WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.620 This is not a sermon on Job 6. 00:00:01.760 --> 00:00:06.299 This is a sermon on Job 3 to 27, probably. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:11.660 So you might need to be able to flick quickly. 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:15.280 So grab a Bible if one's there. 00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:19.219 If not, at very least, grab a piece of paper and a pen 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:21.100 to be able to write down the references 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:23.420 so you can flick through it a little bit later. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:26.019 Let's pray. 00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:33.140 Father God, we again thank you for your revelation to us in your word 00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:36.140 and the revelation that we have, 00:00:36.619 --> 00:00:38.719 final revelation that we have in Christ. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:43.780 Lord, when this world doesn't make a lot of sense 00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:47.159 and we can't understand your sovereign hand, 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:51.579 we pray that we might, like Job, look to our Redeemer 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:56.479 and to realise, Lord, that you are the just God 00:00:56.479 --> 00:00:58.579 who will vindicate in the end. 00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:01.739 You're the God who will bring justice. 00:01:02.599 --> 00:01:04.659 And so, Lord, I pray that in the meantime 00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:06.299 that we might have wisdom 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:08.819 and that we might be people of faith. 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:12.579 And we ask it now as we look at your word again. 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:12.700 Amen. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:14.859 We pray that you would come 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:16.679 and that you would speak 00:01:16.679 --> 00:01:19.719 so that your people might be strengthened in Christ 00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:23.159 and that we might treasure him above all else. 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:24.920 And we ask it for your sake. 00:01:25.219 --> 00:01:25.439 Amen. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:30.079 In Colorado in 1995, 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:34.379 a police officer arrived at a single car accident 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:37.539 where a car ended up on its roof 00:01:37.539 --> 00:01:42.859 and with a baby girl pinned under the car 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:44.459 which was sinking into the mud. 00:01:45.239 --> 00:01:48.159 And the officer lifted the car 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:52.219 and the mother pulled the girl out from the mud. 00:01:53.419 --> 00:01:56.799 People have been known to do those sorts of things, 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:00.280 to lift incredible weights after an accident 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:03.959 and then later to collapse under the shock of what's happened. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:07.000 There's also the case where the helicopter 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:09.060 from the TV show Magnum P.I., 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:11.960 if you remember Tom Selleck from years ago. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:14.799 This is a generation that will understand who Tom Selleck is. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:20.199 It crashed in 1988 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:24.819 and it pinned the pilot in shallow water 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:27.560 and one of the pilot's burly friends, 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:29.259 a guy named Tiny, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:34.060 ran over and lifted the one-ton helicopter enough 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:35.580 to pull the pilot out. 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:40.259 People have been known in that moment of tragedy 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:42.080 to lift incredible weights. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:46.219 There's a spiritual parallel to tragedy here. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:48.680 In the moment of tragedy, 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:51.900 when a Christian has been given the grace 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:53.599 to faithfully be able to say, 00:02:53.740 --> 00:02:56.199 the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, 00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:57.620 blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:03:01.039 And then later on to realise what it means 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:05.200 in day-to-day, week-by-week existence 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:12.819 to in fact could collapse in dismay over time. 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:16.439 You see, there's one thing to bear a sudden tragedy 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:20.920 with your rush of adrenaline and clear thinking. 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:27.419 It's quite another to suffer weeks, months, years of pain. 00:03:27.419 --> 00:03:32.879 Job 1 and 2 reveal that in one afternoon, 00:03:33.019 --> 00:03:35.500 Job lost his 10 children and all his wealth 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:36.659 and shortly afterwards, 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:39.279 he was afflicted with a terrible disease 00:03:39.279 --> 00:03:41.119 and in both these tragedies, 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:42.079 he kept his faith. 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:43.799 1.21 says, 00:03:43.800 --> 00:03:44.680 The Lord gave, 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:45.920 the Lord has taken away, 00:03:46.040 --> 00:03:47.240 blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:03:47.640 --> 00:03:49.240 And then in chapter 2, verse 10, 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:50.040 he says, 00:03:50.140 --> 00:03:52.680 Shall we receive good at the hand of God 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:55.140 and shall we not receive evil? 00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:00.540 He affirmed God's control over everything 00:04:00.540 --> 00:04:03.540 and he bowed in humble submission. 00:04:05.720 --> 00:04:09.560 But Job's faith and his reverence towards God 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:13.500 were not rewarded with a quick healing 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.500 of his disease. 00:04:15.159 --> 00:04:19.699 In chapter 7, he says this in verses 2 to 3, 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:22.920 Like a slave who longs for the shadow 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:26.540 and like a hailing who longs for his wages, 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:30.779 so I am allotted months of emptiness 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:34.740 and nights of misery are apportioned to me. 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:39.939 Job's misery had dragged on for months 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:44.139 and now the Job who stood firm 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:46.300 in chapters 1 and 2 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:49.420 seem to be completely rocked 00:04:49.420 --> 00:04:51.079 as you move into chapter 3. 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:54.620 Chapter 3, verse 1. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:56.720 This is after he's been silent 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:00.000 and after he has said, 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:00.740 The Lord has given, 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:01.680 the Lord has taken away, 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:02.800 blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:04.020 The next thing he says, 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.060 he opens his mouth 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:08.280 and he cursed the day of his birth. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:08.740 He said, 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:11.160 May the day of my birth perish 00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:12.960 and the night it was said, 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:14.280 a boy is born. 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.819 That day may it turn to darkness. 00:05:17.460 --> 00:05:19.800 May God above not care about it. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:21.900 May no light shine upon it. 00:05:22.340 --> 00:05:23.660 And then down in verse 11, 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:26.540 Why did I not perish at birth 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:29.220 and die as I came from the womb? 00:05:29.640 --> 00:05:30.380 And 23, 00:05:31.020 --> 00:05:33.180 Why is life given to a man 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:34.560 whose way is hidden, 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:36.620 whom God has hedged in? 00:05:37.020 --> 00:05:39.380 For sighing comes to me instead of food. 00:05:39.780 --> 00:05:42.100 My groans pour out like water. 00:05:43.440 --> 00:05:46.100 This is a different Job 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:48.100 than the one we discovered last week 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:49.940 in chapters 1 and 2. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:51.920 It almost seems here 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:53.160 that his faith is gone. 00:05:53.280 --> 00:05:55.720 He wishes he is dead. 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:58.500 And so now we come to the Job 00:05:58.500 --> 00:05:59.800 who says, 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:00.480 Why? 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:03.520 Why the suffering? 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.020 Where's the justice? 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:09.379 Where's the vindication in this world? 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:11.759 And so what we're going to do this morning 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:12.580 is we're going to look at, 00:06:12.580 --> 00:06:12.819 you know, 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:14.660 basically chapters 3 to 27, 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:16.000 you know, 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:16.660 very broadly. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:19.100 And what we enter into here 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:21.100 is the huge section of Job 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:23.800 where he's debating his three mates, 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.800 the guys who turned up 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:27.100 at the end of chapter 2. 00:06:28.340 --> 00:06:30.340 After hearing Job say 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:32.240 that he wished he'd never been born, 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:33.939 each of his friends 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:36.160 jump in to explain to Job 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:37.480 why he's suffering 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:38.900 the way he is. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:40.640 So Eliphaz goes first 00:06:40.640 --> 00:06:42.100 and then Job replies to him. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.540 Then Bildad goes next, 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:44.680 Job replies to him. 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.780 And then Zophar goes last 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:47.780 and Job replies to him. 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:48.679 And the whole cycle 00:06:48.679 --> 00:06:50.679 is repeated twice 00:06:50.679 --> 00:06:53.279 and the debate comes to a gridlock 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:56.019 as both sides refuse to budge. 00:06:56.479 --> 00:06:58.639 And so the big chunk of Job 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.939 is quite repetitive. 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:03.139 Job's friends 00:07:03.139 --> 00:07:05.399 sitting a little way off 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:08.139 and they hear what Job has to say 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:09.879 when he sounds off about his grief 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:11.399 and his anguish in chapter 3. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:12.620 And basically 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:14.500 you could sum up 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:16.519 the main section of Job 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:17.599 is that they all 00:07:17.599 --> 00:07:20.639 basically say the same kind of thing. 00:07:21.239 --> 00:07:22.519 They serve up 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:24.399 theologically rigid answers 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:27.459 seasoned with a bit of a condemning spirit. 00:07:28.479 --> 00:07:29.779 That's kind of what they do. 00:07:30.919 --> 00:07:33.459 They are partly correct 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:37.139 and so they are unwise. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:40.759 What we discover here 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.599 is in our search for wisdom 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:45.539 a lack of wisdom. 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:48.740 Their basic position 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:49.779 is summed up nicely 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:50.560 by Eliphaz 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.979 in chapter 4 00:07:51.979 --> 00:07:54.180 verse 7 to 8 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:56.379 where he poses a question. 00:07:57.039 --> 00:07:58.079 Consider now 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:00.079 who being innocent 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:01.779 has ever perished? 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:04.319 Where were the upright 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:05.599 ever destroyed? 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:08.320 As I have observed 00:08:08.320 --> 00:08:10.760 those who plough evil 00:08:10.760 --> 00:08:13.820 and those who sow trouble 00:08:13.820 --> 00:08:15.020 reap it. 00:08:17.320 --> 00:08:18.580 See his idea? 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:19.580 Job 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:22.640 you've done something wrong 00:08:22.640 --> 00:08:24.820 to deserve 00:08:24.820 --> 00:08:26.740 this sort of suffering. 00:08:27.320 --> 00:08:28.680 Their basic position is 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:29.939 you reap what you sow 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:31.820 and there is truth in it. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:32.960 We looked at it last week. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:35.180 That is proverbial wisdom. 00:08:35.179 --> 00:08:36.039 That is the wisdom 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.459 of the Proverbs. 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:40.000 But it is never meant 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:40.579 to be applied 00:08:40.579 --> 00:08:41.679 as a rigid rule. 00:08:42.739 --> 00:08:43.620 There are plenty of people 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.459 who sow evil 00:08:44.459 --> 00:08:45.559 and never seem to reap it. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:46.739 They just go on 00:08:46.739 --> 00:08:47.959 from strength to strength 00:08:47.959 --> 00:08:49.259 and there are those 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:50.039 who never seem 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:51.559 to get a break 00:08:51.559 --> 00:08:52.419 from misery. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:55.079 Good people 00:08:55.079 --> 00:08:55.719 who seem to never 00:08:55.719 --> 00:08:56.279 get a break 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:56.839 from misery. 00:08:57.579 --> 00:08:58.479 And Job's friends 00:08:58.479 --> 00:08:59.219 have taken this 00:08:59.219 --> 00:09:00.219 generalization 00:09:00.219 --> 00:09:01.399 and have made it a rule. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:02.379 They have concluded 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:03.339 that because Job 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:04.820 is reaping over here 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:06.240 then he is sowed 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:06.920 over there. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:08.240 So let me illustrate 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:08.700 it for you. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:09.820 I did this very quickly 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:10.280 last week. 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:10.899 I'll do it again. 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:14.680 Proverbs 24 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:16.280 verses 33 and 34 00:09:16.280 --> 00:09:17.060 says this. 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:18.200 A little sleep 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:19.379 and a little slumber 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:20.000 a little folding 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:20.940 of the hands to rest 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:21.800 and poverty 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:23.080 will come on you 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:24.000 like a bandit 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.180 and scarcity 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:27.259 like an armed man. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:28.980 basically 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:32.299 if you are lazy 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:34.379 then you can expect 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.139 to be poor. 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:37.679 That's a fairly 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.860 general principle. 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:40.500 It's a fair enough 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.159 kind of principle. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:42.740 However, 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:44.000 it's totally at a place 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:44.460 to conclude 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:44.960 that just because 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.100 somebody is poor 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.620 then they must have 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:48.080 been lazy. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:51.559 Just because 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:52.819 they are reaping poverty 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:53.360 doesn't mean 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.240 that they've sown it 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:55.220 through laziness. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:57.120 and you know 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.540 take refugees 00:09:58.540 --> 00:09:59.820 for example. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.720 That would be a really 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:03.300 inappropriate application 00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:04.500 for those 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.840 who are living 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:07.860 in a shantytown 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:08.440 somewhere 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:10.019 escaping war 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:10.920 from another country. 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:14.100 And this is what 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:15.000 Job's friends have done. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.840 They have reduced 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.820 God and his actions 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:17.879 to their ability 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:19.740 to grasp order 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.639 in the world. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.320 They forgot to take 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:23.899 into account 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.080 the mystery of God. 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:26.639 We don't know 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.120 everything. 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:28.620 We can't know 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:28.980 everything. 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:29.879 We won't know 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:30.340 everything. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.580 Which is one reason 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:32.300 why humility 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:33.840 is a really good 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.740 stance to take 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:35.460 day by day. 00:10:37.420 --> 00:10:38.399 And Job's friends 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.000 also show 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.899 little compassion 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:40.360 in the way 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.139 they spoke 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:41.920 of his character. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.200 Eliphaz makes 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.139 a sly swipe 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.480 of Job 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.220 in chapter 4 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:46.000 verse 5. 00:10:46.680 --> 00:10:47.540 But now trouble 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:48.580 comes to you 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:49.519 and you are 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.060 discouraged. 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.060 It strikes you 00:10:51.060 --> 00:10:51.420 and you are 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:52.100 dismayed. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.379 You see this is 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.100 what he's saying 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:54.580 is Job 00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:56.740 the sufferer. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:57.500 You used to be 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:58.340 Job the righteous 00:10:58.340 --> 00:10:59.460 man who used 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.700 to offer advice 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.879 and help people 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.040 who were suffering. 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:04.759 And Eliphaz's charge 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:05.500 here is more than 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:06.360 one of just 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.540 inconsistency. 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:08.620 In verse 6 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.060 he says, 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:09.960 should not your 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.920 piety be your 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:11.420 confidence 00:11:11.420 --> 00:11:12.740 and your blameless 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:13.680 ways your hope? 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.180 If you put both 00:11:15.180 --> 00:11:16.060 those verses together 00:11:16.060 --> 00:11:17.019 what Eliphaz is 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:17.639 saying here 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.899 it's a real 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:20.699 nasty sarcasm. 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:22.759 It's even more 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.299 than a nasty 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:24.080 sarcasm. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.039 He's actually 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:26.100 accusing Job 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:27.500 of rank hypocrisy. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.100 But there's also 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:32.899 a note of 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:34.639 self-righteousness 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:36.539 as he accuses 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.139 Job of rank 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:37.819 hypocrisy. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:42.019 In chapter 5 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.620 verse 8 00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:43.439 Eliphaz says, 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:44.620 but if it were 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.259 I, 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:46.740 I would appeal 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.340 to God. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.620 I would lay 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.960 my cause 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:50.799 before him. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.480 In other words 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:55.180 I would make 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:56.060 the same mistake 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:56.600 you're making 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:56.980 Job. 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.399 I would recognise 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.360 God as the one 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:01.919 who is capable 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:02.779 of restoring me. 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.340 I would shut 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:03.980 my mouth. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.899 I would confess 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.919 my sins and I 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.500 would plead for 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.320 my deliverance. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:08.539 And you see 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.259 more of it in 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:09.940 chapter 5 00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:11.560 verses 17 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:12.240 and onwards. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:13.600 Blessed is the 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.580 man whom God 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:15.379 corrects. 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:16.939 So do not 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.679 despise the 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:18.580 discipline of 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:19.220 the Almighty. 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:21.039 In other words 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:21.580 Job, 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:22.879 if you just 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.759 confess your 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.939 sin and 00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:25.860 plead for 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.759 God's mercy 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.860 then you 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.200 will be 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:28.779 restored. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:34.480 Then his 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.299 mate Bildad 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.019 has a crack 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:36.539 in chapter 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:37.620 8 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:39.100 verse 6 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:50.700 He is saying 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.139 that because 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.519 God has not 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.300 restored you 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:53.860 Job 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.120 to your 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:55.899 rightful place 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:56.399 that is the 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.019 place where 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:57.820 a righteous 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:58.560 person 00:12:58.560 --> 00:13:00.800 lives the 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:01.540 good life 00:13:01.540 --> 00:13:02.899 again the 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:03.580 proverbial wisdom 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.399 coming out here 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.959 and because 00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:06.639 he has not 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.480 restored you 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.299 then you are 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:09.179 clearly impure 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.419 and unrighteous. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:11.899 Again 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.299 a crack on 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:13.899 his 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.840 integrity. 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.459 Then number 00:13:16.459 --> 00:13:16.819 three 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.759 Zophar stands 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.139 up and 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.740 weighs in 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.120 and he 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.779 really weighs 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.039 in. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.559 He reckons 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.199 Job's 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.019 suffering is 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.539 much less 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:23.980 than he in 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:24.799 fact actually 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.340 deserves. 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.679 Take it on 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:28.319 the chin Job 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:28.600 because you 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:29.100 deserve a lot 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:29.500 worse than 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:29.840 this. 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:32.860 He's saying 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:33.579 that Job's 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.400 sin is so 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:36.460 great that 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.780 God has 00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:38.600 forgotten some 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:38.860 of it. 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:40.680 He says 00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:41.060 this in 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:41.600 chapter 11 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.160 verse 11 00:13:42.160 --> 00:13:42.860 Surely he 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.900 God is 00:13:43.900 --> 00:13:45.360 recognises 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.560 deceitful men 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.940 and when he 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:49.060 sees evil 00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:50.420 does not he 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.320 take note? 00:13:53.660 --> 00:13:54.420 So Job 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:56.300 is deceitful 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:57.420 and evil. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.320 He really 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.500 just tears 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.560 his character 00:14:02.560 --> 00:14:03.460 to shreds 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:05.280 and so 00:14:05.280 --> 00:14:06.120 in chapter 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.820 6 which 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.160 was just 00:14:07.160 --> 00:14:07.519 read out 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.040 to us 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:08.960 Job 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:09.580 responds 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:09.960 to his 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.259 friend 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:10.960 Eliphaz 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.600 Job 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.200 never 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.680 throughout 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:14.139 the book 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:14.680 never 00:14:14.680 --> 00:14:15.340 claims 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:15.840 sinless 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:16.420 perfection. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:18.759 In 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.460 verses 1 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:20.580 to 13 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.040 of chapter 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:21.519 6 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:22.700 are Job's 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.639 declaration 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.480 of his 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.080 innocence 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:26.500 and his 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.180 desire to 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:27.540 die. 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.100 Such was 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:28.700 his torment. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.340 Such was 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.440 the load 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.100 he felt. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:31.960 He just 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.360 wishes he 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:32.820 was dead. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:35.080 And in 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:35.500 the second 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.360 half of 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.680 the chapter 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.400 verses 14 00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:39.000 to 30 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.340 are Job's 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:41.200 words to 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.879 his careless 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.540 friends. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.820 Job 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.360 actually 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.120 resents 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:45.400 his 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:45.879 friend's 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.280 lack of 00:14:46.280 --> 00:14:46.800 compassion. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.220 So verse 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.700 14 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:50.680 a despairing 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:51.140 man 00:14:51.140 --> 00:14:52.379 should have 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.900 the devotion 00:14:52.900 --> 00:14:53.259 of his 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:53.780 friends 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:54.840 even though 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:55.520 he forsakes 00:14:55.520 --> 00:14:55.980 the fear 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.280 of the 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:56.720 almighty. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:58.700 But my 00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.180 brothers 00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.820 are 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.980 undependable 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.640 as 00:15:01.640 --> 00:15:02.200 intermittent 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.120 streams 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:03.759 as the 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.480 streams 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.300 that 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.000 overflow. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.240 flow. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:10.519 They 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:12.340 are 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:12.779 fickle. 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:12.960 They 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.100 are 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.779 undependable. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:13.980 I 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.379 cannot 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.159 trust 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:15.720 the 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.320 words 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.799 coming 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.120 out of 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.279 my 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:17.580 friends 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.039 mouths. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.539 Job is 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:22.759 saying 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.080 no matter 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.559 what I 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:23.879 say and 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.200 what I 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.399 do 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:24.720 you are 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:24.919 my 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.440 mates. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:26.919 But he 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.240 says you 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.580 are like 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.220 those puddles 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:28.620 of water 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.240 that form 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.539 really 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.100 quickly in 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.419 the heavy 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.799 rain but 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:32.580 which disappear 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.019 in the 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.299 sand. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:33.539 They're 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:33.779 gone. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.039 They're here 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:34.480 one moment 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:34.740 gone. 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.259 The next. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:38.639 Instead of 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.480 being dependable 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:39.820 and a 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:40.379 source of 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.759 hope and 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.559 life in 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.059 a desert 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:44.940 you're 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:46.059 fickle and 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:46.360 you bring 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.039 no hope 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:49.120 no comfort. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.200 And Job's 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.100 plea here to 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.940 his friends is 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.799 quite emotional 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.700 and quite 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.779 pitiable in 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.820 verse 28. 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.879 But now be 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.799 so kind as 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:00.639 to look at 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.000 me. 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:02.659 Just 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.639 look at 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.039 me. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:06.219 would I 00:16:06.219 --> 00:16:06.860 lie to 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.799 your face 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:08.379 that is 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.360 by hiding 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.120 this evil 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.659 and sinful 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.199 life that 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:11.679 you accuse 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.179 me of? 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.579 Relent. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.599 Do not 00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:15.299 be unjust. 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.259 Reconsider 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.759 for my 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.579 integrity 00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:18.079 is at 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:18.579 stake. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.379 He's 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.679 saying to 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.039 his friends 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.759 guys you've 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.159 got it all 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:23.620 wrong. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.120 Your 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.599 understanding 00:16:24.599 --> 00:16:25.019 of God 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.459 is too 00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:25.980 neat. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.659 You've 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.199 taken away 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:28.719 all the 00:16:28.719 --> 00:16:29.299 mystery. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:31.839 And so 00:16:31.839 --> 00:16:32.419 the result 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.519 is their 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.439 counsel is 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.159 both naive 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.519 and cruel. 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:38.779 The God 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.079 of their 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:39.859 neat theology 00:16:39.859 --> 00:16:40.339 would not 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.059 allow someone 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.659 to suffer 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:43.099 unless they 00:16:43.099 --> 00:16:43.959 deserved it 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.620 and because 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.079 Job is 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:46.199 suffering he 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:46.699 must have 00:16:46.699 --> 00:16:47.359 deserved it. 00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:51.559 Something 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.419 happens with 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:55.459 Job from 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:56.559 chapter 3 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.000 right 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.399 throughout 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.079 the course 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:58.379 of this 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.759 debate 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.139 with his 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.639 friends 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:01.039 which is 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.099 quite profound 00:17:02.099 --> 00:17:02.579 here. 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:04.539 We know 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:04.839 in chapter 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.480 1 and 2 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:05.919 the Lord 00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:06.359 gave the 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:06.899 Lord has 00:17:06.899 --> 00:17:07.339 taken away 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:07.839 blessed be 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.159 the name 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:08.379 of the 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:08.599 Lord. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:08.960 Chapter 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.599 3 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.460 he says 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:10.740 I wish 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.019 I was 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.419 dead. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.099 He cries 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.960 out against 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.480 the wisdom 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:17.940 of God 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.299 in giving 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:18.980 him birth. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.799 The duration 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.399 of his 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.059 disease 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.200 and his 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.940 tragedy 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:26.339 has almost 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.139 defeated 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:28.379 the initial 00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:29.179 stand of 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:29.679 faith 00:17:29.679 --> 00:17:30.759 in chapters 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.619 1 and 2 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:33.859 but 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:35.659 from chapter 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.359 3 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.740 all the way 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.299 through to 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.379 chapter 19 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:41.299 there is 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.299 this little 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.379 by little 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.559 gaining and 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.599 regaining of 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.019 the faith 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.500 of Job 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:49.579 until 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.379 you get 00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:50.799 to chapter 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.459 19 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.779 and his 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.279 faith 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.019 breaks out 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.599 in victory. 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:57.379 In every 00:17:57.379 --> 00:17:57.839 speech 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.339 up until 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:58.720 then 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.339 Job 00:17:59.339 --> 00:17:59.539 has 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.119 expressed 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.339 the 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:00.839 conviction 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.519 that 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.720 he 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:01.980 would 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.579 certainly 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.179 die 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:03.500 in 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.919 misery. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.119 He 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:06.619 longs 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.159 for it 00:18:07.159 --> 00:18:08.819 but then 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.279 there is a 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.740 gradual 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.799 change in 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.159 the way 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:11.779 he talks 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.279 about his 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.720 dying. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.399 At first 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:14.799 in chapter 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.480 7 verses 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.240 9 to 10 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.899 during his 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.459 response to 00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:18.019 Eliphaz 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.139 he is sure 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.879 that death 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.439 is the end 00:18:20.439 --> 00:18:21.039 of everything. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.839 as the 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.180 cloud 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.659 vanishes 00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:23.200 and is 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.700 gone 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.579 so one 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.099 who goes 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.599 down to 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.200 the grave 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.000 does not 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.480 return 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.359 he will 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.259 never come 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.680 back to 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.180 his house 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.619 again. 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.879 That's it 00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:32.700 death is 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.339 what waits 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:33.579 me 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.500 and death 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:34.859 is the 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.279 end. 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:37.920 That is 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.079 there is not 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.559 even anything 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.299 good to look 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:40.879 for after 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.339 death. 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:44.299 And as he 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:44.899 responds to 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.480 Bildad in 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.119 chapter 10 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.960 verses 20 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.839 to 22 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:49.039 he is still 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.879 sunk in 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.680 despair about 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.000 death. 00:18:51.280 --> 00:18:51.680 Are not 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.320 my few 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:53.200 days almost 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.700 over? 00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:54.900 Turn away 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.660 from me so 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.180 I can have 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:56.820 a moment's 00:18:56.820 --> 00:18:57.840 joy before 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.440 I go to 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:58.920 the place 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.280 of no 00:18:59.280 --> 00:18:59.620 return. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:18:59.960 To the 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.400 land of 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.880 gloom and 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.500 utter darkness 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.280 to the 00:19:02.280 --> 00:19:02.740 land of 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.500 deepest night 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:03.940 of utter 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.640 darkness and 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.800 disorder where 00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:06.540 even the 00:19:06.540 --> 00:19:07.940 light is 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.940 like darkness. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:11.620 Then in 00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.320 his response 00:19:12.320 --> 00:19:12.980 to Zophar 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.400 in chapter 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.340 14 verses 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.280 7 to 14 00:19:15.280 --> 00:19:16.440 he again 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.740 faces the 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.460 certainty of 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.800 death in 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.039 suffering and 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.720 he cries 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.460 out to be 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.460 released to 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.680 die in 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.579 verse 13. 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:27.099 But this 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.779 time he 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.259 asks a 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.339 question in 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.200 verse 14. 00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:32.119 If someone 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:34.000 dies will 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.879 they live 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.339 again? 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:36.819 All the 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.579 days of my 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.480 hard service 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.220 I will 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.539 wait for 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.299 my renewal 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.319 to come. 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.559 And again 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:47.279 in a second 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.960 response to 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.879 Eliphaz in 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.720 chapter 17 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.460 verses 13 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.260 to 16 00:19:51.260 --> 00:19:53.060 the reference 00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:53.440 to the 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.980 place of 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.520 the dead 00:19:54.520 --> 00:19:55.700 is one 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.780 of question 00:19:56.780 --> 00:19:58.340 rather than 00:19:58.340 --> 00:19:58.920 despair. 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.920 And then 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.920 in chapter 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.600 19 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:05.940 verse 25 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.720 Job reaches 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.360 an answer 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:08.420 and the 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.400 victory comes. 00:20:10.260 --> 00:20:11.420 I know 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.820 that my 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.700 redeemer 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.540 lives. 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.920 God 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.940 and that 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.240 in the 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.639 end he 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:18.299 will stand 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:18.720 on the 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.220 earth and 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.759 after my 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.639 skin has 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.639 been destroyed 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.859 yet in my 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.940 flesh I 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.599 will see 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.039 God. 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.299 I myself 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.920 will see 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.619 him with 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.200 my own 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.759 eyes, 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.099 I and 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.759 not another, 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.720 how my 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.740 heart yearns 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.859 within me. 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.879 There's the 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.200 victory. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.240 My redeemer 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.180 lives and I 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.799 will see God 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.200 face to 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.559 face. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:44.819 Death is 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.180 not the 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.460 end. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.379 Job is 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.200 finally sure 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.639 that beyond 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.339 the grave he 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.859 will meet 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.579 God as 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.500 his vindicator 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.659 and not 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:53.220 as an 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:53.940 angry judge. 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.740 He will be 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.619 vindicated from 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.099 all his 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:56.539 suffering. 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.659 Even if it 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.519 will only be 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.460 after death, 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.379 even if it's 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:01.019 to suffer for 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.480 the rest of 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:01.879 his life, 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.579 he knows that 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.399 vindication will 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.119 come in the 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.519 end. 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.460 There will be 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.240 life and 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.460 light and not 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.019 death and 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.419 darkness. 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.099 The victory 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:11.039 for Job is 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.639 in his 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.139 redeemer, 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.360 in his 00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:14.460 vindicator. 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.380 Someone who 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:16.960 can stand 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.100 before God 00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:19.060 and plead 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:20.220 his case. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.340 He realized 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.040 his friends 00:21:24.040 --> 00:21:24.520 weren't going 00:21:24.520 --> 00:21:25.100 to do it. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.060 No one 00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:27.740 else will 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.440 stand with 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:28.780 him. 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:30.520 He even 00:21:30.520 --> 00:21:31.040 raised the 00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:32.100 possibility of 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:32.700 a need for 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.500 a mediator 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.500 between God 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.080 and himself 00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:35.660 back in 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.480 chapter 9 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.920 verse 33. 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.040 And then in 00:21:39.040 --> 00:21:40.120 chapter 17 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:40.920 verse 3, 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.920 Job thought 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.340 that he 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.240 himself might 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.560 be the 00:21:43.560 --> 00:21:44.519 person who 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.080 will stand 00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:45.880 before God 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.840 and vindicate 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.440 himself. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.920 And now he 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.759 realizes he 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.360 needs someone 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.019 else. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.140 Someone else 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.100 who won't be 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:56.100 crushed by God's 00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:56.980 awesome power. 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.880 Someone that 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.539 can approach 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.019 God without 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.860 fear that 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.779 their sin is 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.600 going to exclude 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.580 them from the 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:04.420 presence of God. 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.300 Someone who can 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:06.640 present to God 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.700 Job's struggles 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.820 and to ask God 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.579 to have mercy 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.339 on Job. 00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:11.419 Someone on 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.500 the inside 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.480 who pleads 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.179 with God 00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:15.099 for Job. 00:22:15.419 --> 00:22:16.179 Who took 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:16.799 his struggles 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.319 to God 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.579 and who 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.159 represented 00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:18.720 Job to 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.119 God. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:21.939 And Job 00:22:21.939 --> 00:22:22.179 says, 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.659 that is my 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.679 only avenue 00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:24.839 to God's 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.579 justice 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:28.059 is my 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.539 redeemer 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:30.099 who lives. 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.879 God 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.579 is my 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.579 love. 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.019 God 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.539 is my 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.579 love. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.579 Interestingly 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.539 enough though, 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:39.519 this confidence 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.539 in a redeemer 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:42.159 does not 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:43.919 answer all 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.559 of Job's 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.559 questions about 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.299 his suffering. 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:50.740 It doesn't 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.759 solve all of 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.539 his theological 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.240 problems. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.099 He is still 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.539 totally confused 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.859 as to why 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.819 he should have 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.379 to suffer 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:00.099 as he 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.619 does. 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.240 And even 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.720 though he has 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.259 a confidence 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.740 in his 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.240 redeemer, 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.559 his suffering 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.259 goes right 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.579 on. 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.919 But Job's 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:10.559 confidence of 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.059 new life 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.700 after death 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.679 does enable 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.379 him to hold 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:13.919 on to three 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:14.220 of his 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.740 convictions. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.799 The sovereign 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.759 power of 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.159 God, 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:20.099 the goodness 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:21.119 and justice 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:21.839 of God, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.819 and the 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.399 faithfulness 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:24.919 of his own 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.319 heart. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.319 God 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:28.439 and with 00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:29.240 those convictions 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.899 he holds 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.619 out against 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.480 the simplistic 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.579 doctrine of 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:34.279 justice from 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.579 the mouth of 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.200 his three 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.839 friends. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:44.359 I was in 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.059 a library the 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.639 other day, 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.919 Bible College 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:47.379 library, 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:48.939 and the 00:23:48.939 --> 00:23:49.599 section on 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:51.399 Job was 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.179 huge. 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:54.720 So I 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.560 feel quite 00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:57.360 encouraged to 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.220 be able to 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.259 not cover all 00:23:59.259 --> 00:23:59.779 the bases 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:02.060 when I 00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:02.620 looked at the 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.200 section on 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.580 Job. 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.279 And so 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.920 there's at 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.500 least a couple 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.240 of things that I 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.580 want us to 00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:09.940 pick up, 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.680 acknowledging that 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.000 it's not 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.560 everything and 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:11.940 not that I 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.360 can nail 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:12.860 everything. 00:24:16.060 --> 00:24:16.720 Let's just 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.220 pick up a few 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.620 things. 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.100 Firstly, 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.340 there is 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:21.240 order in this 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.680 world, but 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.120 we don't 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:23.680 see it all. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.680 We don't 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.240 see it all. 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:27.920 And so 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.559 suffering and 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.799 prosperity are 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.799 not distributed 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.819 in the world 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:33.079 in proportion 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.299 to the evil 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.000 or good 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.640 that a person 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.079 does. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.779 And so 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.819 to be wise 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.319 is not to 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:41.960 judge one 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.819 another before 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.680 the time. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.599 That's one 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.079 element of 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.400 wisdom. 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.779 To not 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.579 judge one 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:51.059 another before 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.839 the time. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.619 And the 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.960 time is 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.319 the end 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.759 of time. 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.939 That's the 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.199 time. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.599 Those who 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:03.299 suffer may 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.019 be the best 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.579 and those 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.240 who prosper 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.599 may be the 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.359 worst amongst 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:07.720 us. 00:25:09.939 --> 00:25:10.500 Secondly, 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.960 God reigns 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.740 over all the 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.299 affairs of 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.839 people, from 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.279 the greatest 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.720 to the 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.119 smallest. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:17.059 and one 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.239 of the 00:25:17.239 --> 00:25:17.759 most common 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.719 means used 00:25:18.719 --> 00:25:19.819 by people 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.599 today to 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.479 solve the 00:25:21.479 --> 00:25:22.219 mystery of 00:25:22.219 --> 00:25:22.759 suffering, 00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:24.799 inevitably, is 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.299 the limitation 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:26.159 of God. 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:28.179 That's how we 00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:29.319 generally solve 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.539 it. 00:25:29.959 --> 00:25:30.559 Particularly the 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.279 limitation of 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:31.859 God's sovereign 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.599 control over 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.419 all things. 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.119 That is, God 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:35.819 couldn't have 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.359 willed that 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.279 sickness or 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.119 that explosion 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.739 or the death 00:25:38.739 --> 00:25:39.500 of that child. 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.139 He must not 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.939 be in control. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:45.059 He's a 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.779 limited God. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.539 Let me tell 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.180 you that for 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.320 Job and his 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.400 three friends, 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:53.660 that never 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.340 occurred to 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.240 them as an 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.600 option. 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.039 On either 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.420 side of the 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.720 camp, it 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.279 never occurred 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.600 to them. 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:01.000 The common 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.620 ground of 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.340 Job and his 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.019 three friends 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.960 is that God 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.180 reigns. 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.320 He's 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:07.980 sovereign. 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.440 And no 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.299 solution to 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.920 the problem 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.720 of suffering 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.759 that questions 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:15.879 this, that 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.359 is God's 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.940 sovereignty, will 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:19.339 ever satisfy 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.460 in the long 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:20.680 run. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.900 But we 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.839 tend to limit 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.440 God in an 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.379 attempt to 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.339 alleviate the 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.980 pain of 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.440 suffering. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:33.000 We think 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.799 that if we 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.640 can comprehend 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:36.079 why suffering 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:38.099 happens, then 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.220 by default, 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.319 that will 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:43.079 limit or 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.039 alleviate the 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.639 pain of 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.179 suffering. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.579 And so in 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.259 an attempt to 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.819 explain suffering, 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.899 ultimately we 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.480 limit the 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.159 sovereignty of 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:56.220 God or the 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.059 goodness of 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.500 God. 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.339 And it 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.000 will never 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.879 alleviate the 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.339 pain of 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:02.759 suffering. 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:02.839 suffering. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.680 You bring 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.660 God down 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:09.059 and all of 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.900 a sudden we 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.779 are just 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.700 random. 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.559 And that 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.440 never alleviates 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:16.960 the pain of 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.319 suffering. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.359 Thirdly, 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.379 true theology 00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.160 should lead to 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.599 love and 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.079 humility. 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:29.559 If you 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.299 take most 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.679 of the 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:31.419 statements of 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:31.859 Job's 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.279 friends 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:32.960 separately, 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.319 it sounds 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.960 like good 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.500 theology. 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.119 And on 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.779 most part, 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.740 it is. 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.359 But their 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.519 application is 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.419 shallow and 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:46.179 insensitive. 00:27:46.939 --> 00:27:47.319 In fact, 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.199 the proverbial 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:49.039 wisdom that 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.619 they lean on 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:52.819 itself warns 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.679 against such 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:54.500 an application 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.220 of proverbial 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.579 wisdom. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:55.659 wisdom. 00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:56.740 It says 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.559 this in 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:57.939 Proverbs 00:27:57.939 --> 00:27:58.659 26, 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.559 verse 9, 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.480 like a 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.179 thorn bush 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.639 in a 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.179 drunkard's 00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:03.539 hand is a 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.539 proverb in 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.139 the mouth 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.639 of a 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.039 fool. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.359 His 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.079 mates 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:11.500 weren't 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.579 wise. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.079 Their 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.839 advice 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.659 wasn't 00:28:15.659 --> 00:28:16.379 trustworthy. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.579 There is 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.059 a wrong 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.039 application of 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.559 proverbial 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:21.879 wisdom, 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.419 so let us 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:23.619 be warm 00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:24.119 friends. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.000 Good 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.559 theology 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:27.299 does not 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.879 make you 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.679 wise. 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.720 Good 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.299 theology 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.980 can be 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.440 made 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.419 false and 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:34.099 destructive 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.099 in the 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.639 way it 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.359 is applied. 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.179 Good 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.700 theology 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.480 does not 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.000 make you 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.700 wise and 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.220 it does 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.740 not make 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:40.940 you 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.460 trustworthy. 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.859 Knowledge 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.079 puffs up 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.899 and love 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:47.119 builds up. 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.859 All our 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.619 correct theology 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.559 is meant to 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.179 result in 00:28:52.179 --> 00:28:52.879 humility and 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:53.200 love, 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.059 not arrogance. 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.299 love. 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.619 God 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:56.919 should help 00:28:56.919 --> 00:28:57.279 us to 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.859 see that, 00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.139 that we 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:59.059 only know 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.859 in part. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.679 We are 00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.279 limited. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.319 Even after 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.960 the revelation 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.659 of Christ, 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.299 we are still 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.740 limited. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.559 Wisdom is not 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.599 knowing everything, 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.379 it is in 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.379 relationship with 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.059 the God who 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:13.579 knows everything. 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:16.859 humility and 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.980 love must be 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.819 the application 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:20.220 and it must 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.839 accompany the 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:23.659 application of 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.500 our theology. 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.859 Job's friends 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:28.099 would have done 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:29.099 well to practice 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.059 the old saying, 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.819 let love stand 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:33.019 as a watchman at 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.919 the gate of your 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:34.339 mouth. 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.399 love. 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.500 1 Corinthians 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.859 13 tells me 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.539 that even this 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.079 side of the 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.359 cross we do 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.299 not see clearly. 00:29:42.419 --> 00:29:43.579 Verse 12 of 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.039 1 Corinthians 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.740 13. 00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.619 Knowing of 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:47.000 course 1 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.679 Corinthians 13 00:29:47.679 --> 00:29:48.299 is the great 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.819 chapter of 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.119 love. 00:29:50.179 --> 00:29:50.559 Now we 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.439 shall see, 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:53.279 now we see 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.919 but a poor 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:54.959 reflection as 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.619 in a mirror, 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.079 then we shall 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.879 see face to 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.399 face. 00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.740 Now I know 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.439 in part, 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.639 then I shall 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.759 know fully even 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.459 as I am fully 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.700 known but 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.400 now these 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:06.220 three remain, 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:06.980 faith, 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:07.980 hope and 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:09.140 love and 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.559 the greatest 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.920 of these is 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.279 love. 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.319 We don't see 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.720 clearly, 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.960 we don't know 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:19.880 everything and 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.519 so I'd love us 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.100 to be known as 00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:21.740 a church that 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.759 holds theological 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:25.779 conviction with 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.600 humility and 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:28.299 love, with a 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.140 steadfast faith 00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:29.900 and a redeemer in 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.400 the face of 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.180 uncertainty and a 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.900 firm hope for 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.500 the future in 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:32.920 the middle of 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.400 calamity. 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:37.660 There is one 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:38.100 thing that we 00:30:38.100 --> 00:30:38.819 can say with 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:40.920 certainty and 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.460 that is that 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:41.960 our redeemer 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.420 lives. 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.860 Over it all, 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.640 hold fast to 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.039 the redeemer, 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.980 look to the 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.340 redeemer, 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.960 treasure the 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.819 redeemer who 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.680 knows and 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.480 will bring 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.480 vindication and 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.460 justice and 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.259 in the end, 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.299 faith in the 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.140 redeemer and 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:59.740 wisdom go 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.160 together. 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:02.440 and so in 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:02.880 the middle of 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.400 calamity and 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:04.880 we're standing 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:05.779 beside someone, 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.460 may we put our 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:07.160 arm around them 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.519 and say I 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.060 don't know why 00:31:08.060 --> 00:31:08.759 this happens but 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:10.340 let me point you 00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:10.920 to the redeemer 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.740 because he 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.120 lives. 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:14.560 Cling to the 00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:15.860 redeemer, he 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:17.720 lives and he 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.320 will bring 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:20.360 vindication in 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:20.840 the end. 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.899 So let me 00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:22.639 finish with the 00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:23.039 words of 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:24.079 Hebrews 4.14. 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.799 Therefore, since 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:27.319 we have a 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.819 great high 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.519 priest, a 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.579 great advocate, 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:32.339 a mediator, a 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.659 redeemer who 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.839 has gone through 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.379 the heavens, 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.179 Jesus the 00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:36.819 Son of God, 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.000 let us hold 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.960 firmly to the 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.419 faith we 00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:41.319 profess for we 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.279 do not have a 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:44.059 high priest that 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:45.559 is a mediator, a 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:47.500 redeemer who is 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.240 unable to 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.039 sympathize with 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.799 our weaknesses 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:52.279 but we have one 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.799 who is being 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.659 tempted in every 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.980 way just as we 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.360 are yet was 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.300 without sin. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.259 Let us then 00:31:59.259 --> 00:31:59.900 approach the 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.640 throne of grace 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.340 with confidence 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:02.779 so that we may 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:04.400 receive mercy and 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:05.200 find grace to 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.640 help us in our 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.380 time of need. 00:32:08.300 --> 00:32:08.800 Amen.