With Friends Like These . . . Job’s Friends and Religious Foolishness (√XVIII. Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found – Ch. 28)

So, the debates between Job and his friends appear to be over. They aren’t. Shortly we will hear from a fourth friend, Elihu. But before he begins his theological rebuke of Job, we have Job’s speech on where wisdom is found.

Job’s speech begins by referring to the superhuman efforts men exert to mine for silver and gold and copper. “Mortals put an end to darkness” as they search for ore (v. 3). They cut shafts and “dangle and sway” as they transform the earth below.

The animal world — birds and beasts — have nothing to do with such an underground quest. People assault the flinty rock as their eyes see all the mountains’ treasures. They search the rivers and “bring hidden things to light” (v. 11).

But what about wisdom? Its worth is beyond understanding. Wisdom cannot be found in the land of the living, Job says (v. 13). Creation testifies that wisdom “is not with me” (v. 14). The precious treasures of gold and silver can’t buy wisdom (vv. 15-16), nor can they compare with it, for “the price of wisdom is beyond rubies” (v. 18).

Where does wisdom come from? It is “hidden from the eyes of every living thing” (v. 21). God alone knows where wisdom dwells (v. 23). He sees everything under the heavens (v. 24). As He established the wind, measured out the waters, decreed the rain, made a path for the thunderstorm, He “looked at wisdom and appraised it” (v. 27). And, Job says, “he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord — that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'” (v. 28).

It is interesting that Job does not say that wisdom is found in his friends, for the Lord Himself later describes their words of counsel as “folly” (42:8). He sarcastically says that wisdom will die with them (12:2). They have not made his life better. Their words have wounded, not healed. Their counsel has been “of no help” (6:21). They are “worthless physicians, all of you!” (13:4). Their maxims are “proverbs of ashes” (13:12). “You are miserable comforters, all of you!” Job says in 16:2. “How long will you torment me and crush me with words?”, Job asks (19:2). He describes their words as mocking (21:3). The friends need to “get out more” and see the reality of the wicked prospering (21:30). Their counsel is nonsense and nothing but falsehood (21:34).

But wisdom, true wisdom, is found with the Lord. As Job will soon learn.

 

 

The Forgotten Third: Developing a Relationship with God the Holy Spirit — What Do We Learn from JAMES about the Holy Spirit?

There are two ways of approaching the doctrines of the Scriptures. One way is to collect all the data throughout the Bible into logical categories (called “systematic theology”). The other way is to work through individual books of the Bible, collecting the data on a particular subject (this is called “biblical theology,” although the term is used in other ways in less than conservative circles). When we ask, what does the epistle of JAMES say about God the Holy Spirit, we are taking a kind of biblical theology approach. Our conviction in these posts is that, while some believers overemphasize the Spirit, others overlook Him. We want to do neither, but long to have a balanced view of the Third Member of the Trinity.

What do we find when we unit-read (read straight through at one sitting) the epistle of JAMES? We find that there is precious little reference to the Spirit of God in Titus! But here’s the one reference that we do have —

Ch. 3 – 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

I don’t see any overt references to the Spirit of God in this epistle of James. The verses above in chapter three might refer to the Holy Spirit, for He is the One who gives us wisdom (Col. 1:9). In James 3 we see earthly and heavenly wisdom contrasted:

This wisdom — given by the Spirit of God — shows itself by good deeds done in humility. It does not flow from envy or selfish ambition.

Here’s a prayer I’m praying today:  “Dear Holy Spirit, I need Your wisdom in so many ways today. Help me to be alert to Your promptings, awake to Your voice in my life. Give me that assurance of my sonship in Your family. And help me to make wise choices today that honor You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Making Good Choices — Time for a Great Commercial!

Love this commercial! Don’t some choices seem like you’re going down in an elevator to the dark nether regions? CHOICES — they are so critical in life, right?

 

Three Prayers to Pray Everyday in 2017 – A Sermon by Dr. Roy King

Roy’s message really hit home with me when we visited Sandhills Community Church last Sunday.  Roy and I (and two other faculty) were released from our positions at Columbia International University last summer — and the journey into the next chapter has been hard.  The Lord has been good in so many ways.  But the journey has been hard.  Roy gives exceptionally practical advice as he reflects on his “career change.”

 

Good advice — from Kids!

Never trust a dog to watch your food. Patrick, Age 10

When you want something expensive, ask your grandparents. Matthew, Age 12

Never smart off to a teacher whose eyes and ears are twitching. Andrew, Age 9

Wear a hat when feeding seagulls. Rocky, Age 9

Sleep in your clothes so you’ll be dressed in the morning. Stephanie, Age 8

Never try to hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. Rosemary, Age 7

Don’t flush the toilet when you dad’s in the shower. Lamar, Age 10

Never ask for anything that costs more than five dollars when your parents are doing taxes.
Carrol, Age 9

Never bug a pregnant mom. Nicholas, Age 11

Don’t ever be too full for dessert. Kelly, Age 10

When your dad is mad and asks you, “Do I look stupid?”don’t answer him. Heather, Age 16

Never tell your mom her diet’s not working. Michael, Age 14

Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat. Joel, Age 12

When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she’s on the phone. Alyesha, Age 13

Never try to baptize a cat. Laura, Age 13

Never spit when on a roller coaster. Scott, Age 11

Never do pranks at a police station. Sam, Age 10

Beware of cafeteria food when it looks like it’s moving. Rob, Age 10

Never tell your little brother that you’re not going to do what your mom told you to do. Hank, Age 12

Remember you’re never too old to hold your father’s hand. Molly, Age 11

Listen to your brain. It has lots of information. Chelsey, Age 7

Stay away from prunes. Randy, Age 9

Never dare your little brother to paint the family car. Phillip, Age 13

Forget the cake, go for the icing. Cynthia, Age 8