READ: JOB 18:1-21 TEXT: v18 [RIGHTEOUS - NOT CHASED OUT OF THE WORLD]
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
I want to give a very positive
application to what is in reality a very negative text. Apart from
those passages which relate to the salvation of the sinner - gospel
texts - the Bible has nothing positive to say about those who are still
in their sins. The Scripture can never be used to encourage/justify any
one embarking on or remaining on in sin. Whether by precept or by
example or whatever - the whole tenor of the word of God is summed up
in these words: abandon sin. Our text warns us of what happens to
the wicked. It says clearly that they are chased out of the
world. That is not spoken to their honour. It is another way/God
saying: Let the wicked forsake his way, & the unrighteous man his
thoughts: & let him return unto the LORD, & he will have mercy
upon him; & to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
We can only give this text (as we are going to do) a positive
application by drawing its contrast. There is a very strong implication
here concerning the righteous. It is not said in the word of God that
the righteous are chased out of this world. Here is yet another
difference between the godly & the wicked. Both come into the world
the same way. Even the righteous are born in sin. Both may grow up
together doing the same things - for even the righteous must confess to
ungodly practices at least at some time. Job here was probably the most
godly man alive in his time - perhaps in all time - yet even Job had to
confess (Job 42:5-6) I have heard of
thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore
I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. But there a
fundamental difference. The righteous repent of their sin. They come to
the Cross & seek by faith in the shed blood its removal. The wicked
cling to the sin. They justify it. They excuse it. They refuse to let
it go. They feed upon it. And so when the time comes to depart this
scene of time, the wicked are chased from this world. But not so, the
godly. We desire to see why the pious - the
Christians - are not chased from this world.
3 things to observe:
1) THE CHRISITAN DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA TO JUSTIFY SUCH A MOVE:
Why do we chase certain folk from us? Why do we desire their removal from our presence?
A/ We do so because we consider them to be dangerous: Viewed as a threat to our wellbeing.
This is justifiable if applied to the wicked: One text comes to mind (church set up) 1 Cor 5:13
(Not speaking now about evangelism: Lk 14:21) But we are speaking about purity: Ps 1:1-3
Why is this? Because danger we will fall: Very clearly seen in Solomon's life: 1 Kings 11:1ff.
Would have been better had Solomon chased these women instead of chasing after them!
Spiritual man poses no danger to anyone. Had 10 such men been found in Sodom…spared.
B/ We chase those who are considered as a nuisance: Perhaps not dangerous. No real threat.
But no real help either. Anything can become a threat to wellbeing. Carried to extremes etc.,
But much is just of a time wasting variety. Cop on & we put it far from us.
Spiritual people are not nuisances.
Accept that some unbalanced Christians can be.
No idea of how to go about a good work.
Make nuisances of themselves…but spiritual man is not like that.
Far from being a nuisance… a great help. Example: Daniel (5:9-12) Not chased but summonsed.
C/ We chase away those who are absolutely worthless: Get dispensed with.
No profit. No advantage. Taken to the next port of call & put ashore.
Never be said of the spiritual man.
[1] Called: the salt of earth (Matt 5:12) Only savourless salt is useless but not good stuff.
[2] Called: Light. Phil 2:15 First thing people call for in a calamity in the dark: Light.
[3] Christian is distinctly said to be of greater value than the world - by a long chalk: Heb 11:38
D/ It is most unreasonable/unwise for those societies who expel Christians from their midst.
Glowing example: France expelling Huguenots. What France lost in that folly.
Can be measured even in material things: Tradesmen etc., but oh what France lost spiritually!
Moved from Romanism to Atheism. Even Calvin (greatest son) worked from Geneva.
2) CHRISTIANS ARE NOT CHASED BECAUSE THEY LEAVE WORLD AT THE APPOINTED TIME:
If some one is chased away…then they leave scene sooner than expected. Stay is cut short.
A/ Must be said of all (whatever spiritual state) that their day is fixed: 14:1-5/Eccles 3:1-2
We should therefore: Ps 90:12 Sovereignty of God. Full control.
B/ Also, right to say of the wicked who often perish as result of sin: Pro 10:27/Eccles 7:17
Hypothetical? …but you can say here in many an occasion: If only… Don't overstretch Sovereignty of God doctrine
C/ Righteous: They are immortal until their work on earth is done.
Think of Daniel & his 3 friends (no. of occasions) God wrought miracles to keep them alive!
Think of Apostle Paul: 2 Cor 11:23ff Why was this? Take it a little further:
He did not die quietly/peacefully on his bed. Accepted Tradition: Beheaded in Rome.
Ans:- He did not go one moment before God's time: I am now ready to be offered…
Often take this in sense of Amos 4:12 but here we have another angle on the verse.
Peter proves the point very clearly: Acts 12:1-6. Why sleeping? Promise: Jn 21:18/2 Pet 1:14
D/ Cannot chase a Christian from the world. This ought to be a great comfort to us.
Greatly help your devotional life.
Inspire your labours for Him.
Put backbone in your life:
Look how it shored up Nehemiah: 6:11 Why should I be chased from this scene?
Look how the Lord Jesus reacted: Lk 13:31-33 Note again the Sovereignty of God
3) CHRISTIANS LEAVE THIS WORLD IN A MOST DIGNIFIED MANNER:
Again: There is something odious about being chased away. Already given some reasons why.
Now if your times are lit. in God's hand (Ps 31:15) - then likewise your manner of departure.
A/ The outward circumstances might not be too nice: Paul/Peter. Early Christians - Martyrs:
Little Bilney: literally roasted to death. Others have perished in cruellest of circumstances.
This is not the leaving of this world. Means thereto.
B/ Not necessarily referring to the emotional state of the one who dies.
Whilst some have had comfort - others fought their greatest battle with doubt on deathbed.
Even Luther - great man of magnitude faith - struggled at the end.
C/ What happens when every believer dies? What could be more wonderful than Lk 16:20-22
What a contrast in Lazarus's life (Forget about the rich man - chased from the world)
Here is one whose outward circumstances were dire.
Calvin: It was no loss to him that he
was forsaken, and despised, and destitute of every human comfort, when
heavenly spirits deign to accompany him on his removal from the prison
of the flesh.
What a change when soul left body: v22 This occasion can be likened unto many things:
[1] Return of a victorious soldier: 2 Tim 4:7-8 What joy is it for them.
[2] Homecoming of an exiled son: Heb 2:10-13
[3] Reward of a faithful servant: Matt 25:21
World might have its state funerals & pomp, … nothing to homecoming of Christian:
Look at Acts 7:53-54 "I see Jesus"
Hymn writer said:
By & by when I look on His face - beautiful face - thorn riven face
By & by when I look on His face - I'll wish I had given him more.
D/ Note again the consistency of the Bible in the way that it refers to death.
Whether speaking of godly/ungodly…it views death as a removal.
Replacing of the location of the soul: For Christian: 2 Cor 5:8 Never seen as annihilation.
Various passages of scripture are consistent with this pleasant removal from this scene:
Eccles 12:6 refers to it as a loosening of a silver cord.
Picture the ties that bind us to earth with all its sorrows/anxieties being unwound.
Soon the last couple of circuits come in view & the cord is loosed & the ties are broken.
Angels are there… Only for those who die in Christ.
Appeal.
THE END