Reading Job's rant, which encompasses most of this chapter, I thought he could be describing a scene from today's news headlines. Child exploitation, abuse and misuse of the poor and disenfranchised, cheating, stealing, lying.
Apparently life hasn't changed in millennia!
Somehow we think modern people are better humans than 'savages' of the past. Seems to me the facts don't bear this out. Job's lament about the evil deeds of people of his day could be a lament of the evil people of today. In some countries there may be better policing and jurisprudence but even that doesn't stem the tide of violence and oppression. Gun violence, human trafficking, drug related violence and theft, rape, live on in even the most technologically advanced and wealthiest countries of the world. Often they are hidden, but when these come into the light we are shocked by its pervasiveness… example the #metoo campaign exposing many 'respectable' people in lofty places for exploiting women.
Seems clear to me that education, scientific, cultural and political advancement haven't cured the ills deep within the human soul. If we can take an advantage over someone else and the risk seems to be worth the reward, then we do it, even when the advantage puts down or uses the person.
Job opens the chapter: Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days? (1). Surely he is lamenting that he cannot stand face to face with the Lord. His opening sentence however misses the mark. God has sent a time for judgment. It is not during one's lifetime but upon death. Human rules have jurisdiction during life, but upon death God's court takes jurisdiction. And things we may have gotten away with in the human court will be laid bare before God who knows all, including the intentions of our heart!!!
Some abusive men may not be exposed through #metoo. Some evil doers get off on a technicality or have the resources to buy their acquittal in a human court, but that will not be the case before God at His tribunal. The New Testament is eminently clear. Hebrews 9:27, people are destined to die once, after that face judgment. And the only defense we can have in God's court is Jesus standing in our place… and that happens when we place our trust and faith in Jesus and follow Him as a disciple.
I am so grateful for Jesus… my Savior, my Lord.
Sometimes in worship we simply sing the name of Jesus… my heart is singing that right now.
Jesus… Jesus… Jesus…
No comments:
Post a Comment