Job
17 begins with Job’s plain admission, “My
spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me“.
It is easy to read this and think that Job is a pretty depressing
guy, but we have to remember that in the span of a few days he lost
his children, his wealth and his health. Then his friends have done
their best to destroy his reputation. The circumstances he is
dealing with have
convinced him that there is little to hope left for in his life. But
with that, he is also even more firm that his friends will not
convince him that this difficulty is God’s punishment for his sin.
Job defiantly tells them, “Surely
mockers surround me“.
In our society today, people of faith are openly ridiculed with the
insane argument, “I will not tolerate your intolerance!”.
Christians are called many hateful names for simply pointing to God’s
righteousness. Followers of Christ are met with anger for holding
firm to God’s standards. Job describes his situation, “My
eyes must dwell on their hostility“.
Job appeals to God with interesting terminology, “Give
me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for
me?“.
This is language you might find in a loan document. Job lists his
only asset as God Almighty, noting that God alone is his “guarantor”
and He has unlimited resources to cover any debt Job can’t pay.
Many people that read this just can’t identify with his situation.
It is important to recall, Job was a very successful guy until
disaster hit. There are lessons here for those that are flourishing
too. Through it all, Job never loses his concern for others.
Job
recognizes that his friends have not experienced God’s
unconditional love and in the same sentence Job desires God will use
him to teach them. “You
have closed their minds to understanding; therefore You will not let
them triumph“.
Job recognizes he is already an example that God will use to show
His sovereignty. “God
has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit“.
Our leaders today are faced with incredible pressure and temptation.
Living life in the public eye is difficult. I believe that is why
we should pray for them. Listen to Job describe his state of mind
and struggles. “My
eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow.
Upright
men are appalled at this… Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to
their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger”.
It seems that Job understands his responsibility in this process as
a tool for God’s bigger purpose. In the midst of grief and loss,
our “bigger purpose” is hard to hold onto. Job knows it is hard
to look past his outward appearance, but he invites his friends to
learn from his experience. “But
come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among
you“.
Is your faith only demonstrated in private?
When
we consider Job’s own physical torment on top of his mourning, it
is easy to understand his welcoming of death. Debilitating illness
humbles the mightiest of men, but I believe Job is speaking for his
friends’ benefit. I believe he wants them to realize that this
life is just a prelude to eternity. “My
days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of
my heart“.
Job is asking his friends, “What are the desires of your heart?”
He talks of ignoring the fact that this life will end one day, “in
the face of darkness they say, ‘Light is near.’“.
Job ends with a few questions meant to make us think about what
happens after physical death. “Where
then is my hope? Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we
descend together into the dust?”
Then
we remember Job spoke earlier about God as his co-signer, willing and
able to pay off all of Job’s debt. I remember the excitement I
felt the moment I understood that Jesus was crucified for my sins
(not mankind, but me individually). My life was transformed. I
always thought that Christ won a “pardon” for mankind. Romans
3:24 makes it clear that there was no pardon; the penalty for my sin
was paid in full on the cross. “For
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified
freely by His grace through the redemption (purchase)
which is Christ Jesus.”
Jesus suffered and died to pay off the debt that I could not. My
salvation is guaranteed, not because of my goodness, but because of
the perfect work of Christ. Where is my hope? It is in Christ!