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.

Paul writes (2 Cor 8.9); “For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

(The references to wealth and poverty must be understood beyond financial wealth and poverty.)

Elsewhere we read that Christ made Himself nothing (Phil 2.7); but the command is that we, His followers, choose the same path; “your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” We are immeasurably grateful that He gave up the glories of Heaven to enter our world, giving His life that we might have life to the full. We also identify with Him, walking “as He walked” (1 John 2.6).

Paul comments; “poor, yet making many rich” (2 Cor 6.10). He describes his own ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He endured discomfort so that those he served might enjoy comfort and encouragement. “So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well” (2 Cor 12.15). Here was the sacrificial commitment of a father for his children.

In his own poverty and comparative wealth (he endured both) Paul declared himself content (Phil 4.10-13). His contentment was in Christ, not a result of his financial well-being.

Paul’s experience cannot be described as a forced self-poverty, nor a form of masochism; but simply a genuine concern for others, putting them and their needs before his own.

We cannot merely admire the attitudes of Christ and of Paul from afar historically. The clear call is that followers of Jesus Christ have a concern for others. “Love one another.” “love your neighbour as yourself.” We give of our material wealth, and we give of ourselves to bless others. The way of the kingdom is that this makes many rich. In the economy of God, gifts are weighed not counted (the widow gave more “than all the others” in Mark 12.43). Giving with a genuine attitude to bless goes much further than the mere financial cost of the gift. And we can be part of the glorious plan of God to make many rich.