0165. Job's Replies to His False Friends

Job’s Replies to His False Friends

"But Job answered and said" (Job_6:1, etc.).

It is impossible to even review Job’s responses to the men who stirred his soul to its depths. We can but mention some characteristic sayings:

1. In the 9th chapter, three remarkable statements come forth:

Job_9:2 : "How can a man be just with God?"

Job_9:20 : "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me:

If I say I am perfect, it shall prove me perverse."

Job_9:32-33 : "He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him.

And we should come together in judgment, Neither is there any daysman betwixt us."

Herein Job confesses that he could not stand before his own heart, let alone before God. He asks that greatest of all questions: "How can a man be just before God?"

2. In the 13th chapter, Job says:

Job_13:15 : "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him:

But I will maintain mine own ways before Him."

Job_13:16 : "He also shall be my salvation."

In Job_13:22-27, Job appears to be in total darkness. He cries:

"Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face,

And holdest me for Thine enemy?

Wilt Thou break a leaf driven to and fro?"

3. In the 19th chapter, Job manifests a faith that looks through the darkness to a better day.

Job_19:25-27 : "For I know that my Redeemer liveth,

And that He shall stand at the latter day, upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

Yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another."

4. In the 23rd chapter, Job’s very soul is reaching out after God.

Verses-3-12: "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!"

Job_23:6 : "Will He plead against me with His great power?

No; but He would put strength in me."

Job_23:8 : "Behold I go forward, but He is not there;

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him."

Job_23:10 : "But He knoweth the way that I take:

When He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold."

Job_23:12 : "I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."

To sum up Job’s responses:

(1) Job held invariably to his own uprightness of purpose. Chapter 29 particularly records Job’s recital of His own goodness. It is like the 7th of Romans in the frequency of the personal pronoun

(2) Job never held to the fact of his being without sin. He confessed that he had sinned.

(3) Job could not comprehend the reason for his ills. He was in much darkness and sometimes almost in despair.

(4) Job never denied his Lord. He did not understand Him, but he trusted Him. He did not know the way, but he knew the Guide. He never turned away from faith.

(5) Job had assurance of some day seeing God and understanding all his sorrows; he also had assurance of a coming reward.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR