Job 9

Hey guys, I'm finally back! Sorry for the long absence, but I didn't have the means of getting online to update this. =/ I hope you all can forgive me and that you're excited to continue our journey through Job! =)

Job 9.1-10:

"Then Job spoke again:

2 “Yes, I know all this is true in principle.
But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight?
3 If someone wanted to take God to court,
would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
4 For God is so wise and so mighty.
Who has ever challenged him successfully?

5 “Without warning, he moves the mountains,
overturning them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place,
and its foundations tremble.
7 If he commands it, the sun won’t rise
and the stars won’t shine.
8 He alone has spread out the heavens
and marches on the waves of the sea.
9 He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.
10 He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles."

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Here in verse 1, Job acknowledges that some of what Bildad has been saying is true in some manner. Then he continues to explain that in this situation, it doesn’t apply like it would in other situations. Have you ever thought about what it would look like to take God to court? That would be crazy! I agree with Job. Even if you were able to do that, how would you even answer him?!!? I mean just look at the power of God that Job testifies to in verses 5-10. God is so big and so powerful!

Job 9.11-20:

11 “Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.
When he moves by, I do not see him go.
12 If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him?
Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’
13 And God does not restrain his anger.
Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.

14 “So who am I, that I should try to answer God
or even reason with him?
15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense.
I could only plead for mercy.
16 And even if I summoned him and he responded,
I’m not sure he would listen to me.
17 For he attacks me with a storm
and repeatedly wounds me without cause.
18 He will not let me catch my breath,
but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.
19 If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one.
If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.
Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

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While God is so big, He’s also able to make Himself ‘invisible.’ Any being who is that big and yet can conceal themselves is pretty powerful. Job’s comments about questioning God remind me a little about how in Romans 9, Paul talks about God is able and just in doing whatever He wants without being questioned. I think I concur with Job in verse 14 -15 when he says that even if I was right, I wouldn’t be able to give a defense because I would just melt before such a holy God. Verse 20 shows pretty plainly that even if we were perfect, we would still not live up to God’s glorious standard and compared to Him, we would be guilty/wicked. It’s pretty humbling reading Job’s descriptions of God in this chapter huh?

Job 9.21-24:

21 “I am innocent,
but it makes no difference to me—
I despise my life.
22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God.
That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23 When a plague sweeps through,
he laughs at the death of the innocent.
24 The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked,
and God blinds the eyes of the judges.
If he’s not the one who does it, who is?"

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Verse 22, Job once again indicating that everyone is the same before God. Reminds me of Paul once again in Romans 3, haha. Verse 23, I wonder just a little bit if Job is speaking here out of his emotional state, because to me this seems like a description of a cruel, vindictive God and not the God of the Bible.

Job 9.25-35:

25 “My life passes more swiftly than a runner.
It flees away without a glimpse of happiness.
26 It disappears like a swift papyrus boat,
like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 If I decided to forget my complaints,
to put away my sad face and be cheerful,
28 I would still dread all the pain,
for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.
29 Whatever happens, I will be found guilty.
So what’s the use of trying?
30 Even if I were to wash myself with soap
and clean my hands with lye,
31 you would plunge me into a muddy ditch,
and my own filthy clothing would hate me.

32 “God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength."

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Verses 27-28, here Job admits that he can’t hide his feelings and ‘pretend’ that nothing is wrong. Verses 33 and 35 might very well be 2 of my favorite verses from Job thus far! What Job desires most, simply put, is Jesus! Hebrews tells us and explains that Jesus is our mediator between us and God. Because He is alive, He presents our case before the Father each and every day and because of this too, we can approach God with confidence! How thankful should we truly be for Jesus? I’d say a whole heck of a lot!!! What do you think? :)

"Father I pray that you would give us a deeper appreciation for Jesus each and every day! I thank You for loving us so much that You didn't abandon us to the sin and death, but sent Jesus to die for us and save us! God we love You so much, and it's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"