There Is No Difference

Job 31

There is a lot that we could talk about in this chapter. Some of it has already been discussed. However, my attention was drawn to a 3 verses that reveal a New Testament truth.

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If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant,

When they contended with me;

14 What then shall I do when God riseth up?

And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him?

And did not one fashion us in the womb?

Job 31:13-15

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There are several things we can take away from these few short verses. One is that the world recognizes social classes. Here, Job states that he has servants. "If I despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant." The word for manservant or maidservant is literally translated slave. Job says that they work for him. He also goes against the grain of traditional owners. He says that has to listen to their needs and concerns. I will explain that more as we go. For now, what we need to take away is that Job is acknowledging worldly class differences.

Even though slave ownership is illegal in most of the world today, don't we still have different social classes. There are those who live in absolute poverty, we have the poor, the middle class, the upper middle class, and the rich. I'm sure we could break that down even more but whats the point? People fall into different stations in life. Those who are lower work for those who are higher up. That is how the world has always worked and will always work.

The second thing Job tells us in this passage is that there are not social classes with God. After he points out that he has servants/slaves, he says that he will have problems with God if he despises the cause of those servants. Verses 13 and 14 give that full picture. Basically, what Job says is: "If my servants come to me with a problem or concern, and I blow them off, and I do not address their concern, what will I do when God allows a problem that I cannot handle in my life? How will I go to him, my master, and expect him to listen to me?" Job places himself on a level playing field with his servants when he recognizes that God is him master.

How different would our earthy encounters be if everyone understood this truth? It drives me crazy to be talked down to by someone who thinks they are better than me. Truth be told, this is because it hits my pride. My feels are not rooted in knowing some Biblical truth. While others may not act according to this truth, we should make sure that we do our part.

Job goes on to say in verse 15, "Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?". Job says that God made him and his servants. They are all part of his creation. Job is getting at the truth that Paul taught in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Luke recorded this idea in Acts, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons"(Acts 10:34). God does not regard our social classes. He does regard our obedience to Him; that includes how we treat others.

Job was in a position of authority as the master of his servants. With that authority came great responsibility to care for those under his authority. If he did not, how could he expect God to take care of him? If we do not take care of those that we have influence on, how can we expect more of God?

Father, help me to care for those who you place under my influence. May I be faithful to that work. I pray that you place people in my life to encourage me and to help hold me accountable.