As Job replies to his friend, he contemplates a courtroom setting in which he can argue his innocence before God. In that moment, he teaches several concepts worthy of mention:
1. God is God and I am merely a man.
Job 9:2-4 “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?”
2. Even a righteous man lacks the ability to justify himself before a Holy God.
V14-15, 20-21 “How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.”
3. Man lacks an eternal perspective regarding problems because to the natural mind, earth is all there is.
V22-24 “This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?”
4. He is not a man who can be swayed with mediation, He is a God who has provided an Intercessor who petitions on our behalf so that we no longer have to fear Him.
V32-35 “For 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,
that might lay his hand upon us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.”
LESSON - During times of trials, we contrive solutions based upon our limited knowledge and wisdom. We allow our problems to obscure God’s eternal perspective forgetting that it’s all temporary. During these times the Lord Jesus continues to be our Intercessor, communicating our heart to God while He uses our lives to fulfill His Sovereign Plan. We must humbly submit ourselves in our current situation realizing there is a GREAT plan at work which we cannot see, nor should we. 1 Pt. 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
~Mike
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