Chapter 421 of 1163

JOB 23–24

In the courtroom (23:1–9). Job still wanted to meet God and get a fair trial, but he did not know where to find Him. In the end, when showed up and asked Job to present his case, Job was speechless. Why? Because beholding the majesty of God made all his arguments useless. He had seen God, and that was all that mattered!

In the furnace (23:10–17). The important thing is not to win an argument with God but to become more like God. For that to happen, you often need the furnace of affliction (1 Pet. 1:6–9), which separates the dross from the pure gold and leaves you a better person. You cannot control the temperature of the furnace or the duration of the testing time, but you can obey Him (23:11) and feed on His Word (23:12).

On the watchtower (24:1–25). Job again presented proof that all sinners are not immediately judged by God. As it were, he took his friends into the watchtower and pointed out various kinds of sinners who seemed to be getting away with their evil deeds. Job did not deny the fact of God’s judgment (vv. 22–24), but he did affirm that man could not fully explain how He worked.

When there are more questions in your life than answers, and when the furnace is hot, remember Abraham’s great statement of faith: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25; see also 2 Tim. 4:8).

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