66. A Man’s Good Works

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Hymns: RHC 470 Work, for the Night is Coming, 385 May the Mind of Christ, My Saviour, 377 More Like the Master

Job 29:1-25

1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; 3When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked throughdarkness; 4As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; 5When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; 6When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil; 7When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. 11When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 12Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. 18Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. 19My rootwas spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. 20My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. 21Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 23And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. 24If I laughed on them, they believed itnot; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.25I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one thatcomforteth the mourners. 

A Man’s Good Works

OUTLINE

(1)  Respected and Honoured (v1-11)

(2)  Helperfor the Poor and Fatherless (v12)

(3)   Helper to the Widow (v13)

(4)   Helper to the Blind and Lame (v14-15)

(5)   Father to the Poor (v16)

(6)   Frustrating the Wicked (v17)

(7)   Trusted and Honoured among Men (18-25)

INTRODUCTION

The Apostle Paul said to Timothy in his last epistle: 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And 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. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim. 3:12-17 KJV)

He revealed to us the making of a perfect man (spiritually mature) and his impact upon society at large is that such a man is equipped to bring forth good works. That which effect men for eternity, the spirit’s fruit. The impact of a man fully surrendered and yielded to God is tremendous. Such a man is built up through the sanctifying influence of the Scriptures, God’s Word. Herein lies the blessing of a man of God. 

A man would imbibe the Joshua mandate as stipulated in Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

The Holy Spirit always works in tandem with God’s Word. God’s will lies in God’s Word. The Holy Spirit grants illumination to understand the Scriptures and to apply it appropriately to help us in our lives. 

Joshua is asked to meditate on God’s Word. Meditation hardly seems like the work of an industrious general. Yet God commanded Joshua to do just that if he hoped to succeed.Joshua was to be guided and governed wholly by the written Word. Before Joshua, there was no such command because there was no such Book. But for Joshua, Moses has recorded God’s laws in His Book. 

Remember Moses wrote God’s law in a book and rehearsed it in the ears of Joshua.

Exodus 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this fora memorial in a book, and rehearse itin the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Deuteronomy 31:9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

The Scriptures were set as the supreme authority for Joshua. The Scriptures were set above Joshua. All his actions were to be regulated by it. Joshua is to read it, understand it and submit to its authority.

The book of the law for Joshua was the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Law. But for us, we have the entire canon of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation to guide us from beginning to the end.

Moses committed God’s Word to Joshua. Paul committed God’s Word to Timothy and ask Timothy to commit them to faithful men who will be able to teach others also 2 Timothy 2:2.

But how could a busy general command an army and administer a nation and still have time to meditate on anything? The hectic days would hardly afford opportunities for prolonged thought, let alone deep meditation. But God’s command to meditate only sounds strange to the one who has never meditated.

Meditation is focused concentration. Biblical meditation involves pondering God’s Word until He makes its full implications clear. It is staying in God’s presence until God has helped you understanding what His Word is saying to you.

A surface skimming of God’s Word will not suffice for a leader who bears great responsibility. Too much is at stake. Only a careful, thoughtful period of meditation will ensure that leaders grasp all the ramifications of God’s Word for those they lead. Paradoxically, busy leaders facing significant time pressures assume they have no time to meditate on God’s Word. Time is precious. Yet the wisest thing a spiritual leader can do is to seek God’s wisdom.

Careful evaluation of God’s Word is a must for the sake of everyone involved. No crisis is pressing enough to prevent leaders from seeking God’s perspective. Wise leaders understand the importance of meditation. They are proactive in scheduling time to focus, uninterrupted, on important issues. 

The Bible is a storehouse packed full of wisdom. Unpacking its treasures take time. God’s Word holds answers leaders desperately need. The Scriptures can shed light on any situation. Why would a leader ignore such a treasury of wisdom?

God told Joshua in verse 9.

 9Have not I commanded thee? Be strongand of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God iswith thee whithersoever thou goest.

Was this important for Joshua to know? Absolutely. He was about to attempt the impossible. Thousands of lives depended on him. He needed God to give him more than a sentimental, devotional thought. He needed a word from God that he could stake his life on. As Joshua meditate upon God’s Word and was assured of God’s presence. But the days ahead would bring numerous occasions for fear and dismay, despair and distress. He had to be certain of the guarantees that God gave to him. Jesus made this same promise to believers, – Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. 

We need to understand the enormity of this truth. How does it work out in my workplace? What does it mean when we are admitted to the hospital? Is it still true when everyone seems to have abandoned us? How does this work practically in day-to-day situations? How can I know God hasn’t forsaken me when everything in my life is going wrong? The Bible holds promises with enormous implications if we would take time to consider their potential to change our lives. Joshua did and that is why he is so successful. And Job we will observe bear this trait of a man who had spent time with God.

He testified of the fruit of his life with God.

FB Meyer said well, “We must meditate on the words of God, because it is through the Word of God that the Spirit of God comes in fullness to be the mighty occupant of our inner man. This, after all, is the secret of strength – to be possessed of the strong Son of God, strengthened by His indwelling might, and filled in his spirit. We can do all things when Christ is in us in unthwarted power. The only limit lies in our faith and capacity; or, in other words, in our absolute submission to His indwelling.”

  • Respected and Honoured (v1-11)
  • Helper for the Poor and Fatherless (v12)
  • Helper to the Widow (v13)
  • Helper to the Blind and Lame (v14-15)
  • Father to the Poor (v16)
  • Frustrating the Wicked (v17)
  • Trusted and Honoured among Men (18-25)
  • Respected and Honoured (v1-11)

1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, 2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; 3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; 4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; 6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil; 7When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. 11When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 

Job’s chief joy in the days of his prosperity (v6-7) was to dwell in the presence of God (v5). He was a man highly regarded, a man of integrity – he had favour with God and with man (v7-11). Young and old, princes and nobles, respected him. Not because he was wealthy but he was a man trusted in his community. 

Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

And Job sought to live out his faith in the times of his affliction much so as in the days of his prosperity. He was consistent whatever the weather was in his season of life, like Daniel and Joseph and the Apostle Paul.

He will testify this in Job 29-31. His past record of walking with God, he testifies in Job 29. And his present affliction in Job 30 and in Job 31, he affirms his steadfastness before God, he has not compromised his faith, his integrity he had guarded. 

This was his testimony when we begin our study, you recall, in Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name wasJob; and that man was perfect and upright (an honest man), and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

God commended Job to Satan – Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there isnone like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

 7When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 

Job was a leader in his community. When he came to discharge the duites of a leader at the gate of the city, the young and the old had great respect for him because he was a just man, a man of wisdom and integrity, one who respected them. He in turn was respected by them.

  • Helper for the Poor and Fatherless (v12)

 12Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 

You recall, Eliphaz sought to discredit Job, a man who helped many in his prosperity.

Job is being accused of being a cold friend who refused help to his friend. 

Job 22:5-9 Isnot thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing. Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. But as forthe mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it. Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

Job is charged with not showing mercy and compassion to others.

Proverbs 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

It was a false accusation against Job.

Job spent time with God and understood the will of God and the Person of God whom he sought to follow – Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows,isGod in his holy habitation.

A man who has received good from God will know to do good to others as he has been blessed. This was Job’s testimony.

Luke 11:5-13 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Matthew 5:7 Blessed arethe merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Galatians 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

To be continued…