Job 23:1-9

 Suffering will come to us, for it came to Jesus.

 Suffering will come to us, for it came to Jesus.
◦ “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from
whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we
esteemed him not” (Is 53:3, ESV).

 Suffering will come to us, for it came to Jesus.
◦ Is 53:3.
◦ “And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to
them, „My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain
here, and watch with me‟” (Mt 26:37-38, ESV).

 Suffering will come to us, for it came to Jesus.
◦ Is 53:3.
◦ Mt 26:37-38.
 If God did not keep suffering away from his only
Son, who am I that he‟d keep it away from me?

 In our suffering, we often have questions for God.

 In our suffering, we often have questions for God.
◦ “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the
Philistines?” (1 Sm 4:3, ESV).

 In our suffering, we often have questions for God.
◦ “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the
Philistines?” (1 Sm 4:3, ESV).
◦ “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide
yourself in times of trouble?” (Ps 10:1, ESV).

 In our suffering, we often have questions for God.
◦ “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the
Philistines?” (1 Sm 4:3, ESV).
◦ “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide
yourself in times of trouble?” (Ps 10:1, ESV).
◦ “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt
27:46, ESV).

 In this morning‟s text, Job has a question for God.

 In this morning‟s text, Job has a question for God.
◦ “Where is God?”

 In this morning‟s text, Job has a question for God.
◦ “Where is God?”
◦ Job‟s friends provide accusations instead of comfort.

 In this morning‟s text, Job has a question for God.
◦ “Where is God?”
◦ Job‟s friends provide accusations instead of comfort.
 In antiquity, people believed that if you suffered, God was
punishing you.

 In this morning‟s text, Job has a question for God.
◦ “Where is God?”
◦ Job‟s friends provide accusations instead of comfort.
 In antiquity, people believed that if you suffered, God was
punishing you.
 Therefore, Job‟s friends firmly believe that he has sinned &
is being punished.

 “Is not your evil abundant? There is no end to
your iniquities. For you have exacted pledges of
your brothers for nothing and stripped the naked
of their clothing. You have given no water to the
weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from
the hungry. The man with power possessed the
land, and the favored man lived in it. You have
sent widows away empty, and the arms of the
fatherless were crushed. Therefore snares are all
around you, and sudden terror overwhelms you,
or darkness, so that you cannot see, and a flood
of water covers you” (22:5-11, ESV).

 In this morning‟s passage, Job has had it.

 In this morning‟s passage, Job has had it.
◦ He‟s fed up with his friends‟ character assassination &
he‟s tired of God‟s silence.

 In this morning‟s passage, Job has had it.
◦ He‟s fed up with his friends‟ character assassination &
he‟s tired of God‟s silence.
◦ Job really just wants God to show up & establish his
integrity.

vv 2-3

 “Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is
heavy on account of my groaning. Oh, that I knew
where I might find him, that I might come even to
his seat!” (vv 2-3, ESV).

 Job is very discouraged.

 Job is very discouraged.
◦ His complaint is bitter.

 Job is very discouraged.
◦ His complaint is bitter.
◦ He has a heavy hand.

 Job is very discouraged.
◦ His complaint is bitter.
◦ He has a heavy hand.
 A “heavy hand” in the Old Testament refers to
discouragement.

 Job is very discouraged.
◦ His complaint is bitter.
◦ He has a heavy hand.
 A “heavy hand” in the Old Testament refers to
discouragement.
 “We have heard the report of it; our hands fall helpless;
anguish has taken hold of us, pain as of a woman in labor”
(Jer 6:24, ESV).

 First, his friends‟ accusations have been hard.

 First, his friends‟ accusations have been hard.
◦ Eliphaz: “Remember: who that was innocent ever
perished? Or where were the upright cut off? As I have
seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the
same. By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast
of his anger they are consumed” (4:7-9, ESV).

 First, his friends‟ accusations have been hard.
◦ Eliphaz: “Remember: who that was innocent ever
perished? Or where were the upright cut off? As I have
seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the
same. By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast
of his anger they are consumed” (4:7-9, ESV).
◦ Zophar: “Do you not know this from of old, since man
was placed on earth, that the exulting of the wicked is
short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?”
(20:4-5, ESV).

 The people of God need to be a comforting
people.

 The people of God need to be a comforting
people.
◦ That was Jesus‟ way.

 The people of God need to be a comforting
people.
◦ That was Jesus‟ way; when a leper asked to be healed,
Mark records, Mark records, “Moved with pity, [Jesus]
stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him,
„I will; be clean‟” (Mk 1:41, ESV).

 The people of God need to be a comforting
people.
◦ That was Jesus‟ way (Mk 1:41).
◦ Jesus expects compassion from his disciples.

 The people of God need to be a comforting
people.
◦ That was Jesus‟ way (Mk 1:41).
◦ Jesus expects compassion from his disciples.
 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us
in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor 1:3-4, ESV).

 The people of God need to be a comforting
people.
◦ That was Jesus‟ way (Mk 1:41).
◦ Jesus expects compassion from his disciples.
 2 Cor 1:3-4.
 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep”
(Rom 12:15, ESV).

 Second: Job could be very discouraged with God.

 Second: Job could be very discouraged with God.
◦ It doesn‟t seem that Job is upset with God over his
suffering, per se.

 Second: Job could be very discouraged with God.
◦ It doesn‟t seem that Job is upset with God over his
suffering, per se.
◦ But, he‟s quite upset that God hasn‟t appeared to
vindicate him.

 Maybe we‟ve faced similar discouragement with
God.

 Maybe we‟ve faced similar discouragement with
God.
◦ We‟ve done the right thing, but that‟s made us the
subject of scorn & ridicule.

 Maybe we‟ve faced similar discouragement with
God.
◦ We‟ve done the right thing, but that‟s made us the
subject of scorn & ridicule.
◦ In the end, Job gets his vindication.

 Maybe we‟ve faced similar discouragement with
God.
◦ We‟ve done the right thing, but that‟s made us the
subject of scorn & ridicule.
◦ In the end, Job gets his vindication: God says to Eliphaz,
“My anger burns against you and against your two
friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as
my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and
seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a
burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall
pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with
you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of
me what is right, as my servant Job has” (42:7-8, ESV).

 In the end, we, too, shall get vindication from
God.

 In the end, we, too, shall get vindication from
God.
◦ “God considers it just to repay with affliction those who
afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as
well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels” (2 Thess 1:6-7, ESV).

 In the end, we, too, shall get vindication from
God.
◦ “God considers it just to repay with affliction those who
afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as
well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels” (2 Thess 1:6-7, ESV).
◦ Vindication may not come in this life, but it shall come.

vv 4-7

 “I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth
with arguments. I would know what he would
answer me and understand what he would say to
me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of
his power? No; he would pay attention to me.
There an upright man could argue with him, and I
would be acquitted forever by my judge” (vv 4-7,
ESV).

 Job uses legal language to bring a complaint
against God.

 Job uses legal language to bring a complaint
against God.
◦ Job believed he had every right to contend with God.

 Job uses legal language to bring a complaint
against God.
◦ Job believed he had every right to contend with God.
◦ Job wants to lay his arguments before God.

 But, Job says this isn‟t going to be a one-sided
argument.

 But, Job says this isn‟t going to be a one-sided
argument.
◦ He will listen to what God has to say.

 But, Job says this isn‟t going to be a one-sided
argument.
◦ He will listen to what God has to say.
◦ The Book of Job uses much, marvelous irony.

 But, Job says this isn‟t going to be a one-sided
argument.
◦ He will listen to what God has to say.
◦ The Book of Job uses much, marvelous irony.
 Job will understand what God has to say, and God will not
contend with Job “in the greatness of his power.”

 But, Job says this isn‟t going to be a one-sided
argument.
◦ He will listen to what God has to say.
◦ The Book of Job uses much, marvelous irony.
 Job will understand what God has to say, and God will not
contend with Job “in the greatness of his power.”
 Yet, when God appears, just the opposite occurs!

 God does contend with Job in the greatness of his
power.

 God does contend with Job in the greatness of his
power.
◦ “The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind” (38:1,
ESV).

 God does contend with Job in the greatness of his
power.
◦ “The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind” (38:1,
ESV).
◦ Talk about power!

 God does contend with Job in the greatness of his
power.
 Job does not understand what God has to say.

 “Then the LORD answered Job out of the
whirlwind and said: „Who is this that darkens
counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for
action like a man; I will question you, and you
make it known to me. Where were you when I laid
the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have
understanding. Who determined its
measurements—surely you know! Or who
stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases
sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the
morning stars sang together and all the sons of
God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:1-7, ESV).

 God does contend with Job in the greatness of his
power.
 Job does not understand what God has to say.
◦ God questions Job about the Creation (38:1-7).

 God does contend with Job in the greatness of his
power.
 Job does not understand what God has to say.
◦ God questions Job about the Creation (38:1-7).
◦ Job then says, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I
answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken
once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no
further” (40:4-5, ESV).

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.
◦ God acts according to his will, not ours.

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.
◦ God acts according to his will, not ours.
 “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39, ESV).

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.
◦ God acts according to his will, not ours.
 “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39, ESV).
 “Instead you ought to say, „If the Lord wills, we will live and
do this or that‟” (Js 4:15, ESV).

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.
◦ God acts according to his will, not ours.
◦ God has far greater wisdom than we.

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.
◦ God acts according to his will, not ours.
◦ God has far greater wisdom than we.
 “Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is
your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in
all their kingdoms there is none like you” (Jer 10:7, ESV).

 We dare not believe that we can place God in a
box & have him all figured out.
◦ God acts according to his will, not ours.
◦ God has far greater wisdom than we.
 Jer 10:7.
 “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the
weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor 1:25, ESV).

vv 8-9

 Job is distant—he is far removed from God.

 Job is distant—he is far removed from God.
 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and
backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left
hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he
turns to the right hand, but I do not see him” (vv
8-9, ESV).

 Because God did not act according to Job‟s
desires, he believed that he was distant.

 Because God did not act according to Job‟s
desires, he believed that he was distant.
◦ But, we know that God was greatly involved in Job‟s
suffering.

 Because God did not act according to Job‟s
desires, he believed that he was distant.
◦ But, we know that God was greatly involved in Job‟s
suffering.
 “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do
not stretch out your hand” (1:12, ESV).

 Because God did not act according to Job‟s
desires, he believed that he was distant.
◦ But, we know that God was greatly involved in Job‟s
suffering.
 “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do
not stretch out your hand” (1:12, ESV).
 “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life” (2:6, ESV).

 Because God did not act according to Job‟s
desires, he believed that he was distant.
◦ But, we know that God was greatly involved in Job‟s
suffering.
 “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do
not stretch out your hand” (1:12, ESV).
 “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life” (2:6, ESV).
◦ Without God, Job‟s suffering could have been much,
much worse.

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.
◦ We know that God works wonders through our suffering.

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.
◦ We know that God works wonders through our suffering.
 “We know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose” (Rom 8:28, ESV).

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.
◦ We know that God works wonders through our suffering.
 Rom 8:28.
 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.
◦ We know that God works wonders through our suffering.
 Rom 8:28.
 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).
 James says that we need to be joyful when we face trials.

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.
◦ We know that God works wonders through our suffering.
 Rom 8:28.
 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).
 James says that we need to be joyful when we face trials.
 Why?

 We dare not believe that God is far away when we
are suffering.
◦ Without God, our suffering would be much worse.
◦ We know that God works wonders through our suffering.
 Rom 8:28.
 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).
 James says that we need to be joyful when we face trials.
 Why? Because we know that we‟ll be better people after the trial.

 But, Job has already answered that question!

 But, Job has already answered that question!
 “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I
might come even to his seat!” (v 3, ESV).

 But, Job has already answered that question!
 “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I
might come even to his seat!” (v 3, ESV).
◦ God‟s “seat” refers to his throne.

 But, Job has already answered that question!
 “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I
might come even to his seat!” (v 3, ESV).
◦ God‟s “seat” refers to his throne.
◦ “But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established
his throne for justice, and he judges the world with
righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness”
(Ps 9:7-8, ESV).