God reveals Himself in suffering
Series: Wisdom
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 1st July 2012
Passage: Job 40:1-14
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 We are into our last sermon on Job.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 We've done three weeks of it so far.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:10 And you've probably discovered much about Job's life,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 which aligns with your own in terms of suffering.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:18 Also discovered there another link between me and Job
00:00:18 --> 00:00:21 and that he had three, the most beautiful daughters in all the land.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 And so I'm happy to claim that one as well.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:32 Well, it's been a great journey for three weeks.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 We've been growing in wisdom as we have journeyed with Job,
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 particularly in the face of suffering.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 It has helped us see the pathway to wisdom
00:00:42 --> 00:00:46 when the world is not as we would want it to be.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 I said right at the beginning of this series
00:00:49 --> 00:00:54 that wisdom is knowing how to live well in God's world.
00:00:54 --> 00:00:58 It's knowing how to live well in every situation.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:03 And last week we turned in Job 28
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 and discovered the nature of wisdom,
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 of what it means to live well in God's world.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 And it said there right at the end,
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 The fear of the Lord is not a psychological
00:01:18 --> 00:01:22 or an emotional response to God.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:29 It is in fact a total commitment to God
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 within the boundaries of the relationship
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 that he has set up between us and him
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 through the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 That is what it means to fear the Lord.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 It's a total commitment to the God
00:01:41 --> 00:01:45 who has established relationship with us
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 through the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 And so I would suggest to you
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 that to treasure Jesus,
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 as our mission statement says,
00:01:55 --> 00:01:56 is in fact the wise life.
00:01:57 --> 00:01:58 That is wisdom.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 To treasure Jesus is wisdom.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 Because wisdom is not knowledge,
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 it is relational.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:14 We will see that the wise life
00:02:14 --> 00:02:17 is demonstrated in these final chapters of Job.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:19 Chapter 28,
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 which is where Sam was with us last week,
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 is part of the final protest
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 that Job makes against his three mates
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 and their cruel and naive reasoning
00:02:30 --> 00:02:31 to why he is suffering.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 Job's protest goes from chapters 26 to 31.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 And in his protest,
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 he almost demands that God show up
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 so he can talk to God himself about his suffering.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 And instead of God showing up,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 we hear from a young man named Elihu
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 who appears in chapter 32
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 for the very first time
00:02:55 --> 00:02:59 and he speaks all the way to chapter 37.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 He's got a lot to say.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:07 Elihu says that he has been listening for some time
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 to Job and his three friends,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:12 dialoguing and arguing and backing
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 and toing and froing.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 And he says that because he's younger,
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 he doesn't want to be disrespectful to his elders
00:03:19 --> 00:03:20 and jump in.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 But he soon forgets that and he jumps in.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 Finally, in chapter 38,
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 after Elihu's gone on this long monologue,
00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 God himself speaks.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 And in chapter 38, verse 2,
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 he criticizes those who have spoken words
00:03:39 --> 00:03:40 without knowledge.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:44 And in one of the most remarkable descriptions
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 of his work of creation,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 God paints a picture
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 of his unique and sovereign power.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:53 In these chapters,
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 he considers the many things he has made
00:03:56 --> 00:03:57 from the sea to the stars,
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 from the ostriches to the oxen.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 And then at the beginning of chapter 40,
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 God speaks to Job directly.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:10 Will the one who contends with the Almighty
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 correct him?
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 Let the one who accuses God answer him.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:21 In other words,
00:04:21 --> 00:04:25 who are you to question me?
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 Did you put the stars in their place?
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 Did you create the oxen?
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 And Job's response to that is very simple.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:38 Have a look there in chapter 40,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 verses 4 and 5.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 I am unworthy.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 How can I reply to you?
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 I put my hand over my mouth.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:50 I spoke once,
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 but I have no answer twice.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:54 But I will say no more.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 God replies to him in verse 8,
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 Would you discredit my justice?
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 This is the very thing
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 that Job's been crying out for
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 the whole way through the book.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:06 Would you discredit my justice?
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 Would you condemn me
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 to justifying yourself?
00:05:10 --> 00:05:13 Do you have an arm like God's?
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 And can your voice thunder like his?
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 Unleash the fury of your wrath.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:31 In the remainder of chapters 40 and 41,
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 God continues to instruct Job
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 and the others about who he is.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 Have a look there in chapter 41,
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 verses 10 and 11.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 This is sort of the summary of it.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 Who then is able to stand against me?
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 Who has a claim against me
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 that I must pay?
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 Everything under heaven belongs to me.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 You see what he's saying?
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 I am the owner of it all
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 and I am no man's debtor.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:04 I don't owe anyone anything.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 And at the beginning of chapter 42,
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 very last chapter,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 we have Job's response
00:06:14 --> 00:06:18 to God's mighty self-revelation.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 And notice there at the beginning of chapter 42,
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 Job doesn't say,
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 Oh, now I understand.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 Oh, now I get it.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 Now all the questions have been answered
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 and I get the big picture now.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 Verse 2,
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 I know that you can do all things
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 and no plan of yours can be thwarted.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 You see, Job is finally assured
00:06:47 --> 00:06:51 that God's power and justice are in fact established
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 across all of the creation.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 Even though his specific questions of why
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 have not been addressed by God,
00:07:02 --> 00:07:06 he is content with what he has heard
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 from the mouth of God.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 His contentment is revealed
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 as he summarizes God's argument
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 and throws it back at God.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 In verse 3,
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 You asked,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge
00:07:22 --> 00:07:27 and without even trying to justify himself at all?
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 Job responds in the second half of verse 3
00:07:30 --> 00:07:41 See what he's saying there?
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 Even if you answered my questions,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 you are so great,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:51 I would not understand the answers.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:57 Even if you told me the reason,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 I couldn't comprehend it.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:07 And his contentment comes from who God is,
00:08:08 --> 00:08:12 not from God's explanation of himself.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 Now there is no doubt
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 that God's reply to Job's questioning
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 is powerful and it is overwhelming.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 But,
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 it is not destructive.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:31 There has been a massive self-disclosure by God
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 and as a result of God's revelation,
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 Job now sees
00:08:36 --> 00:08:41 that human events are part of a cosmic whole.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 Job now sees the intimate connection
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 between God and his world.
00:08:48 --> 00:08:50 He has a new appreciation of the scope
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 and the harmony of God's creation,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:56 of which he is but just a teeny, teeny part.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 The world is both beautiful and terrifying
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 and God is in it everywhere,
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 seen to be powerful and wise.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 He now sees God's careful
00:09:08 --> 00:09:12 and detailed superintendence of his world.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:15 And so all mechanical views of God
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 and his power and his sovereignty
00:09:17 --> 00:09:20 have been pushed aside by Job.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:29 God's sovereignty is not something to be argued about
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 and theologized about.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 It is the very basis of his survival.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:44 Job now knows God differently.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 You see it there in verse 5
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 of chapter 42.
00:09:50 --> 00:10:05 You see Job here contrasts his presence,
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 seeing of God
00:10:07 --> 00:10:11 with what he had only heard of God in the past.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:16 There is a greater knowledge
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 and intimacy with God.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 Do you remember what Job's hope was back in...
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 I know it's a long way to think back.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 Back into chapter 19.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:30 Job's hope back in chapter 19 was this.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 Let me read it to you.
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 He says,
00:10:32 --> 00:10:58 His heart was burning to see God.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:01 And here in chapter 42,
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 he says,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:06 Now I have seen God.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 His desire to see God
00:11:10 --> 00:11:13 is partly fulfilled here in chapter 42.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:16 You see, he longs to see God in the flesh
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 and he will through his Redeemer.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 His Redeemer means that
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 when his flesh rots,
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 when he dies
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 and his Redeemer brings him into the presence of God,
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 he will see God physically.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:31 But right now he says
00:11:31 --> 00:11:34 that he has seen God
00:11:34 --> 00:11:37 through God's self-revelation
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 by his word.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 God has spoken to Job
00:11:43 --> 00:11:47 and he has seen God
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 in his word.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 Job has been overwhelmed
00:11:53 --> 00:11:56 by the gracious presence of God
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 through his word
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 and what he has revealed about himself
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 and his purposes.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 Ironically,
00:12:04 --> 00:12:08 now that God has revealed himself to Job
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 and that God has made himself known,
00:12:11 --> 00:12:14 he is much more mysterious to Job now
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 than what he was before.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:20 much more mysterious
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 than when he was dimly discerned
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 and theologized about.
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 It's interesting,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:30 when I first became a Christian
00:12:30 --> 00:12:33 and, you know,
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 I knew the gospel
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 because I knew two ways to live
00:12:36 --> 00:12:39 and I figured that was
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 kind of all that you need to know.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 And so when I read passages
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 about the mystery of Christ,
00:12:45 --> 00:12:45 I used to think,
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 what mystery?
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 I know Christ,
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 I know what he's done,
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 there's no mystery there.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 And 18 years later,
00:12:55 --> 00:12:58 there is a whole lot more mystery there
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 as God has slowly
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 and gradually revealed himself
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 through his word to me.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 There's a lot more mystery now
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 than what there used to be.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:11 Job has received
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 a great revelation of God
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 and he is delighted to see God.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 But,
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 he is also ashamed.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 He has seen the magnificence of God
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 and so he bows in humility
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 in verse 6.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 Therefore,
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 I despise myself
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 and I repent
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 in dust and ashes.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 That verse,
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 right there,
00:13:36 --> 00:13:39 that is the wise life.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 He's finally arrived at wisdom.
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 Job has grown in wisdom.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 He has grown in wisdom
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 because he has grown
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 in relationship with God.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 He sees God for who he is
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 and with that now,
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 he understands himself
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 and so,
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 the response is
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 repentance.
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 That's wisdom.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:05 He, in fact,
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 treasures God
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 more than the answers
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 that God will give him.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 Now,
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 let's not get confused here.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 Job's three mates
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 weren't right after all.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 Job is not now
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 finally admitting
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 to a life of hidden sin
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 that resulted in his suffering.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:27 What he is repenting of
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 is the demanding
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 that God give him
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 a thorough answer
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 to the reason
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 for his suffering.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:37 It was a fault
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 to be corrected,
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 not a sin
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 that need punishing
00:14:40 --> 00:14:43 because Job
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 doesn't actually
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 confess any sin here.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 A better way
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 to understand it
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 is instead of
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 Job repented,
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 a better use
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 is Job
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 relented
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 is, in fact,
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 a better translation
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 of the word.
00:14:58 --> 00:15:01 It's like
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 I'm at a bakery, right?
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 I'm there to buy
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 some bread
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 and in the corner
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 of my eye
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 I see an apple slice
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 and it's $3
00:15:09 --> 00:15:12 and I get a glint
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 in my eye
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 and I start justifying
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 the fact it's $3,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 that's a good deal
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 and it's only one slice,
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 it can't hurt you.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 I mean,
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 it's apple after all,
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 we're meant to eat fruit.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 But there's a lot
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 of sugar in it as well
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 and that's not good
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 for a diabetic.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 But surely it's balanced out
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 by the goodness
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 of the apple.
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 And then I think,
00:15:34 --> 00:15:34 no, stop,
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 enough.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 I'm not going to get it.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 I relent
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 of the course of action
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 I was heading towards.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 I hadn't done
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 anything wrong
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 up until that point.
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 But I was edging
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 towards a decision
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 that would have been
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 bad for me
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 and it's that kind
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 of idea
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 when it talks
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 about Job
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 repenting.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 Job relented,
00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 if you like.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 He realized
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 that he was walking
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 down a path
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 that would have led
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 him to conclude
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 that God
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 has done wrong.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 But what Job
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 has realized
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 is that he's dealing
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 with a God
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 who speaks
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 about planets
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 and stars
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 like they are
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 decorations
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 on a Christmas tree
00:16:24 --> 00:16:28 to be arranged
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 and played
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 with
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 at his will.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 Job has finally
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 seen God
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 for who he is
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 and he's saying,
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 he's not saying here,
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 I haven't been
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 beaten into submission.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:44 I have just
00:16:44 --> 00:16:46 finally realized
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 who it is
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 that I'm dealing
00:16:47 --> 00:16:47 with.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 And Job
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 finally finds
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 comfort.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 It's as if
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 the contentment
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 which has eluded
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 him for so long
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 has been found
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 in submitting
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 himself to
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 this God.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 Job has found
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 peace with God
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 and it's through
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 humble submission
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 to God.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:12 and that's
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 wisdom.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 That's wisdom.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 And Job's mates
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 are about to
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 grow in wisdom
00:17:21 --> 00:17:21 too.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 Have a look
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 there in verse
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 7.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 After the Lord
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 had said these
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 things to Job,
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 he said to Eliphaz,
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 I am angry
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 with you
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 and your two
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 friends because
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 you have not
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 spoken to me
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 what is right
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 as my servant
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 Job has.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 So now
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 take seven
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 bulls and seven
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 rams and go
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 to my servant
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 Job and
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 sacrifice a
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 burnt offering
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 for yourselves.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 My servant
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 Job will pray
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 for you and
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 I will accept
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 his prayer and
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 not deal with
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 you according
00:17:50 --> 00:17:52 to your folly.
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 You have not
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 spoken of me
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 what is right
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 as my servant
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 Job has.
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 So Eliphaz,
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 Bildad and
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 Zophar did
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 what the Lord
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 told them
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 and the Lord
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 accepted Job's
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 prayer.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 You see
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 right through
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 this book
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 from chapter
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 three onwards
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 Job's longing
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 was for his
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 day in court
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 so that he
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 would be
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 vindicated
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 and in those
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 verses Job's
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 vindicated.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 It's finally
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 come.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 In verse
00:18:26 --> 00:18:26 eight we see
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 that God
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 still regards
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 him as he
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 did back in
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 chapter one
00:18:30 --> 00:18:30 and two.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 He calls him
00:18:32 --> 00:18:32 here my
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 servant.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 verse seven
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 has God
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 saying that
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 it is Job
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 who has in
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 fact spoken
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 right of
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 him.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 No matter
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 how foolish
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 he may have
00:18:42 --> 00:18:42 said it,
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 Job was
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 looking for
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 a God
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 big enough
00:18:45 --> 00:18:47 to comprehend
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 his suffering
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 experience.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 And on the
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 other hand,
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 however eloquently
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 they have
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 spoken,
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 his friends
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 were upholding
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 a God
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 small enough
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 to conform
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 it to their
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 minds.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 And there
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 is one
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 very subtle
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 but very
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 big difference
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 between Job
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 and his
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 friends.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 Get this.
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 His mates
00:19:15 --> 00:19:17 were always
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 talking about
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 God.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 But Job
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 in talking
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 about God
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 keeps turning
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 to God.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 God
00:19:26 --> 00:19:30 is
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 the
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 difference
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 between
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 theologizing
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 and
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 relationship.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 God's
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 assessment
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 is that
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 they had
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 not spoken
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 what is
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 right about
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 him.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 And my
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 friends,
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 let's be
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 very clear
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 about that,
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 that statement
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 right there
00:19:52 --> 00:19:54 ought to
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 come crashing
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 down on us
00:19:55 --> 00:19:57 right now.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 Right now.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 As we are
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 gathered in
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 the middle
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 of corporate
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 worship,
00:20:05 --> 00:20:07 right now,
00:20:08 --> 00:20:10 in the
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 last 55
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 minutes,
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 we have
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 spoken of
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 God and
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 to God
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 in corporate
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 worship and
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 how easily
00:20:18 --> 00:20:20 we babble
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 stuff about
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 God without
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 giving any
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 thought to the
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 fact that our
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 words will be
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 weighed by
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 God.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 God
00:20:26 --> 00:20:30 is
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 weighed by
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 God.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 And what is
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 weighed is not
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 just the
00:20:32 --> 00:20:34 correctness of
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 what we say
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 and what we
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 sing and
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 what we
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 pray.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:44 speaking of
00:20:44 --> 00:20:46 God demands
00:20:46 --> 00:20:48 great care of
00:20:48 --> 00:20:50 us so that
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 we do not
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 distort,
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 trivialize,
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 or pervert
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 what is
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 true about
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 the God
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 who will
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 weigh our
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 words.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 His
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 mates were
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 wrong about
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 God with
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 their simplistic
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 tit-for-tat
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 merit theology.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 theology.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 They have
00:21:08 --> 00:21:08 not allowed
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 for the
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 mystery and
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 the majesty
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 of God
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 and crucially
00:21:12 --> 00:21:14 their tit-for-tat
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 view of God
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 leaves no
00:21:17 --> 00:21:19 room for a
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 forgiving,
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 gracious,
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 and merciful
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 God.
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 That's the
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 thing that gets
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 dropped out
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 in their
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 theology,
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 the grace
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 of God.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:33 The roles
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 are now
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 reversed as
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 Joe's
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 vindication
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 goes public
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 in the
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 course of
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 their speeches.
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 Not one of
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 Joe's mates
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 ever hinted
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 that they
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 might be
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 the object
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 of God's
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 anger and
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 in need of
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 his grace.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 And it is a
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 delightful
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 irony that
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 they now
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 need grace
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 from the
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 God who
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 in their
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 theologizing
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 was not
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 big enough
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 to be
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 gracious to
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 the wicked.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:59 And it is a
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 further
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 delightful
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 irony that
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 grace must
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 be mediated
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 by the
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 very one
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 that they
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 had treated
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 as in
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 such need
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 of their
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 spiritual
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 resources.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 And so
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 here is
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 Job's final
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 trial in
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 the book.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 This is
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 Job's final
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 trial of
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 wisdom,
00:22:22 --> 00:22:22 his last
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 test.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 Will he
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 lay down
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 the weapons
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 of revenge
00:22:28 --> 00:22:30 and accept
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 the terms
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 of God's
00:22:31 --> 00:22:33 treaty and
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 extend forgiveness
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 and fellowship
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 to his three
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 friends in
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 the way that
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 God has?
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 Will he
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 say,
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 you got
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 what you
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 deserved?
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 And play
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 into their
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 tit-for-tat
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 theology?
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 And reveal
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 that he's
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 learned nothing?
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 Or will
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 he find
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 his vindication
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 in God
00:22:59 --> 00:23:01 and humbly
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 intervene for
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 his friends
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 who have
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 treated him
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 so badly?
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 There's a
00:23:11 --> 00:23:11 whole lot of
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 application just
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 there.
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 We see at
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 the end of
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 verse 9 that
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 Job has in
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 fact grown in
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 wisdom.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 The Lord
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 accepted Job's
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 prayer.
00:23:22 --> 00:23:25 The drama
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 ends with
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 the massive
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 restoration of
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 Job.
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 His wealth
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 is restored.
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 He is given
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 a new family
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 and all the
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 old honour
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 which is
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 held previously
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 is restored.
00:23:35 --> 00:23:35 And in fact,
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 everything is
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 increased dramatically
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 for Job.
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 Don't you just
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 love the
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 happy ending
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 of Job?
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 It's like a
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 Hollywood ending
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 except for those
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 movies like
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 Arlington Road
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 which don't have
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 the Hollywood
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 ending where
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 the bad guys
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 win and the
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 good guys
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 don't.
00:23:49 --> 00:23:51 You go,
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 oh that's
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 bad.
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 It makes
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 you feel
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 awful.
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 But don't
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 you think
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 there's something
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 really strange
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 about the
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 way this
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 book ends?
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 The ending
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 of Job is
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 frustrating,
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 happy and
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 confusing all
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 at the same
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 time.
00:24:10 --> 00:24:10 It is
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 frustrating
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 because there
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 are so many
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 loose ends
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 that need to
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 be cleared
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 up.
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 You see,
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 Job's three
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 mates get put
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 in their
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 place but what
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 about the
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 young punk
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 Elihu?
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 Nothing's
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 ever said of
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 him.
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 And what
00:24:23 --> 00:24:25 about Satan?
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 He's such a
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 major player
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 there in the
00:24:29 --> 00:24:29 first couple
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 of chapters,
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 he doesn't
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 even get a
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 mention at
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 the end.
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 None of
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 Job's questions
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 about suffering
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 ever get
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 answered and
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 let's be honest,
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 they're the
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 sort of
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 questions that
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 we have and
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 want answers
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 to.
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 But it is
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 also a happy
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 ending because
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 things work
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 out the way
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 we want them
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 to work
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 out.
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 You see it
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 there in
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 verse 12,
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 the Lord
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 blessed the
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 latter part of
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 Job's life
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 more than
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 the first.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 Family,
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 wealth,
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 health,
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 they're all
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 back and
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 the last
00:24:55 --> 00:24:57 sentence leaves
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 us with a
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 feeling of
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 just completeness
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 of life and
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 so he died
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 old and full
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 of years.
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 happiness.
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 But the
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 happiness of
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 the ending
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 contributes to
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 the confusion.
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 Up until
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 now the
00:25:14 --> 00:25:16 book has
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 been saying
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 that Job's
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 mates are
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 wrong because
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 their life is
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 so neat,
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 their theology
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 is so neat,
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 innocent
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 suffering can
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 happen and
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 good people
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 don't necessarily
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 have good
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 things happen
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 to them.
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 And yet all
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 of a sudden,
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 here at the
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 end of the
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 book, Job
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 repents or
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 he relents
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 and good
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 things happen
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 to him
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 again.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 So were
00:25:38 --> 00:25:38 Job's
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 friends right?
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 Job has
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 been vindicated
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 by God and
00:25:45 --> 00:25:47 now we see
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 God doing
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 good things for
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 a good person.
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 I mean,
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 come on!
00:25:51 --> 00:25:54 God
00:25:54 --> 00:25:59 and so
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 with the
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 end of the
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 book,
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 we are
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 left with
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 the same
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 confusion
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 that we
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 had at
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 the beginning
00:26:03 --> 00:26:06 and such
00:26:06 --> 00:26:08 is the
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 experience of
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 life.
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 It is the
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 mysterious
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 aspect of
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 life that
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 takes us
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 right to
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 the heart
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 of what
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 the whole
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 book of
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 this Job
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 is about
00:26:17 --> 00:26:19 and so
00:26:19 --> 00:26:19 what we
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 need to
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 do as
00:26:21 --> 00:26:21 a final
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 point,
00:26:22 --> 00:26:22 we need
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 to see
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 the end
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 of the
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 book of
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 Job in
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 light of
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 it all,
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 the whole
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 lot.
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 What was
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 Job's
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 major issue
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 in the
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 book?
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 It wasn't
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 so much
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 tell me
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 why I'm
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 suffering,
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 his major
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 issue,
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 give me my
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 day in
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 court that I
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 might be
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 vindicated.
00:26:45 --> 00:26:49 my integrity
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 is at stake.
00:26:50 --> 00:26:50 That's his
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 issue.
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 And one
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 of the
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 points that
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 we find
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 here at
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 Job is
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 it's finally
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 brought to
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 bear,
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 in the
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 end the
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 people of
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 God are
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 vindicated.
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 God is
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 a just
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 God.
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 Life has
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 purpose and
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 meaning,
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 life is not
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 random,
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 God is a
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 merciful God
00:27:11 --> 00:27:11 and he
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 does not
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 ask his
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 people to
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 suffer without
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 vindication.
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 He doesn't
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 call us
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 into self
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 denial and
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 sacrifice
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 without the
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 promise of
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 heaven.
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 Evil might
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 be mysterious
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 right now
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 but the
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 point of the
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 end of Job
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 is that it
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 won't be
00:27:28 --> 00:27:28 triumphant
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 in the
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 end.
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 Evil
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 won't be
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 triumphant.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 Christians are
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 not spiritual
00:27:35 --> 00:27:37 masochists who
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 find pleasure
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 and fulfilment
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 in suffering.
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 If there is
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 any delight in
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 suffering,
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 it is that we
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 delight in
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 following the
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 Lord Jesus
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 who suffered.
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 Even the
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 Lord Jesus
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 did not
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 delight in
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 suffering.
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 Hebrews 12
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 tells us that
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 the pioneer
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 and the
00:27:55 --> 00:27:55 perfecter of
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 our faith
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 was the
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 one who
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 for the
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 joy set
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 before him
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 endured the
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 cross scorning
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 its shame
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 and sat down
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 at the right
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 hand of the
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 throne of God.
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 The joy that
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 was before him
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 was the
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 presence of
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 his father
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 in heaven
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 and that
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 is why he
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 endured the
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 suffering of
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 the cross.
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 Suffering was
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 not the
00:28:18 --> 00:28:20 end and
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 the end of
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 Job confirms
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 that suffering
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 will not be
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 the end.
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 Justification and
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 vindication and
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 restoration will
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 come and it
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 will be better
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 than before.
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 It will be
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 final.
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 It will be
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 complete.
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 It will be
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 eternal.
00:28:37 --> 00:28:42 The end of
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 Job does not
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 promise that
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 it will
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 happen now
00:28:44 --> 00:28:46 but it
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 does confirm
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 the character
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 of a good
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 and compassionate
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 and merciful
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 God
00:28:51 --> 00:28:53 who will
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 restore
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 all things.
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 James 5
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 tells us
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 what the
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 stance of
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 the Christian
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 should be
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 while we
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 wait for the
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 day of
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 vindication.
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 it is to
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 stand firm
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 in faith
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 in the
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 one who
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 has perfected
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 our faith.
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 Be patient
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 then brothers
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 and sisters
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 until the
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 Lord's coming.
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 See how the
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 farmer waits
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 for the land
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 to yield
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 his valuable
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 crop and
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 how patient
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 he is for
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 the autumn
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 and spring
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 rains.
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 You too
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 be patient
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 and stand
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 firm because
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 the Lord's
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 coming is
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 near.
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 Don't grumble
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 against each
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 other brothers
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 or you
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 will be
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 judged.
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 The judge
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 is standing
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 at the
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 door.
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 Brothers
00:29:41 --> 00:29:41 as an
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 example
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 of patience
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 in the
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 face of
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 suffering
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 take the
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 prophets
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 who spoke
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 in the
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 name of
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 the Lord.
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 As you
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 know
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 we consider
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 blessed
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 those who
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 have
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 persevered.
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 You
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 have heard
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 of Job's
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 perseverance
00:29:55 --> 00:29:57 and have
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 seen what
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 the Lord
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 finally brought
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 about.
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 The Lord
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 is full
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 of compassion
00:30:03 --> 00:30:05 and mercy.
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 Both Job
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 and James
00:30:09 --> 00:30:09 call us
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 to stand
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 firm in
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 Christ in
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 the face
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 of suffering
00:30:12 --> 00:30:14 and one
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 of the
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 important
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 lessons here
00:30:15 --> 00:30:15 is the
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 need for
00:30:16 --> 00:30:18 us to
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 turn to
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 God in
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 the face
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 of suffering.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 Don't just
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 theologize
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 about him
00:30:26 --> 00:30:28 but to
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 turn to
00:30:29 --> 00:30:29 him
00:30:29 --> 00:30:31 turn to
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 his word
00:30:32 --> 00:30:34 to seek
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 his face
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 to seek
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 his revelation
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 of himself
00:30:37 --> 00:30:39 to cry
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 out to
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 him in
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 tears
00:30:42 --> 00:30:44 until you
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 are able
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 to say
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 we Job
00:30:45 --> 00:30:47 I see
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 him
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 I see
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 him
00:30:50 --> 00:30:54 oh that
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 we might
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 see him
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 until we
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 see him.
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 May the
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 Lord grant
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 us grace
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 to learn
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 that while
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 his ways
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 may not
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 be our
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 ways and
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 his thoughts
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 may not
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 be our
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 thoughts
00:31:08 --> 00:31:10 yet they
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 are the
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 wisest of
00:31:11 --> 00:31:13 all and
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 his ways
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 are full
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 of mercy.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 So stand
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 firm
00:31:17 --> 00:31:19 persevere
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 be patient
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 until the
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 Lord comes.
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 Job
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 affirms
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 that in
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 the confusion
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 and the
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 uncertainty
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 of life
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 and the
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 pain
00:31:27 --> 00:31:27 and the
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 tears
00:31:28 --> 00:31:30 the Lord
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 is in
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 fact
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 good
00:31:31 --> 00:31:34 and to
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 live well
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 is to
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 fear him
00:31:37 --> 00:31:39 because the
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 Lord is
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 full of
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 compassion
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 and mercy.
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 Let's
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 pray.
00:31:42 --> 00:32:01 Father who
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 am I to
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 say these
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 things about
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 you?
00:32:03 --> 00:32:07 Father we
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 pray that
00:32:08 --> 00:32:10 we would
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 cling to
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 you in
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 the moments
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 of trial
00:32:13 --> 00:32:15 we pray
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 Father that
00:32:16 --> 00:32:18 you would
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 rescue us
00:32:19 --> 00:32:21 if we are
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 trivialising
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 you
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 perverting
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 you
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 and what
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 you have
00:32:26 --> 00:32:26 revealed about
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 yourself
00:32:27 --> 00:32:29 Lord we
00:32:29 --> 00:32:29 pray that
00:32:29 --> 00:32:29 you would
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 rescue us
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 from babbling
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 and theologising
00:32:32 --> 00:32:34 about you
00:32:34 --> 00:32:36 we pray that
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 we might be
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 a church that
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 speaks true
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 things about
00:32:39 --> 00:32:39 you
00:32:39 --> 00:32:41 that we
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 might humbly
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 submit to
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 you
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 that we
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 might treasure
00:32:45 --> 00:32:45 you
00:32:45 --> 00:32:47 that we
00:32:47 --> 00:32:47 might turn
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 to you
00:32:48 --> 00:32:51 Father we
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 pray that
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 you would
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 grow us
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 in wisdom
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 that we
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 might fear
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 you the
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 Lord of
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 compassion and
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 mercy and we
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 ask it for
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 your glory
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 Amen