Job tells his friends that if they want to do something useful they could demonstrate their wisdom by refraining from speaking. Even the book of Proverbs provides this same suggestion to those who do not know what they are talking about:
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” – Proverbs 17:28
Job then says, “Now, listen to me." He begins again trying to explain his problem with the over-simplistic 'common sense' theology his friends are using to defend the character of God and the nature of reality. Job calls their emergent, undeveloped and careless theology “wicked” when he says:
"Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
Will you speak deceitfully for him?
Will you show him partiality?
Will you argue the case for God?
Would it turn out well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?"
Notice how Job asks, “Would it turn out well if he examined you?” and “Could you deceive him?”
Job is challenging them to consider that even if they can comfort each other with their idiotic theology, it will not stand up to the truth of God’s nature. Their theology will not serve them well if they want to function in agreement with God’s created universe.
Job’s friends have “secretly showed partiality” to their belief system instead of trying to find true answers for Job and for themselves. Job calls their theology “proverbs of ashes.”
Then he tells them to refrain from talking because he is marching on in pursuit of the Truth and is willing to accept his fate.
This is why Job puts himself in jeopardy and takes his life in his own hands - Job knows there is hope if he can leave behind the deceitful speech of those who twist religion and theology in order to use God’s name in vain to make things suitable to their human needs and views.
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.
Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless person would dare come before him!
Though the Lord completely destroys Job’s theology and rewrites Job’s worldview, Job will hope in
the Truth. Job knows the Truth will ultimately give him the answers and in the end deliver him.
He does not want a counterfeit theology.
Then, Job reminds his friends in an accusing tone that, “No godless person would dare come before God” and do this! A godless man has too much self-worship and self-will hiding behind his twisted theology to allow the Lord to examine and correct it. |
