In trouble - more lessons
Text Job 11-14 Time 11/06/00 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
Job was a great and godly man who suffered devastating disaster yet did not curse God. Three friends came to comfort him in his distress. So far, we have looked at the first speeches of Eliphaz and Bildad and how Job responded. Today we look at the third friend Zophar’s first contribution and Job’s response. Sadly, it is more of the same, although there are differences. Whereas Eliphaz appealed to a vision he had to bolster his argument and Bildad to tradition, Zophar simply appeals to himself – to his own arrogant self. Eliphaz showed some sympathy to Job and believed he could only be guilty of some relatively minor sin. Bildad is much more harsh and is sure Job and his children have been guilty of some serious sin. Zophar the Naamathite’s idea seems to be that Job is guilty of some secret sin that he has kept hidden. He is furious with Job and shows him no compassion. Like the others, he is convinced that the reason people suffer is because they sin. Because Job is suffering, he must have sinned. As Calvin says ‘Some comforters have no more songs than one, and have no regard at all to whom they sing it’. Again the lessons for us are mostly negative but there is much to learn.
1. Lessons to learn from a counsellor’s speech
Job was a great and godly man who suffered devastating disaster yet did not curse God. Three friends came to comfort him in his distress. So far, we have looked at the first speeches of Eliphaz and Bildad and how Job responded. Today we look at the third friend Zophar’s first contribution and Job’s response. Sadly, it is more of the same, although there are differences. Whereas Eliphaz appealed to a vision he had to bolster his argument and Bildad to tradition, Zophar simply appeals to himself – to his own arrogant self. Eliphaz showed some sympathy to Job and believed he could only be guilty of some relatively minor sin. Bildad is much more harsh and is sure Job and his children have been guilty of some serious sin. Zophar the Naamathite’s idea seems to be that Job is guilty of some secret sin that he has kept hidden. He is furious with Job and shows him no compassion. Like the others, he is convinced that the reason people suffer is because they sin. Because Job is suffering, he must have sinned. As Calvin says ‘Some comforters have no more songs than one, and have no regard at all to whom they sing it’. Again the lessons for us are mostly negative but there is much to learn.
1. Lessons to learn from a counsellor’s speech
As with Eliphaz, we can again say that if we are going to be any help to people who are suffering and who are in trouble we must learn to be humble; to be compassionate and to avoid the trap that all 3 fall into of misapplying a rigid theological position that is both unhelpful and wrong. More specifically,
1. General Lessons Realise
1 The need to rely on God’s wisdom not your own
1. General Lessons Realise
1 The need to rely on God’s wisdom not your own
As we have said, the other two rely on experience and tradition. Zophar avoids relying on these but to rely on your own wisdom is not any better. We must rely on God’s wisdom. Even then (as we shall see) there are dangers. But to rely on ourselves is foolish indeed. As Bildad rightly argues, we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.
2 Retribution and blessing are not always immediate
2 Retribution and blessing are not always immediate
One of the major problems with Zophar’s thinking, like the others, is the assumption that all God’s retributions and blessings come in this life. Now there is such a thing as immediate retribution and immediate blessing. A child disobeys his parents, runs into the road and is injured; an adult sleeps around and contracts an STD or AIDS - there is pretty immediate retribution. Similarly, an obedient child is given a treat; a faithful husband has the joy of his wife’s devotion - again, pretty immediate blessing. Even in this life Christians know many joys and unbelievers know many hardships simply because of obedience or disobedience to the gospel call. However, it is vitally important to remember that retribution and blessing are not always immediate. Some wicked people live a long time and get many of this world’s blessings while the godly die young after much suffering. We must face up to that fact.
3 Not all blessing in this life comes in material form
3 Not all blessing in this life comes in material form
It is also worth adding this. There is a tendency to assume that a rich, healthy man with many friends is more blessed than a poor, sick one with few friends but it can be the case that the rich one finds it hard to get to sleep at night and has many worries while the other is basically contented, knowing his sins are forgiven and that heaven awaits.
4 In this life godly people often suffer
4 In this life godly people often suffer
This is one of the great lessons of the Book of Job and one that it never hurts to keep underlining.
2. More specific lessons Beware of
1 Misapplying biblical rebuke
2. More specific lessons Beware of
1 Misapplying biblical rebuke
There is a view of counselling that has been around for a while that believes in no rebukes or moral judgement of any kind. Non-directive counselling is very good at listening and being sympathetic but it has little to say about change. Biblical counselling usually, though not always, has something to say about change and is not afraid to rebuke where necessary. One of our duties as Christian brothers and sisters is to rebuke one another. However, we must be very careful when we rebuke that we have our facts straight and that we are not harsh or unfair. Sadly, the accusations made against Job here are false and Zophar even puts words into Job’s mouth. There are four accusations. That Job is a
Babbler
Babbler
Bildad calls Job a windbag, here Zophar says Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? He prattles. Job certainly has plenty to say and can be repetitive but he waits until his friends have finished and partly his repetitions are in answer to his friends’ ones. Talking too much is a sin but considering all Job has had to face this accusation is unfair.
Mocker
Mocker
Verse 3 Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no-one rebuke you when you mock? Again this is unfair. Job definitely disagrees with his friends but that is not the same as being a mocker.
Liar
Liar
In verse 4 Zophar says You say to God, My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight. Job defends himself. He believes his accusers are wrong but nowhere does he say that his beliefs are flawless or that he himself is pure. If we do not listen properly to what people are saying we will never help them.
Fool
Fool
In verses 5 and 6 he says Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin. In other words ‘I wish that God would let you have your wish Job and meet you in court. Then it would be clear how very little wisdom you really have. The fact is that not only are you being punished for your sin but God has ignored some of it too. What a fool you are!’ But the boot is in fact on the other foot. Zophar is the fool!
Take care then when you decide to deliver a rebuke. Get your facts right.
2 Misapplying biblical doctrine
Take care then when you decide to deliver a rebuke. Get your facts right.
2 Misapplying biblical doctrine
Zophar, like his friends, has good things to say. In verses 7-9 we have a classic example Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens - what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave - what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. This is not only correct but spot on as to what will best help Job at this time. It is the nearest we get to an ‘answer’ to the problem of suffering. Zophar is making the point that God’s wisdom is
Inexhaustible. There is no limit to it and Beyond human comprehension.
He goes on to make the equally valid point that this ensures justice. Verses 10 and 11 If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him? Surely he recognises deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? You can’t fool God. He deals with the wicked. But Zophar assumes that means that anyone who suffers now must be being punished. He says (12) But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man. He has Job in mind – Job is witless and is no more likely to become wise than a stupid donkey is to give birth to a man! If only Zophar could see that he is the silly ass not Job! Knowing that God’s wisdom is profound and beyond human comprehension, he has failed to apply this fact to himself – why Job suffers is hidden in the wisdom of God! As we’ve said before, it’s not enough to know the Bible and its doctrines, we need to know how to apply these precious truths.
3. Misapplying biblical requirements
He goes on to make the equally valid point that this ensures justice. Verses 10 and 11 If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him? Surely he recognises deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? You can’t fool God. He deals with the wicked. But Zophar assumes that means that anyone who suffers now must be being punished. He says (12) But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man. He has Job in mind – Job is witless and is no more likely to become wise than a stupid donkey is to give birth to a man! If only Zophar could see that he is the silly ass not Job! Knowing that God’s wisdom is profound and beyond human comprehension, he has failed to apply this fact to himself – why Job suffers is hidden in the wisdom of God! As we’ve said before, it’s not enough to know the Bible and its doctrines, we need to know how to apply these precious truths.
3. Misapplying biblical requirements
Again in verses 13-20 we have a wonderful series of statements that are not so much wrong as misapplied. It is an excellent call to repentance.
What to do
What to do
13, 14 Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent. That is what God requires – heart devotion and real desire for him with a putting away of sin and a break with all evil.
The promise of blessing if you comply
The promise of blessing if you comply
15-19 then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no-one to make you afraid, and many will court your favour. Again such things are to be expected by those who repent – a clear conscience; confidence before God; light; joy; security; hope; safety; certainty; blessing.
A warning against not complying
A warning against not complying
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp. This again is true.
So what is the problem? Again, it is not the message Job needed to hear. Some of us especially need to hear that message this morning. There’s a sense in which we all need to hear it. But it may well not be the chief thing you need to hear. Certainly that was the case with Job. He needed to hear a message of comfort, reassuring him of God’s love and expressing great sympathy with him in a time of real testing when all was so difficult and apparently uncertain. Preachers have to bear this in mind. In counselling one another we also have to remember that there are no ‘off the peg, one size fits all’ approaches. We are all individuals, in different situations with different needs. In each case our words need to be tailor-made for the person we hope to help. The Master here is Jesus Christ himself. If you read the Gospels you will see that. It is vital not just to throw any truth at someone who is suffering but to say the right thing at the right time. We can only get this right by the grace of God.
2. Lessons to learn from a sufferer’s response
1. Lessons from how he speaks to his counsellors
1 People who suffer have not lost their powers of thought
So what is the problem? Again, it is not the message Job needed to hear. Some of us especially need to hear that message this morning. There’s a sense in which we all need to hear it. But it may well not be the chief thing you need to hear. Certainly that was the case with Job. He needed to hear a message of comfort, reassuring him of God’s love and expressing great sympathy with him in a time of real testing when all was so difficult and apparently uncertain. Preachers have to bear this in mind. In counselling one another we also have to remember that there are no ‘off the peg, one size fits all’ approaches. We are all individuals, in different situations with different needs. In each case our words need to be tailor-made for the person we hope to help. The Master here is Jesus Christ himself. If you read the Gospels you will see that. It is vital not just to throw any truth at someone who is suffering but to say the right thing at the right time. We can only get this right by the grace of God.
2. Lessons to learn from a sufferer’s response
1. Lessons from how he speaks to his counsellors
1 People who suffer have not lost their powers of thought
Perhaps in our generation we’re a little more aware of those with handicaps than in the past. However, do you know the phrase ‘Does he take sugar?’? This is apparently a cliché often heard. Instead of turning to the person with a handicap and asking the simple question by word or sign ‘Do you take sugar in your tea?’ you turn to someone and say ‘Does he take sugar?’ There is greater temptation in some cases than others but there is a general danger of assuming that a person who is suffering has somehow lost his ability to think. There is no logic in this. Listen to Job – a suffering man in anguish. Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! His sarcasm is understandable, forgivable. He says But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things? They’ve come up with nothing new and nothing of any help to Job.
2 There are many examples of apparently unjust suffering
2 There are many examples of apparently unjust suffering
Demonstrating that he was perfectly able to think straight, Job goes on to give examples of apparently unjust suffering. The friends claimed that even in this life it is only the wicked who suffer. This is nonsense as Job shows with three obvious examples.
Job himself
Job himself
In verse 4 he begins with himself I have become a laughing-stock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered - a mere laughing-stock, though righteous and blameless! Now we know Job’s friends denied he was blameless but God declares him so and that is enough. Verse 5 Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping. It is easy to mock someone in trouble but there are various reasons for suffering. If we ever doubt that, let’s remember Job.
Pagan marauders
Pagan marauders
In verse 6 Job says The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure - those who carry their god in their hands. Job knew that there were plenty of marauding pagans about but they weren’t all suffering.
Creation itself
Creation itself
Verses 7-10 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Everywhere you look in the natural world there are examples of suffering. Nature is ‘red in tooth and claw’. Can it possibly be established even for a moment that all suffering is direct punishment for sin? The idea is ridiculous! As Christ himself tells us, the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous and those who suffer in natural disasters are not necessarily any more wicked than those who escape.
3 Remember that wisdom lies with God
3 Remember that wisdom lies with God
Job goes on to ask (11) Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? As our tongues decide what food we like so our ears test the words we hear. Verse 12 is probably quoting Bildad and Eliphaz Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? They relied on tradition and experience. Job’s excellent answer is To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. It is to God we must look for wisdom. Here Job concentrates on his power (14-16) What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released. If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land. To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his. If we are to understand anything in this life we must grasp the sovereign power of Almighty God.
4 For various reasons God often reverses situations in this life
4 For various reasons God often reverses situations in this life
This leads Job on to give a whole series of examples where Almighty God reverses situations in this life. Powerful men are suddenly brought down; situations that cannot change suddenly do change. God does all this. Job gives the examples of great counsellors and priests led away stripped and judges made fools of; kings stripped to loin cloths while their prisoners go free; men long established overthrown; trusted advisers silenced; elders losing all discernment; nobles held in contempt; the mighty disarmed. There are plenty of examples of such revolutions even down to our own day. Think of the velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe; think of someone like Jeffry Archer or Jonathan Aitken and other disgraced politicians we have seen fall. Verses 22-25 He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste. They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards. What a picture of the reverses God brings about. Here it is Job; tomorrow it may be you or me. That's worth pondering.
5 What those who suffer need most is to go to God not men
5 What those who suffer need most is to go to God not men
As we come into Chapter 13, Job is still clearly unhappy with his friends My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. Most interestingly he says (3) But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. His friends have smeared him with lies you are worthless physicians, all of you! he says If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. All their efforts had conspired only to harm Job not help him. When we counsel people we must remember that it is not us they need to hear but God. It is not us they need to meet with but the Lord.
6 We do not need to defend God
6 We do not need to defend God
Of course, one reason why the friends did so much talking was that they wanted to defend God. Instead of listening to Job as he desired they simply went on with their own speeches, trying to defend God. In a series of questions Job asks Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? That, unintentionally, is what they had done. Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? That was their approach. Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men? He would surely rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. Would not his splendour terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you? This is fair enough. Verse 12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defences are defences of clay. Ironically it was the good motive of seeking to defend God that had led to this. There’s no time now but we could name a whole series of examples where, attempting to defend God and his cause, people have introduced all sorts of heresies. Would you try and defend a lion? No. We don’t need to defend God either. We simply need to listen to his Word.
7 The only real hope sufferers have is in God
7 The only real hope sufferers have is in God
In verse 13 Job then tells his friends to Keep silent and let him speak what ever might be the result. Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? he asks. The following verse (13:15) is famous though difficult to translate. Though he slay me, the NIV has yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. What ever Job may mean exactly, it is clear that he sees his only hope is in God. His friends have been unable to help him. He has to look to God whether that will work or not. He is confident, however. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him! Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say. Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die. In counselling, it is that sort of conviction we want to inculcate. Not ‘I can solve all your problems’ but ‘Go to God. He alone can help you. Put your hope in him.’
2. Lessons to learn from the way he speaks to God
2. Lessons to learn from the way he speaks to God
Above all else those who suffer want relief from their sufferings and some explanations. Job puts it like that as he begins to speak to God again in verses 20, 21 Only grant me these two things, O God, and then I will not hide from you: Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. He wants relief. But with that he wants some answers to his questions. He wants to know the answers to four basic questions and when people suffer these are the sort of things they want to know. It is good for us to be aware of the questions even if we have to say we cannot give complete answers.
1 Why they are suffering
1 Why they are suffering
Job goes on (22ff) Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply. How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offence and my sin. Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy? Will you torment a wind-blown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff? For you write down bitter things against me and make me inherit the sins of my youth. You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet. Job wants to know what sins he has committed and how many. He wants to know why he is suffering so much. These are inevitable questions. Of course, we know that it is not for his sins that Job is suffering and we know it is not revealed to him just why he is suffering but such questions inevitably come when a person suffers.
2 Why anyone suffers
2 Why anyone suffers
Chapter 13 ends with this very bleak verse So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths. Chapter 14 takes up the theme Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Job recognises that the problem is not just that he is suffering but many others suffer too. Do you fix your eye on such a one? Will you bring him before you for judgement? Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No-one! We are all sinners so there can be no real escape from suffering in this life. The only hope, it seems to Job, is if God will look away. Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. So look away from him and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired man. There is a mystery in suffering. We must face it.
3 Why they go on suffering
3 Why they go on suffering
Job then thinks of trees and how even if they are cut down they can sprout again. But man he says (10) dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more. As water disappears from the sea or a river bed becomes parched and dry, so man lies down and does not rise; till the heavens are no more, men will not awake or be roused from their sleep. Until the great day of resurrection man stays dead bodily. And so, argues Job, wouldn’t it be better if he was dead? That would mean an end to all this suffering. All he would have to do is wait in his grave until the resurrection call from God! That way all his sins would be sealed up in a bag and he would not have to suffer any longer. That is one of the attractions of death and we must understand it. The problem of suffering is not just that it happens but that it goes on with no end in sight. We need to understand the anguish that involves.
4 What is the point of life?
4 What is the point of life?
Then comes the ultimate question – one that especially presses on us when we are going through trouble – what’s the point of life anyway? Verses 18-22 But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and as a rock is moved from its place, as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil, so you destroy man’s hope. You overpower him once for all, and he is gone; you change his countenance and send him away. If his sons are honoured, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it. He feels but the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself. It is very bleak and we need to feel it.
But that is not all the Bible says, of course. Indeed it shows us that the whole purpose of life is God’s glory. Job is eventaully vindicated and the great day of judgement will deal with every anomaly in this world. Out great message is that by faith in Christ all will eventually be well.
But that is not all the Bible says, of course. Indeed it shows us that the whole purpose of life is God’s glory. Job is eventaully vindicated and the great day of judgement will deal with every anomaly in this world. Out great message is that by faith in Christ all will eventually be well.
