awesome and prophetic, yet still imperfect theology

Job 8, Job 9, Job 10

 

Job walked in close fellowship with the LORD, but it's amazing how our theology gets warped by certain emotions.  Some of Job's statements are right on the money, giving evidence to his humility and great understanding of God - awe inspiring:

 9:4 For God is so wise and so mighty.

      Who has ever challenged him successfully? 

 5 "Without warning, he moves the mountains,

      overturning them in his anger.

 6 He shakes the earth from its place,

      and its foundations tremble.

 7 If he commands it, the sun won't rise

      and the stars won't shine.

 8 He alone has spread out the heavens

      and marches on the waves of the sea.

 9 He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion,

      the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.

 10 He does great things too marvelous to understand.

      He performs countless miracles.

Job recognizes that even if he considers himself blameless, he is still sinful compared to God's perfection.  However, some of Job's statements (while honestly expressing his immediate temporal feelings) diverge almost sarcastically from reality.  Job implies that God just likes to see him suffer (Job 10:3-9) and he suggests (you might want to sit down for this one) that God is sadistic towards all of humanity (Job 9:22-24).  This is the truth of all humanity.  We are unable to know God completely because He is infinite and we are finite.  We are swayed by our feelings.  It is so critical that we cling to the truth of His Word and the subjective leading of His Holy Spirit.

 

In fact, God is not malicious at all but incredibly benevolent, and He has shown His great love for the whole world; the highlight of my reading today is about Jesus, right there in Job 9:

 32 "God is not a mortal like me,

      so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.

 33 If only there were a mediator between us,

      someone who could bring us together.

 34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,

      and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.

 35 Then I could speak to him without fear,

      but I cannot do that in my own strength.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus as a mediator between God the perfect judge and sinful humanity.  LORD, you would be correct to destroy us all because of our disobedience - every one of us.  But because of your great love, Christ's perfect blood was offered as an atonement for the sins of all who Believe.  Jesus, I am saved because of you!  Hallelujah!  Amen!