Read Job
9-11 & Acts
8:1-25
To discover:
As you read note what is so
frustrating Job.
To ponder:
In 9v1-20 Job’s struggle is that he
has no-where to turn. He accepts God doesn’t reject the blameless, but
recognizes that in reality no mortal can be truly regarded as having done right
before God. So even if he wanted to argue his case, he knows he wouldn’t be
able to answer God. First, because God is wise. Job could never therefore
defeat God’s reasoning. Second, because God is powerful as creator, doing just
as he pleases. Moreover, as his acts are unfathomable, innumerable and
unperceivable, no-one can question what he does. Indeed, as he doesn’t restrain
his anger, one dare not question him (Rahab is a sea monster mythology held God
battled at creation, 9v13). Rather than argue, Job therefore concludes all he can
do is plead for mercy. Indeed, he reasons that if he did actually summon God to
hear his case, God would not, and might even punish him. What follows suggests
he may have in mind punishment for the sin of talking back to God and
questioning his right to do as he pleases (see Rom 9v20-21). God is mighty and
so cannot be overpowered. And he is just and so his justice cannot be
questioned. Even if totally innocent, Job therefore says that to even query God’s
action to him would end up making him guilty and so condemned. As we will see
towards the end of the book, this recognition that God has every right to do as
he pleases is commendable. However, it should not be held with the sort of
bitterness Job might be displaying.
Job
continues to affirm his blamelessness, but seems to adopt a degree of fatalism.
He disagrees with Bildad’s view that God rewards the blameless, noting instead
that God destroys them alongside the wicked, showing little concern for the
innocent, and causing injustice when a land is conquered (9v21-24). The idea of
“mocking” is probably used simply to portray apparent disregard, without
suggesting God is capricious. Here, Job’s reflections remain correct. God
governs everything, so he must in some way be behind these calamities (see Lam
3v33-38). And our feelings on seeing them echo Job’s. Life seems unjust. But we
are learning God has his reasons.
From
9v26 Job again reflects on the speedy passing of life, acknowledging he is
unable to rustle up a smile because he continues to dread his sufferings. He
concludes that God must have found him guilty in some way, even though he
considers himself innocent. Even if he made himself as pure as possible, he
therefore feels that God would still act against him (9v30-31). Yet unable to
argue his case, Job recognizes that he needs someone to arbitrate, to lay his hand
on both parties as if to pacify them. Only by this means does Job feel he could
speak up without fear. One cannot but think of Christ our mediator. We should
still seek to remain free from sin in our attitude to God. However, as those
who can come to God in full assurance, we need not fear speaking our mind.
Job
speaks up nevertheless, airing his complaint. Rather than being condemned, he wants
to be told what charges are against him, and whether it pleases God to oppress
him by seeking out his faults although innocent, whilst “smiling” on what the
wicked do. He is utterly bewildered at the seeming injustice of it all, asking
why God would destroy one he himself formed and watched over (10v8-12). Job
seems to be sharing his friends’ assumption that his sufferings must be for
some sin. And so, knowing he is blameless as human beings go, he concludes God
must have been watching for the minor sins even the upright commit, and so
punishing him for those (10v6, 14). 10v16-17 suggests he therefore feels that even
if he were to hold his head high in knowing his innocence, God would be ready
to pounce on any pride and punish him. So Job asks why God had him born, again
wishing he had died in the womb. And he begs God to give him a moment’s joy
before he dies.
Zophar,
the third friend, now answers in some anger (11v1-3). He rebukes Job for
protesting his innocence, assuming Job must have sinned so greatly that God had
even forgotten some of it. He states that because God is limitless, he cannot
be opposed if he convenes a court against someone, because he sees all evil.
Zophar implies Job must therefore have committed some hidden sin that God has found
out. He even suggests Job is “witless” and lacking the wisdom to see his own
sin (11v12 with 6). He therefore urges Job to repent and devote his heart to
God, with the promise of restoration and rest without fear.
Praying it home:
Praise God for his awesome power
and wisdom. Pray that you would come before him with a right and reverent
attitude.
Thinking
further:
None today.
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