Coffee With Job. Episode 94
Channel: Jason Blaiklock
Date: 2022-08-04

Where do Human Rights Come From? Job 31:13-23

No abuse of power towards his servants, the poor, and the helpless v.13-23

a) Denial of Justice – v.13-15 -  relationships with servants.  Job recognizes the rights of his servants to take him to court and he recognizes the rights of women to justice as well as men.   Gone beyond the customs of his time and recognized human beings as equals – not as possessions.   Job had many servants. Basic equality of the human race.  1776 Declaration of Independence “All men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.  Human rights are based upon the fact that God is our Creator. Although we live in different social circumstances we are all made the same way.  Ch.10 v.8-11 – Job speaks of the wonder in which God had made him in the womb – now he speaks of everyone in that way. Ephesians ch. 6 v.9 “And masters, treat your slaves in the same way.  Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.” Dignity, equality, and responsibility.   Amos ch.5 v.21-24. 

b) Ignoring the poor – v.16-23 – Importance of helping the poor and not taking advantage of them. Giving food and clothing Taking orphans into his home rather than abusing them. Eliphaz had accused Job of not caring for the poor. The imprecation in v.21 is strong – his shoulder falls off and his arm is broken at the elbow.  James ch.1 v.27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress”.