In this chapter Job gives his final appeal, stating the last of his case. In summary, he lists many many types of sins in the form of conditions (“If I have [sinned]…”). He’s basically implying that he has remained sinless while following of God.
“If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit; (Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!) If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me, what then shall I do when God rises up? If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail… if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering… then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket.” (v5-6.13-14a,16,19,22)
In this fascinating final speech Job opens himself up to testing by listing several sin conditions and then inviting the consequences if he’s guilty. He’s basically saying “if I have indeed sinned, then let me suffer the consequences.” I’m not completely sure of Job’s attitude with which he made these statements – it could be one of frustration, defensiveness, or maybe even pride, trying to prove that he is sinless before God and the people.
In this chapter Job reminds me of the rich young ruler who claimed to have kept all of the commandments since he was a boy (Lk 18:18-23). Despite this impressive list of conditions that Job allegedly met, we know from scripture that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rm 3:23), and “all” includes Job and the young man from Luke (you and I are also included, FYI).
No matter how good we think we are, no matter how many of the boxes we check in the list of Christ honoring behaviors, we have still sinned at some point in our lives. To insist we have been, or are currently sinless, is foolishness – nobody is so righteous and pure to not sin at least once in a while (ask any honest Christ follower).
Paul himself, who was a consistent and diligent Christ follower, still struggled from time to time. He referred to a “thorn in the flesh” which consistently plagued him (see 2 Cor 12:7-9) and said he was the “chief/foremost sinner for whom Jesus died” (1 Tim 1:15). If Paul’s struggles kept him humble, and helped him acknowledge his own sin, then struggles can be a good thing (from that perspective).
Yet, despite the many struggles Job faced, he still proclaimed his innocence and righteousness, and that God turned His back on him (almost the opposite of what Paul teaches). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing or criticizing Job – it is natural for humans to be defensive and justify ourselves like Job. This flesh (sinful nature) into which we were born, predestines us to folly – Job is simply human, no worse or better than the rest of us.
My encouragement for today is to embrace our struggles, to use them as a reminder that we are weak, sinful by nature, and in need of God’s constant salvation. We received salvation in the past (gave our lives to Jesus and were forgiven of past sin), need salvation in the present (deliverance from constant temptation and recent sin), and will need salvation in the future (the final deliverance from eternal death into God’s eternal life and presence). Let’s embrace the ongoing process of God’s abundant and generous salvation, and remain humble servants of Jesus until we eventually find ourselves free from the (temporary) thorns in our flesh.
Father God, our Savior and King, we confess we are weak and sinful by nature. Please have mercy on us, for we have sinned against You. Thank you Jesus for Your gift that enabled God to grant us salvation and forgiveness. Thank you Spirit for continually reminding us of our lowly state, so that we may not become prideful and think we are above reproach. Father please hold us close, and remind us You have not turned away, even when we struggle to feel Your presence. We proclaim You are our Savior and King, and lift Your name high above all others. In the name of Jesus we praise, thank and glorify You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training