Job 13-15 - Though He slay me

I Will Be Declared Righteous

Job 13:4-5 LSB - [4] "But you cover me with lies; You are all worthless physicians. [5] "O that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom!

Job 13:15 LSB - [15] "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

iii. “It is well worthy of observation that in these words Job answered both the accusations of Satan and the charges of his friends. Though I do not know that Job was aware that the devil had said, ‘Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast thou not set a hedge about him and all that he hath?’ Yet he answered that base suggestion in the ablest possible manner, for he did in effect say, ‘Though God should pull down my hedge, and lay me bare as the wilderness itself, yet will I cling to him in firmest faith.’” (Spurgeon)

iv. “There are three things in the text: a terrible supposition — “though he slay me”; a noble resolution, “yet will I trust in him”; and, thirdly, a secret appropriateness. This last will require a little looking into, but I hope to make it clear that there is a great appropriateness in our trusting while God is slaying us — the two things go well together, though it may not so appear.” (Spurgeon)

v. Charles Spurgeon listed several reasons why he thought that “slaying times” were good times.

• Such times show us that we are really His sons and daughters because He only chastens His children.
• Such times — slaying times — are when real faith is created.
• Such times are when God tests and affirms our faith.
• Such times are when we can grow in faith.
• Such times allow the child of God to prove that he is not a mercenary professor of faith.

vi. “Once more, the grim supposition of the text, if ever it was realized by anybody it was realized by our Lord Jesus. Our great covenant Head knows to the full what his members suffer. God did slay him, and glory be to his blessed name, he trusted God while he was being slain.” (Spurgeon)

Job 13:20-23 LSB - [20] "Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Your face: [21] Move Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You terrify me. [22] "Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then respond to me. [23] "How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my transgression and my sin.

If a Man Dies, Will He Live Again?

Job 14:1-2 LSB - [1] "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. [2] "Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not stand.

Job 14:13-14 LSB - [13] "Oh that You would conceal me in Sheol, That You would hide me until Your anger returns [to You], That You would set a limit for me and remember me! [14] "If a man dies, will he live [again]? All the days of my labor I will wait Until my change comes.

Eliphaz Says Job’s Lips Answer Against Him

Job 15:4 LSB - [4] "Indeed, you annul [reverent] fear And cut off musing before God.

Job 15:4 ESV - [4] But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God.

Job 15:4 NKJV - [4] Yes, you cast off fear, And restrain prayer before God.

i. Nevertheless, certainly some people do restrain prayer before God. Spurgeon considered ways that some do this.

• Some restrain prayer before God because they do not pray often or regularly.
• Some restrain prayer before God because they do not prepare their hearts properly to pray. They do not consider who they are praying to, the way their prayer should be made, that they are sinners, what they should ask of God, and thankful for what He has done in the past.
• Some restrain prayer before God because they pray in such a formal, strict manner that they never really pour out their heart before God.
• Some restrain prayer before God because they pray with little faith and much unbelief.

Job 15:11 LSB - [11] "Are the consolations of God too small for you, Even the word [spoken] gently with you?

i. “However wrong Eliphaz may have been in reference to Job and in reference to him his remarks were grossly unjust-yet many of them are correct in themselves, and may usefully be applied to our own hearts. Inasmuch as Eliphaz, in this verse, teaches no doctrine, but only asks two searching questions, he cannot mislead us; but he may do us good service.” (Spurgeon)

ii. Spurgeon suggested what some of the consolations of God are that are considered by some to be too small and neglected or rejected:

• The consolations of God are applied by the Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter.
• Jesus is the substance of these consolations, for He is called “The Consolation of Israel”
• (Luke 2:25)
• The consolations of God deal with our problem of sin; its guilt and stain and power.
• The consolations of God assure us of a new heart and nature.
• The consolations of God reveal a reason for sorrow that remains.
• The consolations of God show us One who suffers with us; Jesus Christ.
• The consolations of God compensate us for all trials and sufferings.
• The consolations of God tell us of our heavenly destination and hope.

Job 15:14 LSB - [14] "What is man, that he should be pure, Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?