Will we speak for Jesus or mock God?

“Behold my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am hot inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But you forgers of lies, you are all worthless physicians. Oh, that you would be silent, and it would be to your wisdom! Job 13:1-5 NKJV
 
Job rebukes his friends for claiming to represent God. He declares his confidence in God!
 
Job has not heard anything he doesn’t already know. He’s seen God working in the world around him. He’s received the Word of God with understanding. His accusers don’t know the Lord any better than Job does. They are not more intelligent or righteous than Job.
 
Job wants to plead his case with God. He wants to reason with God. Job is bold enough to approach the throne of grace with confidence. He is seeking the mercy of God to help him in his time of need. Is Job’s boldness over the top? Does it border on arrogance?
 
God has always wanted us to turn to Him for justice. As far back as an ancient Israel God invited us to come to Him so we could reason together. The mercy to help us in our time of need has always come from God. He is our greatest resource. He always will be!
 
Job friends invented lies about him. Their counsel is as worthless as a blacksmith practicing medicine. Job advises his friends to stop talking. Perhaps that would give them the appearance of wisdom!
 
Job asked his friends; will they speak wickedly for God? Will they lie for the Lord? Will they show partiality for the Almighty? Will they contend for God? What will be their fate when God searches their hearts? Can they mock God the way men mock each other?
 
Job tells his friends the Lord will rebuke them for secretly showing partiality. Job asks, “Does not His excellence make you afraid, and the dread of Him fall upon you? Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay.”
 
Job has been humbled by his circumstances. Job is relating more with the downtrodden and oppressed than the rich and powerful. He has felt the sting of bias and discrimination. Job has learned what it feels like to be out in the cold looking in when the “cool kids” gather together to pat each other on the back!
 
The church should not judge sinners. God judges the living and the dead. Jesus did not come to call the rich and powerful to meet in a palace. He sat on a hillside, in a boat or in open spaces where people gathered like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus called sinners to repent. Jesus did not scold them for their sin. Jesus loved them!
 
Showing partiality to people who look, act and think like us is sinful. Asking Jesus to judge people for their sin and forgive ours is a mockery of the mercy and grace of God!
 
Jesus did not identify with the rich and powerful. He identified with everyday people. Do you? Jesus knew that everyone sins and falls short. Do you? Jesus loved people. Do you? Jesus is the source of reason and justice in the world. Imitate Jesus!
 
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