MY WITNESS IN HEAVEN

November 10th 2016

Job 16-17

key verse: 19b

In "Waiting for Godot", the characters vaguely wait for their redeemer, but he never comes. They fuss here and there, but they are disappointed. Job's wait for his redeemer is unending. He is desperate.

1. Waiting for my witness (16)

Job is discouraged by the "good" words of his friends and claims that he could also say such things. Now Job speaks with God. It is he who permitted such suffering. He left Job in the hand of evildoers. Job was at peace, but God shook him such that his bile fell to the ground. He dragged his pride in the dust. Job didn't understand that all this came from Satan. Since he was innocent, he cried night and day as though he was shedding his blood. Bitterness filled him as he searched for his witness in heaven. He will be the arbitor between God and the son of man, he himself will plead, since there is no violence in his hands and his prayers are pure (17). In his troubled heart, Job is waiting for Jesus.

2. My hope is swallowed up (17)

Job knows that the Eternal Lord will triumph and protect him. His friends are so ignorant, but God has closed their hearts to discernment (4:22; Romains 1:18) However, truth lives, the righteous remains firm, the innocent rise and the pure strengthen themselves. For the moment, their insults are intolerable. In face of suffering and insults from his friends, Job wishes to go down to the pit in the company of worms, in the place of the dead. Where is his hope? His hope is fading.

Prayer: Lord, I believe there is a witness in heaven. He will reveal the motive behind my actions before God, even if others do not understand. Thank you.

Bottom line: Jesus is my witness, the arbitor between God and I.