Standing Up for the Bullied at Work and Suffering Retaliation
The experience of standing up for someone who is being bullied and subsequently facing retaliation is a challenging situation that resonates with biblical themes of suffering for righteousness and enduring hostility. Scripture acknowledges that those who seek to do right may encounter opposition and injustice [6].
The book of Job, in particular, offers a profound exploration of an individual suffering despite their righteousness. Job laments being despised and spoken against, even by those younger than him [1]. He describes being shriveled up, with his leanness testifying against him [2]. His adversaries gape at him, strike him reproachfully, and gather against him [3]. Job's complaints stem from a struggle he perceives not with men, but with the Almighty, questioning how the ceaseless woes of the innocent can be reconciled with divine justice [10]. He describes himself as "blackened" by God's wrath, covered in a skin condition that resembles the garb of mourning [11]. Despite this, one tradition asserts his innocence and desires to stand up in a court to cry for justice [11]. His friends, in contrast, held the view that sinners are "cut off" early, implying Job's suffering was due to sin [4]. Job's experience reflects the deep distress and confusion that can arise when one faces undeserved hardship.
The New Testament further addresses the expectation of suffering for those who live godly lives. Christians are instructed not to be surprised by the trials that inevitably come, especially when seeking to lead godly lives, as they can expect hostility from a sinful world [6]. This aligns with Jesus' teaching to bless those who curse us, a principle Paul echoes in his own life, choosing to work to support himself to avoid blame, and responding to curses with blessings [8].
The concept of divine justice is also present, assuring that God will ensure sinners receive their proper punishment [9]. God's anger is depicted not as an emotional outburst, but as a necessary response to sin [7]. While human authorities are established to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right, the reality of retaliation for doing good can still occur [5].
Sources
- Job “Job 19:18 (YLT) — Also sucklings have despised me, I rise, and they speak against me.”
- Job “You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face. -- Job 16:8”
- Job “They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me. -- Job 16:10”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:7: The answer is Rom 2:4; Ti1 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ecc 8:11-13; Luk 2:35-end; Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22. old--in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, Job 8:14).”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:14: 2:14 to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right: Cp. Rom 13:3-4.”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 4:12: 4:12 We work: To avoid being blamed by others for taking money, Paul preferred to support himself (9:3-18; Acts 18:3; 20:33-35). • We bless those who curse us: Paul’s response was in line with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 5:44-45; cp. Rom 12:14, 17-21).”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:6: remember--Think on it. Can you wonder that I broke out into complaints, when the struggle was not with men, but with the Almighty? Reconcile, if you can, the ceaseless woes of the innocent with the divine justice! Is it not enough to make one tremble? [UMBREIT].”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 30:28: mourning--rather, I move about blackened, though not by the sun; that is, whereas many are blackened by the sun, I am, by the heat of God's wrath (so "boiled," Job 30:27); the elephantiasis covering me with blackness of skin (Job 30:30), as with the garb of mourning (Jer 14:2). This striking enigmatic form of Hebrew expression occurs, Isa 29:9. stood up--as an innocent man crying for justice in an assembled court (Job 30:20).”