Job Seeks God - Job Chapter Ten Series

Jewels from Job

Job – Chapter #10

1 "My soul loathes my life; I will give free course to my complaint, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1-22 (NKJV)

JOB PUTS IT ON THE TABLE

Job continues to speak. He tells us that he is not going to hold anything back – that he is going to let it all out. "I’m putting it all out on the table, all the bitterness of my life—I’m holding back nothing." Job 10:1 (MSG) He wants to know why he is suffering so. He wants to know if there is anything that he has done wrong. Sometimes when we go through suffering we ask the same questions; “What have I done to deserve this? What have I done to cause this?” There are times when we suffer because of our own actions – there are other times when we suffer because of the actions of others and there are times when we suffer for no apparent reason. In the un-natural – fallen – world in which we live there is enough pain and suffering for all. Welcome to the club.

Chapter outline:

Job complains of his hardships. (1-7)

He pleads with God as his Maker. (8-13)

He complains of God’s severity. (14-22)

2 I will say to God, ’Do not condemn me; Show me why You contend with me. 3 Does it seem good to You that You should oppress, That You should despise the work of Your hands, And smile on the counsel of the wicked? Job 10:2-3 (NKJV)

JOB SPEAKS TO GOD

In verse two Job addresses God. It becomes a prayer that will continue through the end of the chapter.

Verse three seems to ask the question: “Is God unjust?” Why would He bless the way of the wicked? Why would He punish the way of the innocent? We must always remember that Job’s suffering is caused by Satan not by God. It is Satan who has touched Job. It is Satan who has caused so much pain. Yes, God has allowed it – does that mean that it is God who is unjust? Job is not aware of all these facts that we are given the privilege to know. There are times when we are in the midst of problems when we do not see where the problems are coming from.

The more our problems – the narrower our view.

We must never forget also what James says of Job: “See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord: the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11 (HCSB) Does it seem to you at this point that Job is enduring? Yes, he is – even though he is questioning what is happening to him.

4 Do You have eyes of flesh? Or do You see as man sees? 5 Are Your days like the days of a mortal man? Are Your years like the days of a mighty man, 6 That You should seek for my iniquity And search out my sin, 7 Although You know that I am not wicked, And there is no one who can deliver from Your hand? 8 ’Your hands have made me and fashioned me, An intricate unity; Yet You would destroy me. 9 Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay. And will You turn me into dust again? 10 Did you not pour me out like milk, And curdle me like cheese, 11 Clothe me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews? 12 You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit. 13 ’And these things You have hidden in Your heart; I know that this was with You:’ Job 10:4-13 (NKJV)

IS GOD NOTHING MORE THAN A MAN?

In these few verses Job’s attention turns to God.

In verses four and five Job asks the question, “Is God nothing more than human?” Of course he knows God is not human. Job knows that God is his creator. He is the creator of us all. Even inside the womb of our mothers God has put us together. “My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being formed in secret, in a region of darkness and mystery. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.”

Psalm 139:15-16 (AV)

Job gives two illustrations of how he views his life:

Clay – verse 9

Milk – verse 10

Both of these he shows can become useless. Both can become of no value.

14 If I sin, then You mark me, And will not acquit me of my iniquity. 15 If I am wicked, woe to me; Even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head. I am full of disgrace; See my misery! 16 If my head is exalted, You hunt me like a fierce lion, And again You show Yourself awesome against me. 17 You renew Your witnesses against me, And increase Your indignation toward me; Changes and war are ever with me. 18 ’Why then have You brought me out of the womb? Oh, that I had perished and no eye had seen me! Job 10:14-18 (NKJV)