The more I read the book of Job, the more I realized how ignorant man is.  And yet, we choose to boast of what little knowledge and wisdom we have.  Progress and worldly knowledge has blinded us to the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of God.  Let’s see what else God has to say to Job today.

Bible Passage:  Job 39-40

Here we see God continuing in His relentless questioning of Job in Chapter 39.  Like in the last Chapter we read, there was simply no answer to God’s questions.

Chapter 40 starts with God giving Job a chance to answer.  But by now, Job realised how foolish and vile he was, simply told God that he will longer speak.  God then continues to expose Job’s limited viewpoint of what is happening around him in God’s creation.

不要自以为有智慧

Ok, it took me about 5 minutes to type the above words in Chinese! 🙂

For those who are familiar with singing Hymn 144, you will recognize that the words are from the Chorus.  We are reminded not to be overly wise in our own eyes, but rather to fear God and keep His commandments.

Last Sabbath, the 2 sermons had a few points which served to reinforce what today’s passage is all about.

“Children Today Are Smarter Than In The Past”

This point was brought up by the speaker on the Sabbath morning service.  What do you think?

It does feel like that isn’ it?  Maybe it is the Taurine found in the milk formula today that kids seem more alert and aware of what is happening around them.  And they seem able to debate and get their way around more than we were able to when we were young.

A brother and I were talking about this statement and he remarked that the lecturers of undergraduates sometimes do not think this way.  They wonder why is it that the students do not even understand basic fundamentals that are critical to the subjects they are studying.

In short – they wonder why are the younger ones so ‘stupid’ today!

Haha… it is quite a difference in point of view isn’t it?

Obviously when you compare the knowledge of the lecturer and the student, the lecturer knows much more than the student (in most cases).  And the student may not be able to withstand the questionings of the lecturer.

So I guess it is all relative isn’t it?  When you compare yourself with a peer, perhaps you can afford to be a little smug – if you know just a little bit more than him.

When you are talking about

God

and

you

– the whole perspective changes.

The problem is many a times we forget that fact.  We have so many complaints about why God doesn’t do this, why God doesn’t see that, why God doesn’t seem to care etc, it is as if God had forgotten how to act like God and we have to remind Him what to do.

不要自以为有智慧

“Whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

If the above quote sounds familiar, it is because it is taken from Luke 8:18 and that was the subject of the Sabbath afternoon sermon.

Amongst the many good points raised by the speaker – one stuck in my mind and is closely linked with what we read today.

The speaker said that there are those who know the word of God and are willing to invest the time and effort to know more – and God blesses them by giving them the wisdom, knowledge and revelation that comes from the Holy Spirit.  And there receive more wisdom that allows them to preach and teach.

But there is another group who thinks that they already know or have the knowledge of God.  They have been in church for some time and have heard hundreds, if not thousands of sermons.  And they think that there is nothing more that they need to learn.  For these, what little they had in the beginning – even this will gradually disappear.

The example of Job should serve as a clear warning for us.  In thinking himself to be blameless and full of integrity, Job started questioning the actions or inactions of God.  And in so doing – exposed his own foolishness.

不要自以为有智慧

God Uses Those Who Fear Him

The chorus of Hymn 144 ends by saying, “Therefore let us fear the Lord and flee from evil”.

We had a Junior Youth Class lesson yesterday where Sister Lydia shared some of her testimonies in serving the Lord.  And marvellously, she also made reference to the Sabbath afternoon sermon.

And she raised a point which I think was very pertinent.

She said that many of the members doing in the work in church are not exactly trained for it.  But through the grace of God and His guidance, they were able to do the work.

For example, none of our interpreters in church are trained.  But I think we can agree they do quite a decent job in interpreting.

Or none of the counsellors for Bible camps have dedicated training – but again by the grace of God – they are given the ability to serve in this area.

The point is this: God uses those who fear Him and are willing to serve Him by submitting themselves to His will and mercy.

And they in turn can do extraordinary things.  Just ask the fishermen.  And the tax collector.

Summary

The summary of this all is this:  Do not think too highly of ourselves.  God is above all and always knows best.  We just have to know His will constantly and the best way to do so is by reading His Word, praying and drawing close to Him by attending services as often as possible.