Title: Things Calling Judgment (Job 24:1-12)
There was a person in the Middle Ages who was imprisoned in prison after receiving innocent consultations from enemies and then disappeared with the dew of a death sentence. He is none other than Boesius, who wrote the book 'The Consolation of Philosophy', and he said these words a few days before his execution. 'Even if God does not judge the evildoer, the evildoer itself is already judging him.' The text we read together today reveals Job's frustration toward the wicked as it is. But we must know that God did not set a day of judgment, nor did He not see the iniquity of the wicked.
But these things are hidden from our eyes. In this regard, Boethius' words are a great lesson for us. Evil is so in that it itself is already calling for judgment. Then, what kinds of evil deeds are calling judgment on themselves? Let's check our faith through some examples shown in the text.
1. God does not endure forever.
(Verse 1) “The Almighty knows all his appointed times, but how is it that those who know him are not aware of his appointed times?” The efforts of those who try to predict the future with divination or innuendo is not only a vain deception, but also goes against the good will of God who has hidden the future. Knowing the sinful nature of human beings who constantly try to live freely outside of God, God hides the future and allows us to live each day humbly and trust in Him. And with this in mind, God asked for a message of peace for those who are living insecure today. However, it is important to remember that God's patience is limitless, but only until the judgment at the end of the world. There is no use in regretting at that time, so let's repent now.
2. The tyranny of those in power calls judgment.
“Some move landmarks, rob and raise sheep, drive orphan donkeys, take widows’ cattle hostage” (verses 2, 3). It was a crime. A typical example is the case of King Ahab killing Naboth and robbing his vineyard. However, such tyranny is not confined to a specific era, but has been a crime that has been continuously perpetrated all over the world since the beginning of the war.
Moreover, the seriousness of the problem is that such crimes are still being committed in our time. The tyranny of one powerful person causes great suffering to all. Therefore, it is one of the crimes that God hates terribly for the powerful to bully and loot the weak. Therefore, such a crime itself is the direct cause of God's curse and terrible judgment. Therefore, our attitude and our attitude should take these things into consideration and pray especially for those in power.
3. The misery of the poor calls judgment.
"They are like wild donkeys in a wild land... They spend the night naked, without clothing, they have no cover from the cold, they get wet from the mountain showers, and they hold onto rocks with nothing to hide" (5-8). Their plight is tragic. Of course, in any era, the poor are bound to arise from the corruption of the powerful, but in this case, the wealth of the wealthy must be taken as the object of crime. That's why Elder James pointed out, "Behold, the ears of the Lord of hosts have heard the cry of unpaid wages to the laborers who have harvested in your field, and the weeping of the reapers" (James 5:4). Believers should recognize that tyranny by the haves leads to unbearable tragedies for the poor. I don't know how many people are falling and dying all over the world even now because of the sins committed by those who have.
Those who have it say, 'What does it have to do with what I have and do what I want?' Legally, there is no lower limb. But the world has morals, ethics, and conscience before law. Poverty is also relativistic, so that for those who live very well, even the middle class usually feel inferior. Therefore, a person who lives in abundance may make the poor despair of themselves as miserable beings.
Our Lord said, “Woe to you, you rich” (Luke 6:24) and warned the rich about how they should live. Therefore, we Christians must take the lead in sharing what we have and doing good. I also believe that God will fill the storehouses of those who give and their descendants with blessings.
4. A riot of lawlessness and injustice calls judgment.
“In a city with a large population, people groan, and the wounded cry” (verse 12). In any age and in any society, there are differences in the degree of injustice and injustice. In particular, the terrible crimes that are taking place all over the world in this century are making us even more thrilled. Violent crimes such as murder, robbery, theft, rape, violence, terrorism, arson, drugs, gambling, conspiracy and suicide fill the social pages of newspapers. These social evils, where lawlessness and injustice abound, are calling for judgment. The thunderstorms that fell on the castles of Sodom and Gomorrah and the city of Pompeii in Italy covered by volcanic lava are also good examples of this. In times like these, we, children of God, should not be those who wait for judgment with fearful hearts, or those who are unhappy with the fire of judgment (Hebrews 10:27), and should become the pride of God.
<Yehwa> In the old days, many people had their heads broken and wounded with stones thrown by mischievous people around train tracks. So the teachers cautioned not to throw stones as the train passed. Nevertheless, the habit did not break. A teacher at a public school taught the children to wave when a train passed by. The children said that they had fun with people waving their hands on the train, so they stopped throwing stones as the train passed. If you tell them not to throw stones unconditionally, there is no fundamental solution. When they waved their hands that used to throw stones to express their love, it turned into a truly beautiful and joyful greeting. You should not be good just by believing in Jesus and not doing anything wrong. You need to do what needs to be done. The decision of faith should not be done only by not doing well. You have to do what you need to do more fully. That is why the Bible tells us not to be overcome by evil. A life that is not defeated by evil is truly a wonderful life. Sometimes we are filled with the desire to take revenge on those who harm us. A life without retaliation is a great life.
Classmates!! Evil people are committing the sin of mistreating the needy, that is, the poor by taking the property of orphans and widows, without hesitation in the evil deeds of taking the sheep of the weak and expanding their land by moving landmarks to other people's lands. There are many people who have sorrow in this land. There are those who have no food, there are those who have nothing to wear, there are those who have no home, and there are those who are exploited for their labor. It is a groan that people cry out in a crowded city, but neither man nor God cares.
Of course, it seems that God does not see such injustice because judgment does not immediately come upon the wicked. There are times when it is difficult to observe God's silence. But faith is in waiting. But we must know that God sees every injustice in the world with his eyes like a flame, and He will surely reward each person according to their deeds. We should have a mission to become the light and salt of this evil society that called us first and gave us faith. We must become saints who can always act in front of God's justice by restoring humanity in alienated places and practicing love for those who groan.