Counsel Based on Logic Alone
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility and seeking complete understanding in seeking truth, and warns against the dangers of dogmatic thinking.
Theodore Epp discusses the character of Zophar, who represents dogmatic reasoning based on personal intuition rather than a true understanding of God's nature. Zophar's rigid conclusions lead him to wrongly accuse Job of sin, reflecting how some people today react with scorn towards differing opinions. Epp emphasizes that while Zophar possessed some truth, it was incomplete and distorted, ultimately causing more harm than good. God allowed Zophar's arguments to challenge Job, aiming to refine Job's character and humility rather than to punish him for sin. The sermon concludes with the reminder that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, urging humility in our understanding.
Text
Job 11:1-7
Zophar is the most dogmatic of the three. He assumes many things, based on his own intuition, or common sense, and then states his conclusion with a finality that permits no opposition.
For Job to differ with Zophar's conclusions is proof, in Zophar's eyes, that Job is a sinner.
Some people are like that today. They are so sure of what they say that anyone who disagrees with them calls forth their scorn or anger.
Zophar was a legalist and a formalist. He did not understand God's character at all. He knew a certain amount of truth, but it was distorted because it was not complete.
When men like Zophar assume what is untrue and call for repentance on the basis of their false assumptions, they only stir up anger.
God, of course, allowed these men to use their arguments against Job. The Lord wanted to help him see that though his calamities were not the result of sin, his character needed to be refined.
Job needed to be made humble, for he was proud. But we cannot force people to see this by sheer dogmatism on our part.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." (Isa. 55:8).
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of Dogmatic Thinking
- A. Zophar's dogmatic approach to Job's situation
- B. The dangers of assuming truth without complete understanding
- C. The importance of humility in seeking truth
- II. The Consequences of Untrue Assumptions
- A. Stirring up anger and opposition
- B. The need for repentance based on accurate understanding
- III. The Character of God and Man
- A. God's character is not fully understood by men like Zophar
- B. The importance of refining one's character through trials
- IV. The Role of Humility in Seeking Truth
- A. The need for humility in the face of uncertainty
- B. The importance of seeking God's thoughts and ways
Key Quotes
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- We should be humble in our pursuit of truth and recognize the limitations of our knowledge.
- We should seek complete understanding before making conclusions or calling for repentance.
- We can refine our character through trials by being humble and seeking God's guidance.