Lesson eight in the Job series.
Job 40 and 41 is the section of Job that a lot of people find difficult to interpret. It doesn't help that every English translation is different, so we have to go to the Hebrew to find out what is really happening. Chapter 40:1 says, "And the Lord said to Job: Shall a faultfinder content with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." OK, stay with me here while I try to unpack this. Job had already prophesied that when God came on the scene, he would not contend with Job in power, but as an upright man who would argue his case and acquit him (23:6-7). If you look up the Hebrew word that is translated faultfinder in English, you will see that it means one who lays out his case--like a plaintiff. So the questions God is asking here is this: "Shall the plaintiff lay out his own case before the Judge?" It is a rhetorical question and the answer is obviously 'No!' A plaintiff should have a lawyer or an advocate to represent him. (If you remember, Elihu was doing an illegitimate interrogation of Job where there was no defense lawyer or anyone to plead Job's case.)
Job 40 and 41 is the section of Job that a lot of people find difficult to interpret. It doesn't help that every English translation is different, so we have to go to the Hebrew to find out what is really happening. Chapter 40:1 says, "And the Lord said to Job: Shall a faultfinder content with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." OK, stay with me here while I try to unpack this. Job had already prophesied that when God came on the scene, he would not contend with Job in power, but as an upright man who would argue his case and acquit him (23:6-7). If you look up the Hebrew word that is translated faultfinder in English, you will see that it means one who lays out his case--like a plaintiff. So the questions God is asking here is this: "Shall the plaintiff lay out his own case before the Judge?" It is a rhetorical question and the answer is obviously 'No!' A plaintiff should have a lawyer or an advocate to represent him. (If you remember, Elihu was doing an illegitimate interrogation of Job where there was no defense lawyer or anyone to plead Job's case.)
Then the Lord says, "He who argues with God, let him answer it." For the last two chapters--chapters 38 and 39--who has been arguing Job's case? God Himself! So God is basically saying, "I see what's been going on here and I've got this. Job, I will be your advocate. This battle is mine and I will plead your case for you." Can you imagine Job's relief? His prayer was answered and his Arbiter has arrived!
Job responds by laying his hand across his mouth. Do you remember from an earlier lesson what that means? In that culture, if somebody of greater importance or greater wisdom came into the room, others would lay their hand over their mouth to show respect and to keep silent while that person spoke. So Job is showing respect to God and promising his silence so that God can do it all for him. God always does it all, children. From start to finish, it is all God.
The first several verses of chapter 40 seem to be targeting Elihu again. We need to remember that God is speaking for Job now--in Job's place. So we can look at the next words as Job's argument given by God. God is angry and he mentions several things that only Elihu has done. Elihu has committed blasphemy, promoted a false gospel, slandered God, called for eternal condemnation for God's servant, lashed out in burning anger, spoken with extreme arrogance, etc. In chapter 40:7-14, God uses phrases like "thunder with a voice like his," "clothe yourself with glory and splendor," "pour out the overflowings of you anger," and ends with "then I will acknowledge that your own right hand can save you." These same ideas and phrases are found in Elihu's monologue, which is our big clue that these words are directed against him. God says, "Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be right?" Of course we know that Elihu is the only one who has done that. Elihu is the one who twice mentioned God's thundering voice. Elihu is the one who clothed himself with glory and splendor by claiming to be equal with God. Elihu is the one who said Job could save himself by his own right hand. It follows then that God's words are targeting Elihu.
I should tell you that there are some people who think that God's speech is connected to Elihu's in this way because God is agreeing with Elihu and is picking up where Elihu left off in interrogating and condemning Job. There are several reasons this cannot be true:
1. In chapter 42:7-8, God states unequivocally that Job spoke only what was right.
2. God would never step into the vacated role of Job's accuser. Not even remotely possible.
3. We know that God answered Job's prayer to keep him from sin during this trial because Job 42:6 tells us that Job was comforted. (More about that in the next lesson.)
4. Job was not required to offer a blood sacrifice like the other three friends.
5. God never condemns people he has already declared to be blameless.
6. God responds in compassion and mercy to those who are poor and needy and afflicted and he will always defend their cause.
7. According to the Apostle James in James 5:11, God's whole purpose in this story is to show compassion and mercy. Slapping a dying man on the wrist by public humiliation is contrary to that purpose. Jesus never responded that way to any sinner who cried out for his help.
Since God and the Apostle James both say that Job was right and steadfast, I am going with that. The Lord did answer Job--not by submitting him to a forced interrogation, but by answering his prayers. By pleading his case. By keeping him from sin. And by destroying his enemies.
Coming up: If Job didn't sin, then why does he repent?
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