Job’s Confession
Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE
Job 42:1-6
If the book of Job were written by a man, instead of by divine inspiration, man would have concluded the book with God explaining to Job why he suffered. But that is not the main issue of the book. The purpose of the Book of Job was two- fold: (1) To prove Satan’s accusations about Himself and Job were false (1:8-12), and (2) to humble Job’s pride and self-righteousness.
James 5:11— This is where God was going through the Book of Job.
God was bringing Job to this very place. Job was beaten. Now he must decide. The question is not why, but WHO—Who Am I? and Who is God?
- Who am I? is an admission of Job’s need. God asked Job, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2). “Job who do you think you are talking the way you do?” Now Job answers God’s question: “I am unwise” (v. 3), and “I am unworthy” (v. 6).
- Who is God? is an affirmation of Job’s faith. This brings us to the first point…
I. Job’s RECOGNITION of God (vs. 1-3).
A. Affirms God’s power is INFINITE— “I know that thou canst do every thing…”
1. Infinite in what God does (omnipotent). After God has grilled Job for the last four chapters about His marvelous creation— from controlling weather patterns… to the stars in the heavens… to the amazing animals God created… from the behemoth and Leviathan—Job concedes God can do whatever He wants to do.
God could stop all sickness, war, and injustice if He wanted. And He will eventually. But for now, they serve His purpose.
2. Infinite in what God knows (omniscient). God knows our every thought! Even a sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground without Him knowing it (Mt. 10:29). He is aware of your situation and He allows it knowing it will ultimately work for your good (Rom. 8:18-39).
v. 3—Job repeats God’s question (cf. 38:1-2), and then answers he is the one who spoke without knowledge.
B. Admits his understanding is INSUFFICIENT (v. 3)—“…therefore have I uttered that I UNDERSTOOD NOT; things too wonderful for me, which I KNEW NOT.” This was the result of Job’s inability to answer any of the 82 questions God asks in Job 38-41. Job finally admits, “I spoke when I didn’t know what I was talking about.”
Job did not have all the facts. He was ignorant of the controversy between God and Satan.
v. 4—Job again repeats God’s demand (38:3), and tries to answer.
II. Job’s RELATIONSHIP with God (v. 5).
Job mentions two things about his relationship with God: (1) What he had heard about God, in the past; and (2) What he now “sees” with his own eyes, in the present!
Job’s relationship with God went from a knowledge about God to a knowledge of God.
Partial Outline: FULL PDF HERE
