Chapter 415 of 1163

JOB 16–17

No comfort (16:1–8). Job’s three friends were indeed “miserable comforters.” They only added to his pain. If the situation were reversed, Job would have spoken words of strength and help to them in their suffering. Their words wore him out and made him shrivel up, as when a desert wind blows. Does God use your words to bring new life to others (Prov. 15:4)?

No defense (16:9–22). Job told what God did to him. God was an adversary against whom Job had no defense. God permitted the people in Job’s life to gape at him, shoot at him, and scorn him. Job was in a battle! If only he had a mediator who could represent him in heaven and bring justice (vv. 18–22)! (See Job 9:33.)

No hope (17:1–16). Job had expressed hope that God would vindicate him even after death (14:14), but his hope was almost gone (v. 15; 6:11; 7:6; 14:19). All he saw in his future was a decaying body, death, and the grave (vv. 1, 13). Once again, Job cried out for a representative before God (v. 3), somebody who would put up security for him (“shake hands”) and get his case settled.

Jesus Christ is Advocate and Mediator for His people and their hope (1 Tim. 1:1). He gave His own blood as security (Heb. 9:12ff.), and those who trust Him always have living hope (1 Pet. 1:3ff.).

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