Job 12 - I DON'T NEED YOUR ASSUMPTIONS. I NEED YOUR SUPPORT - Part 2

There's nothing wrong with dealing with sin in our lives. We all have things we have to bring before God concerning sinful behaviours.

Last time I said that SIMPLISTIC THEOLOGY WON'T HELP JOB.

Everybody seems to have their simplistic formulas as to why someone isn't healed - they don't have enough faith, they have sinned, they're time is up, they are being judged etc. In summary Zophar says that Job has no hope, in verse 20, "...the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death."  

I like Job's response. Job responds to Zophar by saying every life is in God's hands.

Job may be in pain, but he has a go at Zophar and says that, for the record, Zophar may think he is smart but he is no smarter than he is. He says sarcastically in Job 12:2, "You people really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! Well, I know a few things myself- and you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying?"

He virtually says "You call me empty headed. You know no more than I do, so that makes you empty headed also."

In effect Job says "It's not so much that I am mocking God but that you are mocking me" In Job 12:4 he says "I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me. People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling."

But Job can't hope to know what happened in heaven when Satan was granted permission to inflict him. He thinks God has inflicted this suffering upon him despite the fact that he is a right living man. His reasoning is outlined in Job 12:10-25.

"But robbers are left in peace, and those who provoke God live in safety- though God keeps them in his power. "Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord. For the life of every living thing is in His hand, and the breath of every human being. The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods. Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. "But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His. What He destroys cannot be rebuilt. When He puts someone in prison, there is no escape. If He holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If He releases the waters, they flood the earth. Yes, strength and wisdom are His; deceivers and deceived are both in His power. He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools. (that seems to be a prod at his friends) He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist. He leads priests away, stripped of status; He overthrows those with long years in power. He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders. He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong. "He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; He brings light to the deepest gloom. He builds up nations, and He destroys them. He expands nations, and He abandons them. He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland. They grope in the darkness without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards."  

Job virtually says God does what He likes and we can't hope to understand it. He says God's sovereign decisions are seen in nature, culture, religion and national affairs. He says if God can do these things then why can't the righteous suffer. He's right of course, but it doesn't solve his problem. Job wants to abandon his counselor friends and go to God directly. A wise choice, but how sad is this?

DO YOUR HURTING FRIENDS WANT TO ABANDON YOU WHEN THEY ARE SUFFERING?

Do you gather around them and ask God to bring healing to their life or are you more likely to offer a string of unsubstantiated opinions as facts as to what they should or shouldn't do?

Do you lead them to God or to your theological assumptions?

God bless you Church as you pray and build up your friends, especially when they are suffering.

Pastor Ross

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