Fifth Sunday in Lent

Scripture Reading: Job 13:1-24

Job 13:1–24 (NIV): My eyes have seen all this,

my ears have heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know;

I am not inferior to you.

3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty

and to argue my case with God.

4 You, however, smear me with lies;

you are worthless physicians, all of you!

5 If only you would be altogether silent!

For you, that would be wisdom.

6 Hear now my argument;

listen to the pleas of my lips.

7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?

Will you speak deceitfully for him?

8 Will you show him partiality?

Will you argue the case for God?

9 Would it turn out well if he examined you?

Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?

10 He would surely call you to account

if you secretly showed partiality.

11 Would not his splendor terrify you?

Would not the dread of him fall on you?

12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;

your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 “Keep silent and let me speak;

then let come to me what may.

14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy

and take my life in my hands?

15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;

I will surely defend my ways to his face.

16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,

for no godless person would dare come before him!

17 Listen carefully to what I say;

let my words ring in your ears.

18 Now that I have prepared my case,

I know I will be vindicated.

19 Can anyone bring charges against me?

If so, I will be silent and die.

20 “Only grant me these two things, God,

and then I will not hide from you:

21 Withdraw your hand far from me,

and stop frightening me with your terrors.

22 Then summon me and I will answer,

or let me speak, and you reply to me.

23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?

Show me my offense and my sin.

24 Why do you hide your face

and consider me your enemy?

Sermon: Enough is Enough

It should come as no surprise that Job finds his friends annoying. Rather than help encourage him and support him in his time of trouble, they have over and over again accused him of failing to confess his sin and repent. In their minds, God blesses those who do right and curses those who do evil. Over and over again, they have accused him of sin. They have pled God’s case. They have accused Job of turning his back on his faith. They started out with good intentions but they have been of no support.

And Job gets tired of arguing with them. He knows, and God knows, and you and I as the readers know, Job hasn’t done anything. He is experiencing what we would call the suffering of the innocent. Those who suffer even when they haven’t done anything to deserve it. History is filled with such people. You and I have been at times, such people.

So, not only does Job feel annoyed by his friends, he also feels abandoned by God. Where is God when it hurts? Why doesn’t He come and rescue me? Why won’t He answer my prayers. I deserve some answers.

In the verses we heard this morning and we can read elsewhere, Job begins to invite God to explain Himself. Job wants God to come and tell him why he is suffering. He wants God to explain everything.

The problem is that Job recognizes his inability to face God. As the book began, Job said that even if he could plead his case before God, he knew God would destroy him. But as he has listened to his friends, and they have become more and more convinced of Job’s wrongdoings, he has become more and more insistent that he receive a hearing from God.

At one point, as Job refutes his friends’ claims about his sin, he wishes for a “kinsmen redeemer”. This would be someone to whom Job could bring his complaint and share his plea of innocence who then would be able to stand before God and talk to God face to face. Someone who would be like him, but who would also be like God. Someone who could intervene with God on his behalf.

But finally, being completely put out with his friends, Job says, “Enough is enough.” I know everything you’ve been saying, I’ve listened long enough. I know what you think you know. I know what I used to think I knew too. But none of your words are helping me. None of your advice is sound. The only one who can finally answer me is God. And God is who I wait for. God is the one who will clear this up and He needs to do that. I demand an audience with God. And Job 32:1 (NIV): “So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.”