Rev. 19
When Babylon falls, a great multitude praises God. Why do they praise Him? Where are you praying for God’s justice to prevail? What I see is that the fall of Babylon is our ultimate freedom. Right now, God has granted us freedom from the penalty of sin and given us tools to resist its power. But when Babylon falls, we will gain freedom from the very presence of sin. “The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” (Rev. 19:3b). That indicates permanent, total destruction of the great lie, which can entice us no more. That is the salvation and the justice we long for. And on that day the whole world will know what we have always held to be true. “For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” (Rev. 19:6b).
Job 3-5
What does Job wish and how does Eliphaz respond? How would you respond to Job? Job is clearly in deep distress, and rightfully so! I don’t have kids, but it seems to me that losing a child is one of the deepest, most lasting pains that exists. Imagine losing all of them in an instant. As if that wasn’t enough, Job lost every last possession he had to his name, his wife bailed on him, and he was sitting on an ash heap covered with awful boils and sores. It honestly sounds like more than a man could endure. Who could blame Job for wishing he had never been born? At that moment, he certainly wasn’t thinking that all the good he had in his life up to that point was worth all of his current suffering.
Then along comes Eliphaz, so wise and compassionate (not!!). If Eliphaz spoke in plain English instead of all that flowery speech, I think he would have said something like this: “Practice what you preach, Job! You have encouraged others who were struggling, but now that you face a little hardship of your own you get discouraged! If you are innocent, as you say, shouldn’t that be cause for hope? But, hey – innocent people don’t end up where you are. God gives to each as He deserves. Maybe you should consider that and work to set things right before it’s too late. Consider this discipline from God a blessing – He is giving you a chance to turn from your errors!”
Ouch! Some friend. I believe Eliphaz is the one overestimating his own piety. His statements, besides completely lacking compassion, are based on the fallacy that God’s judgment is based on our actions. The truth, however, is that God’s judgment has nothing to do with us at all! His judgment is based on His righteousness. Since we all – every last one of us – fall short of His standard of righteousness, we are all deserving of His judgment. The fact that He gives us any blessing at all, that He withholds His judgments from us, is due to His great mercy. So no, Eliphaz, a mortal cannot be more righteous than God. Which is why He alone has the right to condemn. And, but for His grace through Jesus, we all stand condemned.