62. Holding Fast in Righteousness (1)
Hymns: RHC 243 The Comforter Has Come 444 Hold the Fort, 418 O Jesus, I Have Promised
Job 27:1-10
1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2As God liveth, whohath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; 3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. 7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous. 8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? 9Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? 10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God? (Job 27:1-10 KJV)
Holding Fast in Righteousness
OUTLINE
(1) Yielding to the Holy Spirit (v1-6)
(2) Exposing Unrighteousness (v7-10)
INTRODUCTION
The Apostle Paul observed the life of a man who walk with God when he said in Romans 8:1 There istherefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit holds sway in such a life. This is the picture of holiness in a man’s life. The Apostle Paul further explains: Romans 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The man who is born again in the Spirit, has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in his or her heart to live a righteous life, one that is right in the sight of God, according to His Word. Our sins have been dealt with by Christ upon the cross. There is a propensity to seek after, hunger and thirst after righteousness. There is a persevering strength for holiness even amidst of uncleanness all around.
He understood that battle within him between the flesh and the spirit and diligently sought God so that he will not succumb to the lust of the flesh! We studied the life of Enoch recently. The Bible tells us Enoch walked with God because Enoch he had this testimony, that he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5). The life of faith in practical terms means a life of prayer and His Word. He will not be side tracked by his own self-will but sought to fulfil God’s will for his life. What about us? Are we living with overcoming faith or are we attracted by the life of the Enoch and Lamech in Genesis 4, a life of materialism and seeking to be indulged in the “culture” of our times? A self-seeking life, there is much enslavement in this materialistic world.
The Apostle Paul continues to articulates the benefits of life with God – Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded isdeath; but to be spiritually minded islife and peace.Because the carnal mind isenmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
You recall we said last week the theme of the book is genuine faith in God is not dependent upon the circumstances, the happy things, the promotions and the ecolades that one receives but as we saw in Job, something genuine remains in him, that true jewel of the thing called faith, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
That life with God, keeping faith, yielding and submitting to the Holy Spirit’s leading through God’s Word brings life and peace.
When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). “Will not fulfil” not only forbids the occurrence of the action but it does not allow it even to begin.
This word to “walk” has the sense of submission and yielding ourselves to God’s truth. It is a choice that we have to make to submit ourselves to God’s truth. It is a command to choose correctly continually. The spirit’s fruit in Job’s life is the fruit of longsuffering. Longsuffering is the Greek word “μακροθυμία”transliterated as “makrothuméō”. It is defined a state of emotional quietness in the face of unfavorable circumstances. In this context, it describes the believer as exhibiting patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs inflicted by others (Thayer Lexicon). It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not a natural action of man but a supernatural action of the Holy Spirit working in the believer.
Matthew Henry observed well in Job’s discourse with his three friends, “Job had sometimes complained of his friends that they were so eager in disputing that they would scarcely let him put in a word: “Suffer me that I may speak;” and, “O that you would hold your peace!” But now, it seems, they were out of breath, and left him room to say what he would. Either they were themselves convinced that Job was in the right or they despaired of convincing him that he was in the wrong; and therefore, they threw away their weapons and gave up the cause. Job was too hard for them, and forced them to quit the field; for great is the truth and will prevail.”
He further observed, “What Job had said (Job26) was a sufficient answer to Bildad’s discourse; and now Job paused awhile, to see whether Zophar would take his turn again; but, he declining it, Job himself went on, and, without any interruption or vexation given him, said all he desired to say in this matter.”
Two thoughts:
- Yielding to the Holy Spirit (v1-6)
- Exposing Unrighteousness (v7-10)
- Yielding to the Holy Spirit (v1-6)
1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; 3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
Job’s discourse here is called a parable (mashal), the title of Solomon’s proverbs, because it was grave and weighty, and very instructive, and he spoke as one having authority. It comes from a word that signifies to rule,orhave dominion;and some think it intimates that Job now triumphed over his opponents, and spoke as one that had baffled them. Job here backs all he had said in maintenance of his own integrity with a solemn oath, to silence contradiction, and take the blame entirely upon himself if he prevaricated. [Matthew Henry]
God has raised up Job for a testimony to the glory of God. Richard Sibbes observed how grace has its little beginning, “Grace is little at the first – Grace is as “a grain of mustard seed”.
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
“Nothing is so little as grace at first, and nothing more glorious afterward: things of greatest perfection are longest in coming to their growth. Man, the perfectest creature, comes to perfection by little and little; worthless things, as mushrooms and the like, like Jonah’s gourd, soon spring up, and soon vanish. A new creature is the most excellent frame in all the world, therefore it growth up by degrees; we see in nature that a mighty oak riseth of an acorn. It is with a Christian as it was with Christ, who sprang out of the dead stock of Jesse, out of David’s family – Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
When it was at its lowest, but He grew up higher than the heavens. It is not with the tress of righteousness as it was with the trees of paradise, which were created all perfect at the first. All these glorious works of holiness in the saints had their beginning from a few sparks. Let us not therefore be discouraged at the small beginnings of grace, but look on ourselves as “elected to be blameless and without spot” Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Let us only look on our imperfect beginning to enforce further strife to perfection, and to keep us in a low conceit. Otherwise, in case of discouragement, we must consider ourselves, as Christ doth, who looks on us as such as He intendeth to fit for Himself. Christ valueth us by what we shall be, and what we are elected unto. We call a little plant a tree because it is growing up to be so. For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10). Christ would not have us despise little things. Grace, thoigh little, in quantity, yet is much I. vigour and worth. It is Christ that raiseth the worth of little and mean places and persons. Bethlehem the least and yet not the least. Micah 5:2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, thoughthou be little among the thousands of Judah, yetout of thee shall he come forth unto me that isto be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have beenfrom of old, from everlasting. Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, inthe land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” [The Bruise Reed and a Smoking Flax, Richard Sibbes]
3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
Jesus said to His disciples – John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Eventhe Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Job testifies the grace of God keeping him through the blessed spirit of God.
The Apostle Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitablefor doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Corinthians 2:7-13 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
The Holy Spirit does not work independently of God’s Word. The Holy Sprit works through God’s Word. The Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17). The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth (John 15:26). Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13). The Truth of God is not found in subordinate revelation but in the Word of God. Jesus said, “Thy Word is Truth.”
The Holy Spirit gives the light to the reader of God’s Word to help him understand the mind of God when he diligent searches the scriptures.
The Holy Spirit uses study to help the believer in interpreting Scripture. The believer cannot know a spiritual truth out of a blank mind or from inputs that are out of Scripture. We derive our doctrines from Scripture and the Holy Spirit aids us in this process. 1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Before the days of written Scripture, Job was taught of God through the Spirit of God.
4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
God’s Spirit gives to Job an awakened conscience that will rebuke him according to God’s commandments. There was a boldness within him to steadfastness. As Daniel was at a young age – Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
The Bible tells us he “purposed” in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s meat and wine. The word “purposed”, in the perfect tense signifying completed action, means “set, determine, fix”.
His conviction to be an obedient child of God was fixed and settled. Daniel determined in his young heart to be dedicated, committed and devoted to his God. Daniel made up his mind in advance he will be loyal to God. He settled it in his heart what he will do and what he will not do. He will notdefile or contaminate himself with the pollutions of the idolatrous Babylonian culture that he found himself captive. He made a commitment in his heart to spiritual purity. It was a step of separation unto holiness.
He took such a step come because Daniel knew whom He was serving. The fear of God is the beginning of true wisdom. He will not live his life as dictated by circumstances but by God’s Truth!
Daniel kept his heart with diligence. He kept a watch on his own heart as Solomon taught well Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
He will not eat the king’s food. The Jews had special kosher diet. Daniel kept to it. It protected him from defiling himself for they were possibly offered to idols.
Daniel, in not defiling himself, was a clean vessel for God to manifest His glory. God blessed him in the following ways.
(1) By his obedience, Daniel found favour with God and God gave him favour with men, Daniel 1:9 “Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel knew the truth and he abided by it. God blessed him.
(2) He was bestowed with godly wisdom, Daniel 1:17, 20 “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams…And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”
Jesus puts it this way for your encouragement – Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Expect God to be fighting for us when we stand with Him. God’s commandments are given for our protection and blessing rather than to harm us. We are to trust God and act according to His Word leaving the outcome to God. A life of faithfulness in a faithless world.
- Exposing Unrighteousness (v7-10)
7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous. 8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? 9Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? 10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
Let my accuser be proved a lying and perjured man, because he has laid to my charge things which he cannot prove, and which are utterly false. [Clarke]
Job maintained that he was not, and could not, and would not be a wicked man and a hypocrite.
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained. The hypocrite and liar may get advantage in this life by his lies and his hypocrisy. He may deceive men; he may raise himself in their opinion; he may derive worldly advantage from having secured their approval, but what will he have to look forward rein the end, when God taketh away(i.e. removeth from earth) his soul?[Pulpit Commentary]
Truly, as Jesus said Mark 8:36-37 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
This is no wise exchange. Job knew it and he valued his soul to keep his integrity before God, fearing to offending God. This is the godly man. He fears and dreads God, this is not carnal fear, but this is joy and peace and holiness.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
CONCLUSION
Indeed, it is better to obey God and humbly walk with Him. Amen.