In this discourse, Job describes his status as an outcast and goes on to list the myriad of reasons he does not deserve such treatment. Reading Job's resume' of righteousness, got me to thinking about whether or not he was "innocent", as he claimed. There is some debate about this, since the word initially used to describe him in Job 1, is taken from the Hebrew word "tam", meaning "perfect". Though "perfect and complete" is the word's primary meaning, it has two other definitions. It can mean "sound or wholesome" or "having integrity". It is translated "blameless" in our version, which does not equal "sinless". The intent is that Job was beyond reproach, not open to criticism, and upright before men. Being in such standing among mankind is honorable, but does not equate to a right standing before God. From other Scriptures, we know that "there is no one righteous, no not one" and there are no exceptions listed for Job. So, he was not truly sinless.
Now, did Job think he was sinless? I couldn't find anything about that, but it sure seems so. He lists his acts of righteousness as if to say that God does not have any reason to find fault with him. Remember that in this culture, religion was very works-based. It was not until Jesus came that we learned that our relationship with God was to be grounded in faith instead of works. And that He looked at the heart rather than the outward appearance (behavior). So if Job considered his standing before God solely on the basis of his deeds, he does appear to be in good shape. He may well have thought himself completely blameless before God, even though we now know that this is not humanly possible. Though he wanted a mediator, Job needed a Savior just as much as we do. Since our righteousness before God is not graded on the curve, you are either perfect, as Jesus was/is, or you are a sinner. No in-betweens.
Tomorrow's reading: Job 31-34
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I learned something about Job recently that clarified the whole book for me. The book of Job falls into the category of "wisdom books," which were called that not b/c they carried all the answers, but b/c they highlight how insufficient man's wisdom is. The Hebrew people for generations thought that good living = blessed life. God allows Satan to completely unearth Job's life as a way of thwarting this Hebrew belief, b/c if that were true, who needs a Savior? So if Job's life, as perfect as it was, doesn't result in favor with God then what does? Exactly!!! So the whole book is kind of drumroll into the climactic moment in the book where the lightbulb goes off for Job and he exclaims "I know that my REDEEMER lives!" Hanging by a thread, his works useless, Job realizes there must be more. There must be a redeemer! It all points to Jesus!
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