“He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.”
Job 5:13 (NIV)
My commentary tells me that this is the only verse from Job that is used in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 3:19), and what amazes me is that Eliphaz’s words are used. A colleague of mine used to say to me “Job’s friends had good theology, but their application was wrong” as a warning to me to apply Scripture properly. Eliphaz is the first to speak after Job cursed the day of his birth, and Eliphaz wishes Job to consider that God deals with people on the face of the earth according to their behaviour. He sets the lowly on high, He thwarts the plans of the crafty, He saves the needy, He will rescue you, He will protect you, He will protect your property, He will give you lots of children, and He catches the wise in their craftiness. This is true theology- Paul quotes it to warn us as Christians that trying to be “wiser” than our fellow believers is a sure way to invite God’s hand to act against us in our lives today. Paul wants us to know that if we follow human schemes and human wisdom in our dealings with each other in our church, our schemes will come to nothing. The kingdom of God is upside down to the world. Become fools in order to become wise! Dear Lord Jesus – may we be fools for you, fools for your people and fools for your kingdom. May we welcome others being exalted above us, and may we never seek to exalt ourselves by tearing brothers and sister down. Forgive us Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment