“A Plea to God”

BIBLE READING: Job 9-10

Some have called Job “The Book of Human Suffering.” However, a more complete title must include the idea that the concept of God’s nature and man’s relationship to Him is also a theme. Some scholars believe the book of Job reveals to the reader some characteristics of God that preceded Moses’ writing of the first 5 books of the Bible. By exploring the book of Job, the reader can see that Job and his friend might have an incomplete knowledge of God, they did have a measure of faith in Him. They also knew that they needed to lead moral lives. They knew Him as the Creator of the world and man. They knew him as one who rewards good and punishes evil. They knew Him as one is gracious and who may be approached through sacrifices. They knew that a sinful man may turn to Him in repentance. But they did not know all the mystery or realize that he cannot defend himself against the words of his friends. He seems to be thinking that Bildad speaks the truth, and he agrees that they cannot resist God or dispute with him.  “He moves mountains without their knowing it.” (v5) Job’s words here about God give so much honor to Him, as compared to a man Job admits that even though he was innocent, he could not answer Him.  “I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.” (v.15f.)  Job says, “He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.” (v.22) and further, “If it is not He, then who is it?” (vs.22; 24).  Further in Chapter 9:33, Job pleas: “IF ONLY THERE WERE SOMEONE TO ARBITRATE BETWEEN US…” Through verse 35, surely as Christians, we are suddenly reminded of our great blessings in Jesus Christ!!

Job continues speaking after Bildad’s rebuke and reaches out to God reminding him not to condemn hm, but rather to tell him what charges God has against him. He reminds God that among men there is no one to rescue him from Gods hand. Again, as Christians, we are reminded of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who was given to us in LOVE. We feel God’s love as we study the book of Job. We know what Job and his friends do not know, and we rejoice!

Job “reminds” God in 10:10-12 what he knows God already knows:

God: molded him like clay, clothed him with skin and flesh, knit him together with bones and sinews, gave him life and showed him kindness, in His providence watched over his spirit

Has God not done the same for us? Job continue to contrast his own human-ness with God’s glory. Do his words not carry us back to the beginning of the book of Job as Job praises God to Satan? In 10:16 Job speaks of God’s “awesome power.” Job wishes that he had not been born – “carried straight from the womb to the grave.” (Ch.10:19). He asks God to just turn away so that before his death he could have a little bit of joy. Here Job shows his lack of understanding of God and life itself. He calls death” the place of no return, where “even the light is like darkness.” (10:22)