"How have you helped him who is without power?
How have you saved the arm that has no strength?
How have you counseled him who has no wisdom?
And how have you plentifully declared sound knowledge?"
Job 26:1-3How have you saved the arm that has no strength?
How have you counseled him who has no wisdom?
And how have you plentifully declared sound knowledge?"
Observation: As part of his final words, Job returns questions to his friends effectively asking this - By telling me everything I might have done wrong, how have you helped the situation?
To paraphrase a different way ... can explaining the situation, without taking actual action to remedy the situation, ever make things better? If Job is a man without the strength to act properly, which would help more - to describe his weaknesses, or to aid him in action? If Job is a ignorant, can explaining his ignorance be of any benefit, or wouldn't it be better to work out the problems on his behalf?
Application: In our desire to help others, how easy is it for Christians to simply "explain the problem" and expect others catch on? We don't do enough actual service. We don't engage in the person's problem, we discuss it. As Job would point out, there are two types of people ... those who can't really yet understand the nature of God, and those who already do ... and explaining the situation helps neither.
Prayer: Lord, as our church enters a very busy time of actual engagement and activity with the lost community, may we be reminded of why we do this. We work hard not to explain you to others, but to show your love to others. This isn't about teaching, it's about serving. Please, Lord, give you people the strength in our bodies and minds to serve you, by serving others, all for your glory. Amen.
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