Prayer, Mercy, and Modesty

The same life appears in all three readings: a life ordered under God, doing good without display, and remaining faithful when times are hard. Elisha’s warning of famine was not given that the woman might admire prophecy, but that she might obey at once. She arose and went. So also the apostle commands “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” for all, even for rulers. The servant of God does not wait for ideal times; he prays in bad times, obeys in lean years, and keeps peaceable conduct in the midst of a crooked age.

Job remembers that when God’s lamp shone upon him, this was seen not in luxury, but in justice: he was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to the poor. As Justin says, God “has delivered the poor from the man of power, and the needy that hath no helper.” If we seek God’s favor while neglecting the weak, our religion is empty speech.

Paul therefore joins prayer, purity, and order. Men must pray without wrath; women must be known not by ornament but by reverence and mercy. Chrysostom says, “As when he bids women adorn themselves, not with broidered hair, or gold, or costly array: but which becomes women possessing godliness; with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10” This word reaches beyond women only: every Christian must prefer good works to display, substance to appearance, obedience to vanity.

Let us then not boast of former days as Job did in his grief, nor imitate kings who turned aside to Baal, but today keep the fear of God in simple acts: prayer for all, restrained speech, modest living, and help for those who have no helper.