge ourselves? Why shouldn’t we even the score? That would only seem to be fair. Because, says Paul, that’s God’s job. When he says “…give place to wrath,” he’s talking about God’s wrath (orge is preceded by a definite article). God keeps perfect score. He knows how to balance the books. And He will do it, one way or another, in this life or in the life to come. Paul has assured us of that several times in this book already (Romans 1:18; 2:5,8; 9:22). So let Him do it. Don’t get in the way. If we try to even the score ourselves, we may just mess up what He has planned. He can do it far better than we can, so let Him do it.
Do you know why it’s God’s job to judge rather than ours?
1. He is omniscient. He knows all the facts and we don’t.
Can you imagine a judge who listens to part of the evidence and then says, “That’s enough. I don’t need the rest of the facts. I can decide the case on the basis of what I’ve already heard.” We would cry, “Unfair!” And yet when we try to pay people back for what they’ve done to us we are judging them on the basis of partial evidence. We don’t know their hearts, or their motives, or all that was said or done. So let God do it. He knows all the facts.
2. He is unselfish and unbiased. When we try to even the score, we’re usually looking out exclusively for our own interests.
Can you imagine a man being tried for breaking into a house and stealing some valuables, only to learn that the judge who is going to try the case is the owner of the house and the man’s accuser? There’s no way for him to get a fair trial under those circumstances. So how can we think that we are capable of judging fairly when we are the ones who have been wronged? We’ll probably judge too severely, and that will only escalate the conflict. So let God do it. He can be fair and impartial. Love will not seek revenge.
The word overcome is a military word that refers to getting beat in battle. We’re in a war, and it’s not a war with people who hate us or are out to get us. It’s a war with evil itself. When someone does something to hurt us, our instant reaction is to hurt them in return. But when we do that, we’ve lost the battle. Evil has won by getting us to act in an evil way. The enemy has caused us to sink to his level, and his evil has now been compounded by our evil. So the only winner is EVIL. Don’t let that happen. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t seek revenge. Don’t let evil win the day. Love will not be overcome by evil.
Well then, what should we do if we truly love? Let’s go back and pick up the positive commands.
The KJV says, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” But that seems to miss the point. The text says, literally, “Taking thought for things excellent in the sight of all men.” That doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re supposed to do what the people of the world think is good. Their opinion is distorted by sin. But it does mean that we are to do what people generally will be forced to admit was honorable and excellent. That’s going to give the gospel good press and maybe even open some hearts and minds to receive it.
So, when somebody does something unkind or unfair to wrong us and hurt us, instead of reacting with the first thing that comes into our heads, like “What can I do to get back at him?” stop and THINK! The word “have regard” (pronoeo) means “to give careful, deliberate forethought.” Think, “What can I do for that person that others will have to admit is noble and good?” Then do it!
You may have heard the story of the young army private who came to know Christ and soon began to get down on his knees for prayer every night before turning in. His hard-boiled sergeant didn’t like that at all, and one night picked up his muddy boot and hurled it at the praying soldier, hitting him on the side of the head and stunning him. He finished praying without a word. But the next morning, when the sergeant reached for his boots, he found them cleaned and polished, and discovered that the private had done it. Nobody could deny that what he did was noble and good. And it eventually drove the godless sergeant to put his faith in the One who would cause a man to do a thing like that (SP, p.171). That’s love, the ultimate weapon in our battle against evil.
Romans 12:18. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
God puts a high priority on us living in peace and harmony with the people around us, even with unbelievers who hate the gospel and harass Christians. But He recognizes that it is not always possible to do that. Did you notice that Paul puts two conditions on this command?
1. “If It is Possible”
There are times when we may do everything we can to build good will and a good relationship with an enemy, but he refuses to respond. He remains an enemy in spite of our best efforts to win his friendship. There’s no reason to put ourselves on a guilt trip over that. We cannot determine the actions of others. We are only responsible for our own. That’s why Paul adds a second condition.
2. “As Much as Depends on You”
We are to keep doing everything we can, without sacrificing Biblical truth or compromising Biblical principles, to encourage a peaceful relationship with those who are hostile to us. We need to make sure that nobody can ever point the finger at us and say that a conflict exists because we failed to do what we could to resolve it, or because we failed to return good for evil. Maintaining peace is an expression of love, the ultimate weapon against evil.
There’s a third positive command, and it’s a quotation from Proverbs 25:21-22.
Romans 12:20. “Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.'”
Giving food or drink are representative of any number of things we could do to minister to the needs of people who have wronged us. There are many other things we may be able to do as well. Maybe they need something fixed and you know how to do it. Maybe they need help with a move. Maybe they need transportation and you can provide it. Maybe they need you to put in a good word for them to a friend of yours, or maybe they just need a kind word spoken to them in a time of discouragement or grief or loss.
Those of you who were here on a Sunday night back in November, 1989, heard a dramatic illustration of this principle. When missionary Bruce Olson was captured by the communist guerrillas in Columbia, he spent his time teaching his captors to read and write, teaching them how to cook, teaching them basic principle of personal health and hygiene. By the time they finally released him months later, several had come to know Christ, and a large number defected from the communist cause. He showed them the love of Christ by ministering to their needs, and love won the victory.
So whatever the need is, be there to meet it. Paul adds, “For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on their heads.” Now what does that mean? That it will set their hair on fire and burn them good for what they did to us? No! Our goal is not to punish them. Our goal is to win them over and restore the relationship–possibly even win him to Christ. Heaping coals of fire on their heads probably refers to an ancient Egyptian practice where a repentant person would come to ask forgiveness and give public evidence of his penitent spirit by carrying a pot of burning charcoal on his head.
In other words, when we lovingly minister to their needs, in spite of how badly they have hurt us, they may be brought to see their wrong, to experience sorrow and shame over what they have done, and come seeking reconciliation. That’s the goal: reconciliation. And when that happens, we will have “overcome evil with good,” as Paul concludes the chapter (Romans 12:21b). And now we’re back to the battlefield again. We get victory over our enemies, not by hurting them, but by helping them, and turning them into friends.
More than 200 years ago, during the American Revolution, there was a pastor named Peter Miller who enjoyed a personal friendship with George Washington. But Miller also had an antagonist, a man named Michael Wittman, an enemy of the gospel who did everything he could to oppose and humiliate the pastor. As it turned out, Wittman was also secretly working against the American national effort. He was discovered, arrested, tried for treason by a military court, and sentenced to die.
Peter Miller traveled by foot 70 miles to Philadelphia to seek an audience with his friend, George Washington. Washington was glad to see him, but when Miller pleaded for the life of the traitor, Washington responded, “No, Peter. I cannot grant you the life of your friend.” “My friend!” exclaimed the pastor. “He’s the bitterest enemy I have.” “What?” asked Washington. “You’ve walked 70 miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. I’ll grant your pardon.” Peter Miller and Michael Wittman walked back home together, friends, and with the foundation established for a relationship that would eventually bring his former enemy to faith in Christ.
How would you have reacted when you heard that your bitter enemy had been sentenced to death? “Serves him right! Now he’ll get what’s coming to him.” That’s probably the way I would have reacted. But Peter Miller fought with love, the ultimate weapon. He did the most obvious good thing he could do, something everybody had to agree was noble and honorable. He heaped on him the coals of red-hot love, and it led to repentance and reconciliation, and ultimately, redemption.
Think of the one person who has brought more harm and hurt to your life than anyone else. Right their name on a piece of paper. Would you have that much courage? Write it down? Now, what good thing could you do for that person as an expression of Christlike love? What tangible needs could you meet? Could you drop them a note, telling them you care about them and are praying for them, or something? Would could you do to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to that person who has hurt you? Decide right now that you’re going to do those things through God’s power, that you’re going to minister to those needs. Let’s take the Word of God at face value; that’s why God gave it to us: to show us how to live. I know it’s antithetical and contrary to everything the world teaches, but it’s God’s will for our lives.
Will you do it? Will you purpose that you’re going to reach out and minister to those needs? You will win a great victory over evil! You will be wielding the ultimate weapon. You will be fighting with love. And you will be overcome evil with good. God will be glorified and God’s blessing will be on your life.
I guess the best illustration of this is really the Lord Himself. Back in Romans 5:8, Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In Romans 5:10, he says, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled we shall be saved by His life.”
Enemies. Oh, maybe it wasn’t conscious, but it was true. Before we knew Christ, we were His enemies. If you haven’t believed what God has to say about your need for eternal salvation and you haven’t put your faith in Christ alone–rather than your good deeds and your fine life and your religious activities–if you have not done what God says, then He paints you as His adversary.
But even though you are His adversary, He sent His Son to Calvary to die for you. You! You, who have yet to trust Him as your Savior from sin. Even when you were His adversary–what a demonstration of love. Will you respond to that love today? Will you acknowledge your sin and your need of a Savior–the only source for salvation: Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary’s cross, where He bore the punishment you and I deserved. Will you put your faith in Him?
Let’s bow together in His presence, prayerfully. With our heads bowed, let me ask you again: Have you put your faith in Christ alone for your eternal salvation? If you’re not certain, would you settle it right now? That’s why Jesus came. That’s what the Christian faith is all about. He is the sacrifice for our sins. He satisfied God’s just demands against sin, and there isn’t any other way we can avail ourselves of God’s forgiveness and the life He offers us other than to come His way by faith in His Son.
Would you trust Him now? Tell Him so in the quiet of your own soul right now, please. Don’t put it off.
“Lord, I’m a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sin. Come into my heart and save me, Lord Jesus.”
Now, Christian, did that person come to your mind–the one who hurt you? Did you think about what you could do to demonstrate the love of Christ to them? Oh, you’ll have to forgive. You won’t be able to do this until you forgive in your own heart, but then, will you tell God right now that you’re ready to reach out in love and minister to those needs, whatever they are? Tell Him, will you?
Father, this is hard. You never said the Christian life would be easy but You did promise us help. Thank You for Your Spirit who lives in us. I pray that He will melt down our resistance right now and mold us into His very image, fill us, take control of our lives, so that He can express His character of love through us. For we ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Continue to ROM 28: You and Your Government
Romans 12:17-21
Proverbs 25:21-2
See also: Introduction to the Book of Romans
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Book of Job
“Title”
As with other books of the Bible, Job bears the name of the narrative’s primary character.
This name might have been derived from the Hebrew word for “persecution,” thus meaning “persecuted one.”
Or from an Arabic word meaning “repent,” thus bearing the name “repentant one.”
The author recounts an era in the life of Job, in which he was tested and the character of God was revealed.
New Testament writers directly quote Job twice (Rom. 11:35; 1 Cor. 3:19), plus Ezek. 14:14, 20; and James 5:11 show that Job was a real person.
“Authorship”
The book does not name its author.
Job is an unlikely candidate because the book’s message rests on Job’s ignorance of the events that occurred in heaven as they were related to his ordeal.
One Talmudic tradition suggests Moses as author since the land of Uz (1:1) was adjacent to Midian where Moses lived for 40 years, and he could have obtained a record of the story there.
Solomon is also a good possibility due to the similarity of content with parts of the book of Ecclesiastes, as well as the fact that Solomon wrote the other Wisdom books (except Psalms, and he did author Psalms 72 and 127).
Though he lived long after Job, Solomon could have written about events that occurred long before his own time, in much the same manner as Moses was inspirited to write about Adam and Eve.
Elihu, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, and Ezra have also been suggested as possible authors, but without support.
The date of the book’s writing may be much later that the events recorded within.
This conclusion is based on;
(1) Job’s age (42:16);
(2)His life span of nearly 200 years (42:16), which fits the patriarchal period (Abraham lived 175 years; Gen. 25:7);
(3)The social unit being the patriarchal family;
(4)The Chaldeans who murdered Job’s servants (1:17), were nomads and had not yet become city dwellers;
(5)Job’s wealth being measured in livestock rather than gold and silver (1:3; 42:12);
(6)Job’ priestly functions within his family (1:4-5); and
(7)A basic silence on matters such as the covenant of Abraham, Israel, the Exodus, and the Law of Moses. The events of Job’s odyssey appear to be patriarchal. Job, on the other hand, seemed to know about Adam (31:33), and the Noahic flood (12:15). These cultural and historical features found in the book appear to place the events chronologically at a time probably after Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), but before or contemporaneous with Abraham (Gen. 11:27).
The name of the author is not indicated in the book.
That Job himself could not have written all of it is shown by the inclusion of the record of his death (42:17).
Some have suggested that Moses wrote the account.
This hypothesis would explain its inclusion in the canon, but that’s mere speculation.
As far as the date is concerned, a distinction must be drawn between the date of the events and the date of composition.
Most conservative scholars are agreed that the patriarchal age is indicated as the likeliest setting for the events, because Job, the father, acts as priest for the family, and because there is no mention of the tabernacle, temple, law, or national institutions.
On the other hand, such primitive conditions could have easily persisted into later times outside of Israel.
Indeed, the homeland of Job is said to be Uz, apparently located near Edom (compare Lamentations 4:21).
Also, a foreign locale is indicated in that the book shows a distinct preference for the generic word for God, Elohim, as opposed to the personal name of God, Yahweh (or Jehovah).
In spite of the uncertainty of the time or place of the events, the theology of the book is clearly pure monotheism.
The date of composition is widely disputed.
Suggested dates range from the patriarchal age to the Babylonian exile.
If the events transpired during the patriarchal period, the book probably would have been written shortly afterwards in order to preserve the story.
On the other hand, there was a notable flowering of wisdom literature during the reign of Solomon, and the Book of Job may well have been part of those achievements, especially if its events may be dated later in a foreign locale.
The doubt surrounding the date of the book should not obscure its message, which is certainly applicable to any age.
“Introduction”
At its beginning, Job seems to be a book about human suffering.
By its conclusion, the true subject of the book emerges: God’s sovereignty.
In a matter of probably hours, Job had lost everything that was important to him except his wife and his own life.
But he held fast to his integrity, determined to unravel the mystery of why he, a man who had done his utmost to live an upright life, was being treated by God as the chief of sinners.
If he was a sinner deserving divine punishment, he demanded his friends tell him what he had done, which they could not.
He also asked the same of God, and received more silence in response.
The truth is, Job never received an answer as to why he suffered.
But more importantly, he received a deeper understanding of who God is.
The Bible is unique because the reader knows, at least in part, what the main character would have loved to know: Job suffered because Satan accused him of a self-serving devotion to God, claiming that Job was not really righteous but was simply currying God’s favor.
God used the accusation as an opportunity to prove Satan wrong, and all the hurtful events in Job’s life unfolded from there.
In the Old Testament, sin and suffering were connected because of the nature of the covenant.
It was believed that keeping God’s statutes resulted in blessing, and not keeping them resulted in cursing (Lev. 26:1-46); Deut. 28:1-68).
Even though Job lived in the patriarchal period (before the Law was given), such a natural law would have been understood.
So Job’s friends could be excused from assuming Job guilty of a secret sin, secret and serious, given the level of calamity that befell him.
But the Bible adds more ingredients to the recipe for suffering, all of which are found in this book.
To begin with, righteous people like Job do sometimes suffer.
Righteous does not mean totally sinlessness, but living upright in God’s sight.
The book portrays Job as a faithful man who honestly tried to do right before God, and who acknowledged his errors and sought to correct things when he faltered (42:1-6).
Still, he suffered, but not because of sin.
So deeper questions must be asked and answered.
Job asked, but he got an answer he was not expecting.
Second, a third party operates between God and man, with God’s permission.
In Job, we see Satan’s primary method of spiritual warfare: attempting to discredit God in man’s sight.
Satan cannot harm God, but he can attempt to influence how man perceives God, whether as unjust, unfair, or unloving.
Satan causes Job to suffer unjustly in an attempt to get Job to attack God.
He also accuses Job of being self-serving, trying to make God look unjust in the eyes of the heavenly hosts for not punishing a sinner like Job.
But Satan’s plot was foiled by the third variable, that there can be godly purposes in suffering unrelated to sin or punishment.
Job suffered so he might have a deeper and more accurate knowledge of God.
This happened without his even knowing about the precipitating conversation between Satan and God.
As one of the longest books in the Bible, Job can be captured under four headings:
“Prologue” (chapters 1 and 2): the setting for Job’s suffering;
“Dialogues” (chapters 3 through 27): accusations and answers between Job and his friends;
“Monologues” (chapters 28:1 to 42:6): discourses by Job, Elihu and God;
“Epilogue” (chapter 42:7 – 17): Job’s understanding of God and Job’s restoration. “What does all of this mean”:
Job speaks of foundational themes every human being contends with, especially in times of suffering.
“God’s Character”:
The book of Job defends the character of a loving and righteous God in spite of earth’s obvious evils and injustices.
Although Job was unaware of the interaction between Satan and God, Job comes to the conclusion that God is just and good.
That is the lesson of the book for anyone who questions God without access to all the facts (See 38:1-42:6).
“Trust”:
Job was forced to walk by faith rather than by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
He could not see what the reader sees in chapters 1 and 2.
Job’s perspective is best summarized in 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.”
Job continued to plead his innocence before God but was prepared to die trusting Him. “Sovereignty”:
Although Satan wreaked havoc in Job’s life on earth, the limits of his activity were (and are) clearly set by God.
Satan can go only so far. This serves as a template for viewing evil on earth.
Satan does not operate as a free agent but is always under the sovereign and deciding hand of God (chapters 1 and 2).
So what does it mean for you?
In Job’s most dreadful and difficult situation, this broken man caught startling glimpses of God and God’s work in his life beyond what he, or perhaps anyone else, had ever seen.
Millennia before Jesus walked this earth as the God-Man, Job saw One who would be Redeemer, Mediator, Friend, Guide, Advocate, and Perfecter of faith, Job saw these intense, beautiful images through his tears.
Those who turn fully to God in their great sorrow, even if they argue, plead, and protest in His presence as job did, will find a pathway nearer to the tender mercies of heaven than they have ever walked before.
Believers talk about trusting in the Lord with their whole heart and refusing to lean on their own understanding.
But no one really knows what that means until circumstances cast them headfirst into a dark and painful place.
If we give ourselves fully to God in those moments, we will obtain keepsakes of Him to treasure now and forever.
“Historical Setting”
The occasion and events that follow Job’s sufferings present significant questions for the faith of believers in all ages.
Why does Job serve God?
Job is heralded for his righteousness, being compared with Noah and Daniel (Ezek. 14:14-20), and for his spiritual endurance (James 5:11).
Several other questions are alluded to throughout Job’s ordeal.
For instance, “Why do the righteous suffer?”
Though an answer to that question may seem important, the book does not give such an answer.
Job never knew the reasons for his suffering and neither did his friends.
The righteous sufferer does not appear to learn about any of the heavenly court debates between God and Satan that precipitated his pain.
In fact, when finally confronted by the LORD of the universe, Job put his hand over his mouth and said nothing.
Job’s silent response in no way trivialized the intense pain and loss he had endured.
It merely underscored the importance of trusting God’s purposes in the midst of suffering because suffering, like all other human experiences, is directed by perfect divine wisdom.
In the end, the lesson learned was that one may never know the specific reason for his suffering; but one must trust in Sovereign God.
That is the real answer to suffering.
The book treats two major themes and many other minor ones, both in the narrative framework of the prologue (chapters 1 and 2), and epilogue (42:7 to 17), and in the poetic account of Job’s torment that lies in between (3:1-42:6).
A key to understanding the first theme of the book is to notice the debate between God and Satan in heaven and how it connects with the 3 cycles of earthly debates between Job and his friends.
God wanted to prove the character of believers to Satan and to all demons, angels and people.
The accusations are by Satan, who indicted God’s claims of Job’s righteousness as being untested, if not questionable.
Satan accused the righteous of being faithful to God only for what they could get.
Since Job did not serve God with pure motives, according to Satan, the whole relationship between him and God was a sham.
Satan’s confidence that he could turn Job against God came, no doubt, from the fact that he had led the holy angels to rebel with him (see note on Rev. 12:4).
Satan thought he could destroy Job’s faith in God by inflicting suffering on him, thus showing in principle that saving faith could be shattered.
God released Satan to make his point if he could, but he failed, as true faith in God proved unbreakable.
Even Job’s wife told him to curse God (2:9), but he refused; his faith in God never failed (see 13:15).
Satan tried to do the same to Peter (see Luke 22:31-34), and was unsuccessful in destroying Peter’s faith (see John 21:15-19).
When Satan has unleashed all that he can do to destroy saving faith, it stands firm (See Romans 8:31-39).
In the end, God proved His point with Satan that saving faith can’t be destroyed no matter how much trouble a saint suffers, or how incomprehensible and undeserved it seems.
A second and related theme concerns proving the character of God to men.
Does this sort of ordeal, in which God and His opponent Satan square off, with righteous Job as the test case, suggest that God is lacking in compassion and mercy toward Job?
Not at all.
As James says, “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful” (James 5:11).
It was to prove the very opposite (42:10-17).
Job says, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (see verse 2:10).
God’s servant does not deny that he has suffered.
He does deny that his suffering is a result of sin.
Nor does he understand why he suffers.
Job simply commits his ordeal with a devout heart of worship and humility (42:5-6), to a sovereign and perfectly wise Creator, and that was what God wanted him to learn in this conflict with Satan.
In the end, God flooded Job with more blessings than he had ever known.
The major reality of the book is the inscrutable mystery of innocent suffering.
God ordains that His children walk in sorrow and pain, sometimes because of sin (Num. 12:10- 12), sometimes for chastening (Heb. 12:5-12), sometimes for strengthening (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Peter 5:10), and sometimes to give opportunity to reveal His comfort and grace (2 Cor. 1:3-7).
But there are times when the compelling issue in the suffering of the saints is unknowable because it is for a heavenly purpose that those on earth can’t discern (Exodus 4:11; John 9:1-3).
Job and his friends wanted to analyze the suffering and look for causes and solutions.
Using all of their sound theology and insight into the situation, they searched for answers, but found only useless and wrong ideas, for which God rebuked them in the end (42:7).
They couldn’t know why Job suffered because what happened in heaven between God and Satan was unknown to them.
They thought they knew all the answers, but they only intensified the dilemma by their insistent ignorance.
By spreading out some of the elements of this great theme, we can see the following truths in Job’s experience:
1.There are matters going on in heaven with God that believers know nothing about; yet, they affect their lives.
2.Even the best effort at explaining the issues of life can be useless.
3.God’s people do suffer. Bad things happen all the time to good people, so one cannot judge a person’s spirituality by his painful circumstances or successes.
4.Even though God seems far away, perseverance in faith is a most noble virtue since God is good and one can safely leave his life in His hands.
5.The believer in the midst of suffering should not abandon God, but draw near to Him, so out of the fellowship can come the comfort, without the explanation; and
6.Suffering may be intense, but it will ultimately end for the righteous and God will bless abundantly.
“Interpretation – Purpose”
The literary genre of the book has defied classification events.
It should therefore be regarded as a unique piece of didactic poetry based on historical events.
We cannot assume that the author intended the book to be like a reporter’s presentation of what happened in real life.
People from the Middle East are much more poetic in language than Westerners.
In the poetic form the book’s message is most appropriately preserved for perpetuity.
Many suggestions have been made as to the purpose of the book.
However, the overriding intention seems to be to demonstrate to man the inadequacy of human reason to account for the suffering of the innocent.
There is a mystery of divine freedom which does not contradict God’s goodness or sovereignty but remains elusive to man.
Therefore, man is resigned to an attitude of trust and dependence on a good God whose workings man cannot fathom.
4 GRACE JOURNAL
the 5th century A. D., and our manuscripts of it come from a still later
period. The tradition may have some value however. It may not be
that the data on authorship was correctly remembered by the Jews
but that they came to the conclusion of early authorship from various
factors that we too can observe.
That there was an ancient worthy by the name of Job is sure a
from Ezekiel 14:14, 20, which mentions him along with Noah and Daniel.
The reference is similar to that in Jeremiah 15:1, which uses Moses and
Samuel as ancient types of righteousness. It used to be remarked that
the verses in Ezekiel mean little because Daniel is one of the trio, and
the book of Daniel is now regularly placed in the second century B. C.
We are, of course, not willing to concede the late date of Daniel. A
newly discovered Targum, a Targum of Job, interestingly, argues that
the Aramaic of Daniel does not reflect the language of the second cen-
tury B. C. in Palestine as has been so widely believed. It is claimed
that this Targum of Job was translated about 100 B. C. and shows a later
stage of Aramaic than Ezra or Daniel. In any case, this passage in
Ezekiel is no longer held to be against the early date of Job, for the
reference to Daniel is now differently understood. It is now said that
the Daniel of Ezekiel refers not to the canonical Daniel, but to the Daniel
mentioned in the Ugaritic Texts as an ancient wise man, the father of
the hero, Aqhat. Here again, we may enter a disclaimer. The Daniel
of Ugarit is quite different from the righteous man of Ezekiel 14. Ac-
tually Ezekiel does not appeal to these men because they were ancient,
but because they were righteous. But in any case, the verses do assure
us that Ezekiel, about 600 B. C., did know the story of Job.
The only other external evidence for the antiquity of the book
would come from cross references and allusions in other Biblical books.
Proverb 3:11 is one such passage, with the wording quite similar to
Job 5:27. Job says, “Despise not the chastening of the Almighty.”
Proverbs says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord.” The
wording of the two passages is identical in Hebrew, except that Job has
the divine name, Shaddai, which it very frequently uses, and Proverbs
uses the more common name, the Tetragram. It also adds a charac-
teristic proverbial touch, “my son.” The force of such a parallel is
debatable, because it is hard to know which book quoted the other,
granted that there was some verbal dependence. The whole chapter is
an encomium of wisdom in terms of a search for wisdom in places which
only God knows. The conclusion is that “the fear of the Lord that is
wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” This conclusion is
quite like Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33 and Psalm 111:10. Again the question
is, did Job build a beautiful poem on the subject of wisdom as defined in
Proverbs and use it in his context? Or did Proverbs and the Psalms take
a theme already developed in Job and allude to it In various verses? We
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