Job Explains How He is Righteous
February 9, 2021
Commentary
This chapter can be described as the hopelessness of the godless, apart from forgiveness.
- Job takes an oath (vv. 1-6). He repeated his charge that God was not treating him fairly (v. 2). He asked God to declare the charges against him, but the heavens had been silent. Job declared that as long as he lived, he would defend himself and maintain his integrity (v. 5). In the midst of accusations he was declaring that his conscience was clear (v. 6). Only God’s forgiveness and the determination to live rightly before God can bring a clear conscience.
- Job utters a curse (vv. 7-10). It was not enough for Job to affirm his innocence, but he also felt compelled to call down the wrath of God on his accusers. Job’s words sound cruel, especially in light of what we are taught about forgiving our enemies (Matt. 5:38-48).
- Job teaches a lesson (vv. 11-23). He says “I will teach you about the power of God.” He goes on to describe God’s judgment of the wicked. He says they will die, and their widows will mourn for them as they are slain by the sword or by a plague (vv. 11-14). Job agreed with his friends that the end of the wicked will be disaster, but he did not agree that he was wicked and deserving of punishment. He says the wicked will lie down rich and wake up poor (v. 19). Their death will not be peaceful. If they try to flee, the storm will follow them and destroy them (vv. 20-21).
Application
The book of Job reaches right down where we live, into the very center of our lives. His friends have not led him to self-judgment but instead to a spirit of self-defense. One of the purposes of trouble in my life is to lead me into a brokenness of spirit before God. Like Job, I can’t claim a sinless life. I can only claim a forgiven life because my penalty for sin was paid.
Job 27:1– 23 (NET)
1 And Job took up his discourse again:
2 “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter —
3 for while my spirit is still in me, and the breath from God is in my nostrils,
4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will whisper no deceit.
5 I will never declare that you three are in the right; until I die, I will not set aside my integrity!
6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.
7 “May my enemy be like the wicked, my adversary like the unrighteous.
8 For what hope does the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
9 Does God listen to his cry when distress overtakes him?
10 Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call out to God at all times?
11 I will teach you about the power of God; what is on the Almighty’s mind I will not conceal.
12 If you yourselves have all seen this, Why in the world do you continue this meaningless talk?
13 This is the portion of the wicked man allotted by God, the inheritance that evildoers receive from the Almighty.
14 If his children increase—it is for the sword! His offspring never have enough to eat.
15 Those who survive him are buried by the plague, and their widows do not mourn for them.
16 If he piles up silver like dust and stores up clothing like mounds of clay,
17 what he stores up a righteous man will wear, and an innocent man will inherit his silver.
18 The house he builds is as fragile as a moth’s cocoon, like a hut that a watchman has made.
19 He goes to bed wealthy, but will do so no more. When he opens his eyes, it is all gone.
20 Terrors overwhelm him like a flood; at night a whirlwind carries him off.
21 The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place.
22 It hurls itself against him without pity as he flees headlong from its power.
23 It claps its hands at him in derision and hisses him away from his place.