OT: The Book of Job, Chapter 9

Job 9:1-35

9:1-2 Job understood that he was not perfect, but he did not understand why he suddenly felt he had to be. All his life he had known God to love him despite his imperfection. But Job lost sight of that perfect, magnanimous love of God. God did not expect Job to be perfect; God was not punishing Job for imperfection. God had highlighted Job for his nearness to perfection. To be highlighted by God is to be appointed responsibility; Job was the living representation of a steadfast relationship with God. 

9:3-4 Even though Job felt that his case was strong, he knew that he could not debate with God. In his heart He knew that God was just in all that He did, but his body felt less confident in that because of his suffering.

9:5-13 Job contemplated our almighty Father, His power and wonder: 

He removes the mountains, and they do not know

When He overturns them in His anger;

He shakes the earth out of its place,

And its pillars tremble;

He commands the sun, and it does not rise;

He seals off the stars;

He alone spreads out the heavens,

And treads on the waves of the sea;

He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades,

And the chambers of the south;

He does great things past finding out,

Yes, wonders without number.

If He goes by me, I do not see Him;

If He moves past, I do not perceive Him;

If He takes away, who can hinder Him?

Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

God will not withdraw His anger,

The allies of the proud lie prostrate beneath Him.

9:14-20 Job wanted to defend his innocence but knew it was pointless to oppose God. The problem was that Job felt that he and God were on different sides. Never abandon the belief that God is on your side. You do not have to contend with Him, God is not your opposition. 

9:21-24 It is so important to have a deep and familiar relationship with God. Like Job, we also can forget Who He is and begin to accuse Him for things which He is blameless. God does not send the spirit of fear, 2 Timothy 1:7; He is always for not against the meek and righteous. We must be able to see temporary purpose in the parts of life that are hard and hurt. If we are unable to do that, we must be able to rely on the fact that our God is righteous, is for us, and has already mapped the plan for our rescue. 

9:25-31 Job stopped enjoying life. He lost the wonder of breathing on this planet. He delved into hopelessness. He stopped trying. Stopped believing in justice and good. There are times in life when we all will feel the temptation of hopelessness, but we must resist it. We resist it knowing that our God provides a future and a hope for us, Jeremiah 29:11. Just because we cannot see it does not mean that He has not already established it. We must press forward into the fulfillment of hope He has already given to our future.

9:32-35 Job wanted a mediator to speak on his behalf to God. He did not need one. He (and we) have the blessed opportunity to speak to God directly. One-on-one. If you have a fear or complaint or joy or comment, you can speak to Him about it. He will answer you.