Can A Man Be Justified Before God? - Job Chapter Nine Series

Jewels From Job

Job – Chapter #9

Job now speaks again. Remember Bildad has just spoken. He is the second of Job’s friends to speak. His entire first argument is found in Job chapter 8. Bildad’s argument is that people suffer because they have sinned – God is just and He does not allow the righteous to suffer. This was the common thought of the day. Of course we know this is not true. Christ suffered – not because of His sin – but because of the sins of mankind. He suffered for all of us – even those who have not yet been born.

This is a powerful chapter. There is praise because of the power of God. There is humility – for who can stand before God? There is soul searching. As Job does some soul searching he is aware of his humanity but he is also aware of the awesome power of God. God is all powerful and Job spends much of the chapter speaking about God and praising Him. As Job examines the nature and power of God, Job is “undone” – “unwrapped” before God as all of us should be.

Who can bring their case before God? This is the theme of this chapter.

No one can stand before the awesome presence of God. Do you know our own heart? Do you believe there is no unclean thing in you? It would take a small amount of self examination to see that we are not pure. Our motives though they seem honorable – may just be off base – self centered and wrongly motivated.

Oh, that I could have a spokes person to speak on my behalf. One who knows me – and knows the mind of God – a mediator. (Verse 33) Who can stand before God – only one who is the Son of God – but also the Son of Man.

In Job’s argument he will come up with three points.

1. “I cannot contend with Him” (9:1–13)

2. “I cannot answer Him” (9:14–35)

3. “I cannot understand Him” (10:1–22)

1 Then Job answered and said: 2 "Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God? 3 If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. Job 9:1-3 (NKJV)

CAN A MAN BE JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD?

Job’s first words out of his mouth are that he agrees with Bildad. “Yes, I know what you’ve said is true” Job 9:2 (HCSB) Job then asks a probing question in verse two: “How can a person be justified before God?” Job 9:2 (HCSB)

Standing on this side of the cross we know how one can be justified before God. On the other side they were still asking the question. Believers we should be certain of the answer of how we can stand righteous before God – the answer is Christ.

Man is no match for God. It is only in Christ that any will be able to stand before God. It is only by God’s own hand that one can be justified.

4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? 5 He removes the mountains, and they do not know When He overturns them in His anger; 6 He shakes the earth out of its place, And its pillars tremble; 7 He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars; 8 He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea; 9 He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; 10 He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number. 11 If He goes by me, I do not see Him; If He moves past, I do not perceive Him; 12 If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ’What are You doing?’ Job 9:4-12 (NKJV)

CAN A MAN NOT HELP BUT PRAISE GOD?

Whenever we focus on God and start speaking about how mighty He is – it becomes a song of praise. This is the case of Job also.

Notice in these verses how many times God is spoken of.

v. 4 God is wise and mighty.

v. 5 God removes mountains.

v. 6 God shakes the earth.

v. 7 God controls the heavenly bodies.

v. 8 God has put the heavens in place as well as the oceans.

v. 9 God has named the stars.

v. 10 God is beyond comprehension.

v. 11 God is beyond my vision (understanding).

v. 12 God is all powerful and answers to no one.

13 God will not withdraw His anger, The allies of the proud lie prostrate beneath Him. 14 "How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him? 15 For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge. 16 If I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice. 17 For He crushes me with a tempest, And multiplies my wounds without cause. 18 He will not allow me to catch my breath, But fills me with bitterness. 19 If it is a matter of strength, indeed He is strong; And if of justice, who will appoint my day in court? 20 Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me; Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse. 21 "I am blameless, yet I do not know myself; I despise my life. 22 It is all one thing; Therefore I say, ’He destroys the blameless and the wicked.’ Job 9:13-22 (NKJV)