99. God Is Righteous and Just in All His Ways (4)

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Hymns: RHC 352 All the Way My Saviour Leads Me, 354 God Leads Us Along, 353 God Will Take Care of You

Job 36:15-23

15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression. 16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should befull of fatness. 17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. 18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. 19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. 20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? 23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

God Is Righteous in All His Ways (4)

OUTLINE

  • God’s Spokesman Speaks (v1-4)
  • God Is Almighty and Just in His Dealing with People (v5-12)
    • The Righteous (v5-12)
    • The Hypocrites (v13-14)
    • The Poor (v15-23)

Continue…

The Book of Job is the finest expression of Hebrew poetry genius; among the great masterpieces of world literature. Its theme is the eternal problem of unmerited suffering.  

(2)God Is Almighty and Just in His Dealing with People (v5-12)

  1. The Righteous (v5-12)
  2. The Hypocrites (v13-14)
  3. The Poor (v15-23)

15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression. 16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should befull of fatness.

Elihu addressed to Job citing God’s deliverance of His own people as a loving Father’s – Luke 18:7-8 (KJV) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The poor refers to God’s people in their affliction who hold God in humility, with a broken and contrite spirit as Jesus said in Matthew 5:3 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Indeed, to them belong the kingdom of God. God’s very own. 

Psalm 34:17 (KJV) The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 34:18-19 (KJV) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

In fact, He sends comfort and encouragement in the midst of affliction. This we can see when the Apostle Paul was in Corinth experiencing much persecution whilst preaching the gospel – Acts 18:9-11 (KJV) Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Acts 18:1 (KJV) After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

Acts 18:5-6 (KJV) And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Acts 18:7-8 (KJV) And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Gill said well, “while they are oppressed; not only to discipline, correction, and instruction (v10); but to hear comfortable words spoken, to them by the Lord; who, in the midst of their affliction and oppression, whispers in their ears, and tells them how He loves them, though they are rebuked and chastened by Him; how He has chosen them to everlasting life and happiness, though now in the furnace of affliction; that He is their covenant God and Father, and knows and owns their souls in adversity that He has pardoned all their sins, though He takes vengeance on their inventions; and in a little time will free them from all their afflictions and oppressions.”

In verse 16 – Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness. We are reminded of the psalmist David’s words in Psalm 23:4-6 Psalm 23:4-6 (KJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou artwith me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

The valley is a low place, with mountin on either side. Enemies may be setting an ambush to shoot their arrows at the traveller but he must pass through it. Our Lord Jesus has victoriously pass through it. The psalmist, however says, I will fear no evil, not even the fiery darts of Satan, for the Lord was with him.

The “rod” was a clublike weapon used to defend a flock against predators; the same word is used for a royal “scepter”.  The “staff” could also serve as a weapon, but it was used to prod sheep in the right direction—hence a metaphor of divine guidance.[1]

The shepherd carries a staff or rod when he goes forth to feed his sheep. With this staff he rules and guides the flock to their green pastures and defends them from their enemies. With it also He corrects then when disobedient, bring them back from wandering. The good man has his enemies. Even our Lord Jesus was rejected of the Jews. Despite all this, nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door, and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. This is the peace that the LORD gives to His people, even in the most trying circumstances.

In ancient Israel shepherds used oil as an insect repellent, to protect and ease conflicts between sheep and to heal the wounds of the sheep. Nose flies for example attack the sheep by laying eggs into the membrance of the sheep’s nose, and th eggs will hatch, turning to worm-like larvae, which irritates and annoys the sheep driving it insane. The oil will keep away these flies. Other insects like moquitoes and gnats can turn the summer into a tortureous time for the sheep. The shepherd the sheep with oil and the fragrance keep the insects away and the flock at peace. The oil also prevents injury when sheep crash into one another. The grease surface ease off the crash of the sheep into one another. And the anointing oil also act as a healing agent for injuries that the sheep sustain whether by the bramble bushes or thorns even thistles.[2]

He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. The overflowing cup was a powerful symbol in the days of David. Hosts in the ancient East used it to send a message to the guest. As long as the cup was kept full, the guest knew he was welcome. But when the cup sat empty, the host was hinting that the hour was late. On those occasions, however, when filled the cup to overflowing. He didn’t stop when the wine reached the rim; he kept pouring until the liquid ran over the edge of the cup and down the table.[3]

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Goodness to supply every want. Mercy to forgive every sin. Goodness to provide. Mercy to pardon. [F.B. Meyer]

His goodness and His unfailing love abides with His people always and for all eternity.

In dark days, as well as the bright days, the sorrows and the joys, the journeying and the rest, frequent struggles, we look forward to that heavenly mansion that Christ has gone ahead to prepare for us.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. 18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

Gill observed well, “But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked, some take this to be a continuation of the happiness Job would have enjoyed, had he behaved in his affliction as he ought to have done; then he would have been filled to satisfaction, by seeing the judgments of God exercised on wicked men, as on the Chaldeans and Sabeans, who had injured him: “and judgment and justice would have upheld thee”; when they should be cast down. But these words rather seem to be expressive of his present state, and the reason of it, he not being sufficiently humbled: and the sense is, not that he had lived a vicious course of life, as the wicked do, and filled up the measure of his wickedness as they; and so deserved to be filled with the like judgments as inflicted on them. 

Mr. Broughton reads the words, “as thou hast fulfilled the sentence of the wicked, sentence and judgment have laid hold:” but rather the meaning is, that he had “fulfilled the contention of the wicked”; pleaded as they did, argued with God after their manner: and therefore, is said to go in company and walk with them, and make answers for them (v8). 

Job 36:8 (KJV) And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;

Wherefore justice and judgment take hold on thee; afflictions in righteousness, or the chastening hand of God, in righteous judgment, had taken hold upon him, and would hold him until he was sufficiently humbled under them. 

Because there is wrath, either wrath in Job, so some; indignation and impatience under the afflicting hand of God, expressed by cursing the day of his birth, and by his angry pleadings with God: and therefore, Elihu advises him to beware of it, and check this impetuous spirit; cease from his anger and forsake wrath, and fret not himself to do evil, and provoke the Lord to take him away at once, and then his case would be irretrievable. 

Beware – which, though not expressed in the original, is well supplied; and his meaning is, that he would be cautious of what he said, and not go on to multiply words against God; speak unbecomingly of Him, arraign His justice, and find fault with His dealings with him; as well as beware of his actions, conduct, and behaviour, that his tongue and his doings be not against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

lest he take thee away with his stroke; out of the world by death, which is the stroke of His hand; and is sometimes given suddenly, and in an awful manner, in wrath and vengeance. Some render the last word, “with clapping of hands”; either the hands of men (Job 27:23); or of God; expressing His exultation and pleasure at the death of such a person, laughing at his calamity, and mocking when fear cometh; which is dreadful and tremendous.

then a great ransom cannot deliver thee: there is no ransom on earth equal to the life or soul of man; “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” 

Matthew 16:26 (KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Psalm 49:6 (KJV) They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

The great ransom of all is the ransom of Christ, which Elihu had made mention of before (Job 33:24); and what else could he have in his mind now? This is the ransom found by infinite wisdom, which Christ came to give, and has given; and by which he has ransomed his people from him that is stronger than they, from the bondage of sin, of Satan, of the world, of hell and death, and everlasting destruction: and this is a great one, plenteous redemption, a great salvation; the ransomer is the great God and our Saviour; the ransom price is not corruptible things, as silver and gold, but the precious blood of Christ, his life, yea, he himself. 

Job 33:24 (KJV) Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

How great must this ransom be! and it is given for great sinners, the chief of them; and is sufficient for all the elect of God, both Jews and Gentiles: and yet, as great as it is, it is of no avail to one that God has taken away by a stroke out of this world, and sent to everlasting destruction; not through want of sufficiency in this ransom, but by reason of the final and unalterable state of such persons; as, even in the present life, it is of no avail to the deniers and despisers of it (Hebrews 10:26).

Hebrews 10:26 (KJV) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  

19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. 20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 

V19 – Let us not question God in His dealing with us amidst our affliction. There is nothing that we have that did not come from Him – not our wealth nor our strength and therefore there is nothing we can offer to Him that will appease His displeasure in our actions of indolence during the times of our affliction.

V20 – Do not seek that our trials may not fulfil its course as God has intended. In the midst of pain and suffering, thoughts of evil to desire that our suffering be cut short does plague our mind. Rather, wait on the Lord. Trust Him to supply the grace and the way of escape in every temptation.

V21 – Has thou chosen to fret against God in your affliction, fret not! Subsist in faith in your affliction, He will see you through. His ways are perfect. Let us rest in Him and trust Him.

22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? 23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Matthew Henry said well, “Let him not dare to prescribe to God, nor give him his measures: “Behold, God exalteth by his power,” that is, “He does, may, and can set up and pull down whom he pleases, and therefore it is not for thee nor me to contend with him.” The more we magnify God the more do we humble and abase ourselves. 

Consider, that God is an absolute sovereign: He exalts by his own power, and not by strength derived from any other. He exalts whom he pleases, exalts those that were afflicted and cast down, by the strength and power which he gives his people; and therefore who has enjoined him his way? Who presides above Him in His way? 

Is there any superior from whom He has His commission and to whom He is accountable? No; He himself is supreme and independent. 

Who puts him in mind of his way? so some. Does the eternal Mind need a remembrancer? No; His own way, as well as ours, is ever before Him. He has not received orders or instructions from any, nor is He accountable to any.

He enjoins to all the creatures their way; let not us then enjoin Him His, but leave it to Him to govern the world, who is fit to do it. 

That He is an incomparable teacher: Who teaches like him? It is absurd for us to teach Him who is Himself the fountain of light, truth, knowledge, and instruction. He that teaches man knowledge, and so as none else can, shall not he know?

Psalm 94:9-10 (KJV) He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

Shall we light a candle to the sun? Observe, When Elihu would give glory to God as a Ruler he praises Him as a teacher, for rulers must teach. God does so. He binds with the cords of a man. In this, as in other things, He is unequalled. 

None so fit to direct His own actions as He Himself is. He knows what he has to do, and how to do it for the best, and needs no information nor advice. Solomon himself had a privy-council to advise him, but the King of kings has none. 

Nor is any so fit to direct our actions as He is. None teaches with such authority and convincing evidence, with such condescension and compassion, nor with such power and efficacy, as God does. He teaches by the Bible, and that is the best book, teaches by his Son, and he is the best Master. 

That He is unexceptionably just in all His proceedings: Who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? Not, Who dares say it? (many do iniquity, and those who tell them of it do so at their peril), but Who can say it? Who has any cause to say it? Who can say it and prove it? It is a maxim undoubtedly true, without limitation, that the King of kings can do no wrong.””

CONCLUSION

May the Lord strengthen His suffering servants as they wait upon Him for deliverance. Amen.

[1] Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary – Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the Old Testament – Minor Prophets, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs.

[2] Max Lucado, Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms – Hope & Encouragement from Psalm 23, Thomas Nelson, 2009, 77-80.

[3] Travelling Light, Nashville: Word, 2000.