Background:
Pharisees – A Jewish religious and political group that maintained a strict observance of the Mosaic Law (the first five books of the Bible and more specifically Deuteronomy) as well as oral laws and traditions passed down by word of mouth over a period of centuries. The Pharisees asserted that the Scriptures were not complete and could therefore not be understood on their own terms. In other words, God was not specific enough when He gave the Law to Moses. The oral laws and traditions functioned to elaborate and explain what was written. Pharisees taught that these oral laws and traditions had the same authority as the Law/God’s Word. Guess who were the only ones who knew these oral laws and traditions?
Example – the Law says that a person is to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy by not working. What qualifies as work? The Pharisees “added” to God’s word by defining what is work – spitting on the ground to make clay, brushing one’s hair, wearing a hairclip, starting or extinguishing a fire, carrying a mat, writing or erasing letters. Items normally used for work could not even be touched on the Sabbath. They were off-limits for fear of "accidental" use. Examples – touching a hammer or looking in a mirror. In all, the Pharisees developed 39 categories of work prohibited on the Sabbath. Within these 39 categories, well established by the time of Jesus, came the thousands of specific rules governing each situation and contingency to avoid desecrating the Sabbath. In addition to oral laws and tradition related to the Sabbath, there were thousands and thousands more to explain the Law God gave to Moses. Written all down, they would make the IRS code look like a children’s book. According to the Pharisees, a person who fails to abide by these man-made rules is a sinner despised by God and man.
The Pharisees were the religious examples for the Jewish people. They went out of their way to let everyone know how godly/holy they were in the way they dressed (phylacteries – boxes containing Scriptures [Exodus 1:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21] worn on forehead and arm; tassels – remember God’s commandments/God’s deliverance symbol of holiness [Numbers 15:37-41] – longer the tassels the holier you were, worshipped (pray, tithe, fast), and related to others (avoided unclean people – sick, poor, Gentiles, tax collectors.)
The Pharisees regarded themselves as the sole interpreters of the Law. The people were to listen to them if they wanted to know what it took to receive God’s love and blessings The Pharisees’ knowledge of the Law, the oral traditions, and extreme devotion to God earned them the respect of the people which enabled the Pharisees to greatly influence public opinion.
The Pharisees despised Jesus for the following reasons. He taught as one who had authority to interpret God’s Law/to speak on behalf of God but that authority did not come from the Pharisees. Also, Jesus regularly broke the oral laws and traditions espoused by the Pharisees – He “worked” on the Sabbath, touched sick people, fraternized with “sinners,” etc. Finally, Jesus’ growing popularity among the people undermined the Pharisees’ influence over the people.
Teachers of the Law/Scribes – Jewish scholars who were professionally trained in the development, teaching, and application of Old Testament law.
Read John 8:1-11
1. vs. 2 Where was Jesus and what was he doing? In front of the temple, teaching the people. Jesus was on Pharisee/teachers of the law turf. The people came to the temple to offer sacrifices and hear God’s word as taught by the Pharisees/teachers of the Law. What Jesus taught differed from what they taught. Read the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7. “You have heard it said this (from Pharisees/teachers of the Law) … but I (Jesus) tell you this.” Angered the Pharisees/teachers of the Law. Why? They did not give Jesus the authority to teach. What Jesus taught differed from their “official” teaching.
2. What happens in verse 3 and 4? Put yourself in the crowd that day, describe in your words what you see and hear. As you are listening to Jesus’ words, you hear a big commotion behind you. Men dragging a woman, perhaps covered with only a blanket, through the crowd. They are screaming epithets at her … spitting on her … she may be bruised and bleeding. They drop her in the middle of the huge crowd right in front of Jesus.
3. What did the Pharisees and teachers of the law say to Jesus? This woman was caught in the act of adultery. We saw it with our eyes. The Law of Moses (the Scriptures/Word of God) commanded that such women be stoned. What do you say Jesus?
4. What was their motive for asking this question? They wanted to trap Jesus.
5. How was this situation a trap for Jesus?
A) If Jesus said, “This woman is to be stoned to death! Give me a rock! I will be the first to strike her!” Jesus’ reputation among the people would be damaged. Jesus’ teaching was one of love, mercy, compassion for sinners. He would have been viewed by the people as a hypocrite.
B) Only the Roman authorities could carry out death sentences. If Jesus said “stone her,” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law could have him arrested and put on trial by the Romans.
C) If Jesus said “do not stone her,” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law could accuse him before all the people in the temple court of violating the Mosaic Law. Jesus’ ministry would come to a halt.
6. How did John, author of this Gospel and disciple of Jesus, know this was a trap for Jesus? Read Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22 – Where’s the man? How did the Pharisees and teachers of the Law catch this woman committing adultery? Perhaps the man she committed adultery with was one of her accusers? The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were responsible for teaching and explaining to the people God’s word so that they could live righteous lives. At this moment, they are perverting it for their own selfish gain. Let’s be real. What’s happening here was not about the woman. She was just a tool the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were using in order to damage Jesus’ reputation in the eyes of the people.
7. If you were the woman, what are you thinking/feeling at this moment? Afraid, humiliated, ashamed
8. In the last half of verse 6, what did Jesus do and why? Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground. Greg’s interpretation – He was letting the Pharisees and teachers of the Law have their say. Get it all out before He said His piece.
9. vs. 7 and 8. What did Jesus say and do? Why? Jesus stood up and said “if any one of you is without any sin … if any of you have never sinned or cannot sin … you can cast the first stone.” And then Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground again. Greg’s interpretation – Jesus wanted to give his words time to sink in to the hearts of the woman’s, and His, accusers and convict them.
10. vs. 9 What happened? Was there a pattern? What was significant about the pattern? One by one the woman’s accusers walked away starting with the oldest down to the youngest. The oldest had committed more sins than the youngest.
11. What do you think the woman was thinking/feeling at this moment? Shock, amazement.
12. What questions did Jesus ask the woman? Was there someone there who could?
Where did everybody go? Is there no one left to condemn you? Is there no one left to pass judgment on you? The woman’s response was “No one, master.” Was there someone left who could? Yes – Jesus. He was the only one left who had never sinned or could not sin. He could pass judgment upon the adulteress woman and stone her.
13. vs. 11. What did Jesus say to the woman? I don’t condemn you either. Go. And from this point on sin no more.
14. What lessons do we learn from the actions of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law? Men who were responsible for teaching and explaining God’s Word to the people so that they could live righteous lives used/perverted God’s Word for their own selfish gain. Men who praised themselves for being holy and Godly used ungodly methods in order to trap Jesus. They were being hypocrites. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law angered Jesus. From the actions of Jesus? John 3:17 – “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that world through Him might be saved.”
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The other side of “pride”
From much of the discussion between Job and his three friends, it appears that Job may have had some issues with pride (e.g. Job 27:1-6) or may simply have been moved to defend himself and appeared more self-righteous because of this. In any case, the Bible is full of examples of pride and what it may lead to. Here some examples of the opposite of this type of attitude as well as some warnings against it as well as some models of how we should act – particularly with respect to our attitude toward God.
How would you describe the opposite of pride?
humble, not arrogant, down-to-earth, unpretentious
offered in a spirit of deference or submission
Can you give some examples of Biblical figures (or others) that have shown these characteristics?
could add any number – Joseph, David …..
Abraham - Genesis 18:27
Jacob - Genesis 32:10
Moses - Exodus 3:11, Numbers 12:3
Solomon - 1 Kings 3:7-9; 2 Chronicles 1:10, 2:6
Ahab - 1 Kings 21:29
Josiah - 2 Kings 22:18-19
Jeremiah - Jeremiah 1:6, 10:23-24
Daniel - Daniel 2:30
Elizabeth - Luke 1:43
Centurion - Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:6-7
Jesus – the ultimate example (see later)
One great example of contrasting attitudes is given in Luke 18:9-14 (all translations NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
What is the attitude of the Pharisee? Do we see this attitude today?
I am a “good” person and deserve my reward (i.e. I am “better” than this other “bad” person). By following the rules we earn our reward. It was this attitude that had become prevalent among Jewish religious leaders at the time of Christ.
I have seen this attitude many times inside and outside of churches.
This is the prevailing attitude of many people who don’t really understand Christianity and think that being “good” is what gets you into heaven.
What is the attitude of the tax collector? Why do you think that he was justified in the sight of God?
He didn’t try to justify himself or explain why he deserved God’s approval – he accepted the reality of his situation (i.e. that he didn’t deserve God’s love/support) – that he needed forgiveness.
Another example of pride – this time among the disciples (note this is repeated in three different gospels)
Luke 9:46-48 (also Matthew 18:1-4, Mark 9:33-35)
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
What is this really saying?
Even the people closest to Jesus failed to grasp the need for humility. We need to humble ourselves and help others – even those that may appear “weak” or somehow “lesser” in human terms as all are equal in the eyes of God (i.e. we all need his grace and salvation).
How should we act toward God? Look at these references and see what they are saying about what our attitude ought to be.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
What is this saying to you?
True humility (see more on false humility later) is required in our relationship with God – we need to understand that we are not “equal” to God and that we cannot simply rely on our thoughts/reason/understanding/actions apart from God to solve our problems. Note that these Old Testament teachings were known among the religious leaders at the time of Jesus, but they had become so focused on the “law” that there attitude was really the opposite of that required by God.
Matthew23:1-11
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
What is Jesus saying here? What was the problem the “teachers” were having?
This is a direct addressing of the problem of those who think themselves “better” than others as illustrated in the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector earlier. I don’t think that this means we cannot act as instructors or leaders in some fashion, but we need to do so humbly and not exalt ourselves as “greater”or wiser than anyone else. We all benefit enormously from (and are grateful for) teachers (like Greg or Pastor Barnes or any of those at MPBC), but it is incorrect for anyone to view this as somehow making them greater or more worthy than someone else. (Note that these notes are only some of my thoughts and you should feel free to add your own insights).
Is all humility good? Is this attitude always correct? (see below)
Colossians 2:16-23
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Galatians 6:12-14
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Why should this be our attitude? What is important to remember in our relationship to God?
Sometimes we may be tempted to try and show how much better or wiser we are through some understanding or activity that we have performed. Once again this is not in accordance with what Christ taught. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and follow God’s laws and teachings or share them with each other (like this discussion), but we need to be careful not to view these as somehow making us superior to others. Note that this is what the early Jewish Christians were attempting to do – first you become a Jew and “do” this (circumcision) and then you become more righteous. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with keeping a tradition such as circumcision (as Messianic Jews do today) as long as this is not done to show how this makes one superior to others.
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future —all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
Philippians 2:2-4
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
What is this saying to “church” people/leaders?
Christians (and particularly leaders) should set a good example, but not become prideful based on their abilities or achievements. It is very important (my opinion) to maintain a clear perspective – remembering that we are all sinners (see Romans 3:21-31) and that there is nothing we can “do” to earn salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Also, how are we going to encourage people (especially anyone new to the faith) if we have an attitude of superiority? This is another important aspect of humility.
Jesus – a great illustration of what we should do (my opinion) – John 13:1-5, 12-17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
…..
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Note that Christ set the example for us by deliberately doing one of the “lowest” tasks for people of his time (washing feet). The fact that he had “… all things under his power…” and still chose to humble himself should be a powerful example to us all of the importance of our attitude to God.
What about those who refuse to acknowledge the power of God?
Psalm 55:19
God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
Proverbs 3:33-34
The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Read Isaiah 2
Matthew 23:13-36
Revelation 20:11-15
One very real problem we see today (again my opinion) is “pride” in the form of – “I disagree with the Bible (i.e. word of God) on …” and I am going to ignore, change, “revise” this to make it more appealing or interpret God’s teachings in light of human knowledge/wisdom etc. (see 2 Timothy:1-4). It also displays a lack of respect for (or fear of) God (e.g. see Proverbs2:5, Psalm 55:19, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Revelation 14:6-7). This returns us to where Job was – demanding God come down and explain what he did wrong because (like Job) we want to treat God as our peer or equal. Humility means not seeing ourselves as “better” than other people, but also not seeing ourselves as “superior” or wiser (or even the equal of) God.
How would you describe the opposite of pride?
humble, not arrogant, down-to-earth, unpretentious
offered in a spirit of deference or submission
Can you give some examples of Biblical figures (or others) that have shown these characteristics?
could add any number – Joseph, David …..
Abraham - Genesis 18:27
Jacob - Genesis 32:10
Moses - Exodus 3:11, Numbers 12:3
Solomon - 1 Kings 3:7-9; 2 Chronicles 1:10, 2:6
Ahab - 1 Kings 21:29
Josiah - 2 Kings 22:18-19
Jeremiah - Jeremiah 1:6, 10:23-24
Daniel - Daniel 2:30
Elizabeth - Luke 1:43
Centurion - Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:6-7
Jesus – the ultimate example (see later)
One great example of contrasting attitudes is given in Luke 18:9-14 (all translations NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
What is the attitude of the Pharisee? Do we see this attitude today?
I am a “good” person and deserve my reward (i.e. I am “better” than this other “bad” person). By following the rules we earn our reward. It was this attitude that had become prevalent among Jewish religious leaders at the time of Christ.
I have seen this attitude many times inside and outside of churches.
This is the prevailing attitude of many people who don’t really understand Christianity and think that being “good” is what gets you into heaven.
What is the attitude of the tax collector? Why do you think that he was justified in the sight of God?
He didn’t try to justify himself or explain why he deserved God’s approval – he accepted the reality of his situation (i.e. that he didn’t deserve God’s love/support) – that he needed forgiveness.
Another example of pride – this time among the disciples (note this is repeated in three different gospels)
Luke 9:46-48 (also Matthew 18:1-4, Mark 9:33-35)
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
What is this really saying?
Even the people closest to Jesus failed to grasp the need for humility. We need to humble ourselves and help others – even those that may appear “weak” or somehow “lesser” in human terms as all are equal in the eyes of God (i.e. we all need his grace and salvation).
How should we act toward God? Look at these references and see what they are saying about what our attitude ought to be.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
What is this saying to you?
True humility (see more on false humility later) is required in our relationship with God – we need to understand that we are not “equal” to God and that we cannot simply rely on our thoughts/reason/understanding/actions apart from God to solve our problems. Note that these Old Testament teachings were known among the religious leaders at the time of Jesus, but they had become so focused on the “law” that there attitude was really the opposite of that required by God.
Matthew23:1-11
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
What is Jesus saying here? What was the problem the “teachers” were having?
This is a direct addressing of the problem of those who think themselves “better” than others as illustrated in the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector earlier. I don’t think that this means we cannot act as instructors or leaders in some fashion, but we need to do so humbly and not exalt ourselves as “greater”or wiser than anyone else. We all benefit enormously from (and are grateful for) teachers (like Greg or Pastor Barnes or any of those at MPBC), but it is incorrect for anyone to view this as somehow making them greater or more worthy than someone else. (Note that these notes are only some of my thoughts and you should feel free to add your own insights).
Is all humility good? Is this attitude always correct? (see below)
Colossians 2:16-23
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Galatians 6:12-14
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Why should this be our attitude? What is important to remember in our relationship to God?
Sometimes we may be tempted to try and show how much better or wiser we are through some understanding or activity that we have performed. Once again this is not in accordance with what Christ taught. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and follow God’s laws and teachings or share them with each other (like this discussion), but we need to be careful not to view these as somehow making us superior to others. Note that this is what the early Jewish Christians were attempting to do – first you become a Jew and “do” this (circumcision) and then you become more righteous. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with keeping a tradition such as circumcision (as Messianic Jews do today) as long as this is not done to show how this makes one superior to others.
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future —all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
Philippians 2:2-4
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
What is this saying to “church” people/leaders?
Christians (and particularly leaders) should set a good example, but not become prideful based on their abilities or achievements. It is very important (my opinion) to maintain a clear perspective – remembering that we are all sinners (see Romans 3:21-31) and that there is nothing we can “do” to earn salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Also, how are we going to encourage people (especially anyone new to the faith) if we have an attitude of superiority? This is another important aspect of humility.
Jesus – a great illustration of what we should do (my opinion) – John 13:1-5, 12-17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
…..
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Note that Christ set the example for us by deliberately doing one of the “lowest” tasks for people of his time (washing feet). The fact that he had “… all things under his power…” and still chose to humble himself should be a powerful example to us all of the importance of our attitude to God.
What about those who refuse to acknowledge the power of God?
Psalm 55:19
God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
Proverbs 3:33-34
The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Read Isaiah 2
Matthew 23:13-36
Revelation 20:11-15
One very real problem we see today (again my opinion) is “pride” in the form of – “I disagree with the Bible (i.e. word of God) on …” and I am going to ignore, change, “revise” this to make it more appealing or interpret God’s teachings in light of human knowledge/wisdom etc. (see 2 Timothy:1-4). It also displays a lack of respect for (or fear of) God (e.g. see Proverbs2:5, Psalm 55:19, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Revelation 14:6-7). This returns us to where Job was – demanding God come down and explain what he did wrong because (like Job) we want to treat God as our peer or equal. Humility means not seeing ourselves as “better” than other people, but also not seeing ourselves as “superior” or wiser (or even the equal of) God.
Book of Job Pt. 7
As Elihu finishes speaking, a storm begins to brew outside Job’s tent.
Read Job 38:1-3
1. Who appears to speak to Job? God appears out of the storm. It’s as if after Elihu gave his words of counsel to Job, God said “Finally, someone is speaking some sense to Job.” God seizes the opportunity to build upon the foundation of truth laid by Elihu. And so, after a lengthy silence going back to before Job experienced his sufferings, God speaks to Job.
2. What question does He ask and why does He ask it? Who is this ignorant man that is misrepresenting my counsel/words? Somehow I don’t think those were the words Job expected to hear from God. Why does God ask this question to Job? For the previous 30 plus chapters, Job and his three friends debated the reason why Job was experiencing such suffering. In their back and forth arguments, both sides used God to defend/promote their respective cases. “God does this … No! God does this …” “This is who God is ... No! God is this.” Job and his three friends spoke arrogantly as if they knew everything about God … how He thinks, how He operates, why He does the things He does. They put God in a box and said “This is God.” In the process, they misrepresented God. They distorted God’s counsel particularly in regards to topics such as blessing, suffering, justice, and righteousness.
3. What did God tell Job He was going to do and for what purpose? Ask Job questions to see if Job could teach Him anything
Job 38:4–39:30
4. What did God’s questions center on? Creation. What was God’s purpose in asking such questions to Job? To humble Job. To prove to Job how little he really knows.
Job 40:1-8
5. What did God say Job was doing? Passing judgment on God. Read verse 8 (NIV) “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself ?” In other words, in order to prove his righteousness, Job condemned God as being unjust. Job said a lot of harsh things about God. How did this happen? The combination of Job’s suffering, his friends’ attacks, and silence … the pain and distress they all brought upon him … caused Job to say some foolish things – specifically He questioned God’s justice. In the course of the debate, Job accused God of being unjust in order to assert his claim to being righteous. Job regularly asserted his good works/righteousness and in the processed accused God of being unrighteous. Just as Job’s three friends passed judgment on him without knowledge, Job passed judgment on God without knowledge. Job, a frail human being limited in knowledge and power, passed judgment on God who is limitless in knowledge and power. By doing so, Job placed himself above God. God’s response “Who are you Job to pass judgment on me? Do you have the power that I wield (chapters 40-41) if so, then you can pass judgment on me.”
Job 42:1-6
6. What was Job’s response to God? “God you asked who spoke about you from ignorance? It was me.” Job confessed his foolishness. vs.6 – Job retracted his false statements/misrepresentations, humbled himself before God (dust & ashes), and repented his sin of pride. If you recall from chapter one God refers to Job as the most righteous man on the face of the earth. Job’s actions here (confession, humility, repentance) are strong evidence of God’s opinion of Job. His actions are the actions of a righteous man.
Job 42:7-17
7. How does the Book of Job end? God expresses his anger towards Job’s three friends. (Notice Elihu is not included. God was not displeased with Elihu’s words of rebuke directed at Job.) God told them to seek Job’s intercession. He will offer sacrifices and pray to God on their behalf. They do so. Despite all the grief they gave Job, he intercedes with God on their behalf. Again, evidence of Job’s righteousness. After Job does so, God blesses Job far more than he did before Job went through his period of suffering – more children, more wealth, etc. Notice that verse 10 says that God blessed Job after he prayed for his friends. If Job had refused (and, in our eyes, he would have been justified in doing so, God probably would not have blessed Job. Yet he did intercede on behind of his friends. A tremendous act of forgiveness. Read verse 16-17.
When the reader of Job gets to the end of the Book of Job, the events that precipitated Job’s suffering seem a million years ago. They are almost forgotten. How does Job begin? Satan challenging Job’s motivation for being a follower of God. He argued that if Job suffered enough he would curse God. At the end of Job, does he curse God? No! In fact, the Book of Job ends with him worshipping God. Through his experience of suffering, Job gained a greater understanding/awareness of God … His power, majesty, and sovereignty.
8. Why does God allow Job to experience the tremendous suffering that we all know is coming his way? Who knows the mind of God? My guess?
To teach a lesson to Satan and to the listeners and readers of the book of Job about faith – what it is and what it is not. Our faith is not based on material rewards/blessings from God. That was the traditional belief of the time as we’ll see. Nor is it based on our emotions at a moment in time. We can go through a traumatic experience and still have faith.
Job would be the instrument to teach this lesson. Sounds petty. God and Satan using Job to prove a point. But, it’s not. What it is: spiritual warfare. Whether we like it or not; whether we think it is unfair or petty, we are in a struggle beyond our control … that is the reality of the situation. Job had no say in this conversation between God and Satan. Yet Job was to be God’s knight so to speak. God’s strongest weapon in the struggle against the forces of evil. In the process, Job experienced great loss and suffering as you expect in war. God allowed this to happen confident that Job would get through it with his faith intact. In the end, forces of good win thanks to Job’s faith. In fact, we’ll see at the end of the book of Job, his faith is even stronger than it is at the beginning.
Lessons from the book of Job:
1. What is my reaction/response to suffering? Is it The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" or “God is out to get me!” “God is picking on me” “I’m a good person. What have I done to deserve this?” or fall prey to self-pity or depression.
2. What is my reaction/response to those experiencing suffering? Consolation or confrontation? Judge or intercessor? At times, confrontation may be necessary as Elihu did with Job. However, just as Elihu exhibited, confrontation must be accompanied with wisdom. What to say and when to say it.
3. Why am I suffering? Is it because I have done something wrong and God is punishing me or is there another reason? Not all suffering is from God although God does allow us to experience adversity in order to humble us or strengthen us. The major reason why we experience suffering is because we live in an evil world that hates us … a world that has been cursed (Genesis 3).
4. Why doesn’t God tell me why I am suffering? Related question – Is God required to answer this question. Is He answerable to us?
Did God explain to Job why he experienced so much suffering? No. Job never found out why he experienced the suffering that he did. Neither does the reader of Job. Why did God point out Job to Satan? Why did He permit Satan to attack Job so harshly? And so, at the end of the book of Job we are left with the lingering question “Why?” Yet Job seemed to be ok about not knowing “why.” Why? After experiencing God, knowing the answer to the “why” question was no longer important to Job. Being in a right relationship with God was now important to him than having his “why” question answered. Job’s obsession with knowing “why” had greatly strained his relationship with God. It caused him to take his focus of God and placed focus on himself. Once Job relearned the lesson regarding the sovereignty of God, his relationship with God was renewed, and Job stopped asking “why.”
5. How does suffering impact my relationship with God?
During our lifetime, we are going to experience suffering. Doesn’t matter who you are. Rich or poor. Righteous or unrighteous. In times of suffering is when our faith in God is tested the greatest. Particularly when we don’t see it coming (death of loved one, loss of job, loss of health.) It’s ok to ask God the “why” question, when we go through periods of suffering (physical, emotional, etc.). Just don’t expect an answer to your question. When there is no reply, we have to be careful that we don’t allow the suffering or God’s silence on the matter to destroy our faith in God, to cause us to question God’s justice/fairness, to accuse God of breaking His promises to us, of contradicting His word. That train of thought leads to sin. How? We take God off the judgment seat and put ourselves in it. God’s wrong, I’m right. We are in no position to judge the fairness or unfairness of our suffering. Instead, of complaining to God, we should seek God’s presence/His peace. What’s more important to you – being in a right relationship with God or the answer to the “why” question? Philippians 4:6-7. How can I find God? Reading Scriptures, prayer, and intercession by fellow believers who will pray not for answers to your “why” questions but for you to experience God’s peace. In his presence we can find comfort, peace, rest, encouragement. Read Psalm 6; Psalm 13; Psalm 22; Psalm 31: 9-24; Psalm 42; Psalm 77; Psalm 142.
Read Job 38:1-3
1. Who appears to speak to Job? God appears out of the storm. It’s as if after Elihu gave his words of counsel to Job, God said “Finally, someone is speaking some sense to Job.” God seizes the opportunity to build upon the foundation of truth laid by Elihu. And so, after a lengthy silence going back to before Job experienced his sufferings, God speaks to Job.
2. What question does He ask and why does He ask it? Who is this ignorant man that is misrepresenting my counsel/words? Somehow I don’t think those were the words Job expected to hear from God. Why does God ask this question to Job? For the previous 30 plus chapters, Job and his three friends debated the reason why Job was experiencing such suffering. In their back and forth arguments, both sides used God to defend/promote their respective cases. “God does this … No! God does this …” “This is who God is ... No! God is this.” Job and his three friends spoke arrogantly as if they knew everything about God … how He thinks, how He operates, why He does the things He does. They put God in a box and said “This is God.” In the process, they misrepresented God. They distorted God’s counsel particularly in regards to topics such as blessing, suffering, justice, and righteousness.
3. What did God tell Job He was going to do and for what purpose? Ask Job questions to see if Job could teach Him anything
Job 38:4–39:30
4. What did God’s questions center on? Creation. What was God’s purpose in asking such questions to Job? To humble Job. To prove to Job how little he really knows.
Job 40:1-8
5. What did God say Job was doing? Passing judgment on God. Read verse 8 (NIV) “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself ?” In other words, in order to prove his righteousness, Job condemned God as being unjust. Job said a lot of harsh things about God. How did this happen? The combination of Job’s suffering, his friends’ attacks, and silence … the pain and distress they all brought upon him … caused Job to say some foolish things – specifically He questioned God’s justice. In the course of the debate, Job accused God of being unjust in order to assert his claim to being righteous. Job regularly asserted his good works/righteousness and in the processed accused God of being unrighteous. Just as Job’s three friends passed judgment on him without knowledge, Job passed judgment on God without knowledge. Job, a frail human being limited in knowledge and power, passed judgment on God who is limitless in knowledge and power. By doing so, Job placed himself above God. God’s response “Who are you Job to pass judgment on me? Do you have the power that I wield (chapters 40-41) if so, then you can pass judgment on me.”
Job 42:1-6
6. What was Job’s response to God? “God you asked who spoke about you from ignorance? It was me.” Job confessed his foolishness. vs.6 – Job retracted his false statements/misrepresentations, humbled himself before God (dust & ashes), and repented his sin of pride. If you recall from chapter one God refers to Job as the most righteous man on the face of the earth. Job’s actions here (confession, humility, repentance) are strong evidence of God’s opinion of Job. His actions are the actions of a righteous man.
Job 42:7-17
7. How does the Book of Job end? God expresses his anger towards Job’s three friends. (Notice Elihu is not included. God was not displeased with Elihu’s words of rebuke directed at Job.) God told them to seek Job’s intercession. He will offer sacrifices and pray to God on their behalf. They do so. Despite all the grief they gave Job, he intercedes with God on their behalf. Again, evidence of Job’s righteousness. After Job does so, God blesses Job far more than he did before Job went through his period of suffering – more children, more wealth, etc. Notice that verse 10 says that God blessed Job after he prayed for his friends. If Job had refused (and, in our eyes, he would have been justified in doing so, God probably would not have blessed Job. Yet he did intercede on behind of his friends. A tremendous act of forgiveness. Read verse 16-17.
When the reader of Job gets to the end of the Book of Job, the events that precipitated Job’s suffering seem a million years ago. They are almost forgotten. How does Job begin? Satan challenging Job’s motivation for being a follower of God. He argued that if Job suffered enough he would curse God. At the end of Job, does he curse God? No! In fact, the Book of Job ends with him worshipping God. Through his experience of suffering, Job gained a greater understanding/awareness of God … His power, majesty, and sovereignty.
8. Why does God allow Job to experience the tremendous suffering that we all know is coming his way? Who knows the mind of God? My guess?
To teach a lesson to Satan and to the listeners and readers of the book of Job about faith – what it is and what it is not. Our faith is not based on material rewards/blessings from God. That was the traditional belief of the time as we’ll see. Nor is it based on our emotions at a moment in time. We can go through a traumatic experience and still have faith.
Job would be the instrument to teach this lesson. Sounds petty. God and Satan using Job to prove a point. But, it’s not. What it is: spiritual warfare. Whether we like it or not; whether we think it is unfair or petty, we are in a struggle beyond our control … that is the reality of the situation. Job had no say in this conversation between God and Satan. Yet Job was to be God’s knight so to speak. God’s strongest weapon in the struggle against the forces of evil. In the process, Job experienced great loss and suffering as you expect in war. God allowed this to happen confident that Job would get through it with his faith intact. In the end, forces of good win thanks to Job’s faith. In fact, we’ll see at the end of the book of Job, his faith is even stronger than it is at the beginning.
Lessons from the book of Job:
1. What is my reaction/response to suffering? Is it The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" or “God is out to get me!” “God is picking on me” “I’m a good person. What have I done to deserve this?” or fall prey to self-pity or depression.
2. What is my reaction/response to those experiencing suffering? Consolation or confrontation? Judge or intercessor? At times, confrontation may be necessary as Elihu did with Job. However, just as Elihu exhibited, confrontation must be accompanied with wisdom. What to say and when to say it.
3. Why am I suffering? Is it because I have done something wrong and God is punishing me or is there another reason? Not all suffering is from God although God does allow us to experience adversity in order to humble us or strengthen us. The major reason why we experience suffering is because we live in an evil world that hates us … a world that has been cursed (Genesis 3).
4. Why doesn’t God tell me why I am suffering? Related question – Is God required to answer this question. Is He answerable to us?
Did God explain to Job why he experienced so much suffering? No. Job never found out why he experienced the suffering that he did. Neither does the reader of Job. Why did God point out Job to Satan? Why did He permit Satan to attack Job so harshly? And so, at the end of the book of Job we are left with the lingering question “Why?” Yet Job seemed to be ok about not knowing “why.” Why? After experiencing God, knowing the answer to the “why” question was no longer important to Job. Being in a right relationship with God was now important to him than having his “why” question answered. Job’s obsession with knowing “why” had greatly strained his relationship with God. It caused him to take his focus of God and placed focus on himself. Once Job relearned the lesson regarding the sovereignty of God, his relationship with God was renewed, and Job stopped asking “why.”
5. How does suffering impact my relationship with God?
During our lifetime, we are going to experience suffering. Doesn’t matter who you are. Rich or poor. Righteous or unrighteous. In times of suffering is when our faith in God is tested the greatest. Particularly when we don’t see it coming (death of loved one, loss of job, loss of health.) It’s ok to ask God the “why” question, when we go through periods of suffering (physical, emotional, etc.). Just don’t expect an answer to your question. When there is no reply, we have to be careful that we don’t allow the suffering or God’s silence on the matter to destroy our faith in God, to cause us to question God’s justice/fairness, to accuse God of breaking His promises to us, of contradicting His word. That train of thought leads to sin. How? We take God off the judgment seat and put ourselves in it. God’s wrong, I’m right. We are in no position to judge the fairness or unfairness of our suffering. Instead, of complaining to God, we should seek God’s presence/His peace. What’s more important to you – being in a right relationship with God or the answer to the “why” question? Philippians 4:6-7. How can I find God? Reading Scriptures, prayer, and intercession by fellow believers who will pray not for answers to your “why” questions but for you to experience God’s peace. In his presence we can find comfort, peace, rest, encouragement. Read Psalm 6; Psalm 13; Psalm 22; Psalm 31: 9-24; Psalm 42; Psalm 77; Psalm 142.
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