Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Job continued his discourse:
“How I long for the months gone by,
    for the days when God watched over me,
when his lamp shone on my head
    and by his light I walked through darkness!
Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,
    when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
when the Almighty was still with me
    and my children were around me,
when my path was drenched with cream
    and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.
“When I went to the gate of the city
    and took my seat in the public square,
the young men saw me and stepped aside
    and the old men rose to their feet;
the chief men refrained from speaking
    and covered their mouths with their hands;
the voices of the nobles were hushed,
    and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
    and those who saw me commended me,
because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
    and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
The one who was dying blessed me;
    I made the widow’s heart sing.
I put on righteousness as my clothing;
    justice was my robe and my turban.
I was eyes to the blind
    and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy;
    I took up the case of the stranger.
I broke the fangs of the wicked
    and snatched the victims from their teeth.
“I thought, ‘I will die in my own house,
    my days as numerous as the grains of sand.
My roots will reach to the water,
    and the dew will lie all night on my branches.
My glory will not fade;
    the bow will be ever new in my hand.’
“People listened to me expectantly,
    waiting in silence for my counsel.
After I had spoken, they spoke no more;
    my words fell gently on their ears.
They waited for me as for showers
    and drank in my words as the spring rain.
When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;
    the light of my face was precious to them.
I chose the way for them and sat as their chief;
    I dwelt as a king among his troops;
    I was like one who comforts mourners.

• Job 29:1-25

To read Job 30, click the link HERE.

To read Job 31, click the link HERE.

Job 31:1-40 ”As Job became more forceful in his pursuit of being cleared of false accusations, he intensified the claim that he was innocent, comparatively speaking, and demanded justice. In situations where an individual was innocent, he would attest to it by taking an oath before the king or a deity. This procedure found among Job’s neighboring nations was often protocol for court procedures. The repeated  ‘If … then’ statements amount to the terms of the oath: ‘If’ tells what Job might have done wrong; ‘then’ describes a curse which could result. He accepted the curses (the ‘then’ statements through the chapter) if he deserved them. This represented Job’s last attempt to defend himself before both God and man.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

The Message

Job’s final defense is in three parts.

First Job remembers when he was close to God.  God was his light in the darkness.

Job would go into the town, and all would welcome him, because he would help the poor, assist the fatherless and widows.  He wore righteousness.  He helped the needy, the blind, and the lame.  He took up the case for the stranger.

People sought his counsel because he was considered wise.

But now, they mock Job.  Who are they?  Those evil doers that he would have nothing to do with.  They spit in his face.  Job is besieged.  They attempt to destroy him.

He has no more dignity.

God does not answer, and Job has become the brother of jackals, a companion of owls.

But Job establishes his legal grounds.  As Rev. MacArthur says above, Job gives if … then statements throughout chapter 31.

Job contends that they will not find lust in him, nor adultery.  Job is not guilty of cheating anyone.  Job does not shy away from giving to the needy.  Job feared God.  There is no greed in Job.  Job has never turned to false gods.  Job never rejoiced when his enemies are destroyed, and Job’s door is always open to the stranger.

And now let us sing.

The following song is Lord, Renew My Hope.  This is sung by Risen Tunes.

 

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  Lord, I have sinned.  I am not perfect, but You have forgiven me my sins.  I was once well respected, but now that respect is tarnished, mostly due to my lowly position.  Lord, there are needy that I have not helped.  In these days, leaving a door open for weary travelers could end very badly.  What I am saying is that I cannot place myself anywhere on the level of Your servant Job, but You still love me.  Give us wisdom, Lord.  In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.