21. Facing the Prospect of Death
Hymns: RHC 116 Higher Ground; 115 Constantly Abiding; Maybe Today (Page 7)
Job 7:7-16
7O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. 8The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I amnot. 9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. 11Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 12Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? 13When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; 14Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: 15So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. 16I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity. (Job 7:7-16 KJV)
Facing the Prospect of Death
OUTLINE
- Reflections on Life’s Brevity (v7-11)
- Confronted with Fears (v12-16)
INTRODUCTION
The trials of Job depict the reality of the challenge of mortal life in its seasons for a believer. Now the story unfolds, the scene opens to the man in the midst of extreme adversity. Such anguish he described as “the anguish of my spirit” and “the bitterness of my soul”. Losses, setbacks, woes of sickness – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual auguish.
The Bible in the New Testament gives two words translated “patience”. The first, “hupomonḗ” to persevere, remain under. It describes a bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances. Job faced the loss of his wealth, now facing poverty, death of his children in bereavement, loss of his health when boils attack his skin now sufferings from a withering body ebbing itself away. The second, “makrothuméō” translated also as longsuffering, which is from makrós– long, and thumós, wrath, anger. It means “to suffer long, be long-suffering, as opposed to hasty anger or punishment (1 Cor. 13:4; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Pet. 3:9), to forbear (Matt. 18:26, 29), to endure patiently as opposed to losing faith or giving up (Heb. 6:15; James 5:7, 8), to tarry, delay (Luke 18:7). Makrothuméō involves exercising understanding and patience toward persons while hupoménō (G5278) involves putting up with things or circumstances. Job’s trial involves not just facing extreme circumstances but also of friends who accused him of unrepented sins that caused the judgment of God upon him. He has to search his heart thoroughly and to maintain a clear conscience before God. He has to refute the false accusations hurled at him by his friends who first came to comfort him.
In chapter 6, we saw in expressing his deep hurt to his friends who seemed not to understand his predicament which his readers have the hindsight of God’s revelation to understand (Job 1-2). We saw how his friends’ counsel and words actually hurt the ailing man more than to comfort him.
In chapter 7, we see here Job expressing his deep hurt to God. The poor quality of life that he is now living forces him to ask God the question “Why should he remain on earth any longer when he is suffering?” Isn’t it better for him to depart? Facing the prospect of death, he asked very searching questions confronting life and death. Can it be self-determined or is it in the hands of God? We see him speaking to God articulating his anguish. Let us see the anguish of the heart of a man facing the prospect of death.
Two thoughts:
- Reflections on Life’s Brevity (v7-11)
- Confronted with Fears (v12-16)
- Reflections on Life’s Brevity (v7-11)
7O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no (“Lo” (Hebrew); objective denial of fact) more see good. 8The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. 9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. 11Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
In the time of trial, when our problems loom larger than life, there is a tendency to lose hope and become despondent. Despair and depression, desperation confronts the soul, in the bleakness of the unknown future, the overwhelming tendency to succumb in the spirit and become discouraged. He speaks of the anguish of his spirit and the bitterness of his soul (v11).
Why was he bitter? He was trying to come to grips spiritually speaking in his trial to find peace with God in the midst of his trial.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Denis Gibson observed well, “The merry heart is a Joyful Hearts: A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance (v13a). Glad hearts make glowing faces! This merry heart has the true joy of God (and of Christ). It is not mindless frivolity so common among Christians today. The Christ-like heart shines out of the face. This is true radiance, true beauty, for the face is the mirror of the soul. We can to some degree hide our emotions, thankfully, but our neighbour can still detect something of them as well. Thank God, we are not so many statues cast in stone in a museum. The Christ-heart of Stephen produced the face of an angel. This is a merry heart because it makes good the face (v13a). It is a sound heart seeking more knowledge (v14). Its attitude fills the meanest and poorest life with gratitude. Poverty cannot rob this heart of a continual feast (v.15b). Joy suits no one so much as one of God’s saints.”
He further observes, “Sorrowful Hearts: By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (v13b). Heavy clouds hang over this heart! There is so much discontent, so much melancholy, so much sorrow, hurt or pain (so Hebrew), that leads to a breaking of the spirit. This is the very opposite of joy. It feeds on folly (v14b). This person sees nothing but doom and gloom, thus producing a heart whose days know only affliction and evil (v15a).”
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
All of life becomes cursed, for “sorrow and trouble break many a bubble.” It is the sorrow of the world that worketh death, but godly sorrow brings you to trust in the atoning work of Christ(2 Cor. 7:10).”
Job is coming around, we shall see him rising to higher ground in his trial in the latter chapters as he took hold of the hope of the atonement.
Job 19:25-27For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Let us be patient to go through this period of anguish with Job so that we can understand what we may be confronted with in the trials, facing the prospect of death. We need to know how to turn around an ailing soul, plagued with bitterness.
What we need is a faithful heart!
Denis Gibson observed well, “Great-full Hearts: These are growing hearts. That is where not being satisfied is a virtue! The “great-full heart” never says “I am full! I have enough!” Being wise, he knows how little he knows, how empty he still is! What knowledge does he seek? Only what is sound, wholesome, never novelty or empty speculation. Like Nicodemus and Mary, he sits at the feet of the Master. Like the noble Bereans, he searches the Scriptures daily. He wants to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:18). Great-full hearts are never stunted. Only fools feed on foolishness. To be satisfied with one’s folly is a sin! Such a one has acquired a taste for folly. He feeds on himself. “Chews his own cud,” and has no relish for solid food. Here is the opposite of the great-full heart. “Young people! guard against this folly at every turn. Avoid those trifling amusements, frivolous reading, profane merriment” (Bridges). How timely is this advice for the aged as well as the youth. Don’t flatter yourself in your folly!”
7O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
Truly, a truthful evaluation of life, for God Himself said so in His Word.
Psalm 78:39 For he remembered that they were butflesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall beon the morrow. For what isyour life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
It behoves us to cherish life while we have it, to make good use of our time and life for God’s glory, cherish your loved ones, cherish life while we have it in this mortal body.
Psalm 90:12 So teach usto number our days, that we may apply ourhearts unto wisdom.
Ephesians 5:16-17 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
There is a tinge, a whole lot of despair when he said “mine eye shall no more see good”. If we look in hindsight, we know it is not true. God will restore Job all that he has lost. He will indeed see good. Can we say “Why is he not able to entrust God his future?” He was coming to that. It is a journey toward spiritual maturity.
8The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. 9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
He reviews the propsect of death confronting him. He speaks of the brevity of life. One day he is here with his friends, the next moment, life could have departed from him. He likened life to be like the cloud in its fleeting existence. How true!
He that goes down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall no longer be sleeping on his bed at home. That bed will be empty. His place in his physical world has come to an end. How to grapple with this? Except we have the hope of the physical reality of the coming the day of consummation. The direct revelation of the prospect of the resurrection of the dead in the last day changes the despairing soul of the believer to a lively hope!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Our Lord Jesus gave these words of comfort to His disciples before He left them just before His suffering, death, resurrection and ascension.
John 14:18-27 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Recall our study of the Book of Ruth in the series “Under His Wings” in the message “Coming Home” taken from from Ruth 1:19-22. Naomi was in a state of bitterness when she returned from Israel.
Ruth 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
She asked that she be called Mara which means “bitterness”. We recall in Exodus the bitter waters at Marah in the place Elim lined with springs of water and palm trees.
Exodus 15:23-27 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. 27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Indeed, God by His grace is leading Naomi to be renewed. Watch the bitter spirit that gripped her.
21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
She blamed God for her affliction rather than reflecting upon her waywardness. She is broken but not repentant unlike the prodigal son. But God is graciously helping her to come back.
Luke 15:14-19 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
At least Naomi could see that it was God who was in charge of the circumstances though she had chosen to disobey God.
Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest
God is doing her good although she was still bitter in her spirit.
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
We are to be careful to not blame God when we are the ones who choose to depart from God’s blessed way and face afflictions.
But for Job, it was not. He maintained his ways before God. There is a difference.
(2) Confronted with Fears (v12-16)
12Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? 13When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; 14Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: 15So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. 16I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
Matthew Henry said explained well here, “a raging sea, that must be kept within bounds, to check its proud waves, or an unruly whale, that must be restrained by force from devouring all the fishes of the sea? Am I so strong that there needs so much ado to hold me? so boisterous that no less than all these mighty bonds of affliction will serve to tame me and keep me within compass?” We are very apt, when we are in affliction, to complain of God and His providence, as if He laid more restraints upon us that there is occasion for; whereas we are never in heaviness but when there is need, nor more than the necessity demands.”
He complains that he could not rest in his bed (v13-14). In our sleep we get to be refreshed from our weariness, labour and fatigue. He is not refreshed in his sleep because he was disturbed with frightful dreams, and when those awaked him still he was haunted by what he could recall from his dreadful dreams.
Matthew Henry applied well, “We have reason to pray to God that our dreams may neither defile nor disquiet us, neither tempt us to sin nor torment us with fear, that he who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps, may keep us when we slumber and sleep, that the devil may not then do us a mischief, either as an insinuating serpent or as a roaring lion, and to bless God if we lie down and our sleep is sweet and we are not thus scared.”
The psalmist sought the Lord for a good sleep. He testified in Psalm 4:6-8 There bemany that say, Who will shew usanygood? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time thattheir corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
The psalmist dwell in the presence of God’s care and was able to sleep soundly despite the trials that confronted him.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord bless His own with strength and comfort in the midst of trials even unto death. Amen.
Maybe Today
Words by Frank Garlock
My Lord will come, it may be soon,
It could be morning, night or noon;
Till then I’ll watch and work and pray,
When He comes, I’ll go home, there to stay.
Chorus
Maybe today, my Lord will come for me,
Maybe today, my Savior I shall see;
Maybe today from sin I shall be free,
Jesus will come, and I will go home,
It may be today.
My Lord will come, I know not when,
But this is sure, He’ll come again;
With eager eyes I look for Him,
In His presence new joy will begin.
Chorus
Maybe today, my Lord will come for me,
Maybe today, my Savior I shall see;
Maybe today from sin I shall be free,
Jesus will come, and I will go home,
It may be today.
We’ll sing His praise, forever more,
When we have entered heaven’s door;
Redeemed from all our sin and strife,
There we’ll know perfect love, endless life.
Chorus
Maybe today, my Lord will come for me,
Maybe today, my Savior I shall see;
Maybe today from sin I shall be free,
Jesus will come, and I will go home,
It may be today.