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HUMAN REASON PLUS GODLY TRUTH
MONDAY, APRIL 25
Job 11:13-20

Psalm 73:1-12

 

“Truly God is good…

even to such as are of a clean heart.”

 

HUMAN REASON PLUS GODLY TRUTH
 
In Zophar’s speech, we continue to see some truth concerning God, mixed with error as well as a misapplication of the Scriptures. Everything Zophar said sounds good, but his conclusions were faulty and his knowledge misapplied.
 
Zophar’s thoughts about unconfessed sin are true. Nothing causes greater misery in the life of God’s children than wilful unconfessed disobedience. It takes away our joy and spiritual contentment and even hinders our prayers (Ps 66:18). However, we have a promise that, by confessing our sin and leaning on God’s mercy, we can have forgiveness and restoration of fellowship (1 John 1:9).
 
Zophar pleaded with Job to examine his heart and confess the sin which surely had to be there. Then, he would have complete spiritual restoration (Job 11:13-16). The problem we see here is truth misapplied. Job’s problem was not hidden sin, but the universal conflict. None of his friends had enough spiritual knowledge to inform him of this.
 
Zophar now added human fiction to the truth. We see much of this today. Zophar claimed that if a man was right before God, everything would be bright and sunny (Job 11:17). No one would frighten the child of God and everyone would want to be his friend (Job 11:18-19). On the other hand, the wicked would suffer: their hopes and dreams would never be realised (Job 11:20).
 
This type of teaching is very common today. Salvation and living a godly life will bring physical health, wealth and success while being ungodly results in failure. The only problem is that this teaching contrasts with the Scriptures. In Psalm 73:1-12, the Psalmist said he was discouraged to see how the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. It was only after he thought of eternity that his heart was encouraged.
 
May we be careful to desire the pure milk of God’s Word and refuse the popular humanistic teachings so common today.
 
THOUGHT: What were the problems with Zophar’s teaching?

PRAYER: Father, may I live with eternity’s values in view.

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