118. Now My Eyes Seeth Thee (1)

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Hymns: RHC 319 It Is Well With My Soul 354 God Leads Us Along 247 Cleanse Me

Job 42:1-17

1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. . 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. 

10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this lived Job a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

Now My Eyes Seeth Thee (1)

OUTLINE

  • Experiential Knowledge of God Through Trials (v1-6)
    • Humility and Submission to God (v6)
  • Expressions of Forgiveness (v7-9)
    • Offering for Sins 
  • Exaltation for God’s Glory (v10-17)

INTRODUCTION

The book of Job is a biography of a suffering saint and the story of the triumph of faith, deep-water faith. When sufferings increase, faith must be proportionally increased. His faith can be described as unflinching, undeterred and unyielding in the face of the fiercest attacks to his faith in God.

The name Job means “hated or persecuted” or one who is the “object of enmity” derived from the verb which means “to be hostile”, and to mean “cruelly or hostilely treated”.

The book of Job is a doctrinal book, a book thick on the doctrine of faith. If you were to observe the content page of your Bible, you will notice the Old Testament consist of 17 historical books and 17 prophetic books sandwiched between 5 experiential books – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. These five poetic books that deal with the individual human heart teaches us practical day to day Christian living right between two groups of 17s, at the very heart of the Old Testament. I believe it is not an accident but providentially designed by God. And the first book in the heart of the Old Testament is the book of Job and the overarching doctrine taught is that of faith. Faith in times of suffering.

We begin our Christian life by that first step of faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We begin in faith we grow from faith to faith and end also in faith or by faith.

We have entitled this series of messages “It Is Well With My Soul” to chronograph the reality of suffering in the believer’s life and the life wisdom of understanding God’s sovereignty and care over His people that is gotten from suffering.

The story begins on a happy note (1:1-5) and ends with a happy note (42:12-17). In between are the life transforming events that shaped and changed his perspective of life forever. There is much we can learn from Job’s trials especially in dealing with setbacks from the comments of people around us. This is the bulk of the book from chapters 3-37. If we were to focus on the first and last chapters and fail to study how Job dealt with difficult people in his affliction – we will miss the many precious lessons which can be gleaned hidden from the text. The Lord has helped us see the richness of these verbal encounters between with Job and his friends! We have spent nearly 120 messages on the period of 2 years 7 months since January 2019.

God is the Governor of the Universe (Job 38-41) having Created the Universe (38:4-11). God is in charge of the earth and the sea, the inanimate nature – snow, hail, rain, ice (38:22-30), the stars and constellation (38:31-38) and His care of and sovereignty over Animal Kingdom (1) (38:39-39:30), lion (38:39-41), wild goats and their young (39:1-4), wild ass listens not to man’s command (39:5-8), the unicorn is untamable to man (39:9-12), the peacock’s beauty and ostrich’s foolishness (39:13-18), majesty of Horse (39:19-25), the preying hawk and eagle (39:26-30).

Job acknowledges his depravity (40:1-5), God’s Rebuke – God knows best not Job (40:5-14), care of and sovereignty over animal kingdom (2) (40:15-41:34), impressive Behemoth (40:15-34) and the mighty Leviathan (41:1-34).

Job 40:1-5 (KJV) Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

  • Experiential Knowledge of God Through Trials (v1-6)
    • Humility and Submission to God (v6)

1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 

The words of Job justifying himself were ended (Job 31:40). After that he said no more to add. The words of Job judging and condemning himself began (Job 40:40-5). 

Job 40:4-5 (KJV) Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Here he goes to acknowledge God.  Matthew Henry said well “Though his patience had not its perfect work, his repentance for his impatience had. He is here thoroughly humbled for his folly and unadvised speaking, and it was forgiven him. Good men will see and own their faults at last, though it may be some difficulty to bring them to do this.” 

Then, when God had said all that to him concerning His own greatness and power appearing in the creatures, then Job answered the Lord (Job 42:1), not by way of contradiction, he had promised not so to answer again (Job 40:5), but by way of submission; and thus, we must all answer the calls of God.

2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

He subscribes to the truth of God’s unlimited power, knowledge, and dominion, to prove which was the scope of God’s discourse out of the whirlwind (v2). 

Corrupt passions and practices arise either from some corrupt principles or from the neglect and disbelief of the principles of truth; and therefore, true repentance begins in the acknowledgement of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). 

2 Timothy 2:25 (KJV) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Job here owns his judgment convinced of the greatness, glory, and perfection of God, from which would follow the conviction of his conscience concerning his own folly in speaking irreverently to Him. [Matthew Henry]

He owns that God can do every thing. What can be too hard for Him that made behemoth and leviathan, and manages both as He pleases? 

He knew this before, and had himself discoursed very well upon the subject, but now he knew it with application.

It is through our afflictions that we see the reality of God in our lives. As we call out to Him, we find Him there for us in the times of our affliction to succor and keep us.

God had spoken it once, and then he heard it twice, that power belongs to God; and therefore, it is the greatest madness and presumption imaginable to contend with him. “Thou canst do every thing, and therefore canst raise me out of this low condition, which I have so often foolishly despaired of as impossible: I now believe thou art able to do this.” 

Psalm 113:5-9 (KJV) Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

That no thought can be withholden from him, that is. There is no thought of ours that He can be hindered from the knowledge of. Not a fretful, discontented, unbelieving thought is in our minds at any time but God is a witness to it. It is in vain to contest with Him; for we cannot hide our counsels and projects from Him, and, if He discover them, He can defeat them. [Matthew Henry]

Like Nebuchadnezzar whom God restored, Job acknowledged God.

Daniel 4:34-37 (KJV) And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

There is no thought of His that He can be hindered from the execution of. Whatever the Lord pleased, that did he. Job had said this passionately, complaining of it (Job 23:13), What his soul desireth even that he doeth; now he says, with pleasure and satisfaction, that God’s counsels shall stand.

If God’s thoughts concerning us be thoughts of good, to give us an unexpected end, he cannot be withheld from accomplishing his gracious purposes, whatever difficulties may seem to lie in the way.

God brought Israel back to the Promised Land after 70 years of captivity – Jeremiah 29:10-12 (KJV) For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

Job himself admitted to be guilty of that which God had charged him with in the beginning of his discourse (v3). “Lord, the first word thou saidst was, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? There needed no more; that word convinced me. I admit I am the man that has been so foolish. 

That word reached my conscience, and set my sin in order before me. It is too plain to be denied, too bad to be excused. 

I have hidden counsel without knowledge. I have ignorantly overlooked the counsels and designs of God in afflicting me, and therefore have quarrelled with God, and insisted too much upon my own justification:Therefore, I uttered that which I understood not, that is, “I have passed a judgment upon the dispensations of Providence, though I was utterly a stranger to the reasons of them.”

He admits himself ignorant of the divine counsels; and so, we are all. God’s judgments are a great deep, which we cannot fathom, much less find out the springs of. 

We see what God does, but we neither know why He does it, what He is aiming at, nor what He will bring it to. These are things too wonderful for us, out of our sight to discover, out of our reach to alter, and out of our jurisdiction to judge of. They are things which we know not; it is quite above our capacity to pass a verdict upon them. The reason why we quarrel with Providence is because we do not understand it; and we must be content to be in the dark about it, until the mystery of God shall be finished. [Matthew Henry] 

He admits himself imprudent and presumptuous in undertaking to discourse of that which he did not understand and to arraign that which he could not judge of. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him.We wrong ourselves, as well as the cause which we undertake to determine, while we are no competent judges of it. [Matthew Henry]

4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Swindoll says well, “There is something deeply satisfying about justice. We love it when right is rewarded and wrong is punished. The old axiom, “Justice is truth in action” explains our love for it’ what is fair ginally occurs. No one is better at justice than the Living God, who is only only all-knowling. He is completely fair and absolutely righteous. When His justice finally arrives, it was worth the wait. That wait can seem interminably long. But never doubt it: Regardless of how long or short the wait – the Lord is just,”

As Job humbles himself God, he sees God vindication for his pitiful predicament. 

He will not answer, but he will make supplication to his Judge, as he had said (Job 9:15). “Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak (Job 42:4), not speak either as plaintiff or defendant (Job 13:22), but as a humble petitioner, not as one that will undertake to teach and prescribe, but as one that desires to learn and is willing to be prescribed to.

Lord, put no more hard questions to me, for I am not able to answer thee one of a thousand of those which thou hast put; but give me leave to ask instruction from thee, and do not deny it me, do not upbraid me with my folly and self-sufficiency – James 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  

He puts himself into the posture of a penitent, and therein goes upon a right principle. In true repentance there must be not only conviction of sin, but contrition and godly sorrow for it, sorrow according to God.

2 Corinthians 7:9 (KJV) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Such was Job’s sorrow for his sins.

Job had an eye to God in his repentance, thought highly of him, and went upon that as the principle of it (v5): 

“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear many a time from my teachers when I was young, from my friends now of late. I have known something of thy greatness, and power, and sovereign dominion; and yet was not brought, by what I heard, to submit myself to thee as I ought. The notions I had of these things served me only to talk of, and had not a due influence upon my mind. But now thou hast by immediate revelation discovered Thyself to me in Thy glorious majesty; now my eyes see thee; now I feel the power of those truths which before I had only the notion of, and therefore now I repent, and unsay what I have foolishly said.” 

It is a great mercy to have a good education, and to know the things of God by the instructions of His word and ministers. Faith comes by hearing, and then it is most likely to come when we hear attentively and with the hearing of the ear. [Matthew Henry]

When the understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of grace our knowledge of divine things as far exceeds what we had before. 

By the teachings of men God reveals His Son to us; but by the teachings of His Spirit He reveals his Son in us (Galatians 1:16), and so changes us into the same image (2 Corinthians 3:18). 

God is pleased sometimes to manifest Himself most fully to His people by the rebukes of His word and providence. “Now that I have been afflicted, now that I have been told of my faults, now my eye sees thee.” The rod and reproof give wisdom. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest and teachest.

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 

Job had an eye to himself in his repentance, thought hardly of himself, and thereby expressed his sorrow for his sins (v6): Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

It concerns us to be deeply humbled for the sins we are convinced of, and not to rest in a slight superficial displeasure against ourselves for them. Even good people, that have no gross enormities to repent of, must be greatly afflicted in soul for the workings and breakings out of pride, passion, peevishness, and discontent, and all their hasty unadvised speeches; for these we must be pricked to the heart and be in bitterness. Till the enemy be effectually humbled, the peace will be insecure. 

Outward expressions of godly sorrow well become penitents; Job repented in dust and ashes. These, without an inward change, do but mock God; but, where they come from sincere contrition of soul, the sinner by them gives glory to God, takes shame to himself, and may be instrumental to bring others to repentance.

Job’s afflictions had brought him to the ashes (Job 2:8, he sat down among the ashes), but now his sins brought him thither. 

True penitents mourn for their sins as heartily as ever they did for any outward afflictions, and are in bitterness as for an only son of a first-born, for they are brought to see more evils in their sins than in their troubles. [Matthew Henry]

Self-loathing is evermore the companion of true repentance. They shall loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed. (Ezekiel 6:9)

Ezekiel 6:9 (KJV) And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

We must not only angry at ourselves for the wrong and damage we have by sin done to our own souls, but must abhor ourselves, as having by sin made ourselves odious to the pure and holy God, who cannot endure to look upon iniquity. 

If sin be truly an abomination to us, sin in ourselves will especially be so; the nearer it is to us the more loathsome it will be. 

The more we see of the glory and majesty of God, and the more we see of the vileness and odiousness of sin and of ourselves because of sin, the more we shall abase and abhor ourselves for it. 

“Now my eye sees what a God he is whom I have offended, the brightness of that majesty which by wilful sin I have spit in the face of, the tenderness of that mercy which I have spurned at the bowels of; now I see what a just and holy God he is whose wrath I have incurred; wherefore I abhor myself. Woe is me, for I am undone,” (Isaiah 6:5). 

God had challenged Job to look upon proud men and abase them. “I cannot,”
says Job, “pretend to do it; I have enough to do to get my own proud heart humbled, to abase that and bring that low.” 

Let us leave it to God to govern the world, and make it our care, in the strength of His grace, to govern ourselves and our own hearts well.

To be continued…