DBG - June 11 - Job 22-24

In this chapter Eliphaz beings his third attempt to accuse Job.

vs. 1-5 – Eliphaz again concludes that Job is a sinner before God.  Would it not please God if Job were innocent?  Would God be judging him for his faith?

vs. 6-11 – Eliphaz now accuses Job of specific wickedness.  He had defrauded people in business, failed to show compassion to the needy, and abused the widows and orphans among them.  There are many references to these crimes in Scripture illustrating how deplorable a man had to be to engage in them. 

vs. 12-20 – Eliphaz appeals to God’s omniscience and shifts a discussion once again of the wicked and their fate.  He is implying of course that God knew Job was a sinner and that is why he was being made to suffer.  Note in vs. 18 that he turns Job’s phrase in 21:16 against him.

vs. 21-30 – Eliphaz concludes his discourse with an appeal to Job that he would come to his senses and repent to stop his suffering.  Part of this is honestly a beautiful section describing the blessings of God upon those that repent from sin.  It seems strange to find it among so many condemning words.

In this chapter Job begins his response to Eliphaz.

vs. 1-9 – Job opens his defense by building off Eliphaz’s closing description of God’s blessing on those that repent.  Job wishes he could do that!  If he only could find God to argue his case before Him, then he believes the matter could be set straight. 

vs. 10-17 – This section begins with one of my favorite phrases in the book: “when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”.  Job displays in these verses a mixture of hope and doubt.  He believes himself innocent, but he cannot understand why God has treated him so.  Note also in vs. 11-12 that Job’s defense he makes to his friends is somewhat self-righteous.  He had never sinned?  It is over the top.  Most reactions become overreactions.  That is what Job is doing.  He is partly right, but he goes too far and the statement becomes false.

In this chapter continues his defense against Eliphaz.

vs. 1-12 – Job leaves his personal case and again debates God’s overall dealings with mankind.  He notes the wickedness that exists, and it appears that God does nothing to prevent or stop it.  He is questioning why his case was is so special that God could not ignore it and had to inflict pain upon him.  If he truly was suffering for his sin, why weren’t the other sinners?

vs. 13-25 – Job appeals again to the state of the wicked.  Not all of them suffer in this life, and regardless death claims them all in the end.  He does not speak of punishment beyond the grave, only that they do not escape the grave.  Job is so confident in his estimation of the true course of God’s dealing with the wicked that he challenges them to prove him wrong.  It is a very bold statement that their continued arguments have forced him to take.

One of my favorite songs is Ron Hamilton’s “Rejoice in the Lord”.  I would include the lyrics but I am being careful with my song choices to respect copyrights.  The chorus of that song is mostly a rewording of 23:10.  He wrote that as he was fighting cancer which caused him to lose his eye.  That verse and song are reminders that though all may not pleasant, God is still working for our good.  Remind anyone of Romans 8:28?

Our hymn today is yet another by Isaac Watts.  It appears in one of his early hymnals under the heading “God Incomprehensible and Sovereign”.  I think you will recognize the many allusions to our reading today.

Can Creatures to Perfection find
Th' eternal, uncreated Mind;
Or can the largest Stretch of Thought
Measure and search his Nature out!
'Tis high as Heav'n, 'tis deep as Hell
And what can mortals know or tell?
His Glory spreads beyond the Sky,
And all the shining Worlds on high.

But Man, vain Man, would fain be wise;
Born like a wild young Colt, he flies
Thro' all the Follies of his Mind,
And smells, and snuffs the empty Wind.
God is a King of Power unknown,
Firm are the Orders of his Throne;
If He resolve, who dares oppose,
Or ask Him why or what He does!

He wounds the Heart, and He makes whole;
He calms the Tempest of the Soul
When He shuts up in long Despair,
Who can remove the heavy Bar?
He frowns, and Darkness veils the Moon,
The fainting Sun grows dim at Noon;
The Pillars of Heav'n's starry Roof
Tremble and start at his Reproof.

He gave the vaulted Heav'n its Form,
The crooked serpent, and the Worm;
He breaks the Billows with his Breath,
And smites the Sons of Pride to Death.
These are a Portion of his Ways;
But who shall dare describe his Face?
Who can endure his Light? or stand
To hear the Thunders of his Hand?