DAILY READING : JOB 8 - 10; 11 - 13

 

TEXT : Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.  13:16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

 

THEME : TRUST

 

As we proceed in the Book of Job, the argument between Job and his friends continues. They insist Job has sinned, else these calamities would not have come on him. However, Job keeps his testimony that he has not sinned, but does inquire why God has afflicted him so.

 

"Job defends himself against the accusations of his friends, and accuses them of endeavoring to pervert truth, Job_13:1-8. Threatens them with God's judgments, Job_13:9-12. Begs some respite, and expresses strong confidence in God, Job_13:13-19. He pleads with God, and deplores his severe trials and sufferings, Job_13:20-28." [ADAM CLARKE]

 

For some time, the Book of Job is a contest of who is wiser. Job's friends turn a visit to a sick and ailing friend into a [somewhat] heated debate. All of this - since there is much truth in the words and observations of both Job's friends and Job - is, no doubt, for our benefit so we may become wise. However, from the standpoint of the story, Job's friends are clearly out of place in this respect - Job is in intense suffering, which is not the time for prolonged discussion much less a rancorous argument.

 

"Job begins this chapter by observing the extensiveness of his knowledge, as appeared from his preceding discourse, by which it was evident he was not less knowing than his friends, Job_13:1; and therefore would have nothing to do with them as judges in his cause, but would appeal to God, and debate the matter before him, and leave it to his decision, since he could expect no good from them, Job_13:3; and all the favour he entreats of them is, that they would for the future be no longer speakers, but hearers, Job_13:5; he expostulates with them about their wicked and deceitful way of pleading for God, and against him, Job_13:7; and in order to strike an awe upon them, suggests to them, that they were liable to the divine scrutiny; that God was not to be mocked by them, that he would surely reprove them for their respect of persons, and desires them to consider his dreadful majesty, and what frail creatures they were, Job_13:9; then he expresses his confidence in God, that he should be saved by him, notwithstanding the afflictive circumstances he was in, Job_13:14; and doubted not he should be able so to plead his cause, as that he should be justified, if God would but withdraw his hand, and take off his dread from him, Job_13:18; he desires to know what his sins were, that he should hide his face from him, and treat him with so much severity, who was but a poor, weak, feeble creature, Job_13:24; and concludes with a complaint of the bitterness and sharpness of his afflictions, with which he was consumed, Job_13:26." [JOHN GILL]

 

Even Job is under the impression that [only] sin brings such dramatic judgment on a man or woman. Yet, he is confused because he knows he has done no intentional wrong against God to deserve such a treatment. Like his friends, Job is sure sin brings judgment, pain, and suffering. However, he also knows he is innocent of any intentional wrongdoing. Hence, we learn, as Job will, that the righteous do suffer. Moreover, we are taught there is a greater good and purpose in the afflictions given by God. Namely, they make us partakers of His holiness [read - Nature].[1] Therefore, once God is through testing us, we have a larger capacity for enjoying the fruit of God's Spirit such as love, joy, and peace.

 

In verse 13:15 Job makes one of the greatest statements of faith found in the entire Bible when he says - "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." The only one comparable to Job's statement is that of Habakkuk.

 

Hab 3:17  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Hab 3:18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab 3:19  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

 

Concerning Habakkuk's statement of faith, Albert Barnes states -

 

"The words are very impressive, as they stand in the Hebrew. "For," he says, "the fig tree shall not blossom, and there is no fruit in the vines, the labor of the olive hath failed;" (the prophet does not look on, only to these things, but in his mind stands in the midst of them,  they are done, and he amid them, feeling their effects) "and the field hath yielded no food; the flock hath been cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stall; and I." He relates it as the result of all which had gone before; such and such was the state of fruit-trees, vintage, harvest, flocks and herds; such was the aspect of all nature, living or inanimate; all was barren, disappointing; all had failed and was gone; and then at last he comes to himself, and I; what is he doing, when all nature and every seeming hope is dead? thus and thus it is with them; and I will rejoice."

 

Thus, we have two [men], inspired by God to write their faith in two Book of the canon of Scripture that says - "No matter what, I will trust God!" This is our rule as well as Job's and Habakkuk's. That is, we are to trust God no matter what, for everything in Christ has purpose and design. We can be assured, God has our interests in mind, and not His own. Therefore, we like Job and Habakkuk must live by faith, in good times and bad, always thanking God. Especially so when, like Job, we do not know why such hazards, catastrophes, and disasters befall us.

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "WE LIVE BY FAITH - NO MATTER WHAT!"

 

"Though He slay me." What a pregnant expression of both trust and grief! How terrible a thought to entertain that notion He in whom [we] have put our trust used such faith to mislead, misguide, and ultimately abuse us! Moreover, He took our [good] faith and employed it to our hurt! How awful to have such an idea about God. Yet, so many people do entertain such absurd theology. That is, God, who is infinitely good, has done evil [to me]. Though intellectually ridiculous and illogical, the emotions of those being tested and tried [by God] mislead them and they are often mistaken in their agony and pain to believe God has done an injustice to them. At least Job maintains his faith, though he has no idea why this has happened to him.

 

"Though he slay me - "God may so multiply my sorrows and pains that I cannot survive them. I see that I may be exposed to increased calamities, yet I am willing to meet them. If in maintaining my own cause, and showing that I am not a hypocrite Job_13:16, it should so happen that my sufferings should be so increased that I should die, yet I will do it." The word "slay," or "kill," here refers to temporal death. It has no reference to punishment in the future world, or to the death of the soul. It means merely that Job was determined to maintain his cause and defend his character, though his sufferings should be so increased that life would be the forfeit. Such was the extent of his sufferings, that he had reason to suppose that they would terminate in death; and yet notwithstanding this, it was his fixed purpose to confide in God; compare the notes at Job_19:25-27. This was spoken in Job's better moments, and was his deliberate and prevailing intention. This deliberate purpose expresses what was really the character of the man, though occasionally, when he became impatient, he gave utterance to different sentiments and feelings. We are to look to the prevailing and habitual tenor of a man's feelings and declared principles, in order to determine what his character is, and not to expressions made under the influence of temptation, or under the severity of pain. On the sentiment here expressed, compare Psa_23:4; Pro_14:32." [ALBERT BARNES]

 

Therefore, Job refuses to bend or budge on his statement of faith. He is no hypocrite. He has lived righteously, and maintains his case. The hypocrite, by comparison, has no such depth of character. He or she [i.e. the hypocrite] speaks well only during fair weather. Yet, when trials come - as they will, the true believer remains faithful to Him who has called him to be a soldier in His army. The righteous and the hypocrite have one common trait - both are consistent. The righteous in living by faith all the time, and the hypocrite by vacillation and duplicity every day.

 

"With what constancy he depends upon him: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, Job_13:15. This is a high expression of faith, and what we should all labour to come up to - to trust in God, though he slay us, that is, we must be well pleased with God as a friend even when he seems to come forth against us as an enemy, Job_23:8-10. We must believe that all shall work for good to us even when all seems to make against us, Jer_24:5. We must proceed and persevere in the way of our duty, though it cost us all that is dear to us in this world, even life itself, Heb_11:35. We must depend upon the performance of the promise when all the ways leading to it are shut up, Rom_4:18. We must rejoice in God when we have nothing else to rejoice in, and cleave to him, yea, though we cannot for the present find comfort in him. In a dying hour we must derive from him living comforts; and this is to trust in him though he slay us." [MATTHEW HENRY]

 

Thus, Job, though he has moments of deep grief and doubts about the cause of God's afflicting him, waits on God to answer. "Father, why hast thou forsaken me?" Even the words of our Savior, who identifies with us as the Son of Man, pronounces the saints perpetual question and portrays the truth. Namely, [sinful] Man does not know all there is to know about walking with God. We expected moonlight and roses. We received betrayal, misunderstanding, rejection, and crucifixion. Therefore, we became disappointed, dejected, and despaired of life itself.

 

"Yet will I trust in him - The word used here (יחל  yâchal) means properly to wait, stay, delay; and it usually conveys the idea of waiting on one with an expectation of aid or help. Hence, it means to hope. The sense here is, that his expectation or hope was in God; and if the sense expressed in our common version be correct, it implies that even in death, or after death, he would confide in God. He would adhere to him, and would still feel that beyond death he would bless him." [ALBERT BARNES]

 

Therefore, once we are enlightened to the whole truth about being in Christ, that is - there is a cross before an empty tomb, we then resolve to be faithful to the end. That is, "we live by faith - no matter what!"