Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 9

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There are glorious things to behold in Job 9…

Essentially, Job begins his reply to Bildad (as was mentioned yesterday) by agreeing with his claim that “God will not reject a blameless man…” by asking the rhetorical question in verse 1, “…how can a man be in the right before God?”. The expected answer in the context here is – he can’t!

To demonstrate this, Job continues by outlining a description of God’s absolute sovereignty over all of creation and over Job’s life directly. God is the all wise, all powerful creator and sustainer of all things. Things great and things small. His ways are imperceivable to Job.

Job contends he is innocent. Yet he argues it is a waste of time to argue with God. By the time Job gets to vessel 22-31 he seems to conclude that God wields is Sovereign rule over Job and creation in an arbitrary manner. Job grasps God’s power and authority. Yet he does not fully grasp His goodness nor understand the possibility of God having a purpose in guiding His covenant people through suffering.

It is verses 32-35 where Job describes a scene that is more powerful than he probably even grasps – certainly at the time. He is imaginatively describing a court scene. God is the Judge. God is not a man, Who can be answered directly (32). Job needs an “arbiter” a “mediator” who can stand between him and God – placing his hand on both parties (God and Job), so to speak (33). In this new place where hostilities towards Job has ceased (34), Job would be able to speak before God and to God without fear or dread (35).

1 Timothy 2:5-6 – “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.”

Job longs for what (more accurately Who), Paul says we have in Christ Jesus. We have One Who is a man, Who is right before God, Who can stand between us and God – placing His hand on both, so to speak, Who has brought and end to the wrath of God, Who now makes it possible for us to speak to God confidently.

Hebrews 4:14-16 – “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Because of Jesus, we know God is sovereign in all of His ways and good in all of His deeds. Nothing is arbitrary. All that God does in our life is purposed for our good and His glory. One Who is perfectly “right” suffered for us, so that we by faith in Him might become children of God.

In the midst of our suffering, let us look to Jesus, the One Who suffered in our place and now stands before God for us. God has provided all we need for this very moment, whatever that moment has for us.

Soli Deo Gloria

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