Job 19
Job 19 at first seems to be a low point in the book of Job. Even though Job properly assesses that his troubles have occurred because God is allowing it to happen, Job does not forsake God. He stated how so many have turned their backs on him and abhor him. However, Job is steadfast in his future hope of God’s redemption.
Job 19:1-2
1Then Job answered and said, 2How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
Job answers Bildad and his friends rhetorically. He is telling them that their so-called advice is not helping him. It has caused more pain than good. However, from the moment they first spoke, there has been little compassion and mostly condemnation. What possible good could come out of continually criticizing an individual. Paul stated in Galatians 5:9:
15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Often, many think that corrective criticism helps. If all one is doing is correcting with no building up, it will eventually tear the other down until they wear away to nothing. If this continues, there will not be much of a body left. This leaves the body of believers in a sad condition.
One needs to learn the lesson that compassion and appreciation go a long way when correcting others. We should learn how to improve individuals through love. We should avoid criticizing and pursue love. Let the spirit convict and correct, we should be there to help along the path in love.
This is especially important for the one that states, “if there is anything I am doing wrong please correct me”. I have found that these people should almost never be corrected. They are the ones that think they are doing pretty good. When in reality, they are blind to their faults and typically have a fragile ego. Any correction can have a devastating effect on them.
Job 19:3
3These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
Job speaks of ten times, this is spoken of in other places in the Bible. Jacob after he left his father in law’s house, he told his wives in Genesis 31:7.
7And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
Jacob repeats similarly to Laban in Genesis 31:41.
41Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
Jacob declares that Laban changed his wages ten times. Did Jacob mean this literally or was he figuratively in that wages were changed excessively? I believe one would be hard pressed to find ten times recorded that Laban changed Jacob’s wages. That in itself does not mean that it did not occur. Laban was not one to be trusted. He was willing to do whatever was required, to gain his advantage over others. To some, ten times may seem to be an exaggeration; however, for Jacob it was probably a reality.
In Numbers 14:22, God declares to the Children of Israel.
22Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
By the time one reaches Numbers 14, the Children of Israel have tempted God numerous times. The word tempted might have been better translated tested. There are at least ten times when the Children of Israel tested the word of God. One may claim that there are more than ten times, but do not miss the point here. Job places his friends in the same category as Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law and the first generation of the Children of Israel to come out of Egypt. A rebellious and self-seeking people, who continuously doubted God’s word. Nothing could satisfy them, they continually thirst to achieve their aim.
In Job’s life, these who were once his friends have completely turned on him for their own benefit. However, in the end their actions will prove to be fruitless. This is similar to Laban and the Children of Israel, nothing remains of these, nor will anything remain of the wisdom of Job’s friends.
Further, the faith of the Children of Israel pales in comparison to Job’s, but that is not saying much. The Children of Israel were given so much, yet they continued to complain at the slightest obstacle. They lost hope, where as Job continued to worship God. Through all the onslaught that Job received, he did not once curse God nor lose faith in God’s righteousness.
Job 19:4
4And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
Job is stating that if he has sinned, his sin is his responsibility. Job is willing to accept the possibility that he has sinned. By this, Job is admitting that he is not perfect and could be blind to his own error.
Additionally, Job is telling his friends that his sin will not effect anyone else but him. This brings into question, why his friends are so adamant to press Job for a confession. Job is the one who God will require to pay the penalty of the sin. However, it seems Job’s friends are out to extract even more from Job. They may be looking to usurp his influence in the community for their own benefit.
Job 19:5
5If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:
Job challenges his friends, since they have decided to plead against him on the basis of his punishment. They have taken a position of superiority, with little justification except that Job is suffering and they are not. This goes back to the earlier discussion, that one could suffer for Messiah’s sake, Philippians 1:29.
29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Messiah, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Job friends form conclusions based on what they see and not what is in the spirit. When an individual makes moral judgments outside of God’s purposes, they will find themselves on shaky ground. One should not decide what is moral and ethical without considering what God has set forth. This is what Job’s friends have done. They criticize and condemn, yet they cannot name the crime. Always remember why all this befell Job; it was not that he did anything wrong, it was because he did nothing wrong.
Job 19:6
6Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
Job credits God with the sufferings he is experiencing. Which is correct. However, it is not God who is inflicting it, it is that God has allowed it. God lifted the hedge of protection and Satan stepped in. Even in that, Satan was limited to what God allowed.
This is an important point we should consider in our own lives. Very few of us are in a category similar to Job. For many of us, there is not much of a hedge to lift. Satan has free rule in our lives, because we are not living a sanctified life that God would approve. We have tendency to live by our own rules. Life in God is not relativistic. God has a standard, Job knew it and he lived it. That is why up until the time God lifted the hedge, Satan was powerless and steered clear of Job.
Job 19:7
7Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
Job cries out for justice. Not that Job would challenge God, but how does one correct an error, if one does not know what is the error. Up to this point in the book, God has not answered Job. Job is left without understanding. This may explain why Job stated the following in Job 19:8.
Job 19:8
8He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
Without understanding from God, Job does not know what path he should take to correct his situation. The error is unknown to Job, because there is no error. Because of this, Job is in darkness, no light to lead him on the right path. Repentance is not an option, because Job cannot repent of an unknown error. Job is fenced in and because of this, Job expounds further in Job 19:9-12.
9He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. 10He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. 11He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. 12His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.
Job is describing what it is like to be in the dark. What may seem as a small issue to some, is huge issue to Job. Job had not slipped; Job went from utter brightness to complete darkness. And along with that, there is the unanswered question, what have I done? This one question has Job in a place that could jeopardize many believers’ relationship to God. Job demonstrated his integrity, while many of us would have sinned at least by taking God’s name in vain, but not Job.
Job pictures his condition as being without a way back. This is why he is stripped of glory, all is destroyed and he is without hope. For Job, this issue supersedes all others. Resolving his situation has become Job‘s central focus. However, the question remains, how?
What follows in Job 19:13-19 is a sad commentary on human nature.
13He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. 14My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. 16I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. 17My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body. 18Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. 19All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
After all that had happened to Job, he felt the wantonness of human nature. Neither God nor Satan did anything to cause the people’s responses to Job. They chose to treat Job as an outcast. None have shown compassion or the least bit of spiritual enlightenment. Many turned away from Job, others chose to compound his suffering.
The common reaction was to steer clear of Job and to isolate him. If it was in not knowing what to say, compassion itself would have replaced the words. No one had taken the time to console or listen to Job. Prior to these events, Job was considered to be greatest in the land. People are so quick to jump ship, none were willing to say that this does not make sense. Many quickly chose to pass judgment and turn against Job. For all that Job had done, it is sad that none could find a moment to sincerely console Job.
Job 19:20-22
20My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me. 22Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Job cries out to these that have isolated, rejected and further chastised him. They have multiplied his pain. To be once respected and then to be so quickly looked upon with disdain is a painful occurrence. Although human nature, it should not be this way. These people have acted as if they are God. They were not satisfied that God chastised Job, they lent a hurtful hand. They ought to have shown compassion. Their actions are not what God would have us do.
What follows next to the end of this chapter is a highlight in the book of Job. Not so much that it is a highlight in Job’s life, it is a highlight in the faith of Job. It is something for the believer to meditate upon. It is the hope that God puts inside of the faithful servant. It is God’s plan for mankind, not just the Church. It is the plan that brings hope to all of mankind and answers why God permits evil to reign in this present time.
Job 19:23-24
23Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!
What Job stated here should not only be written forever and engraved in the earth; it should be on the hearts and minds of every believer. If it were, it would change most believers’ outlook on life and result in a more positive and joyful witness.
What follows is a continuation of the thought from what Job stated earlier in Job 14:14.
14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job asks the question in Job 14 and he answers it in Job 19. One who has died, can they live again? The answer is clearly yes in Job 19:25-27.
25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
After all Job has gone through, when many of us would be cursing God or questioning His love for us, Job calls God his redeemer. Job looks to the day when he will face God in the redemption of Job’s soul. Job refers to this as the latter days, days beyond Job’s present life time.
The question we should all be asking is, how is it possible that Job knows of this? Further, what is Job referring to that after his death that he would rise again to face God, his redeemer? If Job is calling God his redeemer, does Job have salvation in the future or are there events to occur in the future that provide redemption for someone like Job? This speaks of future events that are not spoken of by many of our modern Christian teachers. Remember, God stated that Job spoke correctly, so the words of Job should be carefully considered. Job stated that he will see God on the earth as opposed to some other place many assume.
Earlier in the discussion of Job 14, I made reference to Peter’s declaration in Acts 3. Peter the apostle speaks of the very days Job is referring to in Acts 3:20-21.
20And he shall send Yeshua Messiah, which before was preached unto you: 21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
The restitution of all things comes shortly after the second coming of the Messiah. So many of us today are under the impression that when the Messiah comes back, believers are off to heaven and nonbelievers will be eternally lost to hell. Although that may occur at a future date, there is still a thousand-year period from the time of Yeshua’s return until the beginning of eternity. This time period is what Job is referring to. During that time, Job will see God. When his body that went to the grave is resurrected in the Resurrection of the Just and Unjust. This is spoken of by Yeshua in John 5:29 and by Paul in Acts 24:15.
John 5:29
29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Acts 24:15
15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
There is a resurrection in the future when all mankind will see God for themselves. Unfortunately, many have been taught a skewed belief of why this occurs. John stated in Revelation 1:7.
7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
For many, when they read of the wailing in Revelation 1:7, they assume it is because these people are off to their eternal damnation. Revelation is 1:7 is a quote from Zechariah 12:10. Zechariah 12 and 13 tell us something quite different.
10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
In Zechariah, these people are morning, yet God pours out a spirit of grace and supplication. This indicates something different than eternal damnation. Especially when one considers Zechariah 13:1.
1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
For these that are mourning, God opens up a fountain for them. There is something going on very different than what is expounded in many churches and Christian “end times” books and movies. Job speaks of seeing his redeemer in the later days; redeemer as opposed to warden. It indicates that the future holds in store a great happening and possibly a great redemption. It is when the great harvest occurs.
Revelation 1:7 does state that every eye will see him at the second coming. However, how is one to see Yeshua if they are in the grave. And why would Yeshua bring someone up from hell just to send the individual back. That would seem kind of silly. One might do that to prove a point; however, God is not that petty. Peter stated in 2 Peter 2:9.
9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment (krisis) to be punished:
If hell is the punishment for non-believers, and God reserves the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished; then no one is in hell at this time. No one goes there until the Day of Judgment.
In the future to fulfill Revelation 1:7, it will require a resurrection for all to see Him. This means that there will be considerable activity during the future day of the Lord (millennium, 1,000 year reign of Messiah). In that day, Job, as well as many for the first time, will appear before God. If you have ever wondered what will happen during the millennium, Peter stated in Acts 3:22-26.
22For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
As it turns out, Peter is not the first to discuss this subject. Moses spoke about it in Deuteronomy 18:15-19.
15The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Not only has Moses spoken of the days of the restitution of all things, Peter stated that all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after have spoken of these days. Now if this may seem odd to you, then maybe whoever you have been listening to was not a prophet of God. Peter stated that these people will hear the prophet like Moses for the first time. One of two things can happen after one has heard the prophet. If one will not hear the prophet, Peter stated that person would be destroyed. The other possibility is that one that does hear the prophet would not be destroyed. Therefore, that means they would remain. This seems to differ from what most Christians tell me. It seems that Job recognized this, yet so many do not today. Maybe many do not understand what Job understood.
There is a beautiful prayer that is read in the synagogues. It comes from Psalm 136.
Psalm 136:1
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Further in Psalm 136:11-14.
11And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The Lord brought Israel safely through the waters. This is easy to understand and even makes sense. Psalm 136:15-20
15But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
His mercy endures for ever? All this killing, how can this be? It is so easy to understand in relation to the children of Israel. What about pharaoh and all the kings?
Israel got saved because His mercy endures forever and Egypt got destroyed. It is easier for people to understand that His righteous judgments were righteous. But God’s mercy endures forever, His love and compassion. Many of us have a superficial knowledge of God’s love and longsuffering.
Think of it this way, if Pharaoh or any of these had destroyed Israel, the womb of the Messiah; there would have been no Messiah. If there was no Messiah, neither these people, their decedents nor any one else would have had an opportunity for salvation. God drowned Pharaoh and his armies because of His eternal mercies.
We need to get our eyes off of temporal mercies and focus on eternal mercies. Hallelujah, Israel made it through the sea, but, there are deeper implications. Temporal calamities are always out-weighted by God’s eternal mercy.
Carefully read Romans 8:18-23
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Cursed is the ground for our sake, not because of God’s wrath; Because of God’s great eternal mercy and love.
Ephesians 3:11
11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Messiah Yeshua our Lord:
God has an eternal purpose. God is far more intelligent than us. Sometimes believers do not give God the credit He deserves. Remember Hebrews 12:11.
11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
God has an eternal purpose. It is to yield the fruit of righteousness. We need to get our lives into that eternal purpose. Do not focus your life on temporal purposes, what is going to happen in the next 60 or 80 years. If you do, you are making a bad choice; focus on the eternal purpose.
And the cure will go as far as the sickness, there is a time coming, Acts 3:19-21.
19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20And he shall send Yeshua Messiah, which before was preached unto you: 21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
God has given us the real good news. He has not given us a fairy tales or false hope. God has given us a gospel that is true. A gospel that can be experienced in the realities of our lives. God will restore what was lost. And not only us, but much more than many realize. Do not be short-sighted in your approach to God.
Job 19:28-29
28But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
Although his critics claim that Job’s problem is deep rooted, Job stands on his innocence. He tells his friends that they should look to themselves. He asks if they have any fear of what they are doing? Job is telling his friends that God will judge between them and they will come up wanting. God stated in Romans 12:19.
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
If vengeance is the Lord’s then why do so many take it upon themselves to punish or condemn others? Our purpose in life is not to punish as Job’s friends have done. We are to build up others in their time of need. Too often, people believe that they know the cause of a problem, when many times the original cause may have occurred prior to the person’s birth. We should learn to show compassion first and leave judgment and consequences to the Lord.
Job stated the obvious and so many miss it. When one judges others unrighteously, they are turning the sword on themselves.
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