Job Learned from the Past Experience
Job is remembering the days of the past. He valued the past, but not as
one who pines for "the good old days" in order to keep from dealing with present
reality. Rather, he valued the past because of the truth it taught him about God, about
people, and about himself.
It helped him put current events in a proper perspective. By remembering how God had
dealt with him in the past, Job was able to endure his present suffering.
What a contrast to modern American males today. They, too, are undergoing a certain
amount of present suffering. But unlike Job, they act as if they had no past from which to
learn. In fact, they seem to exercise a subtle contempt for the past. We are even
rewriting our history books, as if there were nothing in the past that we could learn from
today.
As a people we have made great scientific and technological strides in the last half of
this Century. This has lulled us into making the erroneous assumption that we must have
also made great improvements in human relationships. Therefore, we reason, we need not
look to the past for instruction on how to raise a family or how to be a man any more than
we would go to the past for advice on how to build an automobile. We tend to believe that
newer must be better. But even a brief glance at the headlines will clearly show that in
the realm of human relationships we are doing worse than those who went before us.
Marriages used to work, family members got along reasonably well. There was no talk of
"alternative lifestyles". Family members cared for each other and took
responsibility for the actions of their siblings.
Today, however, men seem to think that the past is outdated, old fashioned, and has no
value for today's living. We hear people say: "This is the 21st century, get
real." Yet our isolation from our history has caused us to "reinvent the
wheel." It is proving to be a set back. Men today will never fully recapture their
missing manhood until they repent of modern arrogance and humbly look at the history of
American masculinity to see what truths it has to pass on to them.
Even the church is exhorted to maintain a link with the past. Perhaps this is what Paul
meant when he said to the Thessalonians: "Stand fast and hold to the traditions
which you were taught." (2 Thess. 2:15).
Job Remained Close to His Children
Job remembers when "my children were around me." (Job
29:5). When we met Job in the first part of his book, we see him first as a family man, a
father to his children. In the midst of his suffering, Job said he missed having his
children around him. He obviously did not view children as an intrusion into his personal
pleasures. On the contrary, they were a prime source of his pleasure.
What a contrast with many fathers today. Fathers have abandoned their children for
their own personal pleasures. Children are viewed as a burden or a robber of money and
time that could be used for personal pleasures. And many men have just abandoned their
role as a father, leaving the women to raise the children themselves. It is this selfish
attitude that has increased child abuse, abortion, and other atrocities perpetrated
against our children.
Job is our real hero. In Chapter 1 and verse 5 we learn that Job "rose up early
in the morning and offered burnt offerings and sacrifices" for his children. For
he said: "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts."
There had been a time of feasting and celebration, and Job was worried that his kids would
forget God during this time so he interceded for them. A real father shows concern for the
spiritual welfare of his children.
Job had ten children. Not a small family by any means. Yet, he took pains to be
intimately involved in securing the physical and spiritual care of each of his seven sons
and three daughters. Truly, to be the kind of father that Job was, we must crucify self
and make our children a matter of our personal concern.
Job was a Respected Community Leader
Job 29:7-11 "When I went out to the gate of the city, when I
took my seat in the square; the young men saw me and hid themselves, and the old men arose
and stood. The princes stopped talking; and put their hands on their mouths; and their
tongue stuck to their palate. For when the eye saw, it gave witness of me."
The gate the city was the place all the community leaders gathered and discussed
the community affairs. His respect is witnessed by the fact that young men humbly withdrew
and old men stood up to greet him. This kind of respect comes the old fashioned way - it
must be earned. Not only was Job involved in the decisions that were made on a community
level, his advice was respected.
I am going to suggest that others may not have agreed with Job but the way Job
presented himself and his case before them they truly respected. Today many men are
concerned only with selfishly demanding their own way, their own agenda, as we see every
special interest group making themselves odious to the rest of us.
I am not suggesting that Christians compromise a Biblical principle to get along - this
never gains respect - rather I am suggesting a couple of things: First that we become
involved in community affairs. And our community today involves more than just a town, but
also a state and a country. It takes involvement, a speaking of the mind before a body of
councilmen or commissioners or community leaders to gain respect. Silence today means
endorsement. Silence is the sound of the wimp and complainer.
Secondly speaking the truth of God in love. Speaking it in such a way that shows
respect to the person we are speaking to. Religious people have become notorious for their
critical, judgmental speech. We need to do as Peter says, "give a reason for the
hope we have." Or as Paul did in Athens: He "reasoned with them."
Today's real hero is concerned about community values, school values, corruption in
public places, and is willing to articulate them in a kind but firm manner.
Job was a Father to the Fatherless
Job 29:12,13 "Because I delivered the poor who cried for help,
and the orphan who had no helper. The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me,
and I made the widow's heart sing for joy."
Job was concerned with children and people beyond the needs of his own family. He
was involved with the care and guidance of children whose families were not able to care
for them. Today there are organizations like "big brother" which bring men and
boys together. They are doing a good work, but I want to suggest that boys need a father
more than a big brother. Today's youth need to see what a real father - what a real man is
like.
When a child's first impression of God is that of their image of a father, then we can
see the importance of being a father to the children of the world. A father is not
abusive, he does not selfishly exploit a child, and he does not neglect or show no concern
for a child. Oh, the world needs to see what a true man is really like. Perhaps you can be
JOB to them. Be the man who is concerned and interested in others.
The world doesn't need anymore men who use their children and families for their own
selfish pursuits. They need men who unselfishly give themselves for the good of others.
Look at Job, God said that there was no one like him in all the earth. Men, you and I need
God if we are to come close to emulating Job to the world around us.
Job Lived a Life of Personal Righteousness
Job 29:14-17 "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My
justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was
a father to the needy, and I investigated the case which I did not know. And I broke the
jaws of the wicked, and snatched the prey from his teeth."
He pursued righteousness and it clothed him. His righteousness protected him. So
many of today's heroes appear to us as "good guys," but as time wears on we
learn differently. Their image is tarnished and we are let down. The only way to avoid
this happening is to be meticulous about holiness.
Do not give in to falsehood, to deception, or to impurity. Fill your mind with pure
thoughts and your heart will not be filled with lust. Men today feast on pornography. Then
they fantasize sex and then they abuse sex. What is in the heart will be seen in the
actions. If we are to be protected, we must learn what Job learned, we have to pursue
righteousness. It will cloth us so that a "holy kiss" or holy hug is just what
it says, holy.
Young men need to see the righteous respect their fathers have for women. The world
speaks in lustful terms about women. Our young men need to hear godly men speaking
respectfully of all woman. How else will they learn that women are a special gift from God
to be respected and honored?
Job Upheld Justice
Job speaks of his justice as a robe and turban. He always wanted to
listen to both sides, "I investigated the case which I did not know."
When he found injustice he said: "I broke the jaws of the wicked."
Part of the incredible power that draws millions of men and boys to embrace
today’s plastic heroes is their thirst for justice.
They want to see offenders punished and the enemy destroyed. A real man also wants
justice. Man is not to have a vengeful spirit. Revenge is usually occupied with getting
even for some personal grievance. Job's desire to see injustice punished did not come as a
result of his own sake, but for the sake of others. Of all the things that happened to
Job, several were the result of injustice. Thieves stole his animals. But there is no
record of him seeking to get even. But you had better not mess with the widows and orphans
or you'll have Job to deal with.
I want to make a generalization about the difference between men and women - you will
know exceptions. Usually men's desire for justice is stronger than their inclination to
extend mercy, and the opposite is true of women. That's why when little Johnny comes home
bruised and bloody from an encounter with the neighborhood bully it is usually Mom who he
goes to for comfort, while Dad is already thinking of how he is going to deal with the
bully. We readily understand how both are needed, but if a woman's feelings for mercy
become the rule or practice over man's innate sense for justice, society will lose its
sharp cutting edge for what is right and wrong. I believe this is what has happened today.
Think for a minute: "Would a woman have cleansed the temple of God with a whip and
turned over the tables of the moneychangers?" Today, the answer would probably be
yes. But only because the men of today have wimped out and some women have stepped in to
fill the vacuum. Like Deborah of old, she received the glory because Barak refused to take
the leadership. Men need once again to feel anger on the inside when they view the
injustices within society: When they see other men refusing to pay child support, when
they see workers taking advantage of their kind boss, when they see women and children
being abused by selfish men, when they see businesses exploiting children by the sale of
pornography. Men, God has given us a desire for justice and a nature that would
aggressively seek it. He wants us to seek the punishment of offenders and to see the
criminals destroyed so that society once again can live in peace and safety.
We have Mothers and Students Against Drunk Drivers - it is time that Fathers rise up
against Drunk Drivers, against Child Pornography, against Teen pregnancy, against liberal
judges, corrupt politicians and other social crimes.
Job Had a Stable Life
Job 29: 19-20 "My root is spread out to the waters, and dew lies
all night on my branch. My glory is ever new with me, and my bow is renewed in my
hand."
The stability of Job's lifestyle stands in vivid contrast to the anxious mobility
that permeates our society where almost 25% of the population moves each year. The
temporary nature of American neighborhoods prevents us from building a sense of community
and keeps us from experiencing the security and identity that such stability can bring. In
the words of Vance Packard, we have become "a nation of strangers."
We have to put our roots down, if we are ever going to make an impact upon a community.
Those who have the least influence in today's community are those who are constantly
moving from place to place - which includes the average preacher. Anyone who moves every 3
years is not even considered as a part of the community.
Real men set their roots down, take an interest in the community and begin to make a
difference in the life of that community. Real men are secure and have a strong sense of
personal worth. This is hard to obtain when we are constantly moving to greener pastures.
Occasionally it is God's will for us, like Abraham, to relocate our families. However,
before we do we need to make certain that moving is God's will rather than some impulsive
visionary action.
Job Was a Well of Wisdom
Job 29:21-25 "To me they listened and waited, and kept silent
for my counsel. After my words they did not speak again, and my speech dropped on them.
And they waited for me as for the rain, and opened their mouth as for the spring rain, I
smiled on them when they did not believe, and the light of my face they did not cast down.
I chose a way for them and sat as chief, and dwelt as a king among the troops, as one who
comforted the mourners."
The great Solomon does not have a corner on the wisdom market. Job had a lion's
share of it also. He spoke and everyone listened. For this to happen, you cannot be
flippant in what you say. Job had true wisdom and insight, not political rhetoric born of
personal ambition or manipulation. Not arrogant and scholastic verbiage flowing from an
ivory tower, but truth made clear by the insight of true wisdom, that is born of God.
The beauty of this is that you, like Job, can have that same wisdom. Our New Testament
tells us that we can ask God for it and he gives it liberally. Men, we don't need to quote
scripture to the world, but we need to share the wisdom of the word with them.
The need for godly wisdom is so evident today. It is needed more than information on
stocks and bonds. Let us set our heart on gaining wisdom. Whoever loves wisdom makes those
around him rejoice. Wisdom gives life. Wisdom gives strength. And wisdom gives a good
defense because it comes from God. But with the loss of manhood in America today, men have
lost the desire for this great pearl.
Job was a Pursuer of God
Looking beyond all his other character traits, Job was first and
foremost a pursuer of God. Pursuit of God is a mark of a real man.
That can sound foreign to us who live in a culture where religion has, for years, been
the domain of women. The last few generations of American males have often seen women as
the primary pursuers of God. After all, what other impression can a young child receive
when he sees his own father dropping him and his mother off at the church building and
then coming back later to get them. The world has been programmed to believe that being a
real man and serving God somehow didn't go together.
But Job shows us differently. All the character traits that we have seen in Job were
made possible because of his relationship with God. It was because of God's mercy that Job
was merciful. It was because God is just that Job sought justice. It was because God hates
evil that Job broke the jaws of the wicked. His life, in all its masculine expression, was
built around his worship of God. His pursuit of God molded him into the kind of man he
was. That is why God approved Job as a model for true manhood. That is why God referred to
Job as "a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil."
Job was the real hero and a model for all men to follow and imitate. May such men
walk the streets of America once again!
Gary Flom is minister of the Church of Christ in
Torrington, Wyoming. He may be reached at: gflom@communicomm.com
Copyright (c) 2000, The Preacher's Study.
Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon
preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the
Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.
[Archive]
[Home] [Comments] [Search]