WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.899 Our Father, thank you for these words. Thank you that you are living and speaking. 00:00:04.820 --> 00:00:13.040 You speak truth to us. You help us in our struggles. You give us hope. You give us what we need. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:20.740 Please speak to us now through these words written long ago that, again, the gospel of Jesus would be fresh to us today. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:22.859 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:30.019 Great. Well, there are lots of different religions in the world. We know that, right? 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:32.539 And, of course, they all have their differences, right? 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:38.019 Does God look like a blue elephant? Or is he invisible and infinite? And those kind of things. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:42.179 But most religions in the world, they have a few things very much in common, right? 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:47.539 And one big thing that they all have in common is the principle of retribution. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:51.000 That, you know, if you sin, you get punished. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:55.299 You do something wrong and then the gods will punish you with suffering. 00:00:55.480 --> 00:00:57.460 I mean, in a way, that's how the whole world works, right? 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:02.159 If you have children and they don't eat their vegetables, well, they can't have dessert, right? 00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:03.539 You punish them. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:08.159 The youth and they, I don't know, they yell at their parents so they get grounded. 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:11.340 When you're an adult, you park illegally, you get a fine. 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:13.140 Basically, that's how the world works, right? 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:14.840 But that's how religions work as well, right? 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:20.099 Karma. You sin and then the result is, yeah, things will happen in your life. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:23.859 The kind of traditional stuff from cartoons, right? 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:29.000 You do something wrong and a lightning bolt zaps you from heaven because the gods are angry with what you've done. 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:33.879 Basically, you know, if you live a good life, things will be good for you. 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:37.780 And if you don't live like that, things will be bad for you. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:42.699 Paul calls it the elementary principles of the world. 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:44.600 And it's so common. 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:46.340 And it helps people to be good, right? 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:48.079 It's a very simple system. 00:01:48.420 --> 00:01:49.900 You know, you do good and you're blessed. 00:01:50.100 --> 00:01:52.320 And if you don't do good, you'll suffer. 00:01:52.740 --> 00:01:53.719 It's very simple. 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:54.540 It's straightforward. 00:01:54.760 --> 00:01:55.960 We can all understand it. 00:01:56.579 --> 00:01:59.640 And, yeah, and it motivates people to be good, right? 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:00.620 Isn't that a great thing? 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:06.060 Well, the book of Job really confronts us then, right? 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:13.300 The book of Job that we've been going through is this big book in the Bible that raises so many questions. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:15.539 Is this right? 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:16.920 Is this what God is like? 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:25.800 Because here is a really good man, a blameless and upright man, and yet he goes through very intense suffering. 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:27.400 Why? 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:35.180 And one reason, one way that really confronts us is as we're now going to debate this principle. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:42.740 Because Job, he's just been visited, as you know, if you were here last week, by three of his friends from different parts of the Middle East. 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:43.520 They come. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:44.580 They want to comfort him. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:46.159 They want to encourage him. 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:48.140 And so they speak together. 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:51.819 And, you know, what we're going to look at is like 24 chapters. 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:53.640 It's more than half of the book. 00:02:53.700 --> 00:02:55.700 It's just this debate, this endless. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:02:58.419 I mean, if you've ever read Job, you know what it's like, right? 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:00.799 This endless debate between Job and his friends. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.179 And so it's big. 00:03:04.299 --> 00:03:04.979 It's important. 00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:09.879 Although I do think if we'd spent a long time on it, it would be a bit repetitive. 00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:17.259 Did you know that the longest preaching series on Job was 18 years, a couple of hundred years ago, verse by verse? 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:19.519 I don't know if I wanted to be part of that church. 00:03:20.339 --> 00:03:23.959 But so anyway, we're going to do this in one week. 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:29.920 But as we go into reading this in a bridge version, how should we read it? 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:35.379 Because there were two errors we can go into, right, as we read this. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:39.680 One, of course, is to take everything that we're going to read as absolute truth. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:41.379 A bit like Paul's letters, right? 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:43.180 Whatever Paul says is absolutely true. 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:46.580 And I know someone who studied Job like that. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:48.760 And just every verse, well, this is absolutely true. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:53.240 The only thing is if you've read Job, then you come to the last chapter. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:56.520 And then God says something interesting, right? 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:03.020 God says to Eliphas, the Temanite, one of the friends, well, my anger burns against you and your two friends. 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:04.900 Because you have not spoken of me what is right. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:06.920 Unlike my servant Job. 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:12.899 So God, at the end, he thinks he disagrees with the friends. 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:16.659 At the same time, it's very easy to just dismiss these chapters, right? 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:17.560 Why should we listen? 00:04:17.719 --> 00:04:18.919 We know these guys are wrong. 00:04:19.599 --> 00:04:20.680 But we don't know that, right? 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:22.079 Until you get to the end of the book. 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:25.019 The thing is, this is wisdom literature. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:28.000 This is stuff that should make us think. 00:04:28.599 --> 00:04:30.180 It should make us reflect, right? 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:34.199 We read this and we should think, well, what do I think? 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:35.579 Is this really true? 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:36.240 Hang on. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:37.120 Is this really right? 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:38.340 That's how we should read it. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:42.600 Because to be honest, everyone in this debate believes that. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:48.540 Job and his friends, they all believe, yeah, if I do good, things will be well for me. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:51.660 And if I suffer, well, that's because of sin, right? 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:53.040 That is what they believe. 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:55.280 And that is what they're going to struggle with. 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:59.879 As, yeah, this great man who feared God suddenly faces unspeakable suffering. 00:05:00.739 --> 00:05:03.599 So, yeah, Margo and Betty are going to do the reading. 00:05:04.179 --> 00:05:05.659 It's a bit of an abridged version. 00:05:05.919 --> 00:05:10.739 So, I've tried to kind of shorten it from 515 verses down to about 50. 00:05:11.599 --> 00:05:13.079 So, we're going to jump around. 00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:20.139 But hopefully, yeah, we can get a real feel of, yeah, how these guys struggle. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:22.279 So, Margo, Betty, why don't you come up? 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:37.259 Because of the abridged format, please follow along on the screen or in your bulletin. 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:42.800 Then Alaphaz the Temanite answered and said, 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:47.099 If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:49.560 Yet, who can keep from speaking? 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:52.579 Is not your fear of God your confidence? 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:55.500 And the integrity of your ways your hope? 00:05:56.219 --> 00:05:59.399 Remember, who that was innocent ever perished? 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.819 Or where were the upright cut off? 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:04.800 As for me, I would seek God. 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:07.279 And to God would I commit my cause. 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:09.719 For he wounds, but he binds up. 00:06:10.099 --> 00:06:12.579 He shatters, but his hands healed. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:15.300 Then Job answered and said, 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:17.800 Oh, that my vexation were weighed, 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.699 and all my calamity laid in the balances. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:24.159 For the errors of the Almighty are in me. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.399 My spirit drinks their poison. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:29.839 The terrors of God are arrayed against me. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:32.519 Teach me, and I will be silent. 00:06:32.919 --> 00:06:35.979 Make me understand how I have gone astray. 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:38.859 Is there any injustice on my tongue? 00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:42.599 Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity? 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:45.399 Remember that my life is a breath. 00:06:45.979 --> 00:06:48.199 My eye will never again see good. 00:06:49.239 --> 00:06:51.719 Then Bildet the Shuhite answered and said, 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:54.219 How long will you say these things, 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:56.679 and the words of your mouth be a great win? 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:59.000 Does God pervert justice, 00:06:59.280 --> 00:07:01.459 or does the Almighty pervert the right? 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:04.500 If your children have sinned against him, 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.639 he will deliver them into the hand of their transgression. 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:11.819 If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:14.100 if you are pure and upright, 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:17.100 surely then he will rouse himself for you 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:19.660 and restore your rightful habitation. 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:23.840 Truly I know that it is so. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:27.540 But how can a man be in the right before God? 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:30.180 For he crushes me with a tempest 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:32.980 and multiplies my wounds without cause. 00:07:33.580 --> 00:07:36.060 It is all one, therefore I say. 00:07:36.580 --> 00:07:39.180 He destroys both the blameless and the wicked. 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:41.080 I will say to God, 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:42.680 Do not condemn me. 00:07:43.200 --> 00:07:45.660 Let me know why you contend against me. 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:48.939 You have granted me life and steadfast love, 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:51.880 and your care has preserved my spirit. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:54.939 Yet these things you hid in your heart. 00:07:55.340 --> 00:07:57.140 I know that this was your purpose. 00:07:58.260 --> 00:08:00.660 Should a multitude of words go unanswered, 00:08:01.460 --> 00:08:03.920 and a man full of talk be judged right? 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:05.400 For you say, 00:08:05.820 --> 00:08:09.260 My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God's eyes. 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:13.200 But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:15.920 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:18.819 For he is manifold in understanding. 00:08:19.599 --> 00:08:21.560 Know then that God exacts of you 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:23.339 less than your guilt deserves. 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:25.500 If you prepare your heart, 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:27.939 you will stretch out your hands towards him. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.199 If iniquity is in your hand, 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.480 put it far away, 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:34.299 and let not injustice dwell in your tents. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:37.360 No doubt you are the people, 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:39.679 and wisdom will die with you. 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.919 But I would speak to the Almighty, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:45.219 and I desire to argue my case with God. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:48.719 How many are my iniquities and my sins? 00:08:49.219 --> 00:08:51.699 Make me know my transgression and my sin. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:54.599 Oh, that you would hide me in Sheol, 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:58.219 that you would conceal me until your wrath be passed, 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:02.000 that you would appoint me a set time and remember me. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.919 You would call, and I would answer you. 00:09:05.219 --> 00:09:07.419 You would long for the work of your hands. 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:10.879 Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:13.339 and fill his belly with the east wind? 00:09:13.979 --> 00:09:16.279 But you are doing away with the fear of God 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:18.919 and hindering meditation before God. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:21.559 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:24.000 and you choose the tongue of the crafty. 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:25.639 I will show you. 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:26.479 Hear me. 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:28.599 And what I have seen, I will declare. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:32.159 The wicked man rives in pain all his days, 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:35.199 through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless, 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:38.420 because he has stretched out his hand against God 00:09:38.420 --> 00:09:40.040 and defies the Almighty. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:43.040 I have heard many such things. 00:09:43.400 --> 00:09:45.580 Miserable comforters are you all. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:49.840 I also could speak as you do if you were in my place. 00:09:50.280 --> 00:09:52.280 Surely now God has worn me out. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:55.220 He has made desolate all my company. 00:09:55.780 --> 00:09:58.120 Although there is no violence in my hands, 00:09:58.300 --> 00:09:59.740 and my prayer is pure. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:02.759 Is not your evil abundant? 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:05.039 There is no end to your iniquities. 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:08.759 For you have accepted pledges of your brothers for nothing, 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:11.299 and stripped the naked of their clothing. 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:14.319 You have given no water to the weary to drink, 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:16.639 and you have withheld bread from the hungry. 00:10:17.319 --> 00:10:19.360 You have sent widows away empty, 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:21.740 and the arms of the fatherless were crushed. 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:24.460 Agree with God and be at peace. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:26.460 Thereby good will come to you. 00:10:26.939 --> 00:10:28.319 If you return to the Almighty, 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.500 you will be built up. 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:32.340 If you remove injustice far from your tents. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:35.879 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:38.480 that I might come even to his seat. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.960 But he knows the way that I take. 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:42.720 When he has tried me, 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.379 I shall come out as gold. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:47.539 Far be it from me to say that you are right. 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:48.700 Till I die, 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:51.720 I will not put away my integrity from me. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.820 I hold fast my righteousness 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:55.419 and will not let it go. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:59.379 My heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:01.339 This is the word of God. 00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:10.219 Thanks so much, Margo and Betty. 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:15.179 I hope you get a feeling for this debate, right? 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:18.699 The anguish of Job 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:22.679 and the friends just digging their heels in. 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.500 Yeah, it's a real debate. 00:11:25.079 --> 00:11:26.679 But what should we see here? 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:30.419 What is the feeling that we get from this argument? 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:33.939 I think the big thing that we really feel, 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:34.899 that Job feels, 00:11:34.979 --> 00:11:37.659 is that he feels justice denied, right? 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:40.019 He feels there's no justice. 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:42.259 How can we see that? 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:45.019 One article I read about Job put it very helpfully. 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:48.639 So let me put three statements on the screen, right? 00:11:48.699 --> 00:11:50.679 Here are three things. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.719 Suffering is God's punishment. 00:11:53.579 --> 00:11:55.120 And then God is just. 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:57.239 And Job is innocent. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.219 Now there are three statements, 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.219 but they can't, 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.339 given Job's suffering, 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:03.000 they can't all be true, right? 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.259 They can't all three be true. 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.599 But which one? 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.639 So like I said, 00:12:07.699 --> 00:12:08.500 the friends and Job, 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:10.659 they both think that suffering is God's punishment. 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.819 But then what? 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:13.699 Well, for the friends, 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.839 it's very easy, right? 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.240 Job, 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:16.820 well, 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.639 God is just. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.660 Of course God is just. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.399 He's God, right? 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:20.160 He's the Almighty. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.160 He is God. 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:21.840 He is just. 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:22.899 Well, 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.660 if suffering is God's punishment, 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.300 and God is just, 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:28.080 then there's only one solution, right? 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.379 Job, 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:30.560 you are not innocent, right? 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.420 I mean, 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.139 they start with, 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:32.379 hey, 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.060 if you're innocent, 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:33.800 it'll be fine. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.379 Just pray. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.200 Just see God, 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.960 and you'll be fine. 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:36.780 He'll restore you. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.600 But that's not happening. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.199 And so, 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.819 they dig their heels in, right? 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:41.059 Well, 00:12:41.199 --> 00:12:41.500 clearly, 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:41.899 Job, 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.319 clearly you've sinned, right? 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.740 Clearly, 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.439 there's something you've done wrong. 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:46.399 Oh, 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:46.720 Job, 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.899 that God would just tell you how sinful you are. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:49.959 Job, 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:50.919 your sins, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:51.120 oh, 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:52.240 they are so abundant. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.559 Just repent, 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:56.439 and then it'll be fine, right? 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:58.159 That is the big message. 00:12:58.339 --> 00:12:58.879 They're simple. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.139 Their system is very simple. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:00.799 Look, 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:01.620 God is just, 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.019 and you suffer, 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.099 so you have sinned. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.319 That is it. 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:06.559 But Job, 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.199 on the other hand, 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.339 yeah, 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.279 he believes that. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:11.079 He believes that suffering is punishment, 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:13.799 but he knows he's innocent. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.939 And that's his struggle, right? 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:16.179 So, 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.740 it doesn't make any sense to him. 00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:19.039 I mean, 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.399 he knows. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.319 The principle, 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.559 so he asks God, 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:22.840 okay, 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.100 tell me, 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.679 make me know my sin. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:26.379 You know, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:28.299 how many are my sins and my iniquities? 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:28.799 Tell me, 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.100 God, 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.319 I want to know, 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.679 is there injustice on my tongue? 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:31.879 Well, 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.340 what is, 00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:34.480 he really wants to know. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:34.819 Of course, 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.699 if he has done wrong, 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.699 he wants to repent. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:38.860 It's just that 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:41.299 it doesn't make any sense to him, 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:41.459 right? 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.019 He doesn't, 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:43.319 he doesn't feel anything. 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:45.079 He doesn't see what he has done wrong. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.039 Well, 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.220 and if that is true, 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.860 if he is being punished, 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:49.620 but he's innocent, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.139 well, 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.120 well, 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:52.179 God can't be just, 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:52.419 right? 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.679 That's almost what he concludes. 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:55.019 God is not just. 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:56.459 He is really, 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:58.679 you can feel how he accuses God, 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:58.899 right? 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:01.840 The arrows of the almighty are in me. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:03.639 He's, 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.079 he's, 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:04.879 yeah, 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:06.199 he's put me through the tempest. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.120 He's against me. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.319 He's my adversary, 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:08.959 my enemy. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:13.779 I want to speak to him because I can just feel that this is wrong, 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.019 right? 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:14.720 He feels, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.240 yeah, 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.480 God is not just. 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.579 Just is denied. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:17.700 Right. 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:19.700 It's very interesting, 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:20.040 right? 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:22.600 Because we read this and then who is right? 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.000 I mean, 00:14:24.020 --> 00:14:24.560 the friends, 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.580 they sound really good, 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:25.780 right? 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:26.560 They sound really good. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:26.780 You know, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:30.080 God is pure and he's holy and he's just, 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.280 and he's great. 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:31.900 And, 00:14:31.900 --> 00:14:32.000 and, 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.500 and Job, 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:32.680 well, 00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:33.820 he says that God is a bully. 00:14:33.900 --> 00:14:35.120 No wonder the friends are angry. 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:37.740 How dare you speak about God like this? 00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:40.000 And yet we know, 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:40.660 well, 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.780 we've read chapters one and two, 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:41.980 right? 00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:43.600 We know the thing. 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:44.639 Job actually, 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:49.100 he is innocent and his suffering has nothing to do with punishment. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:50.320 All right. 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:51.620 And, 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.759 and so the friends, 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:52.980 yeah, 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:54.640 their conclusion is completely wrong. 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:54.860 They, 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.300 they have this system and they look, 00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:57.980 but it's completely wrong. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.879 It sounds good, 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.259 but, 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:00.700 but no, 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:00.899 their, 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:03.539 their simple system is doesn't work. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:06.279 Those Job suffering has nothing to do with justice, 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:08.039 nothing to do with retribution, 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:10.519 nothing to do with anything he's done wrong. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:11.519 Hey, 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.700 it is not out of justice. 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:14.379 Now, 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.000 how does that, 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:15.800 what is the message? 00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:16.060 Well, 00:15:17.300 --> 00:15:20.899 clearly if you hear this and you've got these questions, 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.159 well, 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:22.019 how do you end up? 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.159 Well, 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:22.920 this is, 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.100 there, 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.100 there's no simple answer, 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.320 right? 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:25.580 It's this, 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:27.960 this very simple answer that everyone believes, 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:30.639 that everyone around you believes that just not true. 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:33.519 God's ways are not a very simple justice. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:33.860 You know, 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:34.779 you do right, 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:36.000 you'll be blessed and you do wrong, 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.779 you'll be punished. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.000 That's a very simple equation. 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:41.480 And yet that's completely untrue. 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:44.060 And so particularly in this case, 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:44.860 you know, 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:46.500 you read this, 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:46.720 your, 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:51.279 your suffering is unlikely to be the direct result of your sin. 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.120 Right? 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.120 And let me put this clearly, 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.100 right? 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.820 If you read this, 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:55.080 the, 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.220 the, 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.279 your suffering, 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.939 if maybe some of you are going through a really hard time, 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:01.379 it is probably not the, 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:01.959 uh, 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:02.259 uh, 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.879 direct result of your sin. 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:06.079 It could be hypothetically, 00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:07.620 but you know, 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.899 that's what they think. 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.779 And this chap, 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.480 these chapters, 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.939 as they dig in, 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.579 it shows, 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.039 no, 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:13.799 no. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.120 Uh, 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:18.060 of course the world is broken due to sin. 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:18.860 Of course, 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:19.740 when Adam and Eve sinned, 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.799 that's when everything went wrong. 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.240 In some sense, 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.560 of course, 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.120 indirectly. 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:23.440 Yes, 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.740 all suffering is due to sin, 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:27.120 but we make it into a direct thing, 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:27.360 right? 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.379 And so, 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:28.720 you know, 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:32.960 there was this tsunami 20 years ago and 250,000 people died. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:36.539 Were they the 250,000 most sinful people on the planet? 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:37.840 Well, 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.080 no, 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:38.379 right? 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.639 It doesn't work like that. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:42.240 We can't make a kind of one-to-one link. 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:43.480 So, 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.860 if you're having a difficult time, 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.139 it's easy to think, 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.899 you know, 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:48.080 what have I done wrong? 00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:48.960 Uh, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.539 what is my sin? 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:50.879 I mean, 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.940 I must have done something wrong. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:53.840 And in a way, 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:55.100 that's not a bad instinct. 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.759 It's a good instinct, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.019 right? 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:57.539 Because we, 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.680 we know our hearts. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.360 We know we're sinners, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.639 right? 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.639 If my wife is upset, 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.600 my, 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.600 my first reaction is, 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:03.779 okay, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.460 what have I done? 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:04.900 Right? 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.019 I don't think it's, 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.240 uh, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.839 her workmates. 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.279 It's probably, 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.160 it's probably me, 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.779 right? 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.640 Okay, 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.000 darling, 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.519 what is it? 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.120 You know, 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:15.140 but in this case, 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:17.259 it's very different. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:20.160 This suffering of Job, 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:22.339 it has nothing to do with punishment. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.000 He is not the worst person, 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.180 and this is what he deserves. 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.120 Of course, 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.140 you don't probably ask me, 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.099 if it has nothing, 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:31.000 if it has unlikely to be with my, 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.500 anything to do with my sin. 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:33.960 The question always comes here, 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.920 but how about discipline? 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:38.579 Doesn't the Bible say that God disciplines those he loves? 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:40.339 And we go through hard times, 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:40.639 you know, 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:42.240 all discipline is painful. 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.379 It says, 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:44.220 those kind of things. 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.000 Well, 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:48.000 sometimes God does discipline people for sin. 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.240 Although, 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:48.879 remember, 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.759 discipline is very different from punishment, 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:51.079 right? 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.119 Discipline is not punishment. 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:53.980 Discipline is, 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.019 is corrective. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.279 It's supposed to help people. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.039 You know, 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.519 parents, 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.039 when they, 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.720 you know, 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.159 correct their children, 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.059 that that is correction. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:03.679 It's not paying the kids back for what they've done. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.699 Absolutely not, 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:04.939 right? 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.180 It's, 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.960 it's correction. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.220 And sometimes that happens. 00:18:08.320 --> 00:18:08.519 I mean, 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:09.900 some of those natural consequences, 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:13.600 guy commits adultery and he loses his marriage. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:16.279 That's very much due to his sin. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:20.480 And that is very much something that God lets happen for him to, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.759 hopefully to turn him away from his sin. 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:24.640 The thing is, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.759 it's usually clear, 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.140 right? 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.000 I mean, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.180 Job is happy to repent if there is some sin. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.920 And he asked God, 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.700 please tell me, 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.860 but he gets no answer. 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:35.039 And he searches his heart and he can see nothing. 00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:36.979 And that's the thing. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.259 Okay. 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.659 It's, 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.339 it's a good thing. 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:38.559 Okay. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:38.839 Hey, 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.179 I'm going through a tough time. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.199 You know, 00:18:41.199 --> 00:18:42.079 let me search my heart. 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:42.819 Is there some sin? 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:43.839 But if there is nothing, 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:44.939 well, 00:18:44.959 --> 00:18:45.959 then don't feel guilty. 00:18:46.979 --> 00:18:47.179 I mean, 00:18:47.219 --> 00:18:49.099 I think God is able to communicate. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:52.799 If you are really in some sin and God wants to get you out of there, 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.500 he is able to make that clear to you. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.339 And some people, 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:59.459 they have a view of God that basically God is kind of playing Pictionary. 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:01.339 And do you know Pictionary? 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:03.099 You're not allowed to say anything. 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:05.919 And you're just trying to draw and get the other people to get it. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.259 But they, 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.919 they're stupid. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.220 They don't, 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.899 they don't get it. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.059 And, 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.259 but you can't say anything. 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.339 Right? 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:11.899 And that God, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:14.000 he really wants to tell us about some sin, 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.359 but we just don't get it. 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:17.299 And he's trying to draw in the sky. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:19.579 And now God can communicate. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:20.579 Right? 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:24.720 If you have sinned and God is trying to turn you away from that sin, 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:27.599 usually he will make that very clear to you. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:30.619 And so if he doesn't, 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.079 well, 00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:33.139 it's not due to your sin. 00:19:33.219 --> 00:19:34.740 And so don't feel guilty. 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.159 That's the thing, 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.419 right? 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.719 We feel guilty. 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:42.259 Something goes wrong and we think it's our fault and we feel guilty. 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.299 I mean, 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.179 remember how Job, 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.579 how much Job have felt? 00:19:45.679 --> 00:19:48.740 He had 10 children and they all died in one day. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:52.859 And how do you then feel if you think it's your fault? 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:54.779 And, 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:56.200 and that is what his friends say to him. 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.359 Hey, 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:56.480 it's, 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.519 you probably got some sin. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.259 Well, 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.779 the children, 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:01.240 maybe they died for their own sin and maybe it's for your sin, 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.000 but it's, 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.000 it's your fault. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.640 Isn't that so cruel, 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:04.980 right? 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.420 It's your fault. 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:08.500 And if you feel like that, 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:11.120 if something happened to you and you feel guilty, 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.559 this book says, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.220 no. 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:15.640 I mean, 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.359 you might think, 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:16.500 well, 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.880 we never say that as Christians, 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.200 right? 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.440 Actually, 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.279 so some churches, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.980 they come very close to that. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.980 I don't know if you know the, 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:25.220 what people call the prosperity gospel, 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.259 right? 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.319 Basically, 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.180 God wants you to be rich and healthy. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.079 You just need to obey. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.519 You just need to have enough faith. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.120 And, 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:35.319 and then your God will bless you. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.519 God always wants to bless you. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:38.140 You just need to obey. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.259 You just need to have faith. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.960 And then it's fine. 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:40.779 I mean, 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.819 it's a very simple system, 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.019 right? 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.660 But it's basically the same religion. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.900 But what if you're poor? 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.140 Well, 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.700 clearly it's your fault. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:48.900 Right? 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.120 You didn't have enough faith. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.160 That's why you're not rich. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.539 You're sick. 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.200 You've got cancer. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.500 Well, 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.120 it's your fault. 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.200 You need to have more faith. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.980 Isn't that so cruel? 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.299 Right? 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.380 Actually, 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:01.279 deep down when people say this, 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:01.880 yeah, 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.120 it's really cruel. 00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:04.620 And, 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.180 and ultimately, 00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:06.420 doesn't it diminish God, 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:06.860 right? 00:21:07.260 --> 00:21:09.740 Doesn't it make God into a kind of vending machine? 00:21:10.540 --> 00:21:10.800 That, 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.040 you know, 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:12.500 you put obedience in, 00:21:12.560 --> 00:21:13.460 you get blessings out, 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.260 and you put sin in, 00:21:14.280 --> 00:21:15.380 and you get punishment out. 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.480 Just a vending machine. 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.520 There's no relationship. 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:19.780 I mean, 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.880 you hear the friends, 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.680 and basically, 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.920 they're not that interested in God, 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.120 right? 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.220 They speak highly of God, 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.299 but basically, 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:26.960 well, 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.380 Job, 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:27.680 you know, 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.339 just repent. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.600 Just confess some sins, 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.500 and you'll be fine. 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.120 Right? 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.440 And then you'll get the good stuff again. 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.579 Basically, 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:36.759 they're saying exactly the thing as Satan did in chapter one. 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:37.880 You know, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.200 hey, 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:40.279 Job only loves you because of your stuff. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.680 And the friends say, 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:41.920 hey, 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.640 just repent, 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:44.440 and then you'll get the stuff again. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:45.680 Now, 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.100 Job, 00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:48.079 he loves God for who he is. 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:50.279 That's why he wants to speak to God. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.759 That's why he, 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:55.180 he doesn't want to just pretend something, 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.220 to get things back. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.440 He, 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.220 he loves God. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:57.940 In a way, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:59.559 that's why his suffering hurts so much. 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:01.240 He's lost his children. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.160 He's lost all his possessions, 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:05.319 but he feels like he's lost God, 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:05.559 right? 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.339 Here's his, 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.319 the greatest friend he has, 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.460 God himself, 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.839 and yet God is now his. 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:11.880 He says, 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.579 you're like my enemy, 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.720 my adversary. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.860 It's interesting. 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.140 The, 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.539 the, 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.660 the, 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.500 the word Job, 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.860 it's a foreign name, 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.240 but it's, 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.720 it sounds, 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:22.880 it looks a lot like the Hebrew word for enemy. 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.579 That's the question of this book. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.439 Is God your enemy? 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.879 When these things happen, 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.759 when you suffer? 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.279 No, 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.939 we may wonder why we suffer. 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:33.599 We might wonder why this terrible thing has happened to us. 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:36.220 We may not understand it, 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:39.299 but don't let guilt make things worse. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:42.059 You're not being punished for your sin. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.379 God hasn't become your enemy. 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:48.820 Of course, 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.280 that may be fine. 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.680 That would be really good. 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:56.420 But does Job then still think God is not just? 00:22:56.520 --> 00:22:59.100 Because that's what he's seen to be accusing God of, 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.240 right? 00:22:59.260 --> 00:23:02.540 He asked some very big questions about God's justice. 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:05.140 If God is not just, 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.440 of course, 00:23:05.520 --> 00:23:05.620 well, 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:07.320 what's left of the world and his governing? 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.420 Well, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.800 we need to find a way out. 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.860 And actually, 00:23:11.020 --> 00:23:12.640 as Job goes through the reading, 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:14.180 I didn't put that much in the reading. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:14.759 Actually, 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:16.100 he does find a way out. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.320 I mean, 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.240 the friends are stuck. 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.480 They just, 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:22.540 they keep saying more about sin because it's the only solution they have. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.640 But Job evolves. 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:25.900 And what does he see? 00:23:26.020 --> 00:23:27.380 I think that would be helpful to know. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:29.660 How does he see God's justice again? 00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:30.000 Well, 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.720 justice is delayed. 00:23:32.560 --> 00:23:33.540 Justice is delayed. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:36.359 As Job goes through, 00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:36.839 you know, 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:38.379 his friends keep going on. 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.500 God punishes the wicked. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.639 God punishes the wicked. 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.619 And then Job actually goes, 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:42.799 well, 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.159 come on, 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.639 hang on. 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.299 Is that really true? 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:46.180 Look at the world. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.339 Look around you. 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.319 What is the world like? 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:49.519 Actually, 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:51.079 God doesn't seem to be doing that, 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.279 right? 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.000 In chapter one, 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.859 here's a few verses. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.700 You know, 00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:54.700 Job asks, 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.099 why do the wicked live, 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.500 reach old age, 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.859 and grow mighty and power? 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:02.299 How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:04.619 That their calamity comes upon them. 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:07.299 That God distributes pains in his anger. 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:08.579 You know, 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.599 about these people, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.299 there's no doubt, 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:10.519 right? 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.500 There's no hidden right, 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.539 hidden something. 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:15.119 It's very clear these people are wicked. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.480 They should be punished. 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.139 And yet, 00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:18.819 they're living a really nice life. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.680 Isn't that in most of the world, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:20.899 right? 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.839 The wicked, 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.099 they're rich, 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.740 and they oppress, 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.539 and they're having a really nice life. 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:28.000 It's a common complaint in the Bible. 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.039 So, 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.379 actually, 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.319 Job starts to think, 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:30.779 come on. 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:31.779 Actually, 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.920 this whole thing isn't true, 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.180 right? 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.500 It's not that suffering is God's punishment, 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.399 because these people, 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.440 you know, 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.700 they don't suffer at all. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.740 They're having a great life. 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.139 And so, 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.639 this first statement is not true, 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.720 Job realizes. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.059 And slowly, 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.579 slowly, 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.059 he sees, 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.299 okay, 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.759 actually, 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.660 this whole principle of religion, 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:51.000 I don't see that. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:52.839 Of course, 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:54.319 does that mean God is unjust, 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.519 that the innocent suffer, 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.480 and the wicked prosper? 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.359 Well, 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.740 no, 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:59.019 he sees injustice, 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:01.059 and his heart breaks for it, 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:03.539 and surely God sees that as well. 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:03.799 I mean, 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:07.119 look how Job talks in chapter 24. 00:25:07.479 --> 00:25:07.659 You know, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.859 he sees the poor. 00:25:09.419 --> 00:25:11.740 They go about 10 to 12, 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.119 24, 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.740 10 to 12. 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.240 They go about naked, 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.099 without clothing. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:15.979 Hungry, 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.099 they carry the sheaves. 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:19.240 Among the olive rows of the wicked, 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.099 they make oil. 00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:21.759 They tread the wine presses, 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.899 but suffer first. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:24.540 from out of the city, 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.560 the dying groan, 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:28.259 and the soul of the wounded cries for help. 00:25:28.800 --> 00:25:30.820 Yet God charges no one with wrong. 00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:32.160 Right? 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:34.759 These poor people suffer. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.300 They're working for the wicked, 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.580 and they get none of the blessings, 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:37.840 right? 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.720 They get none of the olives, 00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:39.340 none of the wine. 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.900 He just feels, 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.180 this is so unjust. 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:43.540 God, 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.800 God must do something about it. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:45.980 And, 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.340 well, 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.480 yeah, 00:25:46.540 --> 00:25:47.440 you say it's now, 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:47.680 right? 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.360 Verse 18, 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.220 you say, 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.940 swift are they on the face of the waters. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:53.019 Their portion is cursed in the land. 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.019 Actually, 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.380 it's not now. 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:58.940 Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.220 Now, 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.740 I think he will do it later. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.480 Verse 24, 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:05.299 they are exalted a little while, 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.559 and then are gone. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:10.039 They are brought low and gathered up like all the others. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.860 Job starts to see, 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.360 well, 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.299 God will be just, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.640 but it's just not now. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.180 Justice is delayed. 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:19.400 And that is how he gets out of this thing, 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.019 right? 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.680 The simple, 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:23.619 basic religion that they all think about, 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.480 that's just not true. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.660 God, 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.039 hopefully, 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.599 he trusts he will do it later. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.740 It's complicated. 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.980 We see a world of sin. 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:32.819 We see a world of injustice. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.180 And we always wonder, 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.960 when is God going to do something about it? 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:36.660 Well, 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:39.119 there is just much more to God than we know. 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:41.019 He's got something bigger. 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.200 And that is where Job ends up, 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.400 right? 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.420 In chapter 26, 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.200 you know, 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:47.019 God made the heavens and the earth, 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.240 and he rules everything. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.039 And, 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.240 and, 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.680 you know, 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.599 26, 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.200 14, 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.680 behold, 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.680 these are but the outskirts of his ways. 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:57.079 There is so much more to God that we don't know. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.940 How small a whisper do we hear of him? 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.440 The thunder of his power. 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.220 Who can understand? 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.620 Now, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.700 it doesn't solve everything for Job. 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.019 Not fully. 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.279 I mean, 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.980 he still wonders, 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:08.220 okay, 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:08.600 why, 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.660 okay, 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:11.360 maybe God will be just later, 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:13.140 but why do I have to go through this now? 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.120 You know, 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.920 this is such unspeakable horror. 00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:16.360 Why? 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:18.120 He still wants to meet with God. 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.160 He still wants answers. 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.299 He still thinks, 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:20.880 okay, 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.680 God, 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.279 can you explain this to me? 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:24.980 But, 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:27.759 he is no longer stuck in the old system. 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.700 And, 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:28.900 and, 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.480 and the book of Job isn't over yet. 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.940 There's more wrestling to do. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.160 Just for now, 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.700 it's not that simple. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.120 And, 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.120 and just to say, 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.259 well, 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:39.660 we're going to get back to this in the next few weeks. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:39.880 But, 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.660 for now, 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.220 if you're, 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.839 certainly if you're here and you're not a Christian, 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.200 this is such a common objection, 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:44.579 right? 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:48.160 Why doesn't God do something about all the suffering in the world? 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:50.000 And all the wickedness in the world? 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.180 Why doesn't he do something? 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:52.579 And, 00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:54.440 I went to a funeral on Friday. 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.380 I sat in a bus next to someone. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.019 Yeah, 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.740 not a Christian. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.180 Why? 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.660 Well, 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.420 all the suffering. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.599 Well, 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.880 let me encourage you. 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.099 It's not as simple. 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:07.460 Many of us look for a very simple answer. 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.079 You know, 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.740 just a, 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.039 hey, 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:09.579 sin. 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.039 Something like that. 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.940 It's not simple. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.839 The Bible says, 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.980 it's delayed. 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.319 God will do that later, 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.519 and for good reasons. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.880 And so, 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.140 that means you need to just, 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:21.940 work on the bigger picture. 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:24.740 That there's a bigger picture that you need to see. 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.299 And the problem is, 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.059 if you're just stuck, 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:28.299 and you want a simple answer, 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:30.039 you're not going to get anywhere. 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.960 How does Job get out of things? 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.160 Well, 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.180 because he keeps wrestling. 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.960 He is an open mind. 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.559 He is, 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.799 he's wondering, 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.299 okay, 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.120 what's going on? 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.500 And he, 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.620 he wrestles, 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.480 and he reflects, 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.720 and he actually gets somewhere. 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.960 His friends, 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.519 they are stuck. 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.259 They get nowhere. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.259 And so, 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:48.259 can I encourage you to have an open mind, 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:48.740 and to, 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.299 to keep exploring this. 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.920 I think there are good answers, 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.259 when you see the bigger picture. 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.680 There's just not a simple answer. 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.460 That, 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:55.940 you know, 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:58.359 people suffer because God doesn't care. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:00.099 That's the thing we always think. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:00.420 No, 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.240 it's not like that. 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.279 No, 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.279 what do we need to see? 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.599 You may wonder, 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.440 why does God delay? 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.299 Wouldn't the world be a lot better, 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.460 if God just does this? 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.259 If God is like that? 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:14.200 If he just punishes, 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:16.059 and corrects? 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:18.000 Isn't Hong Kong a much better place? 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.519 Because of, 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.160 you know, 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.680 all the parking fines, 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:22.119 and no illegal parking. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.240 Surely, 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.740 the world may be a better place. 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:25.980 No. 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:28.880 I think it depends how we think. 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.779 I think one problem we have, 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.660 with the book of Job, 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:33.019 and all this talk about sin, 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.720 and righteousness, 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:36.059 is that we always think, 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:37.140 in relative terms. 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.779 And the Bible, 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.279 often thinks in relative terms, 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:41.059 but other times, 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:43.140 it does work in absolute terms. 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:44.559 I mean, 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.740 was Job a blameless, 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.539 and upright man? 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.500 Well, 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.099 the Bible says, 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.359 yes, 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:49.779 he was, 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.019 right? 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.079 But, 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.920 as we all know, 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.079 that is only relative, 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.099 compared to, 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.680 relatively wicked people. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.279 But, 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:01.339 was Job absolutely blameless? 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.339 Was he absolutely upright? 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.299 You know, 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:06.420 before an infinitely perfect God? 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:07.880 Well, 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.160 no, 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.440 right? 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:09.440 I mean, 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:09.920 when he says, 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.460 I hold fast my righteousness, 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.799 does he think he have enough righteousness, 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.460 absolutely, 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:15.279 before God? 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:15.639 No, 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:17.119 it's a relative thing, 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.319 right? 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:19.200 That's why people say here, 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.440 you know, 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.059 who can be right before God? 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.359 What would happen, 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.559 if we really think in absolute? 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.160 What if, 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:25.819 you know, 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:27.680 we would really see the world, 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.200 through God's perspective? 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.500 Then things are very different, 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:31.720 right? 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.980 I think that's the problem, 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.859 with the friend, 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.859 they're just confusing, 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.500 relative and absolute. 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.319 You know, 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.279 so far as he says, 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:38.440 oh, 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.440 that God would show you, 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.339 how sinful you are, 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:42.119 and how much your guilt deserves. 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.139 I mean, 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.899 if that is, 00:30:44.199 --> 00:30:44.959 actually, 00:30:45.719 --> 00:30:46.739 if God does that, 00:30:47.219 --> 00:30:47.439 yeah, 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.539 things are different, 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:48.759 right? 00:30:49.679 --> 00:30:50.039 I mean, 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:51.959 who is really righteous before God? 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.559 No one, 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:53.759 right? 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:56.099 If God really would do that, 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.439 if he would punish every sin, 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:57.679 then, 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.199 well, 00:30:58.199 --> 00:30:59.199 none of us would be alive, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.319 there would be no human race. 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.819 That kind of thing. 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:04.099 If we think in absolutes, 00:31:04.679 --> 00:31:06.559 that is suddenly when the picture is different. 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:10.039 And the best way to see that, 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.679 well, 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.700 where God really answers Zophar's prayer, 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:14.500 and shows us what our guilt deserves, 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.200 well, 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.240 we need to go to the cross, 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:16.559 right? 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.139 Where we see justice fulfilled. 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.700 Ultimately, 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:24.259 this passage erases questions about sin and punishment, 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.919 and that goes to the cross. 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.519 Because when we see Jesus on the cross, 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.200 what do we see? 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:31.379 We think we see an innocent man suffer. 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:33.579 And we think of someone like Job, 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.359 right? 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:37.639 Here's a man who is relatively innocent, 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:41.079 who is facing some unjust suffering. 00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:42.699 And yet, 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:45.059 Jesus was innocent in a completely different way, 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:45.279 right? 00:31:45.939 --> 00:31:47.839 Jesus wasn't relatively innocent. 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:50.279 Jesus was completely, 00:31:50.479 --> 00:31:51.439 absolutely perfect. 00:31:52.199 --> 00:31:52.959 He was righteous. 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:55.719 He was the only man who never should suffer, 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:57.099 who didn't deserve to suffer. 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.019 I mean, 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.539 in the Bible, 00:31:58.699 --> 00:31:59.079 actually, 00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.000 it's true. 00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:02.479 Suffering is always due to sin. 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:03.859 Right? 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:07.819 The whole reason there is suffering in the world is because of sin. 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:08.979 And all of us, 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:11.439 we always suffer less than we deserve. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.719 Actually. 00:32:13.459 --> 00:32:14.959 But then how about Jesus? 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.419 If he, 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.859 if suffering is always for sin, 00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:19.240 and he was completely righteous, 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:21.419 why did he get punished for sin? 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:22.259 Why did he suffer? 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.199 And the Bible says, 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.479 well, 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:26.379 it was not for his own sin. 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:29.800 The Bible wants us to see this suffering was for sin, 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.820 but it was not his sin. 00:32:31.560 --> 00:32:33.140 He suffered for our sin. 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.520 All right? 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:37.000 When we see the absolute truth, 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.540 then, 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.280 okay, 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:40.840 then we suddenly see on the cross what our sins deserve, 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.140 right? 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:43.260 You see Jesus going through hell. 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.660 You see him being forsaken by God. 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.680 Well, 00:32:46.760 --> 00:32:49.160 that is how much your guilt deserves. 00:32:49.860 --> 00:32:53.880 That is actually God showing us how sinful we are. 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:57.100 And at the same time, 00:32:58.020 --> 00:32:59.340 it completely changes things. 00:32:59.340 --> 00:33:00.500 If Jesus really did that, 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.800 because why? 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:05.400 Because he has paid for your punishment. 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.680 Right? 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.520 If we really deserve all this punishment, 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.980 but Jesus paid for it, 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:12.180 that really changes things. 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:14.320 Because sometimes when we suffer, 00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:14.500 yeah, 00:33:14.540 --> 00:33:14.640 we, 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.180 we know this, 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:15.340 right? 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:16.960 We do feel it's our fault. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.100 We might think, 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:18.260 well, 00:33:18.260 --> 00:33:19.420 I'm relatively okay, 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:21.000 but deep down, 00:33:21.080 --> 00:33:21.640 we all know, 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:21.900 right? 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.860 That we have this fear that it's about us. 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.000 God, 00:33:24.040 --> 00:33:24.400 our sin. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:27.520 And we fear that we are not really righteous. 00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:28.940 That's kind of our religious heart, 00:33:29.020 --> 00:33:29.160 right? 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:30.180 We want to, 00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:32.460 we know we are sinners before God, 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:35.000 but the cross actually says, 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.360 no, 00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:37.820 your suffering is not punishment. 00:33:38.820 --> 00:33:39.940 Whatever you're going through, 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:41.420 it's not punishment for your sin. 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.440 Not because you're so good, 00:33:44.300 --> 00:33:47.220 but because it has already been paid on the cross. 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:50.060 Because Jesus paid for it. 00:33:50.520 --> 00:33:51.260 And God is just, 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:53.040 and he will never pay for the same sin. 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:56.019 He'll never depend on payment twice for the same sin. 00:33:58.059 --> 00:34:02.480 And Job knew that it wasn't punishment because he was relatively innocent. 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.619 If you're a Christian, 00:34:05.859 --> 00:34:06.379 you know, 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:10.039 suffering is not punishment because you are absolutely innocent. 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.360 Not because of anything in you, 00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:14.380 but because Jesus already paid for everything. 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:16.980 We are truly righteous, 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:19.079 truly accepted, 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:21.420 truly perfect, 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.740 truly innocent, 00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:24.099 because it's already paid. 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:25.420 Right? 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:26.680 So as Christians, 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:28.039 we can go beyond Job. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.680 On the other hand, 00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.079 on one hand, 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:31.039 we can admit our sin. 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:33.519 I'm happy to admit that I'm not righteous. 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:35.079 On the other hand, 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:38.360 we are perfectly righteous through Christ, 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:38.559 right? 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.960 Because he already paid everything. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.739 And we can trust him. 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:47.139 And that suddenly means that we have far more assurance than Job. 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.960 Job had all these questions. 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.239 Actually, 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.980 we have the answer in the cross. 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.279 Right? 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:55.540 You know, 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.640 in the Bible, 00:34:57.160 --> 00:34:58.540 people say, 00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.880 if you are suffering, 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.720 look to the cross. 00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:02.300 Let it assure you. 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:06.580 Because it means your sin has been paid. 00:35:06.680 --> 00:35:08.740 And you're not suffering out of punishment. 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:11.560 And the greatest passage in the Bible, 00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:11.940 I think, 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:13.100 is the end of Romans 8. 00:35:13.600 --> 00:35:14.860 And it deals with suffering, 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.140 right? 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:18.040 What does Paul question? 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.700 You know, 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:21.519 who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:22.720 835. 00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.260 Shall tribulation, 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.019 or distress, 00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:26.500 or persecution, 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.460 or famine, 00:35:27.600 --> 00:35:28.260 or nakedness, 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:28.740 or danger, 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:29.360 or sword? 00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.400 That's the question, 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:30.600 right? 00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:32.380 All these bad things are happening to us. 00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:35.060 Does it mean God doesn't love us? 00:35:35.540 --> 00:35:37.560 Have we been separated from the love of Christ? 00:35:38.540 --> 00:35:39.180 And he says, 00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:39.540 no. 00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:41.080 Absolutely not, 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:41.360 right? 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:43.040 In all these things, 00:35:43.080 --> 00:35:45.340 we are more than conquerors for him who loved us. 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:47.900 For I'm sure that neither death nor life, 00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:49.560 neither angels nor demons, 00:35:50.040 --> 00:35:51.019 nor the present, 00:35:51.120 --> 00:35:51.860 nor the future, 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:52.640 nor powers, 00:35:52.760 --> 00:35:53.100 nor height, 00:35:53.160 --> 00:35:53.480 nor depth, 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.880 nor anything else in all creation, 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:57.539 can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.519 You can hear that, 00:35:59.559 --> 00:35:59.699 right? 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:03.659 We can be absolutely sure that God loves us. 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:04.800 And why? 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.179 Well, 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.460 because of the cross. 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:09.860 Because God is now for us. 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:10.579 Right? 00:36:10.579 --> 00:36:12.699 God, 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.739 if God is for us, 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.639 who can be against us? 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.699 You know, 00:36:16.759 --> 00:36:17.519 Job was wondering, 00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:17.840 God, 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.599 are you my enemy? 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:20.239 Are you my adversary? 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.559 Paul says, 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:21.779 no, 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.819 God is for you. 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.179 Because, 00:36:24.299 --> 00:36:26.480 he's paid for your sins. 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.559 And, 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.639 you are now righteous. 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:29.539 Right? 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.159 verse 33, 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:32.360 who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:34.199 It is God who justifies. 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.480 Who is to condemn? 00:36:36.239 --> 00:36:37.119 You can't be condemned. 00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:38.179 There's nothing to punish. 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.519 Because Christ Jesus, 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.139 who died, 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:40.679 more than that, 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.619 who was raised alive, 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.199 is at the right hand of God, 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.779 and is interceding for you. 00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:46.880 Now, 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:48.240 we may not understand everything. 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.900 We may not understand, 00:36:50.100 --> 00:36:51.840 why some things happen to us. 00:36:52.160 --> 00:36:53.220 Why God lets it happen. 00:36:53.740 --> 00:36:54.640 The only thing, 00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:55.940 that if we see the cross, 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:58.820 we can't doubt God's love for us. 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.360 We can't doubt, 00:37:00.600 --> 00:37:01.519 that we are accepted. 00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:02.740 We can't doubt, 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:04.240 that we are righteous in his sight. 00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.260 Because, 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:07.200 Jesus paid for everything. 00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:08.480 And, 00:37:08.580 --> 00:37:09.560 God is just. 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:12.480 It would be unjust to punish us. 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.080 And, 00:37:13.140 --> 00:37:13.580 he won't. 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.900 Isn't that, 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:16.599 the most wonderful truth, 00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:16.819 right? 00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.840 God wants to know, 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:19.019 wants you to know this. 00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:21.079 He wants to know that he's for, 00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:22.599 he wants you to know that he's for you. 00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:24.279 He wants you to know, 00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:25.500 that he wants the best for you. 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.900 He wants you to know, 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:28.019 that he will bring you home, 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:29.920 out of the midst of all of this. 00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.059 Because, 00:37:31.059 --> 00:37:33.119 Jesus paid for everything, 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.019 on the cross. 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.659 Let's be encouraged, 00:37:36.779 --> 00:37:37.460 by those words. 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:40.039 Why don't we take a moment, 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:40.860 just to reflect. 00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:42.480 A moment to, 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:44.199 of silence, 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:46.159 as you think about the cross, 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:47.400 and maybe what you're going through, 00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:49.539 and seeing that in the light of the cross. 00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:50.820 And, 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.539 then I'll pray, 00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:52.400 and Jeremy will, 00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:54.000 and the music team will, 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:55.139 will help us reflect more. 00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:56.460 And, 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:59.199 you know, 00:38:08.299 --> 00:38:08.559 what we've got to do? 00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:35.019 Let me pray. 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:53.820 Lord Jesus, we thank you so much that you paid, that you died to the death that we deserve to make us righteous, to make us perfect, to make us deserving despite us being so undeserving. 00:38:53.820 --> 00:39:05.440 Lord, we want to know that cross. We want to, in everything that we face, be reminded of your love and what you have done and how that changes everything about our situation. 00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:11.559 And we struggle with that. We know that we see around us. We know our hearts that condemn us. 00:39:12.080 --> 00:39:19.080 But we want to be reminded of your love. Please help us see how nothing can separate us from your love because of what you've done. 00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:22.140 In your name we pray. Amen. 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:24.620 Amen. 00:39:24.820 --> 00:39:25.380 Amen. 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:25.740 Amen. 00:39:25.840 --> 00:39:27.320 Amen. 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:29.400 Amen. 00:39:30.220 --> 00:39:30.820 Amen. 00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.519 Amen. 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.660 Amen. 00:39:32.660 --> 00:39:33.660 Amen. 00:39:33.660 --> 00:39:34.519 Amen. 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:36.380 Amen. 00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:36.680 Amen. 00:39:36.680 --> 00:39:37.400 Amen. 00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:37.600 Amen. 00:39:37.600 --> 00:39:38.559 Amen. 00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:39.000 Amen. 00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:39.900 Amen. 00:39:39.900 --> 00:39:40.780 Amen. 00:39:43.260 --> 00:39:43.640 Amen. 00:39:46.280 --> 00:39:48.760 Amen. 00:39:48.760 --> 00:39:49.640 Amen. 00:39:49.640 --> 00:39:49.840 Amen. 00:39:50.080 --> 00:39:50.660 Amen. 00:39:50.660 --> 00:39:52.039 Amen. 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:52.300 Amen.