Page 140 - Job

Let’s have this out, God. But in every case the heavens are brass, and
God’s ears are deaf, and Job is not answered. Chapter 23 Job speaks
again. He has been through these debates, and he has heard these
arguments, and he is getting more and more frustrated. He is perplexed
about the problems of life, and he thinks that God has set him up as a
target
– a special target. Chapter 23, verse 3,

“Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His
seat! I would present my case before Him and fill my mouth with
arguments. I would learn the words which He would answer, and
perceive what He would say to me. Would He contend with me by
the greatness of His power? No, surely he would pay attention to me.
There the upright would reason with Him; And I would be delivered
forever from my Judge.”
If I could only present my case, I would stand there and fill my mouth
with arguments. I would show Him that I knew what I was talking about.
Chapter 31, verse 35,
“Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the
Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has
written, surely I would carry it on my shoulder, I would bind it to
myself like a crown. I would declare to Him the number of my steps;
Like a prince I would approach Him.”
He will not come but if He did, I would stand up like a prince. I would
have all my arguments written out and my mouth would be full. I would
say, okay, God, here it is. That is what Job said all through these debates.
In his presumption he had challenged God. If only God would lay aside
His deity and His glory and come down and fight like a man, then I would
respond and I would debate with Him.
It is so easy to read chapter 38 in a ho hum, take it for granted, way. But
try to imagine. Job had distorted the wisdom of God in his affliction. He
had impugned God’s justice. He had challenged God with partiality
toward the wicked, of being unfair, of delighting in His children’s
sufferings of. 38:1-3,
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who
is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird
up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!’ ”

“Job, you had a controversy with me”, God says. “You complained about

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