Job 9-10

In his book Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey recounts the story of Richard, a graduate student at Wheaton College who wrote a paper on the book of Job. Yancey agreed to review the paper and guide its development into a book. A year later, Richard secured a book deal, Yancey wrote the foreword, and the book was scheduled for publication. That’s when Richard called to speak with Yancey.

It was a month before the book’s release. However, Richard explained that he had lost his faith. Through several personal challenges, including a job opportunity that had fallen through, his parents’ separation, and conversations with his pastor that left him wanting, Richard declared, “I hate God!” He went on to say, “No, I don’t mean that. I don’t even believe in God.”[1]

In this section of our Job study, we’re exploring Job’s disappointment with God. His words are honest and raw. As we noted last time, God’s willingness to hear us speak from our hearts is a remarkable demonstration of his unconditional love. However, I must emphasize an essential point in this part of the story: Job expresses his disappointment but doesn’t linger there. So, let’s ensure we do the same—learn and continue moving forward. We can’t get stuck like Richard did.

Job’s openness with God before the calamities hit continues afterward. He says,

Job 10:1-2
I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. ² I will say to God, Do not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me.

Job doesn’t hold back. He acknowledged God as the great Creator whose “hands fashioned and made” him, who clothed him “with skin and flesh” and knit him “together with bones and sinews” (10:8-11). And yet, he still had plenty of questions. Let’s consider these from Chapter 9.

Question #1: How can I answer God? (Job 9:14-19)

Job desperately seeks a hearing with God. He accuses God of crushing him, wounding him, and not allowing him even a moment to catch his breath (9:17-19). He believes he is justified in challenging God but acknowledges, “Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him…” (9:15). Job concludes that his only recourse is to appeal for mercy.

That’s where we all end up. God is our Maker, even through pain, confusion, and frustration. He is sovereign over all. We plead with him to grant us what we don’t deserve—in one word: mercy.

Question #2: What good would declaring my innocence do? (9:19-24)[2]

Job 9:19-20
If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? ²⁰ Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.

In Job’s questions and disappointment, there is a period of reflection. He concludes that, ultimately, he cannot contend with God’s strength and that God is the righteous Judge. He realizes he has not committed grievous sins to warrant these troubles, but understands that no one can claim perfection and purity before God.

Question #3: What good will positive thinking do? (9:25-31)

A friend recently told me about an “Inspiration Cube” that a well-known preacher is offering for sale. The polished video promo highlights that life can be full of challenges, but you can wake up every morning and smile using the “Inspiration Cube.” With a simple push of a button, you will “remove those negative thoughts with a new message to inspire your day.” This preacher promises hope in a cube. Don’t you wish life were that simple—press a button and everything changes?!

I don’t think Job would have fallen for the “Inspiration Cube.” Job said, “If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’” that wouldn’t do any good (9:27-29). He wishes he could wash away his problems with lye soap, but that wouldn’t work either (9:30-31).

Question #4: Can I find someone to represent me before God? (9:32-35)

Job 9:32-35
For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. ³³ There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both. ³⁴ Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me. ³⁵ Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself.

Job desired an umpire, an arbitrator, a mediator. He sought someone to lay their hand on him and simultaneously reach out to God to plead his case. Job’s desire reflects the longing we all share. We need someone to bridge the gap between heaven and earth.

Thank God we have a Mediator: his name is Jesus!

1 Timothy 2:3-6
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Jesus is our one Mediator—fully God and fully man. He is our advocate before God. He paid the penalty for all our sins and purchased our righteousness before God. His work is complete, and he sits at God’s right hand, interceding for us (Rom. 8:34). He is the only Mediator and Savior.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Job 9-10
As you read, review the four questions we considered today. 

Talking to God
Thank God for Jesus—the Mediator Job longed for and the Mediator we have!

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as you explore God’s Word. Submit your question below, and we’ll reply soon.

Last week, Craig Wolfley went to be with the Lord. Craig was a former Steeler, the color analyst for the Pittsburgh Steelers Broadcast Network, and a friend. In tribute to Craig, we re-released a podcast I did with him a few months ago. Go to The Journey with Ron Moore Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, Episode 69.

[1] Philip Yancey, Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1988), 27-33.

[2] I have adapted these questions from Charles Swindoll, Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance (Thomas Nelson, 2004), 100-102.