WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:07.200 Thanks guys. My name is Alistair. I'm the assistant here and I'm going to continue our reading in Job chapter 10. 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:11.279 This is Job speaking and he now turns his attention to God. 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:14.160 In Job chapter 10 verse 1 it says, 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:23.480 I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free reign to my complaint and speak out of the bitterness of my soul. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:31.320 I say to God, do not declare me guilty, but tell me what charges you have against me. 00:00:31.420 --> 00:00:38.320 Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands while you smile on the plans of the wicked? 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:43.600 Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees? 00:00:43.760 --> 00:00:48.460 Are your days like those of a mortal and your years like those of a strong man? 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:53.500 That you must search out my faults and probe after my sin. 00:00:54.340 --> 00:00:59.539 Though you know that I am not guilty and that no one can rescue me from your hand. 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:04.740 Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:08.120 Remember that you molded me like clay. 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:11.219 Will you now turn me to dust again? 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:15.480 Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:20.359 Clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:27.280 You gave me life and showed me kindness and in your providence watched over my spirit. 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:31.740 But this is what you concealed in your heart. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:34.140 And I know that this was in your mind. 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:40.540 If I have, if I sinned, you would be watching me and would not let my offense go unpunished. 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:44.160 If I am guilty, woe to me. 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:47.840 Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head. 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:52.460 For I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction. 00:01:53.360 --> 00:01:59.560 If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion and again display your awesome power against me. 00:02:00.300 --> 00:02:03.740 You bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger towards me. 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:07.680 Your forces come against me wave upon wave. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:11.540 Why then did you bring me out of the womb? 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:15.540 I wish I had died before any eye saw me. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:21.980 If only I had never come into being or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave. 00:02:23.700 --> 00:02:27.080 Are not my few days almost over? 00:02:27.980 --> 00:02:36.420 Turn from me so that I can have a moment's rest before I go to the place of no return to the land of gloom and utter darkness. 00:02:36.419 --> 00:02:44.579 To the land of deepest night of utter darkness and disorder, where even the light is like darkness. 00:02:45.859 --> 00:02:49.339 That is a very long and difficult passage. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:55.019 So let's turn to our great God in prayer and ask for his strength as we focus on it. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:02:55.739 Let's pray together. 00:02:55.740 --> 00:03:01.840 Father, we come to passages like this and we have so many questions. 00:03:02.260 --> 00:03:03.700 We have so many thoughts. 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:08.260 And Lord, we ask this morning that you would still our hearts. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:11.340 That you would take distractions away from us. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:13.860 And Lord, would you help us focus on your word. 00:03:14.920 --> 00:03:18.420 Father, I pray that I would decrease and you would increase. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:27.479 And may the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be pleasing to you, our rock and our redeemer. 00:03:28.399 --> 00:03:28.799 Amen. 00:03:30.739 --> 00:03:35.579 It'll be really helpful if you have that passage open in front of you as we focus on it this morning. 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:37.699 But I wonder if you've ever heard the rhyme. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:42.560 Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.560 You've probably heard that before. 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:49.979 It often gets thrown around on playgrounds at school. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:56.900 Maybe like me, you yourself have even used it when you were called names or teased as a child. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:03.099 But the more experience we have under our belts, the more we go on in life, 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:09.620 we realize that words can do more harm than physical attacks. 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:16.319 And the scars that they leave, whilst they aren't visible, can be just as damaging. 00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:20.920 If we are constantly hearing the same harmful words, 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:24.780 then there will come a point where we actually start to believe it's true. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:31.500 Maybe you've been told lies repeatedly over the years that you're worthless. 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:35.060 That you're a waste of space. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:37.160 That you're nothing. 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:40.400 Those are lies. 00:04:41.280 --> 00:04:44.360 But they leave a lasting impression on a person. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:50.040 They leave unseen wounds that hurt and continue to hurt years later. 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:53.840 And so a more realistic rhyme is, 00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:58.500 sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will hurt forever. 00:05:01.200 --> 00:05:05.840 That's what we're going to think about this morning in Job chapter 8 through to chapter 10. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:11.399 And Job is sitting on the ash heap, remember, with his friends or so-called friends all around him. 00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:17.179 Eliphaz has spoken to him from a kind of philosophical, uber-spiritual approach, 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:20.759 saying that he had a vision and he understands Job's suffering. 00:05:20.859 --> 00:05:22.179 He knows what's going on. 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:30.579 And so whilst Eliphaz wasn't nice in what he said to Job in chapters 4 and 5, 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:34.300 the way he said it was reasonably nice. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:35.019 It was okay. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:40.300 But this morning we listen into the conversation between Bildad and Job. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:44.199 And Bildad proves that words do hurt. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:50.300 In fact, it's as if Bildad is deliberately trying to inflict more pain on Job. 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:54.420 So if Eliphaz's response was a bit more philosophical, 00:05:55.379 --> 00:06:00.039 Bildad's response is that of a traditionalist who has zero sympathy 00:06:00.039 --> 00:06:03.319 and offers no comfort to his friend in pain, 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:07.399 but instead seems to pour lemon juice on an open wound. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:12.239 So we're going to look at Job 8 to 10 under two headings, 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:16.299 words that wound and the words of the wounded. 00:06:17.179 --> 00:06:23.060 So the first thing we see in this section of Job in chapter 8 are words that wound, 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:24.959 words that wound. 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:31.479 So Eliphaz was the subtle voice who was measured in his tone to Job. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:35.020 In contrast to that, Bildad is like a wrecking bull. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:40.700 He is a bull in a china shop or a vicious dog who goes right for the jugular. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:45.580 Bildad comes to essentially the same conclusion as Eliphaz, 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:49.520 that Job is suffering because of some sin in his life, 00:06:49.580 --> 00:06:51.660 but his approach is slightly different. 00:06:52.700 --> 00:06:56.700 And that's why studying these cycles of speeches is really helpful 00:06:56.699 --> 00:07:01.959 because it gets us thinking through how we understand suffering today 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:05.180 and the worldviews that we let influence us. 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:11.480 And these speeches tell us how not to speak to a friend in that pain. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:15.000 So Bildad starts, read with me, in verse 2. 00:07:15.659 --> 00:07:16.539 To Job he says, 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:19.240 How long will you say such things? 00:07:19.919 --> 00:07:22.659 Your words are a blustering wind. 00:07:22.660 --> 00:07:28.520 And so he sees his friend in agony on an ash pile. 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:29.540 And basically he says, 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:31.100 Job, snap out of it. 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:35.380 How long are you going to keep going on like this? 00:07:37.200 --> 00:07:40.480 And then he insults him by saying at the end of verse 2 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.920 that he's just full of hot air. 00:07:44.820 --> 00:07:45.879 Bildad is angry. 00:07:46.460 --> 00:07:49.080 He is frustrated at Job's response to Eliphaz 00:07:49.080 --> 00:07:50.540 and he is impatient. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:55.080 See, Job has been on that ash heap for months. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:08:00.460 Bildad and his friends have arrived on the scene about a week or so ago 00:08:00.460 --> 00:08:03.360 and Bildad has already lost the rag with Job. 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:06.460 He has no desire to comfort him 00:08:06.460 --> 00:08:09.180 and no desire to sympathize with him. 00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:13.080 Now comforters are supposed to be patient 00:08:13.080 --> 00:08:16.120 and we are supposed to be in it for the long haul. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.480 Don't get me wrong. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.379 It is hard to comfort people over the long haul. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.340 It isn't easy. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:25.939 As you sit with those who suffer, 00:08:26.580 --> 00:08:29.319 you need to know that their suffering won't be over in a week. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:32.100 You need to stick it out with them. 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:35.980 We need to make the conscious, self-sacrificing decision 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:39.159 to walk alongside those who are suffering 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:41.320 and to sit with them in their pain. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:45.580 For those of us who are looking on 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:46.820 on someone else's suffering, 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:50.200 it's really easy to become impatient, isn't it? 00:08:51.640 --> 00:08:53.320 And to think that the event 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:56.020 or the cause of that suffering took place in the past, 00:08:56.040 --> 00:08:58.020 so surely they should be fine by now. 00:09:00.820 --> 00:09:03.379 As comforters, we can move on very quickly 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:04.580 from things that have happened. 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:09.520 But for those who have been affected directly by suffering, 00:09:10.040 --> 00:09:11.740 it can take time 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:15.259 and those wounds may never actually heal properly. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:19.620 The death of a loved one 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:23.960 will always leave a void in someone's life. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:27.240 Past trauma can leave scars 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:30.920 that make every single day difficult. 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:37.759 Illnesses can make what seems to be a simple task 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:39.740 impossible to us. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:43.439 Our job as a community, 00:09:43.439 --> 00:09:45.639 who are called to care for each other well, 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:47.179 is to be patient. 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:50.559 We need to be in it for the long haul. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:52.559 We cannot be impatient like Bildad 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:56.120 and expect people just to get over their suffering. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:00.099 And so Bildad has listened to Job's lament 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:01.700 and his outpouring of grief. 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:04.600 And his response is he's fed up. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.000 He's angry because he thinks that Job's questioning 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:10.120 is a sign of unfaithfulness. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:14.060 And so Bildad insults Job out of anger 00:10:14.060 --> 00:10:16.120 and we see why in verse 3. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:16.980 Bildad says, 00:10:17.420 --> 00:10:19.440 does God pervert justice? 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:23.259 Does the Almighty pervert what is right? 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.100 And so Bildad's assessment of God 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:28.460 is 100% correct. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:30.900 God is completely just. 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:34.100 There is no measure of wavering in him. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.700 And this is the difficult thing with Job's friends 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:40.180 because some of the things they say are spot on. 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:41.160 They get it right. 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:44.600 But often, and most of the time, 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:46.320 the conclusions that they draw from that 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.200 are completely wrong. 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:51.740 So this is the foundational statement of Bildad's argument. 00:10:51.900 --> 00:10:54.360 God is completely just. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:57.240 But it only takes the next sentence 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:59.840 to see how wrong his conclusion is. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:02.280 Read verse 4 with me. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.860 Bildad speaking to Job says, 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:26.720 Bildad says, 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:27.720 Bildad says, 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.720 Bildad says, 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.720 Bildad says, 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.320 Job, 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.680 your kids are dead because they sinned 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:34.060 and if you keep going like this, 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.759 you're next. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:39.600 Bildad has no idea what's going on. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.920 He has no idea that this is Satan's attempt 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:44.940 to trick Job into cursing God. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:49.080 Bildad doesn't know that this is God's test 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:51.480 to prove the genuineness of Job's faith. 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:54.220 Friends, we need to be very, very careful 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:56.340 of the words we use 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:58.759 and the conclusions that we draw 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.980 about someone suffering 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:01.680 because our wounds, 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:03.520 our words can wound. 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:07.120 In verse 4, Bildad says, 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:08.940 God is just, Job. 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.320 That is why your kids died. 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.980 In verses 5 to 7, he says, 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:14.200 turn to God, do good, 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:15.580 and he will restore you, 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:18.560 very much focusing on material possessions. 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:21.379 He has a very black and white worldview. 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:24.040 So for Bildad, if you do good, 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.259 God will reward you. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.820 And if you do bad, 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.700 you will be punished. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.259 And we see this worldview 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:33.180 all over the place today, don't we? 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.379 Maybe it's a worldview 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.700 that we even have ourselves. 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.400 As Christians, 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:41.440 often when things go wrong in our lives, 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:42.440 we're tempted to think 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:44.600 that God is punishing us for our sins, 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:47.280 either past or present. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:50.379 So often we're tempted to think 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:52.220 that God is afflicting us 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:53.480 because we deserve it. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:55.500 But friends, the problem with that worldview 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:58.299 is that it leaves no room for forgiveness. 00:12:59.079 --> 00:13:01.779 It leaves no room for redemptive suffering. 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.559 In short, 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.939 that worldview leaves no room 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:05.879 for Jesus Christ. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:10.340 To believe God rewards good 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.419 and punishes evil 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:13.439 in the lives of his people 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:14.919 now is simplistic. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:17.100 And it is not what the Bible teaches. 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:21.720 But it is what many Christians believe today. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:26.000 I've been told that if only I had enough faith 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.779 and prayed more, 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.600 I could have healed all of my illnesses. 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:31.680 I was in a wheelchair at one point 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:34.000 and was told that I would be able to walk 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:36.399 pain-free if only I asked for forgiveness 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:38.860 and started living the proper Christian life. 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:42.180 I've had friends. 00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:49.420 Friends who lost a child. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:54.259 And in the middle of that suffering, 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.179 someone said to them, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.659 if only you'd had enough faith 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.259 and prayed, 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.740 that child would still be alive. 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.839 Friends, that is a false gospel. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:12.320 And it puts all the responsibility 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.680 on us. 00:14:14.800 --> 00:14:16.519 Weak human beings 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:19.780 and not on the completed work 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:22.519 of the ruling and reigning Jesus Christ. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:28.040 Now maybe you've said these things 00:14:28.040 --> 00:14:28.860 to people before. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.200 And if you have, 00:14:30.280 --> 00:14:31.360 I would encourage you to go 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.500 and ask them for forgiveness 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.680 and say, 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.840 that's not what the Bible teaches. 00:14:36.400 --> 00:14:37.820 That's not what God is like. 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:40.360 Because the only way 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.860 we can get through this life 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.379 is because of the hope 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.460 that God gives us 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.460 through the gospel. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.800 The life and death 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:49.940 and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:54.240 Suffering is often the thing 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.139 that causes us 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.740 to come to the end of ourselves. 00:14:57.300 --> 00:14:58.139 And in that moment, 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:00.300 we have to run towards God. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.879 The rest of the Bible says 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:06.040 suffering is to be expected in life 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:07.200 and that it has a purpose. 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:08.840 It has a meaning. 00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:11.240 We may not know what that is. 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.540 We may never know. 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:15.460 But it is not meaningless. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:18.780 And Christians do not suffer now 00:15:18.780 --> 00:15:20.660 because God is punishing his people. 00:15:21.780 --> 00:15:23.360 So how has Bildad come 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.139 to that conclusion? 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.680 Well, as a traditionalist, 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.860 he looks to the past. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.899 We see that in verse 8 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.240 where he says to Job, 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.000 ask the former generations 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.620 and find out what their ancestors learned. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:37.200 For we were born only yesterday 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.100 and know nothing 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.360 and our days on earth 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.460 are but a shadow. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.940 So the former generations 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.919 and their apparent wisdom 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:47.360 are the traditions of moral 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.440 and religious people. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.639 Now learning from the past 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.799 is not a bad thing. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.139 But the problem is 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.659 that Bildad doesn't see 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:58.299 that the wisdom of his ancestors 00:15:58.299 --> 00:16:00.000 is still imperfect. 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:03.500 Just because something happened 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.279 in the past 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.500 doesn't mean that it is 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.279 the wisest and best thing 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:08.299 for all of time. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.819 But also, 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.899 only looking back, 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.679 as Bildad is telling Job to do, 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:17.419 leaves no room for what God 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.639 might be doing in the present. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:22.879 Bildad is too busy 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.439 feeling like he needs 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:26.919 to defend God's honour. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:28.559 So he comes up 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.419 with the right answer 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.340 that God is just 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.879 but with the wrong conclusions. 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.980 And to drive his point home, 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.639 Bildad uses three illustrations. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:39.399 Plants in verses 11 to 13, 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.799 a spider's web 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.960 in verses 14 and 15 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:45.519 and a shallow-rooted plant 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:48.179 in verses 16 and 19. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.580 Bildad is saying 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.699 that the wicked 00:16:51.699 --> 00:16:53.500 are those who put their trust 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.340 in stuff 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.879 rather than God. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.379 And like a spider's web, 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.319 it is all fragile 00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:00.740 and it will collapse. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.680 Or that they are like flowers. 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.119 The wicked are like flowers. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.259 That they have the appearance 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.500 of life. 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.859 But that their wickedness 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.759 will lead to death. 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:14.240 It's kind of like a bouquet of flowers 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.539 that you buy from the shop 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:17.019 and put on your dining room table. 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:18.819 They look nice for a few days 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:20.480 but they've been severed 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.200 from their roots. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.259 And so, 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:25.059 they are actually dead. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.139 And it will only take 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.839 a few days 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:29.480 for those signs of death 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.319 to show themselves. 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.700 That's like the wicked, 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.539 Bildad says. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.460 And in verse 13, 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.420 he says to Job, 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.639 Job, basically, 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.440 that's you. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.119 Everything that has been 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.299 stripped away from you 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:44.139 because you've forgotten God 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:45.720 and because you're wicked. 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:47.420 And so, 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.820 with blow after blow, 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.420 Bildad rains his attack 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.140 on Job 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.520 and he ends it in verses 00:17:52.520 --> 00:17:53.600 20 to 22 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:54.420 where he says, 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:55.900 Surely God does not 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.720 reject one who is blameless 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.880 or strengthen the hands 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.720 of evildoers. 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:02.680 He will yet fill your mouth 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.340 with laughter 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:04.240 and your lips 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.700 with shouts of joy. 00:18:05.780 --> 00:18:06.759 Your enemies will be 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.759 clothed in shame 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:09.000 and the tents of the wicked 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.480 will be no more. 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.880 Bildad says, 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.120 Job, 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.520 if only you were a good guy. 00:18:16.280 --> 00:18:17.540 If only you did 00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.280 what was right 00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:19.660 in front of God, 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.680 none of this 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.720 would be happening to you. 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:25.520 These are words 00:18:25.520 --> 00:18:26.360 that wound. 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:28.480 Words devoid 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.280 of grace 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:30.280 with no concept 00:18:30.280 --> 00:18:31.520 of undeserved suffering, 00:18:31.780 --> 00:18:33.280 no idea of suffering 00:18:33.280 --> 00:18:34.300 for God's glory 00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:35.720 and no concept 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.840 of forgiveness. 00:18:39.760 --> 00:18:40.600 Job's suffering 00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:41.440 is not as black 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.320 and white as that. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.919 We know 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.899 that life 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:46.119 is not as black 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:47.039 and white as that. 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.339 Even for those 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.339 who have completely 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.139 messed up 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:52.639 and gone against God 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:54.319 every single opportunity 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:55.059 they can 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.019 in their lives, 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.359 there is still 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.159 forgiveness 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:58.879 and grace 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.960 through Jesus Christ. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:02.980 let's never be 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.779 those friends 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.559 who pour more 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:06.180 insults on open wounds 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.500 without any godly wisdom 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:10.120 because it misrepresents 00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:10.519 God 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.779 and it hurts 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.340 our friends. 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.380 Half the time 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:17.140 the reason people 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.819 move churches 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.700 is not because of 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.160 theological 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.120 differences 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:22.039 but because of 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.700 hurtful words 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.440 of other Christians. 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:27.279 Now we need 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.680 to sit 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.100 with those 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.720 who are in pain. 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:31.039 We should never 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.580 assume 00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:32.279 we know 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:32.779 the reason 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.500 behind their 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:33.880 suffering 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.380 but we are 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.019 to point them 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.620 to the hope 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.240 that is found 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.840 in the gospel. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.680 The promised 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.759 presence of God 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.140 even in the trenches 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:41.820 and midst 00:19:41.820 --> 00:19:42.820 of great suffering 00:19:42.820 --> 00:19:43.799 and we need 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.680 to be that shoulder 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.720 for people 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.400 to cry on 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.940 in their times 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.400 of need. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.320 Bildad is arrogant 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.759 and he thought 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.279 that he knew 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.240 what was going on. 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.759 His words 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.419 were daggers 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:57.299 that were plunged 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.279 into Job's heart 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.419 inflicting pain 00:19:59.419 --> 00:20:00.939 and because 00:20:00.939 --> 00:20:01.659 Bildad wasn't 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.079 suffering 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.119 he thought 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.039 he was wise 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.980 and he had 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.960 all the right answers. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.399 Friends, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.039 please never 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.899 be a Bildad. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.859 Let's not be 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.759 Bildad. 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.639 Let's not assume 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.480 we know everything 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.779 but let's be patient 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.399 with those 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.000 who suffer 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.339 and let us 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.139 support them 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.899 well. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.139 So Bildad 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:23.039 spoke words 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.220 that wound 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.700 and the second 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.339 thing we see 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.059 in this passage 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.359 are the words 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:28.939 of the wounded 00:20:28.939 --> 00:20:30.299 in chapters 9 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.859 and 10 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.480 the words 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.439 of the wounded. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.980 In the midst 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.019 of great suffering 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:38.639 we don't always 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.240 say what we 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.179 actually think 00:20:40.179 --> 00:20:40.659 right? 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.259 So we may know 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.720 that something 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.279 is true 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:46.299 but in that 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.299 moment of agony 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.259 logic seems 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.879 to just go 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:49.460 out the window. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:51.539 the pain 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.640 is overbearing 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.759 and the words 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.880 that often 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.860 leave our mouths 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.660 without thinking 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.140 it through 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.799 properly 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.799 is quite normal. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.900 What we say 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.640 isn't always 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.120 right 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:03.299 and that is 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.600 the same 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.160 with Job. 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.960 In these two 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.340 chapters 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:06.819 and in other 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.779 parts of the book 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.420 Job says 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.000 things about 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.579 God that 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.240 aren't right 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.000 and aren't 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.319 true. 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.240 But at the 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.880 end of the book 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.680 in Job 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.600 chapter 42 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.380 verse 7 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.560 God commends 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.060 Job for 00:21:18.060 --> 00:21:18.800 having spoken 00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:19.680 what is right. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.940 So how do we 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.980 handle this 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.000 apparent contradiction? 00:21:24.540 --> 00:21:25.280 Because God 00:21:25.280 --> 00:21:26.020 affirms in both 00:21:26.020 --> 00:21:26.440 the beginning 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.280 and the end 00:21:27.280 --> 00:21:28.360 of the book 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:28.740 of Job 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.380 that he is 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:29.960 a genuine 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.560 believer. 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.900 So this 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.260 apparent 00:21:33.260 --> 00:21:33.800 contradiction 00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:34.860 can be resolved 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.980 by understanding 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.760 that whilst 00:21:36.760 --> 00:21:37.820 Job knows 00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.260 the truth 00:21:38.260 --> 00:21:38.860 about God 00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:39.240 and he 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.880 believes the 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.380 truth about 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:40.760 God 00:21:40.760 --> 00:21:42.740 in the midst 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.380 of his pain 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:43.880 he doesn't 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.600 feel it. 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:47.019 And so he 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.559 says wrong 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.139 things about 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.779 God and if 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.219 you have 00:21:49.219 --> 00:21:50.000 suffered at 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.939 all in 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:51.519 your life 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.539 you know 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.199 how easy 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:53.699 it is to 00:21:53.699 --> 00:21:54.199 be swept 00:21:54.199 --> 00:21:55.299 up in 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.879 the feelings 00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:56.439 of pain 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.359 and in 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.919 the emotions 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:59.179 of suffering. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.859 We might 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.799 say that 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.139 God is 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.779 unloving 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.699 that he 00:22:06.699 --> 00:22:07.299 has abandoned 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.339 us even 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.759 though that 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.139 is not 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:09.559 true. 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.119 We might 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.480 say that 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.039 God doesn't 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.480 care. 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:16.279 because we 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.439 don't 00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:16.879 understand 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.139 what's 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.639 going on. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.679 That's 00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.199 not true. 00:22:21.459 --> 00:22:22.179 We might 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:22.859 even say 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.819 that God 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.179 doesn't 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:24.819 love us 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.799 because he 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.319 is allowing 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.000 such great 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.619 suffering to 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.099 happen in 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.500 our lives. 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:28.879 Friends, 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.719 that is 00:22:29.719 --> 00:22:30.279 not 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.240 true. 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:34.159 You are 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:34.579 never 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.480 ever 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.459 beyond 00:22:36.459 --> 00:22:37.319 the love 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.000 of God. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.259 And in 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.879 those moments 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.500 of suffering 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.039 we need to 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.659 remember the 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.720 truth about 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.259 who God 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.360 is and 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:45.800 the truth 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:46.140 that our 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.960 circumstances, 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.840 our pain, 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:49.000 our suffering, 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.560 our emotional 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.200 and mental 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.860 turmoil, 00:22:52.040 --> 00:22:52.720 our shame, 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.900 our guilt, 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.920 our feelings 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.640 of despair 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.400 are in no 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.700 way, 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.980 absolutely no 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.360 way, 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.980 a representation 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.500 of how God 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.120 views us. 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:06.899 so let's 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:07.339 listen to 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:07.959 the words 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:08.819 of the 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.119 wounded. 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.039 Read 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.959 chapter 9 00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.439 verse 2 00:23:11.439 --> 00:23:11.819 with me. 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:12.539 Job says, 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.679 Indeed, 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:14.299 I know 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.699 that this 00:23:14.699 --> 00:23:15.179 is true, 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.059 but how 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.479 can me 00:23:16.479 --> 00:23:17.039 immortals 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.699 prove their 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.099 innocence 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.019 before God? 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.119 Though 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.659 they wished 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.159 to dispute 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:21.539 with him, 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:21.899 they could 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.439 not answer 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:23.359 him one 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.619 time out 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.000 of a 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.359 thousand. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.519 Job 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.799 says, 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.419 I know 00:23:29.419 --> 00:23:29.819 that God 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.500 is just. 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.880 I know 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.220 that he 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.680 is right 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:32.980 in all 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.279 that he 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.559 does. 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.079 I know 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.420 that the 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:34.599 wicked 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.059 receive 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.500 judgment 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.059 from God. 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.619 I know 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.019 that God 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.680 is perfectly 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.240 just. 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.900 But what 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.400 I don't 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:39.640 know, 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.160 Bildad, 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.200 is why 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.359 I'm 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:41.799 suffering. 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.660 And in 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.039 these two 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.480 chapters, 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.160 Job uses 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.640 courtroom 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.339 language. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.000 He wants 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.400 to take 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:51.799 God to 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.079 court, 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.539 basically, 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:52.940 to put 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.259 him on 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.119 the stand 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.599 and ask 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:54.779 his 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.299 questions. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.599 Job 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.000 wants to 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.319 make a 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.380 defense of 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:58.720 his own 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.079 innocence 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.720 because he 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.359 sees no 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.759 sin in 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.339 his life 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.019 that 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.839 deserves 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.659 such 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.119 great 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.599 suffering. 00:24:06.479 --> 00:24:07.119 But he 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.779 realizes that 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.199 he cannot 00:24:08.199 --> 00:24:09.059 stand before 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.639 God because 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.279 God is so 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.679 mighty. 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.479 That's what 00:24:12.479 --> 00:24:13.319 verses 4 to 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.979 10 of 00:24:13.979 --> 00:24:14.539 chapter 9 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:14.879 are all 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.219 about. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.799 Speaking 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.679 about God, 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.319 Job says 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:18.939 that he 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:19.500 is wise 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:19.959 in heart 00:24:19.959 --> 00:24:20.419 and mighty 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.179 in strength 00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:21.639 in verse 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.000 4. 00:24:22.959 --> 00:24:23.259 That he 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.639 can move 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.299 mountains, 00:24:24.479 --> 00:24:24.939 verse 5. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.240 That he 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.859 commands the 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.779 sun in 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.359 verse 7. 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:27.659 That he 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.039 put the 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.059 stars in 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.879 space in 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.460 verse 9. 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:32.760 Job is 00:24:32.760 --> 00:24:33.280 saying this 00:24:33.280 --> 00:24:33.680 is how 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.400 big God 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:34.800 is. 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.500 No one 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.200 can contend 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.680 with him. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.780 He is so 00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.480 mighty that 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:39.960 no amount 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.840 of words 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.740 could even 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.600 scratch the 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.440 surface of 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.080 his greatness. 00:24:45.520 --> 00:24:46.460 He is so 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.000 wise that 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.380 all the 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.460 wise people 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.900 in the 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.240 world 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.940 couldn't 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.860 even begin 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.820 to compare 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.220 to how 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.820 wise God 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:53.200 is. 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.860 And God 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.480 is beyond 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.360 comprehension, 00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:57.180 Job says in 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.759 verse 11. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.380 Now these 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:01.940 verses in 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.420 any other 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.100 context would 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.440 be a 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.060 wonderful 00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:05.039 declaration 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.019 of praise. 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.720 And yet in 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.200 this moment 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.620 to Job 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:09.920 it's a 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.220 lament. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.380 Because he 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:12.799 says, 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.480 he thinks 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.039 that this 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.000 mighty, 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:16.820 this powerful 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:18.680 God has 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.259 turned against 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.519 him. 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.039 Job is 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.279 saying, 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:22.940 how can I 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.720 even dream 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.380 of standing 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.160 before this 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.960 kind of God 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.600 and question 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:26.980 him? 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:27.799 He is 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.200 too 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.079 great. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.420 And so he 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.039 sits on the 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.100 ash heap and 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:33.600 as he looks 00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.079 over his 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.759 life and 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.279 his suffering 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.019 he's crying 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.440 out and 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.140 he's asking 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:38.160 why? 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.360 Why has 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:41.120 this great 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.380 powerful God 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:42.960 turned 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.279 against me? 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.000 Job then 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.500 wrongly 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.039 concludes in 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.779 verses 12 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.539 to 21 of 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.160 chapter 9 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.539 that God 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.299 is unjust. 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:56.039 In the 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.419 midst of 00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:56.579 his 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:56.940 suffering 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.419 Job is 00:25:57.419 --> 00:25:57.839 coming to 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.180 the wrong 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.740 conclusions 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.519 because he 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.139 doesn't see 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:00.960 how his 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.539 suffering could 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:01.940 bring him 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.559 any good. 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:03.139 He knows 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:03.440 that he 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.039 is innocent 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.980 and yet he 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.419 says in 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:06.980 verse 20 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.460 that even 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.299 if he is 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.960 innocent God 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.500 would pronounce 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.059 him guilty 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.519 anyway. 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.159 And it 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.839 brings Job 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.359 to the point 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.039 of despair 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.839 and he 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.480 despises 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.200 his life. 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.619 And the 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.480 lament continues 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.399 in chapter 10. 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.700 Job's 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.340 friends have 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.980 basically been 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.440 telling him 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.040 to fake it 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:25.400 until you 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.880 make it. 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.220 Slap a fake 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.900 smile in your 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.500 face and get 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.259 on with life. 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.880 And so Job 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.420 says in 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.000 chapter 10 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.460 verse 1 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.160 I loathe 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.660 my very 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.160 life. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.820 Therefore 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.440 I will give 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.060 free reign 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:38.440 to my 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.060 complaint and 00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:39.740 speak out 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.380 in the 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.019 bitterness of 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.500 my soul. 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:41.840 And I 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:42.320 say to 00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:43.259 God do 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.120 not declare 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.740 me guilty 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:46.780 but tell 00:26:46.780 --> 00:26:47.140 me what 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.680 charges you 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.280 have against 00:26:48.280 --> 00:26:48.420 me. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:48.820 Tell me 00:26:48.820 --> 00:26:49.259 why? 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:51.220 Does it 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.759 please you 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.400 to oppress 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.859 me, to 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.440 spurn the 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:53.900 works of 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.359 your hands 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.740 while you 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.940 smile on 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.599 the plans 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.279 of the 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.500 wicked? 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.500 Job doesn't 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.000 see what's 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.519 going on. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.539 He knows 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.879 that God 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.379 is just 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:04.900 but his 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.559 situation 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.240 is sending 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.700 him into 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.500 a spiral 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.819 of confusion. 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.359 In 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:11.980 verses 8 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.539 to 12 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.680 Job speaks 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.279 about how 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.819 he is one 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.240 of God's 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.819 creations. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.720 Verse 11 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.460 you clothe 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:18.860 me with 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.500 skin and 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:19.799 flesh. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.299 You have 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.400 granted me 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.180 life and 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.100 steadfast love. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.680 Verse 12 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.500 So why, 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.860 why am I 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.299 suffering? 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.880 Verses 13 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.559 to 17 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.160 Job says 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.600 if it's 00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:33.200 because I've 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.059 sinned and 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.740 I'm deserving 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.559 of this agony 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.779 reveal it to 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.059 me. 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.740 Show me 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.319 what I have 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.720 done. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.779 Show me 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.400 your evidence. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:41.920 Bring it 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.279 to the 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.460 courtroom and 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.480 let's chat 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:44.799 it out 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.200 together. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:45.960 Let's sort 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.400 it out. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:50.400 But he 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.900 sees no 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.420 sense and 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.079 he loathes 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.019 his life. 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:53.799 So he 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.200 says in 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.819 verse 18 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.319 of chapter 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.640 10, 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.360 why then 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:56.720 did you 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.160 bring me 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.539 out of 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.019 the womb? 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.299 I wish 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.559 that I 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.000 had died 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.620 before any 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.299 eye saw 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:02.579 me. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.940 If only 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.319 I had 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.079 never gone, 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:05.960 never come 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.579 into being, 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.539 or had 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.059 been carried 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.620 straight from 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.039 the womb 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.420 to the 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.880 grave. 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.019 Are not 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.740 my few 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.700 days almost 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.000 over? 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.620 Turn away 00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.140 from me 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.259 so that I 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.819 can have a 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.539 moment's joy 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.099 before I 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.559 go to the 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.079 place of 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.680 no return, 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.200 to the 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.579 land of 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.579 gloom and 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:22.799 utter 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.240 darkness. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.879 Job says, 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.759 God, 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.619 leave me 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:27.960 alone. 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.259 Give me 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.759 a few 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.680 minutes of 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.379 rest before 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:32.899 I breathe 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.559 my last 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.059 and enter 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.519 into an 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.859 eternity of 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.079 darkness and 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.539 despair. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.500 In his 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:42.899 suffering, 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.420 Job has 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:43.960 lost all 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.440 hope of 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.180 eternity with 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.480 God. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:45.579 God, 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.319 he can't 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.779 see the 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.640 hope for 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:48.940 all the 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.640 despair in 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.299 his life. 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.460 Job is 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.480 consumed with 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.240 the question 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.339 why. 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.599 Friends, 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:57.860 have you 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.380 been there? 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.440 That place 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:02.819 where you're 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.400 looking at the 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.319 situation around 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.799 you and you're 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.700 consumed by it 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.160 and you see 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.900 no hope, 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.339 is the 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:09.960 question of 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.640 why eating 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.440 you alive and 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.940 all you want to 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.500 do is scream 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:12.980 it out? 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.279 There is 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.000 nothing wrong 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.440 with voicing 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.960 your frustrations. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.920 There is 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.779 nothing wrong 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.339 with asking 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.779 the hard 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.240 questions. 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:23.619 They are 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.220 not a 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.740 sign of 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.900 unfaithfulness. 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.440 They are 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.819 not a 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.240 sign of 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.680 doubting 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:29.980 God. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.559 It is a 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.480 sign that 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:31.779 you are 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.359 genuinely 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.279 wrestling with 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.019 the situation 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.519 and you want 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.099 to understand 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.700 what God's 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.000 doing. 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.559 That is a 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.519 good thing. 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:42.059 but you 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.519 need to know 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:42.799 that the 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.539 answers may 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.079 never come. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.680 We may 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.819 never truly 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.759 understand what 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.639 is going on 00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.879 but regardless 00:29:51.879 --> 00:29:52.660 of the outcome 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:54.539 God never 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.379 changes. 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.799 God is 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.180 good. 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:57.960 God is 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.460 faithful. 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:00.900 And in the 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:01.480 midst of 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:03.240 suffering it 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.900 is important 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.839 to keep on 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.440 talking to 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:05.639 God. 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.079 Do not 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.539 shut him 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:06.879 out. 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.880 keep on 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.880 asking for 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.420 the suffering 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.800 to be 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.100 gone. 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:13.280 Keep on 00:30:13.280 --> 00:30:13.940 asking for 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.580 strength. 00:30:15.020 --> 00:30:15.220 Keep 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.880 listening. 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.460 God is 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.920 listening. 00:30:17.060 --> 00:30:17.300 He has 00:30:17.300 --> 00:30:17.500 not 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:17.980 abandoned 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.320 you. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.780 Talking 00:30:18.780 --> 00:30:19.440 to him 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.100 in the 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.540 midst of 00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:20.780 great 00:30:20.780 --> 00:30:21.240 pain 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.860 is 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.420 important. 00:30:25.300 --> 00:30:25.980 And to 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.700 accuse God 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.040 of being 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:27.680 unjust 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.200 means that 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.740 we think 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.320 God owes 00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:30.600 us a 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.200 good life. 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:34.680 A life 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.180 of joy 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.860 and happiness 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.320 all the 00:30:36.320 --> 00:30:36.760 time that 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:36.960 it's 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.720 unfair for 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.160 any kind 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.619 of suffering 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.099 to come 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.720 our way. 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:40.960 But the 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.259 book of 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:41.779 Job isn't 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.099 here to 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.420 tell us 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:42.779 that life 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.279 is fair. 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.059 It's 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.480 here to 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.980 tell us 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.420 that even 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:46.940 in this 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.700 extreme 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.619 suffering 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.160 God is 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.599 good. 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.839 God is 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.279 sovereign. 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:51.759 God is 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.640 wise and 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.000 God is 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:54.359 100% 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.240 just. 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.019 So friends 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.339 in your 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:58.980 pain ask 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.339 the hard 00:30:59.339 --> 00:30:59.940 questions. 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.940 God is 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.080 God is 00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:04.140 God is 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:05.299 God's 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.120 love for 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.320 or approval 00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:08.360 of you. 00:31:09.140 --> 00:31:09.880 There is 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.440 nothing you 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.940 can do 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.120 to stop 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:13.500 you being 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.519 his child. 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.360 Job saw 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:18.160 this mighty 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:19.240 awesomeness 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.860 wisdom and 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.580 power of 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:21.960 God and 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.640 declares that 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.480 it is impossible 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.220 to stand 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.900 before him. 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:26.480 in chapter 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.080 9 verse 00:31:27.080 --> 00:31:27.460 2 he 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.840 says how 00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:28.180 can a 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.040 man be 00:31:29.040 --> 00:31:29.380 in the 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.019 right before 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.440 God? 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:31.860 In chapter 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.500 9 verse 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.240 33 he 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.019 cries out in 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.100 frustration if 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.640 only there 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.140 was someone 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.800 to mediate 00:31:36.800 --> 00:31:37.620 between us. 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.860 If only 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.259 there was 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.160 someone who 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.640 could bring 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.280 us together. 00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:44.000 If only 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.380 there was 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.320 one who 00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:45.519 could 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.180 plead my 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.840 cause before 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:48.380 this holy 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:48.800 God. 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.040 Brothers and 00:31:51.040 --> 00:31:51.600 sisters we 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.360 have that 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:52.980 mediator. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:55.240 we have 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:56.259 that person 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.660 who is 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.180 perfect, 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:58.339 who is 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:58.839 righteous, 00:31:59.579 --> 00:31:59.860 who is 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.559 fully God 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.200 and fully 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.000 man. 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.519 The only 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:04.980 one who 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.440 can stand 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.940 before a 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.579 holy God 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.000 on our 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.500 behalf. 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:09.200 We have 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.579 Jesus. 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.079 We have 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.720 a mediator 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.339 who stands 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.039 before God 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.360 and when 00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:14.940 Satan the 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.839 accuser comes 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.579 with his 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.180 list of 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.660 sins that 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.120 we commit 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:19.019 every single 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.440 day and 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:19.720 he says 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:21.000 look at 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.460 Alistair 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:21.759 God, 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:22.920 the greatest 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.519 sinner of 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.060 them all, 00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:25.680 Jesus says 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.779 paid for. 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.539 Jesus says 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.000 God the 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:35.039 curse of 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.779 your righteous 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.120 wrath that 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:37.660 Alistair 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.360 deserves 00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:43.940 was taken 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.500 on me as 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.940 I hung on 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:45.519 that cross. 00:32:49.320 --> 00:32:50.120 And so 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.660 Satan's 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.300 accusations 00:32:51.300 --> 00:32:52.140 are muted 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:54.060 because 00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:55.040 Jesus wins. 00:32:57.300 --> 00:32:58.140 Job thinks 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.640 that he needs 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.200 a mediator 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.759 because in 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.280 this moment 00:33:00.280 --> 00:33:00.980 he is not 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:02.120 seeing the 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:02.720 whole picture. 00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:04.180 He's standing 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.860 at the back 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.640 of the 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.160 tapestry 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:06.720 seeing all 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.320 the chaos 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:07.680 and all 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.300 the mess, 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.060 all the 00:33:09.060 --> 00:33:09.880 cords leading 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:10.460 nowhere and 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.020 it makes no 00:33:11.020 --> 00:33:11.580 sense. 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:13.220 But God 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.840 is the good 00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:14.340 and loving 00:33:14.340 --> 00:33:15.680 father who 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.740 stands at 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.220 the front of 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.839 the tapestry. 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:19.519 He sees 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:19.900 the whole 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:21.019 picture and 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.460 he is in 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:21.900 control. 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.440 God is 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.220 weaving a 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.120 glorious picture 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:26.000 in your life 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.720 that we don't 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.380 see yet. 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.920 We don't 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.799 fully understand 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:31.019 and we may 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.799 never comprehend 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.440 it in this 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.860 life but 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:35.240 we are in 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.940 the hands 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:37.019 of a good 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.480 God. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:40.579 Jesus is 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.140 the perfect 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.000 mediator who 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.019 being fully 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.700 God stepped 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.240 in and took 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.799 the ultimate 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.480 suffering that 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.180 we deserve. 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:47.759 Friends, 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.240 this is the 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.860 mediator that 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.960 Job wanted. 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:50.599 This is the 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.220 mediator that 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:52.000 we have. 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.039 And in the 00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.460 middle of 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:54.940 suffering, 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:55.620 in the middle 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.460 of the open 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.259 wounds and 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:57.839 the agony, 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.559 in the middle 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:59.880 of despair 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.680 and the 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.299 emotional, 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:02.299 physical, 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.620 mental pain, 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.000 do not 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.019 forget Jesus 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.880 Christ who 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.460 bridged the 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.260 gap between 00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:09.500 you and 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:09.920 God. 00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.320 Jesus, 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.000 God in the 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.280 flesh, 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.039 stepped into 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.760 our suffering 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.059 world, 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:15.760 took on 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.260 suffering 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:16.960 himself 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:19.980 so that 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.480 we may be 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.599 reunited with 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.099 God and 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.159 have eternal 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.220 hope where 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:24.820 suffering, 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.820 sin and 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.420 death are 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.059 no more. 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.440 Sticks and 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.019 stones may 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.460 break my 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.940 bones but 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.380 words will 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:34.920 never hurt 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.320 me is 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:35.840 nonsense. 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:38.840 words matter. 00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:40.780 The words 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:42.059 we hear in 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.600 our suffering 00:34:42.600 --> 00:34:43.160 matter, the 00:34:43.160 --> 00:34:43.519 words we 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.440 say in 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.059 our suffering 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.820 matter. 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:46.579 But the 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.360 most important 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:47.940 words that 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:48.539 you must 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:50.000 remember as 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:50.380 you're in the 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:51.200 trenches in the 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:51.920 despair of 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.860 suffering is 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.420 the cry of 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.180 Jesus Christ 00:34:54.180 --> 00:34:54.820 on the cross 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.519 as he said, 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.820 it is 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:57.680 finished. 00:34:57.679 --> 00:35:01.000 that is the 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.460 comfort that 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:01.899 you need in 00:35:01.899 --> 00:35:02.419 your suffering. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.239 That is 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:05.139 that there is 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.819 an end to 00:35:05.819 --> 00:35:06.899 it all because 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:08.599 Jesus paid 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.119 it all. 00:35:11.619 --> 00:35:12.759 Jesus paid 00:35:12.759 --> 00:35:13.199 it all, 00:35:13.239 --> 00:35:14.019 all to him 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.559 I owe. 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.559 Sin had 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.179 left a 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.139 crimson stain 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.779 and he 00:35:17.779 --> 00:35:18.919 washed it 00:35:18.919 --> 00:35:19.359 white as 00:35:19.359 --> 00:35:19.639 snow. 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.359 And when 00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:23.339 before the 00:35:23.339 --> 00:35:23.919 throne I 00:35:23.919 --> 00:35:24.460 stand, 00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:25.819 in him 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:26.299 complete, 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:27.880 Jesus died 00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:28.620 my soul 00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:29.160 to save, 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:29.900 my lips 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:31.120 shall still 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:31.980 repeat. 00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:34.580 Jesus paid 00:35:34.580 --> 00:35:35.019 it all. 00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:37.160 Let's pray 00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:37.500 together. 00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:41.200 Father, we 00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:41.820 come before 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.740 you and we 00:35:42.740 --> 00:35:44.519 ask that in 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:44.860 the good 00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:46.100 times and 00:35:46.100 --> 00:35:46.620 the bad, 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.440 in the 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.100 joys and 00:35:49.100 --> 00:35:49.820 happiness of 00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:51.180 life and 00:35:51.180 --> 00:35:51.880 in the 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.620 sorrows and 00:35:52.620 --> 00:35:53.800 despair of 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.700 suffering and 00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.220 turmoil, 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:57.279 would you 00:35:57.279 --> 00:35:57.699 by your 00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.480 spirit help 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.199 us remember 00:35:59.199 --> 00:35:59.939 the wonderful 00:35:59.939 --> 00:36:00.579 truths of 00:36:00.579 --> 00:36:01.000 who you 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.379 are. 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.299 And 00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:04.659 Father, if 00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:04.919 there is 00:36:04.919 --> 00:36:05.599 anyone here 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.179 in the 00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:06.759 building or 00:36:06.759 --> 00:36:07.339 listening at 00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:09.079 home who 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:09.659 thinks that 00:36:09.659 --> 00:36:09.859 their 00:36:09.859 --> 00:36:10.619 circumstances 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:12.500 are a 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:12.939 representation 00:36:12.939 --> 00:36:13.759 of your 00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:14.439 love for 00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:14.719 them, 00:36:16.419 --> 00:36:16.799 Lord, I 00:36:16.799 --> 00:36:17.379 ask that by 00:36:17.379 --> 00:36:18.019 the power of 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:18.699 the spirit you 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:19.859 would transform 00:36:19.859 --> 00:36:20.619 their minds, 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:23.139 that you 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:23.619 would help 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.579 them cling to 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.239 that wonderful 00:36:25.239 --> 00:36:27.159 truth that 00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:28.139 Jesus has 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:28.960 paid it all 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.579 and it is 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.099 only through 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:32.940 him that 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.859 we can stand 00:36:33.859 --> 00:36:34.779 boldly and 00:36:34.779 --> 00:36:35.500 declare that 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.960 we belong to 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.859 you, that 00:36:38.859 --> 00:36:39.559 we are part of 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.099 your family 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:41.440 because of 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:41.940 Christ. 00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:44.420 Father, 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.159 remind us of 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.199 those truths in 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:46.819 the difficulties 00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.519 of life. 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.119 we ask 00:36:48.119 --> 00:36:49.420 this in 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:49.759 Jesus' 00:36:50.300 --> 00:36:51.619 holy and 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:52.360 precious name. 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.559 Amen.