In Christ Alone, Job 25-42

Even the most innocent man cannot stand before God

God declares Job righteous in the first chapter. And, as Satan’s attacks unfold in Job’s life he remains faithful. Job defends his innocence in chapter 31. He points out 9 sins: Lust (31:1-4), Dishonesty (31:5-8), Adultery (31:9-12), Oppression (31:13-15), Neglecting the needy (31:16-23), Greed (31:24-25), Idolatry (31:24-28), Vindictiveness (31:29-30), Meanness (31:31-32), Hypocrisy (31:33-34), Exploitation (31:39-40),

In the midst of Job’s defense he calls upon God for the opportunity to make his case that he doesn’t deserve what is happening to Him.

Regardless of your righteousness you have no right to demand answers from God. This is the lesson that Job learns through all of this. It doesn’t matter how good he is, he is not God and he does not know what he does not know.

What Job does know is enough to cause him to ask questions. But, what he does not know about God causes him to question the purposes and plans of God. Job is not the only person working with a limited understanding of God in this book. His friends are also working with a limited view of God and as a result they give him bad advice because they cannot make sense of Job’s situation because it doesn’t make sense with what they know and believe to be true about God.

One of the greatest dangers facing Christians today is what they don’t know about God. What you know about God impacts your ability to understand yourself and the circumstances you face in life.

Too many people today want to maintain a shallow and small understanding of God. But, the problem with keeping a shallow or a small understanding of God is that life is not shallow and its problems are not always small. A shallow or small view of God falls apart under the complexities of life. A shallow or simplistic view of God doesn’t hold up under the reality of Job’s situation.

You cannot make God fit your understanding, you must grow in your understanding of who God is.

Job is a good man who is going through an awful experience. Why is that? How is that? It’s easy to say that God punishes bad people and God blesses good people. Joel Osteen and many others have built their ministries on this oversimplified theology. The problem with an oversimplified theology is that ignores the truth of who God really is in favor of an easy and pleasing presentation.

Through the book of Job God reveals that this oversimplified theology is inadequate in two ways:

God is too small in an oversimplified theology. It is literally an attempt at knowing as little as possible about God while hoping and praying for the greatest amount of blessings and abundance from God. The prosperity gospel is grounded in knowing very little of the Bible so that you can have a lot of the world. But, it’s not just the prosperity Gospel that is dangerous. It’s any church, teacher, denomination, etc that avoids the Bible itself. People and groups avoid the Bible and build a small and inaccurate picture of God when they elevate church traditions over the word. It happens when the elevate the teaching or opinion of one person over the Bible. It happens when they place experience or modern opinions over the Bible. But, regardless of how they avoid or dismiss the Bible they get a small and inaccurate view of who and how God really is. And, they get the wrong and more complicated view of God by attempting to keep him small and over simplified.

Their theology, or understanding of God has no explanation for his sovereign will and rule. For instance, Job points out that many wicked people go unpunished, while he and others who are righteous have to endure extreme suffering and trials.

You might be thinking, what practical value is there to understanding more about God? What’s wrong with a simplified view of God? I mean don’t we preach a simple Gospel?

There are some simple, but complex, ways to talk about God. He has revealed Himself as love, light, good, etc. But, these words are simple and yet complex. They are not complicated, but complex. Complex like a watch. Looking at the word love you see four simple letters with an easily understood meaning. But, it is complex because of all the ways that God loves and the fact that he has demonstrated his love for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is simple, and it is complex… it is not complicated.

This is why we preach a simple Gospel. The gospel that God made the world, sin came into the world, Jesus Christ came to save the world, and Jesus is coming back judge the world.

But, while the gospel message is simple, those who believe the truth of the gospel are called to live according to the will and ways of God. There is an incredible amount of Scripture dedicated to instructing believers in how to live according to God. In fact, one of the reasons we have wisdom literature like the book of Job is to help us make sense of how to live in relationship to God and others. Wisdom literature helps us to make sense of our personal lives in real and practical ways. The book of Proverbs provides instructions and clarity on what it means to be wise versus foolish. And, here in the book of Job we see that a limited view of God results in foolish perspectives, and foolish perspectives result in foolish decisions and advice.

Job’s friends had a limited view of God that resulted in a limited ability to give counsel and comfort to their friend in his time of suffering. They had a small view of God that didn’t allow for his plans or for the goal of his sovereignty- glory.

Through the wisdom books of the Bible God reveals Himself to us so that we can apply what we know of Him and ourselves through wisdom.

Wisdom is the result of a growing understanding of who God is.

This means that the more you understand about God, the more you are able to understand about yourself. The end result is wisdom, which is the ability to apply what you know through good or right actions and decisions. Wisdom is not simply advice, wisdom is lived or experienced.

John Calvin wrote in his Institutes of Christian Religion, “Nearly all wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves” (Calvin’s Inst. I.1.i).

The beauty of true wisdom is that it isn’t about age, but experience. And the experience that wisdom is based on isn’t how much life you live, but how much of God you know and understand. A wise person is not someone who simply gives out good advice. A wise person lives according to the greatness of God.

Or, as Kevin DeYoung said when writing about what John Calvin wrote,

“Know God. Know yourself. Know yourself to know your need of God. Know God to know you are not gods.” Kevin DeYoung

Implications & Applications

Asking a sovereign God questions is not the same thing as questioning God’s sovereignty.

Job admits in chapter 42 that he has been asking God to answer for his actions. Asking to account for his actions is the same thing as questioning His sovereignty. And questioning God’s sovereignty is sin.

In Jeremiah 18:1–6 (CSB) we have the parable of the potter.

“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Go down at once to the potter’s house; there I will reveal my words to you.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, working away at the wheel. 4 But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do. 5 The word of the Lord came to me: 6 “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.”

The clay has the right to ask the potter questions, but the clay does not have the right to question the potter’s intentions and plans. It is one thing to seek understanding of God’s plan and purpose, it is altogether a different thing to challenge the purpose and plan of God. This truth that we see in Job’s relationship with God is demonstrated through the parable in Jeremiah 18 and again in Isaiah 45:9.

Isaiah 45:9 (CSB) says, 9 “Woe to the one who argues with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does clay say to the one forming it, ‘What are you making?’ Or does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?”

Not only is this true in the OT, it is also true in the NT. Paul writes in Romans 9 to defend the justice and sovereignty of God. Romans 9:20–21 (CSB) says, “20 On the contrary, who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” 21 Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?”

God’s purposes and intents are not up for debate or conversation. As the passages we have just mentioned say, who are we to talk back to God? Or, as God says to Job in chapter 38:

In Job 38:3–13 (CSB) God said:

“3 Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question you, you will inform me. 4 Where were you when I established the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst from the womb, 9 when I made the clouds its garment and total darkness its blanket,, 10 when I determined its boundaries and put its bars and doors in place, 11 when I declared, “You may come this far, but no farther; your proud waves stop here”? 12 Have you ever in your life commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place, 13 so it may seize the edges of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?”

Trust the heart of God when you don’t understand the plans of God

Sound advice flows from sound theology & bad theology leads to even worse advice.

Job’s friends gave him bad advice because they had a limited understanding of God and his plans. They knew that God punished sinners, but they didn’t understand that God also allows believers to be tested for their growth and His glory.

Theology is never neutral. Theology is not an academic exercise and it doesn’t stay in your mind. The things you know and believe work themselves down into your heart and they flow out in the form of words and actions.

The more you know of God the more you grow in your relationship with God. A growing understanding of God results in a growing practice of faith in God. The more you know the more you can obey. The more you know the more you can trust. The more you know the more you can share.

Grow in your understanding of God through His Word

Job declared in Job 42:2–5 (CSB)

2 I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?” Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know. 4 You said, “Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform me.” 5 I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you.

Job’s understanding of God came through God’s revelation of Himself to Job. This is what we have today in our hands when hold the Bible. God has revealed Himself to us through Christ and His Word.

Hebrews 1:1–2 (CSB) says, ”Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe, through him.” In the last days God has spoke to us through His Son. This is why we anchor our revelation of God to His Word.

John 1:14 (CSB) says, “14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Word made flesh, and through the work of the Holy Spirit we have the OT and the NT that testify to the truth of who Christ is and what He has done for us. In the word of Christ we have been given everything that we need for life and godliness.

As Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (CSB), “16 All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Jesus is worthy

Revelation 5:8–14 (CSB) shows us the worth of Christ!

“8 When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. 12 They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.”

Jesus alone is worthy to stand in the presence of the Father.

Remember in Job 31 he called out for the opportunity to defend himself before God. Then God answered Job in the whirlwind and revealed himself to Job. After his revelation God calls upon Job and says, Job 40:1–2 (CSB), “The Lord answered Job: 2 Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

This is God’s way of saying now that you have seen me, would you still like to question my plans and my purposes? Do you think you know better how to govern the earth and the affairs of those who are in it?

Job responds to God and says, Job 40:3–5 (CSB) 3 Then Job answered the Lord: 4 I am so insignificant. How can I answer you? I place my hand over my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing.

Job admits his insignificance in 40:4 and proclaims that he isn’t worthy. At the moment he had previously stated he would have much to say to the Lord he now stands there covering his mouth with his hand.

As Job says in Job 42:1–6 (CSB), “Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?” Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know. 4 You said, “Listen now, and I will speak. When I question you, you will inform me.” 5 I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore, I reject my words and am sorry for them; I am dust and ashes.”

Job spoke about things he didn’t understand, things to wondrous for him to know. As a result he couldn’t stand innocently before the Lord. Even though he was righteous and sought repentance over his sins he still sinned in his words to the Lord. You see sin comes from the heart. Even though Job didn’t rebel in the ways you and I might normally think about, he rebelled in his heart toward the plans and purposes of God. This was his sin and as a result he has to repent and reject his own words and humble himself before the Lord.

Job’s repentance reminds us that Jesus alone is worthy to stand before the Lord dressed in His righteousness. Jesus is worthy of all glory and honor. He is worthy to receive power and honor and glory forever and ever.

In every way that Job fails, Jesus succeeds. In every way that Job was good, Jesus is better. Jesus is the only man who can stand before God. But, everyone who trust in Him and is saved by grace through faith will stand in Him before the Father.

Not only does Jesus stand before God dressed in his own righteousness, everyone who believes in Him will one day stand before the Father dressed in the righteousness of Christ. Ephesians 2:4–10 (CSB) says, “4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”

You can repent and be right with God too.

Job repents and is right with the Lord.

The gospel message is that…

God’s revelation of Himself leads to repentance.

“The door of repentance opens into the hall of joy.” Charles Spurgeon

Remember, even the most innocent man cannot stand before God, but we stand in Christ alone.