Sermon 45, Job 12:1-6
Lots of instruction today. Much of it makes me think of the Bible Study group that I have joined. Let’s go:
“Each of them will want to make a big show. The one who begins will want to astonish everyone with what he says and the one who answers will want to make himself look even better, and the result is a contest between fools.”
And:
“As long as we are concerned about being held in high esteem, it is certain our Lord will allow us to make many ignorant slips and be ridiculous and shamed.”
“We must forget ourselves while we exalt God’s gracious gifts so that when we have a good case to make, it will be sustained and what we present will be accepted with authority.”
So there I have it. In Bible Study on Thursday I have to forget myself. Seek humility, learn from the group where I can and as measured through Scripture. I am definitely doing this.
The sermon makes many other interesting points. One is that God will, somehow or another, punish sin. For many, it will be at the last judgement. For those, living a blessed life is actually a curse as they are not incentivized to seek God.
There is also an example of bad prayer:
“…I would like God to grant me that. When the wicked want to steal the goods of another and I would like for him to do me a similar favour, that is not praying to God. It is rather changing him and profaning his majesty.”
Lastly, I also take comfort in Calvin when he says things like this:
“He will also continue to allow us to be tested in our minds by letting us experience some doubt or distrust.”
Mental weakness is something that I must work on. Calvin alludes to how this isn’t uncommon.
Great stuff. My main lesson is to realize that trying to control or dominate conversation is really to puff my chest and is a great sin.