Response, Repentance And Restoration Series

The wise captain of a ship looked into the dark night and saw lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south."

Promptly a message returned: "Alter your course 10 degrees north."

The captain was angered his command was ignored. So, he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south, I am a captain."

Soon a message returned: "Alter your course 10 degrees north. I am seaman third class Jones."

Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south; I am a battleship."

Then the reply came: "Alter your course 10 degrees north; I am a lighthouse."

So much for wisdom; the captain’s wisdom is of little value in this exchange. The wisest man on his ship, he was still no match for his adversary; an immovable object he had no part in establishing. No amount of wisdom would change his circumstances. If he didn’t acknowledge his error and adjust his course, his ship would be destroyed and his life changed forever.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. We learned a few weeks ago that chapter 28 is the literary center of the book of Job. In the study of Hebrew literature, the primary theme is located in the center of the literary pattern.

1. A review of ch.28 reveals that the central theme of the book of Job is not suffering; nor “why do bad things happen to good people”. It has nothing to do with suffering at all.

2. The story of Job is a story of WISDOM. God’s wisdom. The best summary I can give you on the Book of Job is that God’s wisdom is not our wisdom. When we accept this, we see the poem in a new light?as a look at God’s wisdom, and our need to trust him in all things.

B. You remember that last week Job made a final plea to God; to take his place as prosecutor and accuser, to examine Job’s life. He promises to stand like a prince to hear God’s indictment if he finds any sin in him.

1. Today, in the final installment in this series, Job gets what he wants; He meets God face to face—a theophany (an appearance of God).

2. Here’s the rub: Job wants to question God concerning his circumstances. He hopes to defend himself before his “accuser”. Instead, God questions him; BOY DOES HE QUESTION HIM! (70 questions about Job’s command of God’s creation)

[Wisdom is granted; not learned. God wants us to use it to trust Him unconditionally. Let’s study their exchange a bit, as God accepts Job’s challenge, and Job gets his day in court.]

II. JOB’S DAY IN COURT

A. GOD ACCEPTS JOB’S CHALLENGE (38:1-41:34). These chapters may give you the idea that God is angry with Job. I don’t believe he is, He simply does what Job asks him to do; to respond to his claim of holiness and wisdom...

1. What God does

a. He puts Job in his place: “where were you when I ?”

b. He asks Job questions that no human could answer

c. He demonstrates His ultimate wisdom to Job through his creation

2. What God does not do

a. He does not explain himself, or the cause of Job’s suffering

b. He does not review the results of Job’s self examination

c. He does not meet Job as an equal; He remains the sovereign God

3. His challenge to Job (40:1-2)

a. “Will the one who contends…correct?

b. Let him who accuses God answer Him!

B. JOB RESPONDS (40:3-5)

1. “I am unworthy…how can I reply?

a. Job is not repentant; HE IS MERELY REMORSEFUL.

b. He is called on the carpet; He stands with his mouth hanging open as God pummels him with a battery of questions?an “in your face” experience.

[This is perhaps the most important lesson for us in this first of two discourses. Remorse does not bring about life change?only repentance. God now continues. . .]

C. GOD CONTINUES (40:6-41:34)

1. This discourse is much more authoritative; God challenges Job and his authority among the creatures of his creation.

2. Job is broken, humbled and ready to repent of his sinful attitude. Note that his friends wanted him to repent of sin, but never considered this one.

D. JOB REPENTS (42:1-6)

1. “You can do all things…”

2. “No plan of yours can be thwarted…”

3. “I spoke of things I didn’t understand…”

4. “I have now seen you; despise myself and repent...”

[GAME, SET & MATCH: “CHECK PLEASE…” I think we’re finished here; Job’s words ring loudly in our ears: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you; therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:5-6 NIV). From here God turns his attention to Job’s friends. . .]