This chapter opens with Job’s declaration that he did not need to be taught by his friends. He evidently spoke with an angry spirit against these “physicians of no value” (verse 4). He plainly told his friends that while they vainly supposed that they were taking the part of God against him, they were really making the cause of God to suffer by their false counsel. By putting it down as a matter of fact that afflictions were sure marks of Divine displeasure, they were speaking wickedly concerning the Lord. Job desired that the consciousness of this would make them hold their peace. But let us make the same observation of all false reasoning to minds that are distressed, when people do not point them to that which alone can heal. Such minds and hearts can be healed by none but Jesus! And if anyone directs broken hearts and wounded consciences to anything short of Christ’s blood and righteousness, that person is literally like Job’s friends; they are “physicians of no value.” When we are dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, the best thing we can do is to take ourselves in prayer to the Physician of our souls. He never rejects anybody, nor does He ever prescribe wrongly; and He never leaves any case uncured. And to Him we may speak at all times!

Job resolved to cling to the testimony which his own conscience gave of his uprightness. His uprightness, however, did not lie in himself. He depended upon God for justification and salvation – the two great things which we ourselves hope for through Christ. He had little expectations for temporal prosperity; but of his eternal salvation, he was very confident. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” he declared in verse 15. He knew that God would not only be his Savior to make him happy, but also that He would be his salvation – in the sight and enjoyment of Whom, he would be supremely happy. Because he was clothed in the righteousness of the Messiah Who was yet to come, he knew that he was not a hypocrite; and so he concluded that he would not be rejected by the Lord. All shall indeed work for good to us, even when all seems to be against us. Let us pray for grace to cling to God, even though there may be moments when we are not always able to find comfort in Him.

“Behold now,” said Job, “I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified. Who is he that will plead with me?” (verses 18-19) One might have thought that Job had read Paul’s challenge in Romans 8:33! But Job had said before that even if God would slay him, he would still trust in Him. And that declaration carries with it such a noble expression of the most lively faith, that nothing except an eye to the righteousness of the coming Redeemer could produce it. And we know that Job had those views; for a subsequent part of his discourse with his friends, in chapter 19:25-26, very plainly proves that!

In verses 23-28, Job begged the Lord to reveal his sins to him. A truly repentant person is willing to know the worst of himself. We should all desire to know what our transgressions are, so that we may confess them and guard against them in the future. He also lamented sorrowfully about God’s severe dealings with him. “Thou writest bitter things against me,” he bemoaned, “and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.” Time does not wear out the guilt of sin. Sometimes God “writes bitter things against us” in order to make us bring forgotten sins to mind, and then to repent of them and break off from them. Young persons, in particular, ought to beware of indulging in sin. Even in this world, the sins of their youth may return months of sorrow for just a few moments of supposed pleasure. It would be wise for them to remember their Creator in their early days, so that they may have assured hope and sweet peace of conscience to be the solace of their aging years.

Job also complained that his present mistakes were strictly noticed. This was the language of his melancholy views; for in reality, the Lord does not deal with us according to our just deservings. If God would mark our steps and narrowly examine our paths in judgment, both our bodies and our souls would feel His righteous vengeance. This will be the awful and eternal case of unbelievers; yet there is salvation planned, provided, and made known to us in Christ! If the believer goes to God in the Redeemer’s righteousness, and seeks justification in the name of His only-begotten Son – this will surely induce a holy confidence. Happy is the soul who can thus draw near to the Lord’s throne of grace!

While God the Father commands, while the Holy Spirit draws, while the Son of God intercedes, and while the Church invites – let us pray for grace to turn away our eyes from beholding sinful vanity, and our hearts from indulging it, so that iniquity may not be our ruin. Rather, let us keep our eyes upon our gracious Redeemer, and obtain both pardon and peace!

Oh! when the weary soul is faint,
And inward griefs oppress;
And thoughts of sadness darkly paint
Sin in its blackest dress;
’Tis sweet to think of sins forgiven,
Of present peace, and future heaven.

So, when temptation’s power assails,
And beats the spirit down;
When faith, when hope, when comfort fails,
And dove-like peace is flown –
’Tis sweet to think of sins forgiven,
Of present peace, and future heaven.

Thank You, Lord, that although we have little expectations for temporal prosperity, yet we may be very confident of our eternal salvation! Amen.