Job 23:1-6 Then Job answered and said,… Taking the Book of Job as a whole, it may be called a dramatic epic poem of remarkable merit, in which the author graphically discusses the general distribution of good and evil in the world, inquiring whether or not there is a righteous distribution of this good and evil here on earth, and whether or not the dealings of God with men are according to character. Job was saved from consenting to the conclusions of the three friends, through the consciousness of personal integrity and the confidence of his heart in a loving God. Job's struggle was desperate. Those long-continued days and weeks were a trial of faith beyond our estimate. The question was not whether Job would bear his multiplied afflictions with a stoical heroism, but whether he would still turn to God, would rest in the calm confidence of his heart that God would be his justification and vindication. We now look at this storm-tossed man in his extremity, and discover him — I. ANXIOUS TO FIND HOW HE CAN GET HIS CAUSE BEFORE GOD FOR ARBITRATION. Job illustrates what ought to be true of every man. We should be anxious to know what God thinks of us, rather than what men think of us. We should remember that One is to be our Judge who knows our heart, before whom, in the day of final assize, we are to appear for inspection, and whose recognition of our integrity will insure blessedness for us in the great hereafter. II. WE DISCOVER JOB CALMLY CONFIDENT THAT GOD'S DECISION OF HIS CAUSE WILL BE JUST. He does not imagine for a moment that God will make mistakes concerning him, or that Omnipotence will take advantage of his weakness. III. IN GREAT PERPLEXITY, BECAUSE HE SEEMS TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE TRIAL WHICH HE SEEKS. The lament of this man here is painful and mysterious. Job's hope had been that God would appear somewhere. But all is night and silence. This is human experience caused by human infirmities. Life is a season of discipline, a season of education and evolution. IV. WE FIND JOB CALM IN THE ASSURED WATCHFULNESS OF GOD OVER HIM, AND IN HIS CONFIDENCE OF ULTIMATE VINDICATION. Here is supreme faith in the all-knowing and finally delivering God. Job's faith is the world's need. (Justin E. Twitchell.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Job answered and said,WEB: Then Job answered, |
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