Job 9:1-35
Key
verse 9:33 “If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring
us together.”
The passage is the first part of
Job’s third reply. In verses 1 through 13, Job talks about God’s power as the
creator. He begins by saying, “But how can mere mortals prove their innocence
before God?” (v.1). As I thought about that question, I realized that we will
never be able to prove our innocence and even Job realized that because we are
not without sin. God can see everything we do –right and wrong, so nothing is
hidden from him. Verse 3 says, “Though they wish to dispute with him, they
could not answer him one time out of a thousand.” In verse 4 Job continues, “His
wisdom is profound, his power is vast.” There is nothing greater or wiser than
God. Verse 13 further explains that “even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his
feet.” The cohorts of Rahab or also proud helpers, as it is translated in other
versions, represent those who are evil and those who are working against God.
Job says that even these people have to bow before God because He is sovereign
over everything.
In verses 14 through 31, Job describes
his misery of being unable to argue with God and prove his innocence. He says, “Though
I were innocent, I could not answer him, I could only plead with my Judge for
mercy,” (v.15) and, “Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I
were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty” (v. 20). Job is struggling with
his suffering. He wants to know why he is suffering and prove that he is
innocent, but he knows that he is guilty at the same time, so trying to prove
his innocence would be worthless. In verses 29 to 31, he says, “Since I am
already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? Even if I washed myself
with soap and my hands with cleansing powder, you would plunge me into a slime
pit so that even my clothes would detest me.” Job’s words are very true, even
for us. We can wash ourselves on the outside as much as we want, but we will
never be truly clean because the inside is still dirty. Our heart is still full
of sin and God can see that. He is not fooled by our outward appearance.
I
struggled a lot while writing this daily bread because the passage was
difficult to interpret. The way Job speaks is depressing and sad. The chapter
ends with the words, “I cannot.” Here Job is referring to being able to stand
up against God after being relieved of God’s rod and the fear of God’s terror.
What he was hoping for was a mediator, who would bring God and him together.
Unlike Job, we have a mediator. God sent him as his son Jesus. We do not have
to be afraid of judgment or sufferings because Jesus has set us free from sin.
Through him, we received eternal life. Jesus blood has washed us inside and
out. He has restored our relationship to God that allows us to come to Him
freely.
