Lying Lions

O. T. #1144  "Lying Lions"
Jan. 31, 2018
Job 20

LET IT GLOW

What cuts deeper than a knife or sword? The human tongue does. It can cause more damage and heartache than anything else. Whispers. Lies. It can be thrust into a family and destroy it in a day. So are the effects when lies attack churches, businesses, and governments. They are sliced into pieces and brought down, some destroyed. False accusations are painful. It takes courage to stand against them dirty liars. I call them lying lions. They roar lies to scare, attack, and destroy the good.

The Scriptures reveal false accusations against innocent people. Here are some who fell victim to damaging words:

• Joseph was at the height of his career in Egypt when falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. he ended up in prison. Yet, God reestablished Joseph to the position of second in command in order to save God's people.
• Moses was 80 years old when he faced Pharoah in Egypt, then led the Hebrews out of slavery, into the wilderness. The very people he delivered turned on Moses, accusing him falsely of leading them into the wilderness to die. Moses had obeyed God.
• David the giant killer, was falsely accused of trying to dethrone King Saul by the jealous king himself. For a dozen years David ran for his life undeserving such treatment. God rewarded David for his faithfulness by making him king over Israel.
• Peter and John were accused of preaching a false Christ of which they received beatings. God used them to spread the truth as thousands were saved.

Job continued to stand against the false accusations of his friends, proclaiming his innocence. We know it was true that sin did not bring on Job's sufferings.

Will we stand against lying lions when we know the truth? When we are doing God's will, are we willing to suffer?

LET IT GROW

Zophar sees Job as wicked. He considers it his responsibility to inform Job that he has not long in this world. Job has been accused of keeping his sin secret while others thought he was righteous. (Of course, God knew Job was righteous. We found that out in the first few chapters.) Zophar accused Job of taking advantage of others unfairly, exploited the poor with his riches.

Zopha's harsh tongue did not soften as he gave three messages to Job:

1. He wants Job to understand the wicked do not live long. (verses 4-11)
2. The pleasures of the wicked are temporal. (verses 12-19)
3. God's judgment falls hard on the wicked. (verses 20-29) (Swindoll)

This is the last we hear of dear friend Zophar. Good riddance to him! His same words and accusations continue today.
False accusations hurt. Words do hurt. They can tear us apart like a sword in the gut. Like a knife sticking in our heart, they make us bleed emotionally. But they are not the final word. Jesus has the final word. He knows the truth. His love is like healing salve to our wounds. His tender mercies are new every morning. Grace, grace, God's grace is greater than all our sin. Our Redeemer lives, so let Him renew us.

LET IT GO

Praise to the King of kings.
Be assured, He knows the truth.
Beware of the lying lions.
Be prepared to stand against them with Jesus.