Swearing, cursing, threats
Text Job 27 Time 01/06/03 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
Let’s begin by talking about silence. Now there are different sorts of silence – a solemn silence, an embarrassed silence, a guilty silence, an eerie silence, a suspicious silence (like when someone says in a war film ‘It’s quiet – too quiet’.) How would we describe the silence at the beginning of Job 27? I don’t know, but I’m sure there is silence there. Job is suffering terribly you remember and his three friends have come, ostensibly, to help him. They are convinced that if he is suffering as he is it must be a judgement from God. He must have done something sinful. They speak to him about this and he replies. First, Eliphaz speaks, then Bildad, then Zophar. Then the three of them speak again and then Eliphaz gives a short speech and Bildad gives an even shorter one in Chapter 25. Job replies to this in Chapter 26 and then, it would seem, waits a moment for Zophar to speak. However, it would seem, Zophar doesn’t say anything more. The friends have been running out of steam and when it comes to Zophar’s turn there is nothing to say at all – only silence.
And so Job begins to speak again, not this time just to Bildad but to them all And Job continued his discourse: (note also the plurals in verses 5, 11 and 12). It is true that some have tried to change things around and make parts of Chapter 27 speeches by Bildad or Zophar but this is not necessary and does not really work. One of the arguments used is that in Chapter 27 Job seems to say the opposite to what he says in Chapter 24. In Chapter 24 he says that God doesn’t punish the wicked, in Chapter 27 he says he does. In fact the whole question is over when God punishes the wicked. In Chapter 24 Job is simply asking why God does not act sooner.
In Chapter 27 Job says three things, three things that may surprise you. First he swears an oath, secondly he calls down a curse and thirdly, he issues threats. That may not sound like the sort of thing you would hope to hear from a man of God. Now we know that Job is not perfect and we cannot defend him for everything he says but in this chapter, full of swearing, cursing and threats as it is, I think we can say, that Job is basically in the right. Here is a good model for us. So I want us to look at the things he says and ask ourselves some questions.
1. Consider this solemn oath – can you swear that you are innocent like Job?
Job begins As surely as God lives … and uses the phrase as long as I have life within me. These phrases point out to us that he is using an oath. What Job says is as certain as God’s existence, his very own life. Perhaps we would be best to begin by asking whether it is right to use oaths.
1. Is it right for the godly to swear oaths?
Let’s begin by talking about silence. Now there are different sorts of silence – a solemn silence, an embarrassed silence, a guilty silence, an eerie silence, a suspicious silence (like when someone says in a war film ‘It’s quiet – too quiet’.) How would we describe the silence at the beginning of Job 27? I don’t know, but I’m sure there is silence there. Job is suffering terribly you remember and his three friends have come, ostensibly, to help him. They are convinced that if he is suffering as he is it must be a judgement from God. He must have done something sinful. They speak to him about this and he replies. First, Eliphaz speaks, then Bildad, then Zophar. Then the three of them speak again and then Eliphaz gives a short speech and Bildad gives an even shorter one in Chapter 25. Job replies to this in Chapter 26 and then, it would seem, waits a moment for Zophar to speak. However, it would seem, Zophar doesn’t say anything more. The friends have been running out of steam and when it comes to Zophar’s turn there is nothing to say at all – only silence.
And so Job begins to speak again, not this time just to Bildad but to them all And Job continued his discourse: (note also the plurals in verses 5, 11 and 12). It is true that some have tried to change things around and make parts of Chapter 27 speeches by Bildad or Zophar but this is not necessary and does not really work. One of the arguments used is that in Chapter 27 Job seems to say the opposite to what he says in Chapter 24. In Chapter 24 he says that God doesn’t punish the wicked, in Chapter 27 he says he does. In fact the whole question is over when God punishes the wicked. In Chapter 24 Job is simply asking why God does not act sooner.
In Chapter 27 Job says three things, three things that may surprise you. First he swears an oath, secondly he calls down a curse and thirdly, he issues threats. That may not sound like the sort of thing you would hope to hear from a man of God. Now we know that Job is not perfect and we cannot defend him for everything he says but in this chapter, full of swearing, cursing and threats as it is, I think we can say, that Job is basically in the right. Here is a good model for us. So I want us to look at the things he says and ask ourselves some questions.
1. Consider this solemn oath – can you swear that you are innocent like Job?
Job begins As surely as God lives … and uses the phrase as long as I have life within me. These phrases point out to us that he is using an oath. What Job says is as certain as God’s existence, his very own life. Perhaps we would be best to begin by asking whether it is right to use oaths.
1. Is it right for the godly to swear oaths?
As you may know there are a number of professing Christians who take the view that it is always wrong for a Christian to take an oath, even in a court of law. I think the Quakers and the various Mennonite groups such as the Hutterites and the Amish take this view. They take the view because of Matthew 5:34-37 where Jesus says But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. However, what Jesus is discouraging here is meaningless, empty or irreverent oaths. In the Old Testament the people were told (Deuteronomy 6:13) Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. However, they were not to misuse God’s name. By the time of Jesus there were all sorts of tricks and deceits being practiced as people tried to find ways of telling lies while seeming to be telling the truth on oath – distinctions between the temple and the gold on the roof of the temple, the sacrifice and the altar on which it lay, etc. Jesus is seeking to wipe all that away. Normally, he says, you should be so honest that an oath is not needed. Let your yes be yes and your no, no. Forget all these elaborate ‘I swear on my mother’s life’ ‘Cross my heart, hope to die’ things. Of course, there are times when an oath is required or is necessary, as in a court of law. Jesus himself spoke under oath (Matthew 26:63, 64) The high priest said to him, I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. Paul uses oaths from time to time also. Indeed at one point we have a reference to God the Father making an oath. See Hebrews 6:17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. Oaths are to be used sparingly but at times they are right and useful, as here.
2. Are you innocent like Job?
2. Are you innocent like Job?
Job used an oath to solemnly declare his innocence. The question it raises for us is whether we can lay claim to a similar innocence. When Job refers to God here he calls him not only the God who is alive but who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul. Job was not happy with his situation. He was not happy that he seemed to be getting no justice. Yet, where else could he turn but to God? We are all concerned about justice. We have an innate sense of it. The right thing ought to be done. It is frustrating when it is not. Sometimes we do not understand how God is going to sort everything out but this is where faith comes in. We have to look confidently to God like Job did.
Meanwhile, we must be careful not to make the seeming lack of justice an excuse to do just as we will. No, still we must bent on being innocent. Firstly, Job declares (4) my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. Absolute honesty at every point is fundamental. We must pursue it. Do we? Because of this he is also resolved not to admit to his friends that they are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity he says. Back in 2:9 Job’s wife had said Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die! Job refused to do such a wicked thing. Now we must do something similar. Why do we believe that this is the Word of God? Why do we believe that there is only one way to heaven? Why do we believe that evolution is false and that homosexual practices are wrong? It all stems from the same reason – we want to believe only what is true. Now, of course, we can be mistaken about things. I once believed that taking oaths was wrong for a Christian. I don’t any longer. Why? Because I don’t want to speak wickedness or utter anything deceitful. Are you the same? Are you committed to the truth? We cannot be perfect in this life but we must be committed to integrity, to honesty, to the truth. With Job we must say (6) I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. We must be determined never to go against our conscience but always to uphold the truth and to do what is right whatever the consequences. If you are a Christian, if you trust in Christ, then you have no alternative. To be a Christian is to believe the truth. It is to refuse to live a lie. It is to put your faith in him who is the way, the truth and the life. Are you doing that? Are you willing to do it regardless of the consequences?
2. Consider this strong curse – Would Job condemn you?
In verse 7 Job delivers a strong curse, which he develops in the verses that follow, May my enemies be like the wicked, my adversaries like the unjust! Now, once again, there are many professing Christians who are uneasy with curses and imprecations. Surely this is not the sort of language we should ever use?
1. Is it right for the godly to curse?
Meanwhile, we must be careful not to make the seeming lack of justice an excuse to do just as we will. No, still we must bent on being innocent. Firstly, Job declares (4) my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. Absolute honesty at every point is fundamental. We must pursue it. Do we? Because of this he is also resolved not to admit to his friends that they are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity he says. Back in 2:9 Job’s wife had said Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die! Job refused to do such a wicked thing. Now we must do something similar. Why do we believe that this is the Word of God? Why do we believe that there is only one way to heaven? Why do we believe that evolution is false and that homosexual practices are wrong? It all stems from the same reason – we want to believe only what is true. Now, of course, we can be mistaken about things. I once believed that taking oaths was wrong for a Christian. I don’t any longer. Why? Because I don’t want to speak wickedness or utter anything deceitful. Are you the same? Are you committed to the truth? We cannot be perfect in this life but we must be committed to integrity, to honesty, to the truth. With Job we must say (6) I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. We must be determined never to go against our conscience but always to uphold the truth and to do what is right whatever the consequences. If you are a Christian, if you trust in Christ, then you have no alternative. To be a Christian is to believe the truth. It is to refuse to live a lie. It is to put your faith in him who is the way, the truth and the life. Are you doing that? Are you willing to do it regardless of the consequences?
2. Consider this strong curse – Would Job condemn you?
In verse 7 Job delivers a strong curse, which he develops in the verses that follow, May my enemies be like the wicked, my adversaries like the unjust! Now, once again, there are many professing Christians who are uneasy with curses and imprecations. Surely this is not the sort of language we should ever use?
1. Is it right for the godly to curse?
Surely it is something that only an unbeliever would do. But then once you think about it, it becomes clear that is not so. Jesus not only pronounced blessings on the godly but also curses on the wicked. Think of the woes he pronounces at times. In Matthew 23 there is a whole chapter of them! Paul too does the same at times. See Galatians 1:9 If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Oaths and curses are not something confined to the Old Testament.
Now, of course, we must be very careful how we go about such a thing. We certainly do not go around cursing all the time or cursing any and everybody who upsets us. One writer mentions four important things to keep in mind.
1 The need to keep concerns of the kingdom paramount. The norm is to Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
2 The importance of not pronouncing curses on the basis of personal feeling. Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.
3 Even where we feel a curse is necessary we should still desire the conversion of that person. We recognise that God’s kindness, tolerance and patience towards sinners is designed to lead them towards repentance?
4 We must recognise, however, that where there is no repentance then a deserved curse will come to rest.
2. Do you come under Job’s condemnation?
Here Job says (7) May my enemies be like the wicked, my adversaries like the unjust! Who is he referring to? Who are his enemies? Well, ironically, it is his friends (so called) who have been his enemies. It is not exclusively them that he has in mind but certainly it includes them. They have been saying he is wicked but they are showing more signs of that than him. He asks them four questions
Now, of course, we must be very careful how we go about such a thing. We certainly do not go around cursing all the time or cursing any and everybody who upsets us. One writer mentions four important things to keep in mind.
1 The need to keep concerns of the kingdom paramount. The norm is to Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
2 The importance of not pronouncing curses on the basis of personal feeling. Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.
3 Even where we feel a curse is necessary we should still desire the conversion of that person. We recognise that God’s kindness, tolerance and patience towards sinners is designed to lead them towards repentance?
4 We must recognise, however, that where there is no repentance then a deserved curse will come to rest.
2. Do you come under Job’s condemnation?
Here Job says (7) May my enemies be like the wicked, my adversaries like the unjust! Who is he referring to? Who are his enemies? Well, ironically, it is his friends (so called) who have been his enemies. It is not exclusively them that he has in mind but certainly it includes them. They have been saying he is wicked but they are showing more signs of that than him. He asks them four questions
For what hope has the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
Does God listen to his cry when distress comes upon him?
Will he find delight in the Almighty?
Will he call upon God at all times?
Once death comes the wicked are without hope. For them that is the end of the road. Is that your future? Is death the end? Or are you looking for something beyond that? It’s no good crying out to God when you die. It’s too late then. God won’t listen to you then. It will be too late. What? Do you imagine that you’ll go all through your life without really trusting in the Lord and then suddenly at the end you will find delight in the Almighty and start calling on God? No, the wicked have a double problem. First, they do not call on God and never will. Secondly, even if they did, what reason is there to suppose that God will listen? None at all. This where wickedness leads - it leads straight to God’s curse. The wicked are truly cursed and without hope. Turn from your sins therefore and cry out to God now while there is still time.
3. Consider these clear threats against the wicked – what does your future hold?
Now Job does not only swear and curse in this chapter be also teaches. In verse 11 he says I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal. He wants people to know. In verse 12 he gives his only clear word of reproof to the friends. You have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk? He is not about to say anything new to these people. Why they have waffled on so emptily is a mystery to Job.
Job then goes on to issue what we might call threats against the wicked. He says nothing that the others have not said in similar ways. As we have asserted, he is not contradicting what he said earlier about God not punishing the wicked. It is simply that he wants us to see that such judgements do not always come immediately. There are exceptions to the general rule that wickedness leads straight to a curse. Be in no doubt, however, that if you go on in wickedness it will lead to disaster in the end. Let me ask you some questions. Job says Here is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty.
3. Consider these clear threats against the wicked – what does your future hold?
Now Job does not only swear and curse in this chapter be also teaches. In verse 11 he says I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal. He wants people to know. In verse 12 he gives his only clear word of reproof to the friends. You have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk? He is not about to say anything new to these people. Why they have waffled on so emptily is a mystery to Job.
Job then goes on to issue what we might call threats against the wicked. He says nothing that the others have not said in similar ways. As we have asserted, he is not contradicting what he said earlier about God not punishing the wicked. It is simply that he wants us to see that such judgements do not always come immediately. There are exceptions to the general rule that wickedness leads straight to a curse. Be in no doubt, however, that if you go on in wickedness it will lead to disaster in the end. Let me ask you some questions. Job says Here is the fate God allots to the wicked, the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty.
Is this you?
1. Will you suffer disaster eventually?
Verses 14, 15 However many his children, their fate is the sword; his offspring will never have enough to eat. The plague will bury those who survive him, and their widows will not weep for them. Sword, famine and plague is the lot for the wicked. There will be no mourning at his passing. Is that you?
2. Will your riches be passed on to others more righteous?
1. Will you suffer disaster eventually?
Verses 14, 15 However many his children, their fate is the sword; his offspring will never have enough to eat. The plague will bury those who survive him, and their widows will not weep for them. Sword, famine and plague is the lot for the wicked. There will be no mourning at his passing. Is that you?
2. Will your riches be passed on to others more righteous?
Verses 16, 17 Though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay, what he lays up the righteous will wear, and the innocent will divide his silver. The wicked often amass large fortunes. We need to understand what is going on there. They are merely collecting it up and holding it for the godly. Is that what you are doing?
3. Will your house last beyond death?
3. Will your house last beyond death?
Verse 18 The house he builds is like a moth's cocoon, like a hut made by a watchman. Picture a spider’s web, a moth’s cocoon. How long does it last? Think of a workman’s hut. This what the house of the wicked is like. It does not last. Verse 19 He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.
4. Is your life unstable, soon to be wiped out?
4. Is your life unstable, soon to be wiped out?
Verses 20-22 Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest snatches him away in the night. The east wind carries him off, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power. Flood, tempest, east wind – three pictures of how the life of the wicked will be taken in a moment.
5. Will you be driven out at last?
5. Will you be driven out at last?
It claps its hands in derision and hisses him out of his place.
Be warned. Flee from all wickedness. Flee to Christ the only one in whom there is safety.
Be warned. Flee from all wickedness. Flee to Christ the only one in whom there is safety.
