Job Holds To His Integrity - Job Chapter Twenty Seven Series

Job 27 could be outlined:

Job holds to his integrity. Job 27:1-6

The hypocrite is without hope. Job 27:7-10

The end of the wicked. Job 27:11-23

Job is quite aware of his status before God. He knows where he stands before God. He knows that he has not sinned before God and that God is not “punishing” him because of it. The accepted theology of the day was – “people suffer because of their own sin – God does not allow suffering of the innocent.” Job continues to claim his innocence. Job is quite aware of his spiritual condition. He knows that he is suffering and he knows his innocence. Let us remember that verse one of this book has not changed:

“There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.” Job 1:1 (HCSB)

Job continues speaking.

1 Moreover Job continued his discourse, and said: 2 "As God lives, who has taken away my justice, And the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, 3 As long as my breath is in me, And the breath of God in my nostrils, 4 My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 Far be it from me That I should say you are right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; My heart shall not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:1-6 (NKJV)

JOB HOLDS TO HIS INTEGRITY

In verses two through four Job makes an oath. He says, “I refuse to say one word that isn’t true. I refuse to confess to any charge that’s false.” Job 27:4 (MSG)

Job will not bend his integrity. He will not give in to the pressure of the common theology of the day. He will not give in to the pressure of his “friends”. He will not give in to that which is a lie – he will hold to the truth. A great lesson can be learned from Job. When all the forces are in opposition – when everyone and everything seems to be against you – hold to that which is true. Never! Never! Never – let go to that which is right and true.

Job tells his friends that he will hold fast to his righteousness. He will not let his heart be swayed by the pressures around him. Sin needs to be called sin. Righteousness needs to be called righteousness. Hold fast – remain faithful to that which is true. Remember James five:

“We consider those who endure to be blessed. You have heard about Job’s endurance. You saw that the Lord ended Job’s suffering because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11 (GW)

Let us observe that James tells us that God is compassionate and merciful. Job does not see God this way in chapter twenty seven. In fact in verses four Job proclaims two things:

1. God has taken away my justice.

2. God has caused my soul to be bitter.

When we are in the midst of our troubles – when we are in the midst of our pain – we often get tunnel vision. We do not see the big picture – sometimes we don’t even see the hand of God working – but it is. It is at these times that our faith is put to the test. Remember:

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB)

If we could see the outcome clearly – where would be our faith?

Before we move on let us consider another great truth found in this section. It is found in again in verse four. Job will watch what he says. No matter what happens to him – he will bridle his tongue. What a great lesson this is for all of us. Just because something happens in our life that hurts us – does not give us an excuse to curse. Bad things happen all the time – but bad words never need to come forth from our mouths. James also says this:

“With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God’s likeness. Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! Do clean and polluted water flow out of the same spring?” James 3:9-11 (GW)

Let us always listen to the words that come out of our mouths. I have heard this statement: “It is better to be thought a fool – than to open your mouth and confirm it.”

7 "May my enemy be like the wicked, And he who rises up against me like the unrighteous. 8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, Though he may gain much, If God takes away his life? 9 Will God hear his cry When trouble comes upon him? 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call on God? Job 27:7-9 (NKJV)