Job

Job Chapter 27

Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity

Job 27:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

Job again believes and states his belief that God is the one who has afflicted him in all these things yet he still believes in God. He still continues to defend himself against those that accuse him.

Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

He is still determined to speak truth and hold on to his integrity as long as he can breathe and the spirit of God is within him. He will defend himself against their accusations, he will not turn against God. He will be faithful. His only fault it seems, is to assume this if from the Lord.

There are many religious people that believe all that happens to them, good or bad is from the Lord. Perhaps that is why some do not pray for healing when they are sick. They assume all that happens is the Lord's will. Yet if that was the case why would God have destroyed the whole world with a flood because of the wickedness of the people at that time? We still have a choice to do good or evil. We see especially after the coming of Jesus to die for sin, after His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that the prayers of the righteous are heard.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

God hears and God answers:

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mountain moving faith is usually given by the Lord at the time of our desperate need. Faith seems to come just at the right time. To be able to receive that kind of faith, it helps to study the word, pray without going a long time without praying, stay in touch with God, worship with othher believers, and sometimes taking time to only fast and pray. In emergencies and when we are desparate, God sometimes is there with us when we may not be aware of it. Jesus said that He will never leave or forsake us. Job lived before Jesus came but in all this; even if he was not aware of it, God was there with him listening to every word.

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Job is determined not to give into their accusations but maintain his belief in his righteousness.

Job 27:7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
Job 8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
Job 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

He describes the wicked here perhaps accusing his visitors of being wicked hypocrites. A hypocrite acts religious but in his heart he is unrighteous. His visitors actually assume Job is the hypocrite. We see a lot in these modern times of those that are guilty of the same things they accuse others of. We see this in politics a lot. Job asks a good question. Will God hear him when trouble comes?

I believe God will hear if they genuinely pray a prayer of repentance before asking for help.

Job 27:10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
11 I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

The prosperity of the wicked is only temporary. God may allow them to continue but not for forever. Their day of judgment is coming if they continually close the door to repentance and getting right with God.

Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

I see world leaders who push and shove, desire to control people and use force, steal from the poor with over taxing while increasing their own wealth with fraud; but this is only temporary. They are just men (or women), they will not get away with anything when they stand before God.

Job 27:14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

Unfortunately for the children of the wicked, they sometimes reap what their parents sow. The only way out is if they turn to God and do the opposite of what their wicked ancestors may have done. Usually though, they do the same things.

Job 27:15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.
19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.
20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.
22 For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
23 Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

This of course discribes the rich who use their riches for evil and rob the poor. Those that are rich and do good with their riches and live a life of righteousness would not be judged in this manner. Many though trust in their riches and throw their weight around with control and oppression. They do not have compassion and love for those that suffer. That is who is described here.

We must also remember that most of the book of Job is the words of men, not God until the 38th chapter. Although many words are true that they speak, not all of them are. That is where comparing it with other scriptures and using discernment is necessary for proper understanding. Yet even good words and truth turns into oppression when it is used to condemn an innocent person.

Many times even family members of a wicked person will not weep when they die. Who weeps for Hitler, Stalin, and other evil rulers of the past? DC

Job Chapter 28