If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’ I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent.
Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?
“He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. (Job 9:27-29, 32-34)
In chapter 9, Job reminds his friends that he knows who God is. He knows God is all-powerful, mighty, great, awesome, beyond comprehension, holy, and sovereign. What Job is struggling with is God’s mercy, compassion, and intimate care. From Job’s perspective, he sees no glaring sin in his life to precipitate such suffering. He sees no reason for it. It makes no sense. But who is he to argue with God? Who is he even to speak with God? God is too great, too mighty, too big, too different. So what are Job’s options?
1. He could just smile and act like everything is okay. But Job knows that he cannot do this. He can pretend to be happy but he is not. His heart is broken and in despair and pasting a smile on his face will be merely playing a part not being himself.
2. He could keep proclaiming his innocence. But if God is holy, absolutely powerful and totally righteous, how can Job hope to convince Him of his puny righteousness? Job feels like a poor, insignificant man in a forgotten third world country hoping to find justice in the halls of the UN. It just isn’t going to happen. He is barely noticed much less taken seriously.
3. He could give up. Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? Job is thinking, “Why fight God? Why fight life? If God has placed His target on me, what can I do?” Job sees no escape, no light at the end of the tunnel, therefore I have no concern for myself, I despise my own life (9:21).
Ever get like that? I can’t say that I have ever been close to Job’s despair but I have felt insignificant. I have felt trapped. I have felt that God is simply too great to really care and too distant to notice. I have felt that He is too hard to please.
In this kind of despair, Job only has one glimmer of hope. If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more (9:33-34).
Wow, Job is crying out for Jesus. He doesn’t really know it or understand it but he is looking for a mediator, someone like himself who is able to intercede with God on his behalf. Someone both strong and compassionate. Someone like God and someone like man.
You know, the OT saints knew God’s power and transcendence but they could never be real sure of His love. God said He loved them but He seemed too distant, too holy for them to ever be sure of His love. It is in Jesus Christ that we see God’s love. We see it in actuality. We see it in the flesh. And this alone gives us hope. God loves us. And He not only cares about our suffering but is willing to suffer in our place.
Thank You, Jesus.