Sanctified Silence in the Midst of Suffering

Job 1:1–12 ESV

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job is one of the oldest if not the oldest books of the Old testament. But when you consider the primary theme of the book of Job it may be on of the most relevant. Job is a book about the reality and severity of suffering and God’s sovereignty over it. When you consider just the lives of the people in this sanctuary tonight think of all the suffering and affliction that has taken place in the last few years. We have had brothers and sisters lose family members, which Job did, we have had brothers and sisters face financial hardships, job losses which Job did. We have had brothers and sister face painful injuries and illnesses which Job did.

Here is on of the primary differences, Job faced all of these together. I just a few short days he lost all of his children, all of his wealth, and was afflicted with a debilitating disease. And the most fascinating thing about it was God was in control of every bit of it. So do you think we can learn a little bit from the life of Job?

Job –

The book is named after it’s main character.

•“Persecuted one,” object of enmity from the Hebrew yb (bya) • “Penitent one” from the passive verb form.

Facts About Job:

•Job is referenced in and

The book is named after it’s main character.

•Job deals with the relationship of human suffering and divine justice, commonly called theodicy (attempts to justify God in his ways).

•The book of Job demonstrates The Greater-Good theodicy.

•The major reality of the book is inscrutable mystery of innocent suffering.

•“Persecuted one,” object of enmity from the Hebrew yb (bya) • •“Penitent one” from the passive verb form.

I. Author and Setting

The events of Job was during the Patriarchal period.

•Job’s total life span was approximately 200 years (approximate life span during the patriarchal period.

•His wealth was measured in livestock.

•The family structure was patriarchal, Job was the priest of his home.

•No references to Israel, the Mosaic Law, or the tabernacle.

•Job’s total life span was approximately 200 years.

•His wealth was measured in livestock.

•The family structure was patriarchal, Job was the priest of his home.

•No references to Israel, the Mosaic Law, or the tabernacle. (Frank Pass)

A. Author

The Author of the book of Job is Unknown

Suggestions of authorship include:

Moses - due to time and proximity to Uz.

Solomon - possible due to his prolific writing of wisdom literature.

B. Recipients and Date

B. Recipients and Date

The book of Job was written to the people of God.

•To explain the suffering of the righteous

•To show patient endurance

•To refute the doctrine of suffering only because of sin

•To demonstrate the triumph of faith over suffering

•To provide encouragement to those experiencing unexplainable suffering. – Gregory McBride

C. Genre

Genre

Job is one of the 5 books of Wisdom literature in the Old Testament. These wisdom books are written in order to help God’s people apply God’s Word.

2.The Psalms instruct us how to worship according

3.Proverbs helps explain how to live and work according to the Word of God.

4.Ecclesiastes provides understanding of the duty of man according to the Word.

5.Song of Solomon teaches how to love in light of God’s Word

II. Main Themes and Doctrines

Main Characters:

•The LORD

•Satan

•Job

•Job’s “Friends”:Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu

A. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and Satan.(1-2:10).

II.Main Themes and Doctrines - Structure

B. Conversation between the Sufferer and his Simple Friends.(2:11-37).

II.Main Themes and Doctrines - Structure

C. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and the Sufferer.(38-42).

A. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and Satan.(1-2:10).

B. Conversation between the Sufferer and his Simple Friends.(2:11-37).

C. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and the Sufferer.(38-42).

A. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and Satan.

Suffering is not always the Result of Sin. (1:1-6)

A. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and Satan.

Job is blameless and upright.

Job feared God and turned away from evil.

Job was blessed with wealth.

Job was the priest of his home.

The Lord is sovereign over Satan (1:6-12)

Satan is just going wandering around, waiting on permission.

God asks, “Have you considered my servant Job?”

God grants permission for Satan to take all that he has.

God is sovereign over Suffering. (2:13-2:10)

God allowed Satan to afflict Job.

“The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them,” but one “escaped to tell you.”

God is not the author of evil.

God is just.

Job 1:22 ESV

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

God is good.

Job 1:9–10 ESV

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

Job 1:9

B. Conversation between the Sufferer and his Simple Friends. (2:11-37)

The Silence of Job’s Simple Friends

Job 2:11–13 ESV

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Job 2:11-

Job’s Simplicity in Understanding

Job does not fully understand his suffering. He knows he fears the LORD, he truly believes he is righteous, he cannot think of any sin that he is unrepentant of, yet he is suffering as on who is wicked.

He curses the day that he is born, he asks,

Job 3:11–15 ESV

“Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? For then I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept; then I would have been at rest, with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.

Job 3:11-

Remember Job has not heard the conversation between the LORD and Satan. Job did not have the rest of the story. Therefore he lacks understanding of his suffering. He lacks knowledge of why he a God fearing man would suffer the way he would.

Good news though, Job’s compassionate friends are about to help him out. They are about to come out of their silence. They are about to give him some wisdom to help encourage him during his time of suffering.

Here is the truth about Job’s friends they do say many true things about God, but when they try and get over into the mind of God and the purpose behind the affliction God has allowed to come to Job they fall woefully short.

They have not heard the conversation either. They do not know Job’s heart, they do not understand the purposes of God. Therefore they take their advice on step to far.

Notice next the,

Simplicity of Job’s Friends.

You may be thinking why are you so hard on Job’s friends? They did seem to care for Job, they did say a lot of right things about God?

First of all they all had the same final answer. Job you are suffering because of your sin. If you would just repent of your wickedness your affliction would end.

Eliphaz the Temanite says,

Job 4:7–8 ESV

“Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.

In other words, because of your sin you are reaping suffering. Because you plant and plow iniquity to will reap this affliction.

Job 8:1–7 ESV

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.

Job 8:1-

Bildad says Job is perverting justice, Job’s children must have sinned and the LORD delivered them over to what they deserved. They recieved the just reward for their unrighteousness.

What is wrong with Bildad’s assessment? God doesn’t say anything about Job’s children sinning. Chapter 1 actually reminds us that Job is offering sacrifices just in case they have sinned....

Zophar comes in third and accuses Job of ignorance and iniquity.

Job 11:11–14 ESV

For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man! “If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

Job 11:11-

Job Say’s His Friends are Simple

Job 12:1–3 ESV

Then Job answered and said: “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

Job 13:1–5 ESV

“Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!

Job 13:

Job chastises his three friends, but here comes one more. Elihu comes in chapters 32-34 and decides to rebuke them all.

Job 32:1–10 ESV

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’

Job 32:1-

Again Elihu is partly right in his response. He did recognize everyone else was wrong. But notice the issues we see in his response.

He burned with anger....

He was about to declare his opinion in verse 6 and 10....

But notice in the end, he ends up coming to the same conclusion as the others.

Job 36:4–6 ESV

For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right.

Job 36:4-

Elihu continues, his words are true and his knowledge is perfect, and he gives the afflicted what they deserve. So as smart as he thinks he is he still is really coming to the same conclusion. Job you are getting what you deserve because of your sin, even if it is the sin of the way you question God.

Notice though he does say some true things about God,

God is mighty,

He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Where he starts wavering about is when he starts applying God’s attributes to God’s actions.

There are some that God does despise, the wicked, unrepentant sinners, the non elect.

God does allow the wicked to live for a season, he does rain on the just and the unjust.

He does give some wicked what they deserves, but some wicked recieved what they do not deserve, grace, mercy and the righteousness of Christ.

Now notice how Elihu finishes his speech.

Job 37:23–24 ESV

The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”

Job 37:

After Elihu tells everyone how dumb they are, how wise he is he says God does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit. Really? Although Elihu did proclaim the majesty of God, the power of God, the wisdom of God, because of his own emotion he let his response contradict his theology.

This is an important lesson for us. We cannot let our emotions, anger, sadness, pain overtake our theology during times of affliction or in times of caring for the afflicted.

We also must have a solid theology of suffering when it comes. WE must know what the Scriptures teach us about suffering and God’s sovereignty over it or we will be miserable physicians as well. Remember we have Job chapter 1 and 2, they didn’t.

Now if you still aren’t sure that Job’s friends have a simple understanding of God and His purposes in suffering. God confirms their lack of understanding.

Job 42:7 ESV

After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

Job

You may ask why the focus on the simple mindedness of Job’s friends? Why focus spend time surveying the failures of Job’s friends.

Because we are all worthless physicians. Many times we think we know what someone needs, many times we may think we understand why someone is suffering and what they are going through. But here is the truth unless it is blatantly obvious we are probably wrong.

Let me give you an example.

If come next summer the IRS comes in a does an audit on me and I have not paid my taxes in 5 years, so they take everything I have and put me in jail and I come crying to Pastor Josh because of my loss and my suffering in jail. He can be pretty confident in saying, “Buck you have sinned, you need to repent of your sin and you are reaping what you have sown.”

On the other hand, If I am diagnosed with a terminal disease and have just a few months to live. Like Job, the suffering is great, the pain is debilitating and Pastor Josh comes and says, Buck you need to repent of your wickedness, but there is not visible sin he can point out with chapter and verse, he may have went to far.

But let’s be honest, we all think we are smarter than we really are, and if we are spouting off our own wisdom all the time, especially to those who are suffering we might be stepping into an area we would best maintain what Thomas Brooks calls, “A holy prudent silence.”

The second reason we want to avoid trying to explain the purpose of God is,

2. Because speaking unwisely about God angers Him.This is what God says in verse 7, “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right.” God does not count ignorance as an excuse for speaking wrongfully of Him. He doesn’t say, “I wish you all would not have said that”, or “men you are close but it is ok.” He says’ my anger burns....We better be careful when we are offering “words of wisdom to someone who is suffering.”

This leaves us with the question how do we comfort those who are suffering? We say things we know are true! We say things that the Scriptures say and we make sure we have exegeted them and understood them rightly!

There are approximately 35 chapters in the middle of Job that reveal to us the simple mindedness of Job as the sufferer and his friends. They just do not fully understand the wisdom and purposes of God, this brings us to the last 5 chapters of the book of Job. The last conversation which brings us closer to a biblical understanding of God’s purpose and plan in suffering. These final chapters reveal the,

C. Conversation between the Sovereign LORD and the Sufferer. (38-42)

1. The LORD’s Answer

Job 38:1–3 ESV

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Job 38:

Job 1:1–3 ESV

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.

The LORD again begins by affirming the simple nature of Job’s understanding. He ask Job what do you mean answering me without knowledge.

Job

My translation, why are you spouting off things about me you don’t understand. Why are you talking when you should be listening?

Can you imagine this next statement from the LORD, thundering from heaven our of a whirlwind!

Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Put on your big boy pants, strap up your overall’s, buckle your belt, because I am about to teach you a lesson. For the next two chapter the LORD is going question Job on his theology of God!

Job 38:4 ESV

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Job 38:4

When I spoke earth into creation where were you? When I was hovering over the earth with the Son and the Spirit where were you.

Here is God himself speaking of his eternality and his creative power. The LORD continues, with His sustaining power!

Job 38:25 ESV

“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt,

:

Job 38:25–27 ESV

“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?

Job 38:25-

Of course the answer is, no one but you oh LORD!

The LORD proclaims His wisdom,

Job 38:33–38 ESV

Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?

Job 38:33-

And the answer would be, know I do not know these things Oh LORD!

Job 40:1–2 ESV

And the Lord said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Job 40:

Job’s Answer

Job 40:3–5 ESV

Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Job 40:

Job Confesses His Weakness

It doesn’t take long when God thunders from heaven for Job to recognize his smallness. He understand pretty quickly his weakness when compared to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

The One who stretched out the heavens.

The One who carved out a channel for the rain.

The One who establishes the ordinances of heavens and rules the earth.

The One who sends forth lightnings.

The One who tilts the waterskins of heavens!

The One who knows when goats and calves give birth.

Job is brought back to the understanding that he along with the rest of mankind is of no comparison the The LORD of heaven and earth!

How else does Job respond,

Job Commits to Quietness

Job, proclaims, “I lay my hand on my mouth.” I will not utter another word, I will keep for uttering words of foolishness.

Job understands his propensity to question out of ignorance to make statements of his simple understanding of the Almighty! But he will ensure he employs every part of his body to ensure a holy, prudent silence in response to God.

Next in 40:5 Job,

Job Repents of His Wordiness

Notice what he says, “I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice but I will not proceed any further.” Job essentially says, LORD I have spoken one to many times. I have questioned you in ways I should not have, I will not talk any more instead I will meditate on what you have said. I will listen to your words and not continue to speak my own.

GBC Notes

Now I want us to consider before we rail on Job to much. This man has been through terrible suffering. More than any of us can even imagine. His livestock died, children were killed, and he was suffering excruciating pain. Now some of us may have experienced 1, maybe 2, of these losses. But I not sure if any of us have experienced all three within a few days.

Here is what we need to understand and be aware of. This type of pain and suffering can cause righteous men to speak out of turn. This type of affliction and cause godly women to say things and do things they may not normally do. But we must be careful to make assertions, judgments, and applications that we are not absolutely sure on the authority of Scriptures that we are correct!

Job is Dramatic Hebrew Poetry, it conveys ideas and truth through dialogue and monologue.

After Job states his commitment to silence,

The LORD lays down a challenge.

Job 40:6–9 ESV

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?

Job 40:6

Again the LORD tells Job to man up! I am about to question you again. I want you to make sure you know who I am.

God wants to know is Job;

Questioning His Justice?

Will you even put wrong in my mouth?

Will you condemn me that you may be right?

Question His Power?

Have you an arm like God?

Can you thunder with a voice like this?

The LORD then challenges Job;

Job 40:10 ESV

“Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor.

Go ahead Job glorify yourself!

Job 40:11–12 ESV

Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him. Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand.

Cm on Job, reign down your wrath on the wicked! Job if you can reign down your wrath on the wicked, then you can save yourself!

So we have seen the LORD Question Job, Challenge Job, we have seen Job commit to silence in this conversation between the Sovereign Lord and the Sufferer. Now we come to,

Job’s Confession and Repentance (42:1-6)

Job Confesses the Providence of God

Job 42:1–4 ESV

Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

Job 42:1-

Job says, I have come to the understanding that you know all things, you are in control of all things, you teach me all things. Even in my suffering I have realized that the things I don’t understand are to wonderful for me.

Job Repents of His Lack of Understanding

Job 42:5–6 ESV

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:

When Job recognizes the wisdom, justice, and goodness of God all he can do is turn to him in repentance and trust. All Job can do is ask God to forgive Him for his simple understanding and speech. He can plead for the mercy and forgiveness of God. And that is what he does.

Job Intercedes for His Friends

After Job’s repentance the LORD rebuke the friends of Job and calls Job to prayer for them.

Job 42:8–9 ESV

Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

Job 42:8

Here is a lesson for anyone who has ever been hurt during time of suffering. Job and the LORD both show mercy and grace to the friends who had inaccurately condemned job and told him his suffering was a result of His sin!

After the LORD told Job’s friends that His anger burnt against them he tells them, to go make sacrifices, and my servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. Do you see the doctrine of forgiveness in these verses. Job’s simpleminded associates didn’t deserve God’s mercy and forgiveness, but because of Job’s faithfulness in prayer they would receive forgiveness according to the grace and mercy of God.

Brothers and sisters, I hope we have learned from the life of Job to be careful with our words, especially our calling out the perceived sins of others. If the sin we are not condemning is not clear in the Scripture or provable in the life of our brother or sister in Christ we may want to place our hand over our mouth for a minute and commit to silence and seek God in prayer to gain clarity before we condemn.

If you have been hurt by careless words, look to the way God forgave these friends of Job, because of the prayers of Job. Instead of speaking in retaliation or justifying our-self, commit to not speaking in defense and seek the LORD for wisdom.

Following Job’s repentance;

The LORD Restores Job’s Fortune

Job 42:10–17 ESV

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

Job 42:10 ESV

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

After all Job had lost, he now had more than he could ever imagine. He had more livestock, more children, and his friends and family were even restored.

Job 42:10

Job was a justified man who had lost more than anyone could ever imagine, but had now been given back more than he could have ever hope for.

This brings us to the message of Job. What is the main point we should take away from the life of Job. When we consider the life of Job and God’s conversation with Job is this.

The righteous will suffer, but all who are justified by faith should set their sight on the Savior who will bring total restoration at the time of the final glorification.

This brings us to the message of Christ in Job.

The most popular verse that point us to Christ is,

Job 19:25 ESV

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

Job 19:25

In the middle of the book, in the midst of Job’s suffering, he has in view a risen Redeemer. One who will not only redeem him, but also restore Him. It is with this faith that Job is justified. That he know that He has a living Savior.

R.C. Sproul notes,

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) Christ in Job

In the midst of Job’s struggle to understand God’s providence in his life, he becomes aware of his need of a mediatorial figure, a redeemer, to stand between God and himself (see 16:19–21; 19:25–27; 33:23). Even so, it does not appear that Job ever becomes aware of how his deeply felt longing will finally be realized. That realization, of course, is found only in Christ.

Warren Weirsbe also explains,

Job 19:26–27 ESV

And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Job 19:26

Job understands that if his skin continues to decay, if his flesh fall off his bones, even then he will see and behold His God, His LORD and Savior. It is Jesus Christ whom Job knows that one day we will see in the flesh. It is this same Savior that all who have repented of their sin and trusted in Him and him alone for salvation can say even if/when this body is decayed we will behold our Savior when he returns.

Be Patient 2. The Trials of Life (Job 19:1–29)

Of course, this kinsman redeemer is Jesus Christ. He took upon Himself a human nature so that He might reveal God to us, experience all that we experience, die for our sins, and then return to heaven to represent us before the Father. He is willing to save and able to save. One day He shall stand upon the earth and exercise judgment; and He will vindicate His own people.

Let me close with a couple questions.

Job 1:

Job 1:5–6 ESV

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

First, how would a conversation between the LORD and Satan about you and I go?

Would God say that we were blameless, upright and that we feared Him?

The truth is apart from Christ and his righteousness we would all have to say NO! But, for any and all who have been born again by the mercies of God and trust in the righteousness of Christ and Him alone, his Righteousness has been credited to our account! We have been made righteous, and can be confident that God would call us blameless, upright, and fearful of Him because of or Redeemer Jesus Christ.

However, if you are outside of Christ, standing on your own goodness, on our own wisdom, and works you are under the wrath of God and will one day receive the full penalty of your own righteous works and be thrown into a place called Hell where instead of redemption you will receive wrath. There is still hope for you today, call out to God to save you, repent of your wicked works, your rebellion against God and He will save you!

Secondly, what kind of conversations are we having in the midst of suffering? Are we falsely condemning those who suffer thinking they must have sinned for God to be afflicting them with that suffering? Are we self-righteously spouting off our own wisdom being wise in our own sight.

How about this let’s all commit to seeking God and His wisdom first so that we might encourage those who are suffering instead of critiquing them about what we think they ought to do.

If you are in a season of suffering right now, seek to deepen your theology of God instead of letting your pain and emotions cause you to speak falsely of God and question Him wrongly.

Thomas Brooks writes, “Consider the commands and instructions that God in his word has laid upon you to be silent, to be mute, and quiet, under all the troubles, trials, and changes that have or may pass upon you.”

Job 37:14 ESV

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.

Finally, if you and God had a conversation about how you and I react to affliction what would he say?

Would he tell us to “dress for action like man?” Have we as justified men and women recognize that God has a purpose and plan for our suffering that is for our sanctification and for His glory?

I am willing to bet all of us like Job and His friends would agree there are time we should have put our hands on our mouth, stopped talking, and sought the LORD in repentance and faith! If that is the case is there any better time than the present than now to seek the forgiveness of the LORD to pray that he would forgive us of our sinful speech. Is there a better time than right now than to pray for those who have disappointed us, hurt us, and maybe even falsely condemned us.

Would you call out on God tonight for His great mercy, to help us seek him in the midst of suffering and show a God honoring Christ exalting compassion to those who are suffering.