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Job

CHAPTER 19

1 Then Job answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.

Notice that Job says they have reproached him "ten times." Actually it was five times so far. But each reproach felt double to Job!
The words of his "friends" had broken him in pieces because of the way they had treated him.
Job had not imposed his judgment of life upon them. But they had tried to impose their ways upon him. They have counted themselves above Job, and considered him sinful and wicked.
Job answers in verse 4 that if indeed there was "error" or sin in his life, at least he kept it to himself. Their sin of judgmentalism is quite OPEN!

5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: 6 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. 8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. 12 His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. 16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body. 18 Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. 19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

Since they continue to reproach Job, he requests that they consider what God has allowed to happen to him (verse 5). It is God who has "overthrown" him (verse 6). Job gives NO EDGE to the devil at all! He KNOWS that he is in the hand of God, and that means he has power from God to resist the devil. This ought to be the thought of a Christian who is right with God if calamity comes upon him.
But when Job cries out to God for an answer concerning his tragic circumstances, he gets no answer (verse 7).
Job has been "stripped" of what little glory he had (verses 8-9). He feels that God has poured out "wrath" upon him (verse 11).
His children have died (verse 14), and his wife and servants have turned against him (verses 15-17).
Young children and friends, who had willingly come to him before, now run from him because of his physical appearance (verses 18-20).
Therefore, he pleads with his three "friends" that they show MERCY!
Is this not right reasoning? When "bad things happen to good people" shall their friends accuse them of wickedness and "tear them to pieces" with words? Or should they not hold out a hand of mercy to help?

2 Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

Why did the friends not mention Job's integrity and goodness instead of blasting him with accusations?
Why do they place themselves in God's position and JUDGE Job?

23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.

Job's desire was accomplished! His words WERE written in a book. And they were not just written in any old book, but they were written in THE BOOK!
I, for one, am quite glad they are written for my education. For Job's difficulties and faith teach me an invaluable lesson.
Job contends that he KNOWS God lives, and that he KNOWS there will be a resurrection. In that resurrection he will stand before God, even though sickness, disease and death have taken his body, he shall stand and SEE God face to face! (verses 25-27)

Yes! My friends, one day we shall SEE God as He IS! He will place "immortality" upon this "mortal" body, and we shall behold Him! Our "corrupt" bodies shall be called from the graves, and we shall be given "INcorruptable" bodies. (see 1Corinthians 15:51-57)
See how Job says that GOD is his REDEEMER! He has no problem avowing that the Almighty Creator is also the Saviour!

Job says, in light of this understanding, that his friends should say, "Why PERSECUTE him? (verse 28)" If indeed they believe that his problem is sin, and he has avowed it is not, then why should they waste time trying to convict him? Why don't they just go away and leave him alone? Then, according to their thinking, he would be left to the "sword" of punishment.
They should realize that the wrath of man brings the wrath of God by the sword (verse 29). The whole purpose of governmental authority in the world is to show that there IS a final JUDGMENT! (verse 29)

When men judge men at law it is right. Our evil works need correction in the earth.
But when men judge men spiritually, they take the place of God. It is indeed a grievous sin to usurpt the authority of God! Those who assume this position will face Almighty God in the final judgment.

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