Page 46 - Biblical Ethics Course

deliberation (Prov.29:20, 22), and a willingness to leave vengeance in the hands of God (Prov.20:22; 24:29).
Yet he also works hard (Prov. 6:6–11, 10:4, 5; 14:4).

The main theme of Proverbs is that wisdom proceeds from revering and trusting God. Our actions reflect
our inner character, and vice versa; by honoring God with our lives and following His wisdom, we can
expect to experience the blessing of God’s goodness. In the natural order of God’s world, good character
produces a life that will flourish, though Proverbs is also clear that the natural order does not always win;
sometimes, against all logic, evil and folly thrive.

The primary concern of Proverbs, like other wisdom literature from the ancient Near East, is instruction:
Younger generations need such wisdom to live well. But the book of Proverbs is also unique among its
contemporaries in its emphasis on worshiping Yahweh—the only true source of such wisdom and fullness of
life (Prov 3:19). Proverbs repeatedly shows us that we must live according to Yahweh’s ways—by living
ethically, representing justice, and caring for the weak and impoverished—even when society at large tells
us otherwise.

Prophetic Ethics. The prophets administered the necessary corrective by insisting that God’s moral standards
are applied evenly. His love embraces Ethiopians as well as Israelites (Amos. 9:7). And Israel will not escape his
judgment for sin by pleading her special position as the Lord’s chosen people; in fact, says Amos, a privileged
knowledge of God brings with it extra responsibilities and greater risk (Am. 1:1–3:2).

The main task of the prophets was to proclaim, apply, and defend God’s Law as it had already been
revealed (Isa 8:20; Hos 8:1; Mal 4:4). Unhappily, the people seemed quite willing to observe the Mosaic
ceremonial laws (Am 4:4, 5) while disregarding the Lord’s moral requirements of justice, mercy, and
humility before God (Mi 6:8). The prophets constantly called for deliverance for the oppressed (Is 1:17, Dt
14:29) and consideration, even for enemy prisoners (2 Chron 28:9–11, Prov 25:21). They condemned
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creditors who refused to return garments taken as pledges from the poor (Am 2:8; Ex 22:26).

The Ethics of Job.

The occasion and events that follow Job’s sufferings present significant questions for the faith of believers
in all ages. Why does Job serve God? Job is heralded for his righteousness, being compared with Noah and
Daniel (Ezek. 14:14–20), and for his spiritual endurance (James 5:11).

Job 1:1 (NASB95)
1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God
and turning away from evil.

Job 1:8 (NASB95)
8The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a
blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”

Several other questions are alluded to throughout Job’s ordeal, for instance, “Why do the righteous
suffer?”. Job never knew the reasons for his suffering and neither did his friends. The righteous sufferer
does not appear to learn about any of the heavenly court debates between God and Satan that precipitated
his pain.

19 Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Israel, Religion Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Book House, 1988), 1066–1071.

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