Read
Job Continues
I Know and Understand
1I know and understand
every bit of this.
2None of you are smarter
than I am;
there's nothing you know
that I don't.
3But I prefer to argue my case
with God All-Powerful—
4you are merely useless doctors,
who treat me with lies.
5The wisest thing you can do
is to keep quiet 6and listen
to my argument.
7Are you telling lies for God
8and not telling the whole truth
when you argue his case?
9If he took you to court,
could you fool him,
just as you fool others?
10If you were secretly unfair,
he would correct you,
11and his glorious splendor
would make you terrified.
12Your wisdom and arguments
will blow away like dust.
Be Quiet While I Speak
13Be quiet while I speak,
and we'll see what happens.
14I will be responsible
for what happens to me.
15God may kill me, but still
I will trust him
and offer my defense.
16This may be what saves me,
because no guilty person
would come to his court.
17Listen carefully to my words!
18I have prepared my case well,
and I am certain to win.
19If you can prove me guilty,
I will give up and die.
Job Prays
I Ask Only Two Things
20I ask only two things
of you, my God,
and I will no longer
hide from you—
21stop punishing
and terrifying me!
22Then speak, and I will reply;
or else let me speak,
and you reply.
23Please point out my sins,
so I will know them.
24Why have you turned your back
and count me your enemy?
25Do you really enjoy
frightening a fallen leaf?
26Why do you accuse me
of horrible crimes
and make me pay for sins
I did in my youth?
27 You have tied my feet down
and keep me surrounded;
28I am rotting away like cloth
eaten by worms.
Reflect
“Look, I’ve heard enough from you guys: you’re hopeless, useless and wrong. And I’m not going to waste any more words on you.”
“There is someone I want to talk to, though; and that’s God. So give me a chance; you guys shut up. And let me speak to God.”
That’s Job in a nutshell.
But talking to God is not that easy. Defending yourself in the face of the Almighty is tricky. Job understands that talking with God, especially trying to justify yourself, is like taking your life in your hands; that he might even get killed (v15).
But Job is ready. He’s got his notes. He’s prepared his case. He’s lined up his defensive ducks in a row. And he is remarkably, amazingly confident (v 18).
So he pleads for two things: that he will have the courage to face up and speak up. That he will not be overwhelmed with the sheer fear of God. And that God will actively engage him in conversation, that God will connect, that God will call and answer in some kind of two way conversation. A true dialogue. A pre-technological chat room.
Job pours his heart out and who amongst us, reading centuries later, cannot feel and share his heartache. “Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?” What have I done so wrong that I feel so rotten, like an old and dirty shirt, torn and moth-eaten (v24)?
For heaven’s sake, tell me what I’ve done wrong!
Respond
Father God, you whose son is Word made flesh, we long to be able to talk with you face to face. One on one, a conversation partner. We long to be able to speak to you and able to hear you speak to us. Father, please open up the conversation.
Michael Pountney
From the Merchant Navy to Moldova, Michael’s career has had a transatlantic diversity. High School language teacher and youth leader in the UK; IVCF staff at universities in BC and Divisional Director in Ontario; Parish Priest in Montreal and Toronto; Principal of Wycliffe College at the U. of T; IFES staff working with leaders in the former Soviet Republic. Retired in Victoria, Michael continues to help plant Anglican Network churches and mentor young leaders. Publications: Bob Goethe and Michael Pountney: “Mars and Venus Go To Church” (2010: Faith Today); Michael Pountney, “At A Distance: Encouragement For Cautious Christians” (2006: Essence Publishing, Belleville, Ontario); “Searching For Home” (2003: GLIA Moldova); Don Posterski and Michael Pountney; “Reconciliation: Seeking Restored Relationships” 2000: Institute For Christian Leadership Formation, World Vision International, Monrovia, California); Michael Pountney, “Getting A Job” (1984: InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois)