But That it Were Just Common Sense

Scripture:
Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree
that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand—
Every living soul, yes,
every breathing creature?
Isn’t this all just common sense,
as common as the sense of taste?
Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom,
that you have to grow old before you understand life?
True wisdom and real power belong to God;
from him we learn how to live,
and also what to live for.
Job 12:9-13

Observation: Job has openly asked the Lord to tell him the reason and nature of his suffering, and his friend Zophar criticizes him for challenging the Lord. Zophar says he has clearly sinned, is now paying the punishment, and it is now up to these friends to council Job so he can repent. Questioning God, Zophar says, is itself a sin. Job's response is quite interesting, and breaks down in this passage as two logical points:

1) Everyone knows the Lord is the ultimate authority in the world; even birds and fish know this. Therefore, the actual sin is for someone to declare themselves as 'wise' and thus be the ones who should council Job about his life.

2) Since the Lord is the only wise authority, he is the source of true wisdom about how to live. Therefore, it must be right and proper to ask God directly about what one has done wrong.

It is certainly a sin to declare what is right vs. what is sin independent of the Lord's instruction. This act is itself 'original sin' and is the source of most issues in society today. A wise person declaring the Lord's intentions, without that declaration being completely based on the Lord's own word, is committing the greatest of sins. Likewise, when seeking the truth about right and wrong, wise council is not the primary source of truth, but rather the Lord's own word and wisdom is the source of that authority.

Isn't this all just common sense?

Application: And the answer in 2024 is ... sadly, no. As a matter of fact, "common sense" in society today is that God's wisdom and authority is to be ignored. It is described using words like "unenlightened" and "regressive" and even "hateful". Common sense has been flushed down the toilet.

This is the real struggle we have as a church today, that the very idea that a sovereign Lord provides loving wisdom is totally rejected by a huge portion of the population, perhaps approaching a majority.  While the teachings in Job pertaining to the nature of life and human suffering can be confusing, they at least have one anchor point, which is that the Lord is in control and authority, working out all things for good. This is unwavering and unchanging common sense, which is no longer common.

Prayer: Lord, as I consider the words of my own mouth, talking about what is 'right' and 'good' and 'should be done,' may I also recant in my heart. I do not wish to be Zophar, a person wise in his own eyes as if I know your will and your ways and your heart and your purposes. I do not. May I simply live my life seeking your wisdom and direction, trusting in your good plan. Amen.