These words are quoted from Heb 12.28; “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.””

A few verses later the writer says; “for here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Heb 13.14).

There are many things to learn from these words. For one, the visible world is not the entirety of the world. There is the unseen, the spiritual. The Bible makes clear that the unseen is actually more real than the visible world. The present world is but a shadow of the unseen world.

What I find striking is that these wonderful truths motivate us, not to seek to escape from this world, but to be a blessing in it. The direct commands here need no explanation!

• Be thankful
• Be hospitable
• Be content
• Honour leaders
• Be loyal to the truth

Confidence about our future destiny is a powerful motivation to life with integrity in this world.

We are already receiving the kingdom, which is the future, but now. We taste Heaven here on earth. Eternity has started. Therefore we press on to know Christ and make Him known.

The Bridge Church, St Ives, of which I am a member, has recently finished a sermon series on the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. This comprises five books; Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. You will find this material here: www.thebridgechurch.co.uk/media/ and includes my own contributions.

This single sermon on the book of Job started me thinking …

Eliphaz starts where some people start, with divine retribution. “Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?” (4.7) This is neither true nor helpful.

Later, Eliphaz reveals his authority. “A word was secretly brought to me … a spirit glided past my face … I heard a hushed voice.” (4.12-16). He claimed some sort of spiritual revelation. But the form of it allows no challenge. ‘God has spoken,’ he claims, leaving no room for discussion and debate.

Bildad’s conclusion is the same, but his authority is different. “Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned.” (8.8-10). Tradition and antiquity are his authority. The older the better!

Zophar is a mystic. “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” (11.7-9) Yet his conclusion is the same.

There are many doctrines (teachings) in the world. They all come from somewhere. A Church leader commented that it used to be possible to work out what book a person had been reading from their conversation. That is harder now that we multiply our sources with the internet. One risk is that the many voices can confuse our thinking.

There is much to learn from Job. The divine testimony (42.7) is that Job has spoken what is right about God.  Like the Psalmist he is free to bring his complaints before God. And God hears him!

Job comments on the injustice of life. Life is not so black-and-white as his friends suggest; “one man dies in full vigour … another man dies in bitterness of soul … side by side they lie in the dust …” (21.22-26). Like the writer of Ecclesiastes, Job sees that the outcome does not always appear fair.

And, jumping to the conclusion. “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more that the first.” (42.12). This is not a universal promise of material wealth to the faithful followers of God. It is simply the way God manifested His mercy to Job, His servant.

On his sermon on Job 1.1, John Calvin comments that Job maintains a good cause, but pleads it poorly. In contrast his friends maintain a poor cause, but plead it well. It comes as a challenge when truth is poorly argued, but error comes with force and conviction.

My Bible Notes comments start here: www.biblenotes.org.uk/editor/index.php?testament=old-testament&book=Job&chapter=1

The writer of Proverbs says; “above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov 4.23).

Not all scripture is equal. Whilst we maintain the evangelical doctrine of the authority and accuracy of Scripture, since it is “God-breathed,” we find, as we read it, some sections, some verses, some statements are more important; they carry more weight. Part of the skill in correctly handling the word of God (2 Tim 2.15) is to ‘cut it straight,’ as another version puts it. Paul borrows from his tent-making vocabulary, referring to his skill to cut a piece of fabric to shape and size, so as to make or repair a tent. As we approach the Bible we need to study to understand it well and, given opportunity, to teach it well.

There are a number of scriptures which reinforce this approach.

The Lord Jesus, in speaking to Martha, says; “only one thing is needed” (Luke 10.41). He declares that one course of action is to be preferred above another, in that moment.

In referring to the doctrines of the gospel, Paul announces, “I passed on to you as of first importance” (1 Cor 15.3). He declares the essential truths that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again according to the Scriptures. Paul does not say the same about the matter of head coverings (1 Cor 11.16). There is Bible doctrine (the apostles’ doctrine) which is foundational, essential, truly a matter of life and death. God will give us grace to learn to emphasize what God Himself holds most important.

And in living out the gospel, in following Christ, Paul says; “one thing I do” (Phil 3.13). Paul put aside his past and pursued Christ with all his heart and strength. His goal was to know Christ and make Him known.

Let us not be diverted into disputes about doubtful things, but to share God’s own priorities.