Job 12:23 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Job 12:23

Comments

Further works on a massive scale are seen in the rise and fall of the nations and the great empires of this world. In their ascendency they seem to be unstoppable. What earthly powers combined together can be assembled to prevent their progress? When Assyria had risen to power, who could have found a nation powerful enough to topple that cruel tyrant? She seemed to be answerable to no one. And yet it was an easy matter for God to replace her as his word predicted in advance. Daniel’s prophecy maps out in great deal the precise order in which the empires would arise, and no one can take credit from God the for the changes which he has forged in the earth. Some nations look to him for guidance and when they do so he guides them consciously through the turmoil of this world. Who can tell in advance what he will do unless he reveals it? How impossible it is for the wisest to predict the direction of national destinies.Great nations are led by great men and to a large extent the fortunes of nations are determined by the quality of their leaders. These are the most influential ones who represent their people and become the face of the nation. They cannot rule well without understanding of the affairs of government, the ways of the people, justice, and commerce and trade and economy, and how to conduct relations with other nations. But this understanding and this ability to rule is given by God. It is the gift of common grace to enable such men to rule. They tend not to acknowledge this and their subjects tend to attribute all the greatness of their leaders to the individuals themselves. But if God takes away his gifts, they are extremely exposed. They cannot easily leave their office, and yet they cannot continue to function without their gifts. They begin to make foolish and very public decisions and though these can be covered up for a time, they eventually come to light and bring shame on themselves and their people. They were once the great ones of the earth, but now they have fled from the presence of men or been driven out, and they wander in a pathless wilderness instead of walking the pathways of power.

Application

Where now is the dignity of these great ones when they grope for light and stagger as if they were drunk? – Saddam Hussein was found hiding in a pit. Would they ever have allowed such things to be seen when they were at the height of their powers? But now they have lost all ability to cover themselves and all self-respect is gone. God humbles the mighty as he sees fit and brings about profound changes in individual lives and in the fortunes of nations and no one can resist him; not even if he tells them what he is going to do in advance. If a believer is exalted in this world, let it not go to his head, but let him remember that what God gives, he can just as easily take away again. When he does humble men, it is to bring them to repentance and to teach them that they are no different from any one else.

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Job 12:23 Commentary and Bible Study