The Virtuous Man: Job 31 I. Introduction 1. The context in ...

[Pages:2]The Virtuous Man: Job 31

I.

Introduction

A. The need for virtuous men. B. Job's description of the virtuous man.

1. The context in the book of Job: the climax of Job's defense. v. 35-37 2. Is Job guilty of proud self-justification?

a. God acknowledges Job's excellence of character. 1:8 2:3 b. God vindicates Job before his accusers. 42:7-9 c. Job's repentance is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, not an

admission that his own character is wicked. 42:1-6 C. There is no higher ethical statement in the Old Testament than Job 31.

1. Moral purity involves more than our acts, but begins in our hearts. v. 1 Mt. 5:27ff 2. Our duty to God and man goes beyond avoiding wrong, but extends to positively

showing love. v. 16-23 3. All people are equal in value before God. v. 14-15 Gal. 3:28 Eph. 6:9 4. We are not only to love our neighbors, but also our enemies. v. 29-30 Mt. 5:43ff D. As in the case of the virtuous woman, the root from which the character of the virtuous man springs is the fear of God. 1:8 2:3 31:2-4 , 14-15, 22-23, 28, 33-34

II. The Moral Purity of the Virtuous Man. v. 1-12

A. He does not allow his heart or his eyes to lust. v. 1-4 Mt. 5:27-32 Ex. 20:17 1. Job understands the nature of temptation and sin. v. 1 James 1:14-15 a. First the eye is attracted to what is forbidden. Gen. 3:6 II Sam. 11:2 b. Then the heart is enticed to desire what God has prohibited. c. Then the act of sin takes place. 2. God is concerned not only about your actions, but also the thoughts of your heart. Mat. 5:8, 27-28 22:37 Deut. 6:5 3. You must take radical action to keep your way pure. Mat. 5:29-30 Prov. 6:25 4. The repercussions of failure are severe. v. 2-3 James 1:15 5. The principle of heart purity applies to all sins, not just lust.

B. He does not enrich himself through deceit and covetousness. v. 5-8 Ex. 20:15-16 Eph. 4:25, 28 From forbidden pleasures to forbidden profits. 1. Job isn't merely addressing flagrant sins punishable by human authority. 2. Do you display integrity in your finances? Ps. 37:21 3. You will never gain if your profit is at the expense of truth. v. 6-8

C. He does not defile his body through sexual immorality. v. 9-12 Ex. 20:14 I Cor. 6:15ff Why does Job raise this subject again? v. 1 1. This is an area in which men are especially prone to sin. 2. The consequences are most serious. v.1-12 I Cor. 6:19 Mat. 19:6, 9 Prov. 6:26-35 7:12 Deut. 22:24 Lev. 20:10 3. The virtuous man finds joy in his marriage. Prov. 5:15-21 Heb. 13:4

III. The Social Justice of the Virtuous Man. v. 13-23 38-40

A. He does not oppress his subordinates. v.13-15 James 5:4 1. Job recognized that his slaves were worthy of equal respect, being created in God's image. v. 15 Eph. 6:9 Gal. 3:28 2. How do you treat those under your authority? Eph. 6:9, 4 I Pet. 3:7 5:1-3 3. You will give account before the Lord. v. 14-15

B. He does not close his hand to the poor. v. 16-20 James 1:27 2:15-16 I John 3:17 Job's friends had accused him of cruel insensitivity. 22:7, 9 20:19 1. God is concerned about the destitute. Pr. 14:31 Ps. 68:5 Deut. 24:19-21 2. He calls you to be generous with those in need. Prov. 19:17 3. Those who are stingy will be punished. Prov. 21:13

It is not enough to merely abstain from cruelty and oppression.

C. He does not abuse his power and influence. v. 21-23 James 2:6 Lev. 19:15 God will vindicate the oppressed. v.22-23 Ps. 119:120

D. He does not exploit others. v. 38-40 James 5:4 Prov. 3:27 Gen. 3:17 4:11

IV. The Religious Purity of the Virtuous Man. v. 24-28

A. He does not trust in material wealth. v. 24-25 Col. 3:5 Mat. 6:19-24 Job answers another accusation. 22:24-25 1. Though Job had much wealth, he did not put his hope in riches. 2. Beware of materialism. I Tim. 6:17 Ecc. 5:10 3. Trust in the Lord alone. Isa. 26:3 Jer. 9:23-24

B. He does not worship created things (openly or secretly). v. 26-28 Hos. 13:2 I Kn. 19:18 Idolatry is a capital offense. Deut. 17:2-7 Mt. 10:33

V. The Interpersonal Relationships of the Virtuous Man. v. 29-34

A. He does not hate his enemies. v. 29-30 Mat. 5:43-47 Prov. 24:17-18 Rom. 12:17ff 1. Not only actions, but words, thoughts, and wishes are governed by righteousness. 2. Do you rejoice when your rivals experience disaster? 3. God may bring calamity upon you.

B. He does not withhold hospitality towards strangers. v. 31-33 Heb. 13:2 I Pet. 4:9 Gen. 19:1-3 Deut. 10:18-19 Lev. 19:10 Prov. 25:21-22

C. He does not engage in hypocrisy. v. 33-34 1. Some abstain from sin because they fear men. 2. Job disdains sin because he fears God. v. 14-15, 23, 28 3. When he sins, he does not cover it up, but deals with it. Ps. 32:1-5 Gen. 3:8-10 Pr. 28:13 I John 1:8-10 4. Those who fear God have no fear of men.

VI. Conclusion: how can sinners be made virtuous?

A. All of us fall far short of the standard of virtue set in Scripture. B. Our disobedience deserves God's curse. v. 3, 6-8, 10-12, 14, 22-23, 28, 40 Rom. 6:23

Ex. 21:23-25 C. Through Jesus Christ you can be transformed into the virtuous man (or woman).

1. He is the only man who has perfectly kept God's law. I Pet. 2:22 2. He bore the curse of our guilt. Gal. 3:13 II Cor. 5:21 3. Those who trust Him are forgiven and cleansed of sin. 4. By His power we are transformed day by day into His virtuous image. Col. 3:10 5. When He returns we will fully reflect His virtue. 19:25-27 I John 3:2

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download