Job 13:1-16 - Homiletics

Job to Zophar: 4. A wounded soul at bay.

I. THE VOICE OF FIERCE RECRIMINATION . Transfixing on the spear-point of his remorseless logic the men who had mocked at his misery, and converted his very piety into a laughing-stock, with infinite scorn Job holds them up a spectacle to angels and to men, charging them with at least three most detestable offences.

1 . Ignoring of facts. They had favoured him with their views of how God conducted the affairs of the universe, citing apothegms, quoting proverbs, and adducing similitudes carefully selected to bear out their peculiar dogmas and preconceived theories; but he too could string together wise saws extracted from the ancients, being in respect of traditionary lore not one whir behind them (verse 2), and he had done it ( Job 12:6 , Job 12:14-25 ). What is more, he had observed in the world around him exemplifications of everything he had advanced (verse 1); and, unless they had been as blind as moles and as senseless as the ass to whose offspring they had compared him, they too must have frequently perceived the same. But they had not been willing to discover anything inconsistent with their favourite dogma; or they had travelled through the world with their eyes shut and their ears closed; or they had not been at the trouble to reflect and compare. Inattention, or want of observation, inconsideration, or want of reflection, insincerity, or want of a genuine love for the truth, are three formidable barriers in the way of man's advancement in knowledge. The first is the fault of the careless, the second of the foolish, the third of the ungodly. Eye and ear, being the soul's best gateways for knowledge, should be kept continually open. But the testimonies and reports which enter by these gateways should be subjected to diligent inspection and careful comparison. The truth once found should never fail to secure admission into the inner chamber of the heart.

2 . Forging of lies. Instead of patiently collecting and collating facts from the opened page of human history, and deducing therefrom conclusions as to the principle or principles of the Divine government, Job's friends first invented a theory, and then looked about for musty proverbs to support it. They were not philosophers or theologians at all, but simply theorists, inventors of sophisms, stitchers together of falsehoods, and fabricators of vanities (verse 4), who had endeavoured to construct a theodicy by mingling together a little bit of fact and a large amount of fancy, or by patching together a handful of ancient platitudes. Much of modern science, philosophy, and even theology, proceeds upon the principle here so severely castigated. The true Baconian method of induction, first to ascertain with minute accuracy, not a few, but, as far as possible, all the facts of the case before pronouncing judgment as to the formula which shall explain them, is the only safe guide to be followed in philosophical discussion, scientific research, or theological investigation. A formula that does not embrace every known fact, much more that is contradicted by any known fact, cannot be correct.

3 . Accepting of persons. Passing on to a more serious indictment, Job charges them with abject and contemptible sycophancy; with taking God's side simply because they knew he was strong; with supporting his cause by means of arguments which were consciously insincere, and generally with playing the part of flatterers—a course of conduct which Job declares to be:

II. THE VOICE OF OUTRAGED INTEGRITY .

1 . An appeal from man to God. " Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God!" (verse 3). So David, when the mouth of the wicked and the tongue of the deceitful opened against him, addressed himself to God in prayer ( Psalms 109:2-4 ). Christ also, when his enemies gaped upon him with their mouths, sought refuge against their calumnies in holy intercourse with God ( Psalms 22:2-21 ; Matthew 27:39-46 ; John 11:42 ). The example of both is commended to saints when similarly circumstanced ( Psalms 55:22 ; Psalms 91:15 ; Philippians 4:6 ; 1 Peter 5:7 ), and has been frequently followed. Many who have been denied justice at the hands of their fellows have been constrained to appeal to the tribunal of the skies. It is a great mercy that such a court exists for suffering men, and that its door is never closed against the suit of a distressed saint ( Psalms 34:15 ; 1 Peter 3:12 ; Luke 18:7 , Luke 18:8 ). On the contrary, God's people are invited to repair to him in every time of trouble ( Psalms 50:15 ; Psalms 62:8 ; Romans 12:12 ; Hebrews 4:16 ), when burdened by affliction, when overtaken by spiritual anxiety, when misunderstood by men. If we may not maintain our sinlessness before God ( Psalms 69:5 ), we can at least uphold our integrity ( Job 10:7 ; John 21:15 , John 21:16 ; Romans 1:9 ). But whatever be our case, it will be by him both exactly appreciated and tenderly sympathized with.

2 . A request for non-interference on the part of man. "Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace I and it should be your wisdom" (verse 5); "Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak" (verse 13). Job advances two reasons for desiderating silence on the part of his friends.

3 . A determination to defend his cause with God.

Learn:

1 . It is the delight of a good man, the sign of a wise man, and the duty of all men, to study the ways and works of God.

2 . It is no sin to vindicate one's character when that is wrongly aspersed.

3 . It requires a good cause to enable a weak man to speak with the Almighty.

4 . It is not a fault in manners to reprove good men when they tell lies.

5 . It is a fault in good men when they depart from the troth even by a hair's breadth.

6 . It is infinitely wiser not to talk at all than to talk like a fool.

7 . It is dangerous to summon allies from the devil's camp, even when fighting in the Lord's battles.

8 . It is an insult to God to suppose that light and darkness, truth and error, sincerity and hypocrisy, righteousness and unrighteousness, Christ and Belial, can be confederates.

9 . It is better to revere God's holiness on earth than to tremble before his glorious power in a future world.

10. It is a poor defence that even a good man finds in lies and deceptions.

11. It is preferable to part with life than with faith in God.

12. It is certain that, though a humble believer may be slam, he never can be lost.