In trouble - Mistakes to avoid
Text Job 9-10 Time 04/06/00 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
We are looking at the Book of Job. Job was a blameless and upright man. He suffered appalling losses – all his vast wealth; his grown up children; even his health as he is covered head to toe in sores. Even his wife has let him down badly. Three friends have come to comfort him but the first, Eliphaz the Temanite, has served only to make things worse. We have looked at his speech (4, 5) and Job’s reply (6, 7).
Though marginally better than his friends, Eliphaz lacks sensitivity and compassion and misapplies the rigid theological position that he has adopted – the view that suffering is a punishment for sin. His other faults are his expecting too much from Job; his over-reliance on experience and observation; his claims to divine inspiration; his misapplication of truth; his assumption that Job must be at fault (which, of course, he was not. We know from the opening chapters that Job was not suffering because he had sinned as his friends imagined). Eliphaz also unsympathetically prattles about the greatness and the goodness of God.
Bildad the Shuhite is no better; in fact he is worse. Let’s consider his first speech together in Chapter 9 and note
We are looking at the Book of Job. Job was a blameless and upright man. He suffered appalling losses – all his vast wealth; his grown up children; even his health as he is covered head to toe in sores. Even his wife has let him down badly. Three friends have come to comfort him but the first, Eliphaz the Temanite, has served only to make things worse. We have looked at his speech (4, 5) and Job’s reply (6, 7).
Though marginally better than his friends, Eliphaz lacks sensitivity and compassion and misapplies the rigid theological position that he has adopted – the view that suffering is a punishment for sin. His other faults are his expecting too much from Job; his over-reliance on experience and observation; his claims to divine inspiration; his misapplication of truth; his assumption that Job must be at fault (which, of course, he was not. We know from the opening chapters that Job was not suffering because he had sinned as his friends imagined). Eliphaz also unsympathetically prattles about the greatness and the goodness of God.
Bildad the Shuhite is no better; in fact he is worse. Let’s consider his first speech together in Chapter 9 and note
1. Mistakes for counsellors to avoid
1. Do not be blunt or insensitive
1. Do not be blunt or insensitive
We said that Eliphaz lacked sensitivity and compassion. This is even more so with Bildad. With all the sensitivity of charging rhino he plunges straight in with How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. In other words ‘Shut it, Job, you’re just a windbag!’. The same bluntness and insensitivity is observable throughout Bildad’s speech. See verse 4 for example, When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. Regardless of Job’s feelings in the matter Bildad states his opinion baldly – Your children were sinners so God struck them dead! Even if this were true it would be an appallingly bad way to put it. Here are a couple who have lost their children in an accident and someone says ‘They had it coming. They were wicked kids.’ Job had prayed for his children, he would make sacrifices on their behalf whenever they had a big get together just in case they had thought something sinful. But Bildad disregards all that. He is convinced that all suffering is due to sin and so he speaks as he finds. He goes on in the same way throughout. Later in verses 11-19 he launches out against Job himself and as we shall see he again shows all the compassion of a sledge hammer breaking stones.
2. Do not make superficial, wooden misapplications of biblical truth
2. Do not make superficial, wooden misapplications of biblical truth
Again like Eliphaz, Bildad has understood important biblical truths. Whereas Eliphaz emphasises the holiness of God, Bildad centres on his justice. Does God pervert justice? he asks in verse 3, Does the Almighty pervert what is right? Well, of course not. God is just. He is fair. He does not pervert what is right. But then to conclude that Job’s children must have sinned then and were justly wiped out is to entirely misapply that precious truth. Equally superficial are his words in verses 5-7 But if you will look to God and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. Bildad is trying to be helpful but he is not at all. It’s like when you have tried to do something ten times and someone comes along and says ‘Do it this way and it will be easy’ only to proceed with all the ways you have already tried. Infuriating! Job was pure and upright but God had not roused himself and restored Job – that was the whole problem! Knowing the truth is important but it is only half the battle. A medical expert may know all there is to know about a certain disease but it will be of no use if he misapplies his knowledge. If he treats you with all his expertise but you have some other disease, not the one he is expert in, it will do you no good. Rather, it may do you harm. So it is not enough to know that God is just, we need to know how that justice is worked out – and we have to say that it is not always as straightforward as we may expect. We must believe God is just – it is a core biblical doctrine. However, it will not always be obvious that God is being just in the way he acts towards individuals.
3. Do not rely too heavily on tradition
3. Do not rely too heavily on tradition
Eliphaz relied a great deal on experience and observation, with all the dangers that brings. Bildad, on the other hand, was a great believer in tradition. He would not approve of Tzietel’s song in the musical ‘Fiddler on the roof’ bemoaning ‘Tradition’ and its restrictions. No, for him tradition was a great thing, a thing always to be reverenced. Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, he says (8-10) for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? Of course, we can learn a great deal from tradition, from what has been taught in the past but we must not assume that ‘if it’s old, it’s gold’ any more than ‘if it’s new, it’s true’. No, all ideas and teachings must be brought to the bar of Scripture and tried there. This is one of the major flaws in Romanism – its raising of tradition to the same level of authority as Scripture. We can make the same mistake – let’s be careful not to.
4. Do not make harsh, unfair misapplications of biblical truth
4. Do not make harsh, unfair misapplications of biblical truth
In verses 11-19 Bildad uses three illustrations to drive home his belief that Job has sinned.
1 He talks about papyrus growing in marsh land where there is water. It can grow up very quickly. It can also wither just as quickly, such is the destiny he says of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. Job may have started well but look at him now. He is obviously a stony ground believer with no root.
2 He then speaks of a fragile spider’s web. That is what the wicked lean on and cling to. It cannot hold them up. Job too protests innocence but for Bildad it is all very flimsy and does not stand up.
3 Thirdly, he pictures a plant’s root system spreading its shoots over the garden. However, where there is no moisture it can be rooted out and you cannot even tell that it has been there. Job the stony ground believer, will soon be gone and he will not be remembered.
Again we must say that even if Bildad was right this would be callous and insensitive but he is wrong! Take care when you apply truth – especially to others.
5. Do not be unhelpfully optimistic
1 He talks about papyrus growing in marsh land where there is water. It can grow up very quickly. It can also wither just as quickly, such is the destiny he says of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. Job may have started well but look at him now. He is obviously a stony ground believer with no root.
2 He then speaks of a fragile spider’s web. That is what the wicked lean on and cling to. It cannot hold them up. Job too protests innocence but for Bildad it is all very flimsy and does not stand up.
3 Thirdly, he pictures a plant’s root system spreading its shoots over the garden. However, where there is no moisture it can be rooted out and you cannot even tell that it has been there. Job the stony ground believer, will soon be gone and he will not be remembered.
Again we must say that even if Bildad was right this would be callous and insensitive but he is wrong! Take care when you apply truth – especially to others.
5. Do not be unhelpfully optimistic
In the final part of his speech Bildad tries to be more optimistic. Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. If you are innocent he will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more. Which is all very well but no help to Job at that present moment. God did restore Job but what Job wanted to know was why he was suffering then. Optimism has its place in counselling those who are depressed and suffering but let us again seek to be sensitive. Optimism can have the very opposite effect to that intended.
2. Mistakes for sufferers to avoid
2. Mistakes for sufferers to avoid
Now let's come to Job’s reply, which is, as before, not strictly a reply but the next stage in his grief. Chapter 9 is again full of questions. We have already warned against the danger of asking (or answering) too many. Here are some to avoid.
1. Avoid unhelpful questions
1 How can I go to a God who is so Almighty?
1. Avoid unhelpful questions
1 How can I go to a God who is so Almighty?
Job begins Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be righteous before God? which is a question raised by Eliphaz – when we speak with those who are grieving we will find that thought is not strictly linear – we will go back and forth on things. Job says Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand. The reason being that God is Almighty. In verses 4-14 Job expands just a little on what that means. It is a wonderful description of the Almighty.
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? Think of God’s power. For example, volcanoes. He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. Or earthquakes. Or simply the way he is able to bring darkness to the sky. Verse 8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the one who makes the various constellations there. He is incomprehensible (10) He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Yet says Job, when he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. He is also the invisible God. He does as he pleases If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, What are you doing? He is supreme in his authority. Verse 13 God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet. Job is referring to dinosaurs of the sea, beasts that lived at the time – God the Creator has them under control.
Now the doctrine of God’s sovereign power is revealed in Scripture to comfort us but there are times when it is anything but a comfort. How can I go to such an Almighty God? There is an answer, of course. God is not only the Almighty but a God who condescends to reveal himself to the meek and humble. He reveals himself as Jesus Christ. Some are so aware of that they forget he is Almighty. Both things need to be kept in mind. When we are suffering, the Almightiness of God can be a difficulty, however. The answer is not to downplay factor but to recognise the difficulty it creates.
2 How can I argue with a God who does not change his mind?
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? Think of God’s power. For example, volcanoes. He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. Or earthquakes. Or simply the way he is able to bring darkness to the sky. Verse 8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the one who makes the various constellations there. He is incomprehensible (10) He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Yet says Job, when he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. He is also the invisible God. He does as he pleases If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, What are you doing? He is supreme in his authority. Verse 13 God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet. Job is referring to dinosaurs of the sea, beasts that lived at the time – God the Creator has them under control.
Now the doctrine of God’s sovereign power is revealed in Scripture to comfort us but there are times when it is anything but a comfort. How can I go to such an Almighty God? There is an answer, of course. God is not only the Almighty but a God who condescends to reveal himself to the meek and humble. He reveals himself as Jesus Christ. Some are so aware of that they forget he is Almighty. Both things need to be kept in mind. When we are suffering, the Almightiness of God can be a difficulty, however. The answer is not to downplay factor but to recognise the difficulty it creates.
2 How can I argue with a God who does not change his mind?
Job goes on (14, 15) How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy. Which is exactly right, of course. But, says Job, Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing. This is wrong, of course, but we can see why Job is so fearful. He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. He would not let me regain my breath but would overwhelm me with misery. Job’s expectation is understandable. Look how much he has suffered already. What reason is there to suppose that God will suddenly change? In verse 19 he says If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who will summon him? He is without hope. Even if Job got his case to court, as it were, he feels he would lose the case he feels in such a mess. Verse 20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.
Such feelings of hopelessness are understandable and to be expected. Again we have to say that although God is immutable – he does not change his purposes - nevertheless, he is pictured in Scripture as changing his mind – think of the story of Jonah and the Ninevites for example. This stresses his compassion and his willingness to hear the cries of his people. We must stress this to those who grieve. We must not make the mistake of suggesting that God is a God who is mutable, who changes in the sense of changing his purposes, however. That would be even more discouraging. The immutability of God may give little comfort at times but it is an important doctrine to hold on to.
3 How can I come to a God who seems so arbitrary?
Such feelings of hopelessness are understandable and to be expected. Again we have to say that although God is immutable – he does not change his purposes - nevertheless, he is pictured in Scripture as changing his mind – think of the story of Jonah and the Ninevites for example. This stresses his compassion and his willingness to hear the cries of his people. We must stress this to those who grieve. We must not make the mistake of suggesting that God is a God who is mutable, who changes in the sense of changing his purposes, however. That would be even more discouraging. The immutability of God may give little comfort at times but it is an important doctrine to hold on to.
3 How can I come to a God who seems so arbitrary?
In verses 21-24 Job goes on Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life. It is all the same; that is why I say, He destroys both the blameless and the wicked. It makes no difference whether you are good or bad, says Job. This is certainly not Job at his best. He is thinking only in earthly terms here. When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent. When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it? Yes, it all seems rather arbitrary in this life and it is only by faith that we can be convinced that all will be well in the end. It is not easy when we are in pain and grief, however, and we ought to avoid getting into pointless arguments with people on this at such times. Yes, at times it all seems one big mess. We should not be surprised at that. We live in a fallen world and we view it with fallen minds. At times it does seem to make no sense at all.
4 How can I plead my cause with a God who is determined to find me guilty?
4 How can I plead my cause with a God who is determined to find me guilty?
This sums up Job’s final question of Chapter 9. He describes how quickly his life is rushing by - swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey. If he tries the old remedy of just snapping himself out of it and putting a smile on things, it doesn’t work – verse 28 I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent. And so he concludes (verse 29) Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with washing soda, you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me. What is the point in protesting my innocence? God is determined to find me guilty! Now that is not the attitude that the Lord Jesus ever took. Wicked men were determined to find him guilty. God himself, he knew, would declare him guilty. Nevertheless, he strove for innocence. He displayed, vitally, his complete innocence. We must do the same. We must never get into the way of thinking that says ‘It makes no difference what I do, I’m condemned any way’. That is never true.
Verses 32-35 are most interesting. Job still has this idea of going to court with God in his mind. But he says He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. Then he says 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. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot. And is that not just what the man Christ Jesus, the one Mediator between man and God, does? Again, we need to come to Christ if we are to successfully face trouble of any sort. Yes, God sees our guilt, he condemns. But he also forgives in Christ.
2. Avoid unhelpful thoughts
We will be more brief with Chapter 10. We can sum up with three warnings for times of suffering.
1 Do not think that God is against you in the present
Verses 32-35 are most interesting. Job still has this idea of going to court with God in his mind. But he says He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. Then he says 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. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot. And is that not just what the man Christ Jesus, the one Mediator between man and God, does? Again, we need to come to Christ if we are to successfully face trouble of any sort. Yes, God sees our guilt, he condemns. But he also forgives in Christ.
2. Avoid unhelpful thoughts
We will be more brief with Chapter 10. We can sum up with three warnings for times of suffering.
1 Do not think that God is against you in the present
In verses 1-7 Job speaks of his loathing for his very life and speaks out in bitterness of soul telling God not to condemn him, but to state his charges. He wants to know the logic in his suffering. Does God get pleasure from oppressing Job, his own hands’ work, while smiling on the wicked? Or is God like a man so that having failed to catch the real culprits he has to take it out on Job though he knows he is blameless? This is utterly ridiculous, of course, but it reminds us of the wretched thoughts that can go through our minds when we are in grief and anguish. God is never unfair. He never treats his children with anything but good motives and for good ends. Children sometimes doubt their parents. It all seems so unfair and senseless at times but even with imperfect human parents we usually come to see the wisdom in the end. How much more so with God himself. Do not think that God is against you in the present.
2 Do not think that God was against you in the past
2 Do not think that God was against you in the past
In verses 8-17 Job goes on to remember that it was God who made him like a potter at the wheel or a dairyman making cheese. God watched over Job and made him, does he now plan to destroy him? Despite all his kind providences was God always secretly planning that if Job sinned, he would be punished. In fact, whether Job was guilty or innocent made no difference. If Job tries to stand tall, God stalks him like a lion and simply displays his awesome power and overthrows Job. You bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger towards me; your forces come against me wave upon wave.
Again, most of us have had times when we’ve thought like this. "So this is where it was all leading". Such negativity is not only unhelpful but wrong. Job had not yet seen the unfolding of the whole story. He also did not know what had gone on in heaven. If he could have pictured us here this Sunday morning studying his words it all would have looked so different. We must believe that all our past has been under God’s direction and that all that has happened to us has been for our good – even the bits we hated. God works in such ways. For believers, this is the truth.
3 Do not think that God will be against you in the future
Again, most of us have had times when we’ve thought like this. "So this is where it was all leading". Such negativity is not only unhelpful but wrong. Job had not yet seen the unfolding of the whole story. He also did not know what had gone on in heaven. If he could have pictured us here this Sunday morning studying his words it all would have looked so different. We must believe that all our past has been under God’s direction and that all that has happened to us has been for our good – even the bits we hated. God works in such ways. For believers, this is the truth.
3 Do not think that God will be against you in the future
Finally, Job again says he wishes he had never been born or had died at birth. He assumes he can’t have long to live anyway so can’t God give him just a little joy at the end now before he enters the gloom and darkness of death? How bleak it all seems for Job. As far as he can see, there is no hope, no future. And there are days like that – even for believers. It is well that we expect such things. The truth is, however, that God is working all things together for good to those who love God, those who are called according to his purposes. They have a glorious future ahead. The glories of heaven are beyond imagining. Just above our heads are crowns of gold. If only our eyes were open to see.
