Someone to Speak for me

BI: Our Great God has sent his son Jesus to be mediator, so boldly approach the throne of God!

Job 9:14-35

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Epping Presbyterian Church. My name is Brian is wonderful to see you this morning. It’s been a big wrestle in Job I got to say. It’s a tough tough book. let’s pray again. Heavenly father. We give you great thanks that we can gather as your people to hear from your word. Lord, we pray that you would give us understanding. Help us to work hard now to understand your word. Suffering is not easy. it is not simple to understand. Help us overcome unbelief so that we might live as your people faithfully following Jesus. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Introduction:

Well, I wonder if you followed the Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard Court case? It was all the rage a few weeks ago. This was a defamation case. Depp – Mr Pirates of the Caribbean claimed his ex wife Heard damaged to his reputation. He lost work. He lost income. You know the fallout. It was wow, enthralling this this court case. It turns out that Amber Heard in 2018. she wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post. Basically talking about how she was a champion or heroine of the domestic violence survivors. And in the article, she didn’t mention his name but it was obviously she was talking about her ex-husband Johnny Depp. it damaged his name, his brand. So Johnny Depp wanted vindication. He wants to be declared not guilty. What she wrote misrepresented him. This whole public trial is played out. There’s pretty intense video evidence, very disturbing audio evidences, famous witnesses to the stand, a bunch of great acting as well, I'm sure. It was a 6 week see sawing trial. After 6 days, Johnny Depp was declared not guilty by the jury. The jury thought she lied a bunch of times. He was awarded $10 million in compensation damages and $5 million in punitive damages. He said, “speaking the truth was something that I owe to my children and to all who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I finally accomplished that.” Victory. Vindication. Not guilty!

1. Context

he could state his case. from his perspective, taken to hell and back. the reason he does that he feels are on the same footing and he’s coming to the courtroom to do that. Justice is blind. but what happens if you don’t feel you can do that? This morning Job wants to take God to court. He has no peace. He does not want to accuse God of doing wrong. but He wants God to declare him NOT GUILTY. He knows he has done nothing wrong. But he has suffered so much. His wealth - gone. Children - dead. Health – in turmoil. He's sitting in ash heap for 7 long days. He cries out to God. I want to die. This is hard stuff. And worse, his mates. They started so well when they said sat quietly. They’ve failed him. They should of rallied around him. But they’ve stuffed it up. They accuse Job of sinning. Your suffering, you must have sinned. Now in chapter 8, Bildad the Shuhite – some say the shortest man in the Bible, Shuhite, bad dad joke. he says the same thing. 8:2 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? He’s saying to Job. you’re words are like a great wind. It’s jibberish. You must have sinned. God is not unjust! There’s no point going to court. You’ve already lost. The fact that you are suffering means you’ve sinned. See that’s the logic. Good people get good things. Bad people get bad things. Your suffering you must of done something wrong. It’s a strict theological grid. it makes sense. But it’s wrong. they are putting God in a neat box. they’re wrong.

We know as outsiders looking in Job is innocent. God knows. Job knows. Satan himself knows. Job is a godly man. We’ve seen this in chapter 1. But his friends don’t know. And God is radio silent at this point.

The big question for Job is this: verse 2, chapter 9

Job 9:2 (ESV)

“Truly I know that it is so:

But how can a man be in the right before God?

Do you hear what Job’s saying? He says, I know God is just. But God is too big. He is too powerful. So here’s the tension. How can I plead my case to God?

1. How can I plead my case to God? (9:1-24)

1.1 God is so great

i can’t. God is so great.

He’s the creator. Look at verses 5-10. This is before our reading. But it’s important to get a full picture of what Job’s thinking. See how powerful God is. He is so great. These verses are peppered with statements of God’s power. Come and see how great God is. Look in your bible’s its not on your screens.

Verse 5 he (God) who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble;

God is so great. He moves mountains. He shakes the earth. He’s a mover and shaker. I struggle to even open a can of pasta sauce.

Verse 7 God who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea;

we can’t get close to the sun. he commands it! Unbelievable God’s power. Are you feeling small?

Verse 9 who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; 10 who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.

God made the stars and constellations. God is so great. We can’t even understand. can’t count them. He is the creator. He is so above us. Job thinks, How can I plead my case to God? He is so great.

When Joy and I took the kids to Sydney the other month. 9 hours of driving. 4 kids. I was stressed. But we made it. I know it’s doable. But when we drive past the mountains. WOW look at that. When we made them aware of the stars in the sky. the vast number of stars twinkling in the sky. WOW look at that. When we’re driving and the suns setting. I’m thinking wow look at that. It’s true isn’t it? God is so great. He is so powerful. If you put your mind to it, wow. He’s the creator. We’re so small so miniscule compared to our great God.

if that’s not enough, God does what Job cannot see

Job 9:11 ESV

Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.

He does what he does. I don’t even see him moving.

And even more than that, God is unaccountable.

Job 9:12 ESV

Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

why? Well he is not accountable to you. He is not accountable to anyone. He’s God. See the point? God is so great!

How can I plead my case to God? Job is stumped. He feels trapped. He wants to take God to court, but he knows God is God. he is not.

This leads him to more despair.

1.2 Job is frustrated

He’s frustrated.

Job 9:14–15 ESV

How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him? Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

In my heart of hearts I'm in the right. i know it. But I can't answer him. All I can do is appeal for mercy. There's nothing that I can say that will make a difference. Job’s trapped in his view of God. He thinks God doesn't care. It’s a man under lots of stress.

Job 9:16–18 ESV

If I summoned him and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice. For he crushes me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause; he will not let me get my breath, but fills me with bitterness.

Hard words. Wow. Have you ever said that to God? He fills me with bitterness. This is the loving ruler, creator of the world. These are hard words. Job is in the pits. Job says in verse 21 he sums it up.

Job 9:21–22 ESV

I am blameless; I regard not myself; I loathe my life. It is all one; therefore I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’

Job thinks God doesn’t care. He destroys both the blameless and the wicked. Stinging words. He thinks that God won't be fair. He is expressing how he feels. But it’s a wrong conclusion. We know that it's Satan behind it all. And we know God think Job is blameless.

It is difficult isn’t it? To hear what job is saying. you ever used these words about God? You destroy the blameless and the wicked. But you know what encourages me here? As I've been wrestling with this this week. God has big boy pants. He allows Job to speak to him honestly. Say directly what they actually going through, how you are feeling. even if it's, Quite frankly, I’m not sure if you should say that. it feels like to me, mate you are pushing this relationship. Like would you say that? but it’s actually comforting.. When you’re suffering your mind goes everywhere. Praising God. Blaming God. It’s up and down and up and down and up and down. that’s the mind of a person suffering isn’t it? And here is down. he is frustrated. he can’t understand this great God. he gives voice to this, he says what he thinks.

He sees that God is too powerful. He’s frustrated.

And then Job finds some clarity. he gives three options. Three paths he could take to move forward, given how great God is.

2. Who can speak for me? (25-35)

2.1 Pretend to move on

Firstly, he can pretend it’s all over. Everything’s fine. Move on. nothing to see here

Job 9:27 ESV

If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’

Put on a happy face. Pretend everything is fine. be glass half full. Time heals. is that you? just grin and bare it. But if he does that, just cheer up. the root issue does not go away. It eats at him. Why? V28

Job 9:28–29 ESV

I become afraid of all my suffering, for I know you will not hold me innocent. I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?

The issue doesn't go away. I'm still. Not innocent. I haven’t been declared not guilty! I want to be vindicated. If I pretend it's okay. I'm still condemned. That's pointless.

2.2 Perform a ritual

The second option is he can perform a ritual. Cleanse himself. Wash himself clean. Have a look at verse 30.

Job 9:30–31 ESV

If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye, yet you will plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me.

Neither put on a happy face. Pretend its okay. Or cleansing. Performing a ritual will work. There’s no point. what’s wrong with ritual washing? God will dump me into the mud again. it’s the outside. on the inside, I’m still guilty. I’m still condemned. That’s pointless!

But there is another option. The last option.

2.3. Someone to speak for me

Job needs someone to speak for him. Be his representative. God is so great. come to verse 32

Job 9:32 ESV

For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.

he can’t take God to court. God isnot like Job. Job is a man. He’s God. How can I speak to God? And here he stumbles on the answer. He doesn’t get it yet, buthere’s the answer. He needs an arbiter between us, someone to go between us.

Job 9:33–34 ESV

There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me.

He’s looking for an arbiter. in other word,s a mediator. what’s a mediator?

He is a middle person. A go between for each party. He has links to both sides. Compassionate. Trusted. He can represent both sides. Job thinks, If I had a mediator I could approach God with confidence. The rod would be taken away. There’s no point us coming together cant speak freely. God is terrifying. He is the judge. Even if I’m innocent my mouth would condemn me. sin would just blurt out of my mouth. I need a mediator.

So who can this mediator be? It can only one who can fully represent Job to God – he’s human. And can represent God to Job – he’s God. Job has no idea who it might be at this point.

Friends, Job wants to take God to court. But God is so great. That frustrates him . And as he assesses his options, he thinks if only… if only there was a mediator.

and as soon as that word came to your mind. I’m sure you thought. We have a mediator. This is our first implication.

3. Implications

1. Believe in Jesus the mediator

You and I know Job is looking for Jesus. He doesn’t know at this point. But Jesus is that mediator and more. way more. Jesus is the mediator who removes the rod of justice that sits upon us rightly. Job wants to be proved right. that he is suffering unjustly. But greater than that, we have actually all sinned. We don’t deserve God’s grace, we are guilty if we went to court. Immediate sentence. And yet God has sent Jesusto save us. He is our mediator.

Come to 1 Timothy 2:5 talks about this so wonderfully

1 Timothy 2:5–6 ESV

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Jesus is the mediator. Jesus removes God’s rod so we don’t need to be terrified. He is a man - the man Christ JEsus see it there?. Fully man. a real man. And he is God the one who commands the seas and they obey him, heals the sick, feeds the 5000, raises the dead. Fully God. He is 100% man, 100% God. He is the mediator Job is searching for. he is the mediator we need.

Jesus can make us right with God. Friends, here’s the thing. we are all in sin. This is serious. Rejecting God. let’s face it. The world is in big trouble. This is our greatest problem. let’s get serious. If you don’t know Christ, it’s like you’re drowning in the ocean. You need someone to save you. you are about to die! In the same way, we are sinners. We deserve death. It’s a matter of time before we meet God. God’s coming back to judge the world. But our great God sent his son Jesus, the mediator who knew no sin to be sin for us. this is love. God bought us back from death because of sin through Jesus death and resurrection. He died for your sin!

So come to him. Believe in him. Friends, if you are here today, you’re suffering. Life’s hard. You can’t make sense of it. please don’t just move on put on a happy face, don’t come because this is a ritual of some sort, no. Here’s what God desires for you. Come to Jesus. Be right with God. Jesus says Matt 11:28-30 there are no more comforting words

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come to Jesus. Don’t run anymore. He will give you rest for your souls. Our gentle and loving God. Believe in Jesus the mediator.

2. Boldly approach the throne of God

Friends, we can boldly approach God because Jesus is our mediator. 1 Peter 3:18 says For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,

Sin is paid for. Christ paid once by his blood. For us. Sinners. the righteous one Jesus did nothing wrong. like Job, but he was truly blameless no sin at all. and yet, he went to suffer the worse. lost everything, mocked, shamed unjustly. he died! why? to bring us to God. you have nothing to fear. you have a mediator.

So you can go to God’s throne room of grace confidently. I love the song And can it Be by John Wesley. It’s a classic hymn. He wrote it when he became a follower of Jesus. The 5th verse. This is what it means that Jesus is our mediator. We can approach him boldly. Listen to these lyrics

5 No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me!

Friends where Job says I can’t go court with God. Jesus has gone to the court room. he’s paid for our sins. we are declared not guilty. you can say by faith bold I approach the eternal throne of God. Friends, you can approach God boldly!

So, there’s no question you can’t ask God. You are free to lament. pour your heart to him. cry out to God. God cares. He hears. He hears your prayers when you are suffering. Be assured that God loves you. He cares for you. and keep trusting in him. one day he will bring you home.

Let’s pray.

great

haven’t stayed far away

come near

mediator Jesus

ransom for our sins

believe , boldly approach throne room of grace.

suffering mystery but you love us u haven’t stayed silent, you spoke a word and what A word