Job 9 - 10

When He Comes Near, I Cannot See Him

Job's response to Bildad is as glorifying to God, as Bildad's speech to Job was dispassionate. He acknowledges the platitudes of Bildad as obvious truth, but successfully contends that a simplistic diagnosis does nothing to bring about healing.  Presented in near legalese, Job (in chapter 9)  ironically builds a case that existential man has no standing in God's courtroom.  Man's declaration of innocence is meaningless. Man's understanding of God is totally dismissed.  God, alone, is great and man is nothing.

Chapter 9, verses 2 through 10 describe God as the creator, and the source of all wisdom, as one with immutable sovereignty over all of creation from the mountains to the stars.  Yet when this great God comes near, Job cannot see him, when he passes by Job does not perceive him (v. 11). O the frustration of Godly knowledge - to know that the Lord exists and not feel or perceive His presence. For Job, the clarity of God's magnificence is overwhelming to the point of despair. "So who am I that I should try to answer God or even reason with him?" (v.14).

Job's answer to Bildad is reflected in verse 20, "Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty."  There is no man-made reconciliation with God's judgment.  All are guilty. All deserve death and annihilation. Thus Eliphaz and Bildad's contention that Job's condition is the result of sin in nullified by God's sovereign will. If God chooses for a man to suffer and be tested, then the man's guilt or innocence is irrelevant.

Job continues his lamentation and in the remainder of chapter 9 and in all of chapter 10.  These are less of a response to Bildad and Eliphaz and more of the complaint and questioning Job initially spoke.  Why was I born? Why do I continue to live? The fatalistic tension in Job is palpable.  He fully understands that God formed him from the dust of the earth and was integral to each step of his development from conception, to birth, to life (10:8-12).  This being true, then "Why?" Why does the Lord permit this horrific suffering?  Why does God not allow Job to die?

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.