Day 13, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Job 29–31
Evidence of a Righteous Life
Note: This Bible study is also available in audio format
Someone once asked the question, “if you were accused in a court of law of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” What is the evidence for a righteous life?
- Going to church?
- Kindness, listening, smiling, and being positive all the time?
- Dependable and giving an honest day’s work?
- Loving and spending time with family?
- Telling the truth?
- Trustworthy?
While these things may indicate that a person is a Christian, Job sets an example that challenges us to be so much more.
Job’s blessed life
At one time, God favored Job, and almost everyone loved and respected him. Poetically, Job described it as a time “when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil” (Job 29:5-6, NIV).
Why did God bless Job? Because he had a close relationship with the LORD, always seeking to please him, and he lived a righteous life. True righteousness and peace are found in a personal relationship with the LORD (more...).How was Job’s righteousness expressed?
He explains it this way:
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth (Job 29:11-17, NIV).
Job feels God is wronging him
Because this godly man lost his health, wealth, and family, he is mocked by some of the most worthless men and their sons. His friends also accuse him of wickedness. Besides that, he is in constant pain from a skin disease. Job doesn’t understand why all this is happening to him, and he doesn’t know Satan’s role in all this. This righteous man feels God has afflicted him and wronged him.
I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me. You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm. I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living, (Job 30:20-23, NIV).
Job appeals to God
He knows God is just and merciful, so he seeks understanding .
Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress. Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness.
The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.
I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of owls
[The NASB translates “owls” as “ostriches.” These are symbolic ways of describing his mournful and painful cries]. My skin grows black and peels; my body burns with fever. My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of wailing [his singing has turned to mournful wailing]. (Job 30:24-31, NIV)
More evidence
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. For what is man's lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong? Does he not see my ways and count my every step? (Job 31:1-4, NIV).
In other words, Job realizes it is best to walk in fear of the Lord and not give himself to wickedness— it is the righteous who are usually blessed and the wicked who are usually punished. One day, all people will be held to account for their actions.
In summary, Job says, “if I have been deceitful, committed sexual sin, mistreated my servants, not shared what I have with the poor, widowed and distressed, or oppressed orphans, then I would expect punishment. If I have put my trust in wealth, rejoiced at others’ misfortunes, or if I haven’t taken care of the needs of my household, I would expect God’s wrath. If I have concealed my sins, or have mistreated the land or the tenants who farm it, then I could well understand God’s judgment upon me. But I have done none of these things” (Job 31).
Job appeals for God’s justice
He says,
Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense-- let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him (Job 31:35-37, NIV).
Although Job’s statement may sound arrogant, clearly, there is evidence of his righteous life. Because of this, he believes he has a just appeal to make with God. However, the LORD is Sovereign—he does not owe an explanation to anyone. God has a higher purpose, which Job knows nothing about.
His physical and emotional sufferings and friends have broken him down, so Job feels he must justify himself and even shift the blame to God. Do we do this? Would we do it if we were in Job’s situation? Probably. It would be better to practice silence and trust God. However, this would be difficult if our health were suffering, and we were repeatedly mocked and harassed by friends and foes as Job was.
Nevertheless, as we look beyond Job’s pride, what may we learn about the evidence of a righteous life?
Discussion
Why did God bless Job?
What evidence did Job have of a righteous life?
How can we be righteous, and how can we please God?
Focus Verse
Zechariah 7:9 (NIV) “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Sample prayer response:
Dear Father in heaven, you are holy and good, although sometimes it seems you are against us. We pray you will accomplish your will and show us your mercy and grace. Teach us to trust you; you will not leave or forsake us. When we are in pain, we long for your kingdom to come. Help us to bear our hardships, trusting in you. We want to be good testimonies before others, so they will also desire a relationship with you.
Please provide our daily needs, and help us speak encouraging words to those going through difficult times.
Forgive us if we ever shake our fists in your face. Help us to forgive others who misunderstand and judge us. Lead us away from the temptation to rail against them.
May we do all things for your glory and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: Those who hear others defend themselves may respond with Judgmental Pride. How can we avoid this and help the sufferer?
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