Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Job 19: In The Depths

Job seems to cross a line in Job 19.  He flat-out accuses God of being unjust toward him, something he had hitherto only danced around.  Yet he also offers a stunning answer to his own previous "rhetorical question" from chapter 14.  Amazingly, Job is able to find gospel truth in the depths of his suffering!

Job begins his reply to Bildad by complaining of his friends' attacks against him.  He points out that, even if he is suffering because he is at fault, what business is that of theirs?  It is his concern alone (vs 2-4).

However, Job does not believe that the fault lies in him.  It is instead a matter between him and God, with God having "wronged" him (vs. 5-7).  This may be one of the places in Job where he is most in danger of mistakenly accusing God of wrongdoing.

The next slew of verses (8-20) describe again the torments that Job faces on a daily basis.  He feels persecuted by God, alienated from others, rejected by his family, mocked by children, and weakened by sickness.  In verses 21 and 22, he pitifully calls out for mercy to his friends.  He begs them to give him relief from their charges and accusations.

Job is a beaten and defeated man.  In his agony, he cries out for a permanent witness to his situation.  "Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!"  Interestingly enough, Job's wish is fulfilled.  His thoughts have found their place in scripture, becoming words which shall never pass away.  

Job is at the very bottom, in the depths.  Yet it is precisely here where he stumbles upon a deep truth.  Consider the revelation that prompts him to say, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth" (vs. 25).  Job is confident of vindication, of deliverance, of salvation.  He has faith beyond what he can see, and it leads him to believe that he has a Redeemer.  Is it mere coincidence that Job is given this insight at perhaps the bleakest moment of his life?  The gift to understand that there is more than meets the eye, that God will indeed come to the earth, and come for him with good intentions?

And about that rhetorical question from Job 14?  "If a man dies, will he live again?"  In his catharsis, Job has arrived at the place of having an answer: "And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes.  I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!" (vs. 26-27)  Could you have come up with a prophecy like that?  Nothing in Job's experience could have provided him with that understanding.  But with a stunning description of having flesh after his skin is destroyed, Job sounds like he could be talking about a personal resurrection at the last day.

With faith like that, it's no wonder that his heart yearns within him!







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