Job 27 CLEAR CONSCIENCE Often when extreme pressure comes on a person because of the circumstances of life that catch us unaware, we may say things without realizing they seem contradictory to those who hear us. Our minds think much faster than we can say our words. So, in this chapter Job says some of the same things his friends said to him about the wicked. They applied their description of the wicked, and what happens to them, to Job. He spoke of the life and death of the wicked in general terms. He was not admitting to being a wicked sinner who was being punished for secret sins.
In spite of the pain of his physical suffering, the grief of emotional suffering that came with the loss of all he had including his family, and the sense of spiritual hopelessness because of not understanding what God was allowing, Job takes his oath before God that he is telling the truth. From his heart he affirmed that he was neither speaking nor acting deceitfully. He definitely would not say he had hidden sin or acted out of character, just to get relief or to submit to pressure from his friends.
In old age as we begin to wander from clear statements because of lack of memory, or when we are in serious pain and it is hard to maintain coherent thoughts and put them into precise words, we can expect that others may say, "What? I don't get what you are trying to say. That doesn't make sense to me!" It is not necessarily confusion on the part of both, but a whole lot of disjointed thoughts that each one is verbally expressing.
Job never doubted God nor did he doubt his relationship with God., but in his desperation he verbally and audibly complained about what God allowed to happen to him. When a person takes his oath as Job does twice in the first few verses of this chapter, that means he is not trying to deceive anyone, especially God. To say confidently out loud that we know we have eternal life, to many people is arrogance and/or deception. Our only right to say such a thing is if God's word supports such a statement. Only forgiveness of sin and a right standing before God, can let us say such a thing. But for believers in Christ, we are able to do so, not because we claim sinlessness, but rather forgiveness. It is in this way we can live before God and man with a clear conscience.
Job was not about to surrender his integrity with a false confession of guilt. He didn't know what God was doing or why, but he did know God. He was committed to live before God with a clear conscience, and before men without compromising his integrity. To be able to look people in the eye with a clear conscience is a state of living we should all maintain. The state of being blameless is important to God and is expected in those who represent our Lord Jesus Christ, both in public and in private.
In this part of his discourse, Job proceeded to tell those who he thought were special friends, that they were hypocrites like the enemies who will face their own consequences for sin when justice is served. Then they will cry and not be heard. They will call on God and get no answer. In all their words and poetic speeches, they did not say anything he did not already believe. In the questions he asked, he spoke to the hopelessness of the ungodly and the fact of consequences that will come on the ungodly. Death is inevitable and trouble as a result of sin will not be avoided. His "delight" is not in the "law of the Lord" because he only lives for this life and the temporary pleasures it offers.
Moses also knew the "pleasures of sin" were only for "a season." Any who look for lasting pleasures in anything but that which pleases God, will never find satisfaction. To know and apply the word of God to life in general and daily experiences as well, brings to a believer true lasting pleasure. That does not mean we are immune from opposition and pain that is associated with life here on earth, but it does mean that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us. He comes with an open welcome that brings relief even in times of disaster, although that does not mean we will not suffer. He goes with us through the trouble.
Job said he could teach his friends because he had been in close fellowship with God, and now for some unknown reason, he was experiencing the governmental dealings of God. When one has been through times of testing and trial, they learn things from God and about God they would never learn when life is smooth and easy.
The consequences of wickedness, and why bad things happen to wicked people, was easily understood by Job. To those who live only for themselves and the pleasures of the world, the only things that count to them is what they possess. To then that is what life is all about. But those things are temporary and can be quickly lost. Even our child who are a "heritage of the Lord," are also subject to death when least expected. Even though our hearts are set on them, they too can be lost very quickly. The wickedness of parents and the lifestyle in which they have been raised may have a serious negative effect on them. The sinner's finances, family and fame can all be taken away, and if that is all a person lives for, they will end up with nothing.
The descriptions Job gave of the wicked are like those Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar had made previously in the dialogue. He goes further than they did in some ways, so that he seems to be agreeing with them. But his big concern is not so much with them, as why those same things that happen to the wicked have happened to him who lived with a clear conscience and who will not compromise his integrity by telling a lie.
Job and the three supposed friends all agreed that there is judgment on the wicked, but the differences between them was that the three believed it was only on the wicked, and that judgment would come quickly. Job acknowledged that it comes but not necessarily at once, and not necessarily even in this lifetime. The confusion Job had was to do with his own suffering. He could testify to them his own clear conscience and innocence in regard to secret sins, hypocrisy and wicked acts. He could not in any way classify himself with the ungodly when he was righteous, not even to alleviate his suffering. That to Job would be a falsehood.
We know we are not sinless, yet at the same time it is important that we do not yield to the temptation to exaggerate our sinful life before we were saved. Neither should we promote false humility or a sense of guilt after we have been forgiven and given the gift of eternal life. Salvation is a work of God for us, and it is not enhanced by us dramatizing our sinfulness and/or humility. There is no value in demeaning ourselves in an attempt to impress others with our self-denigration. Honesty and integrity imply we a grateful to be accepted by God because of our Lord's willingness to assume full responsibility for our sins by paying the price of redemption with His blood. Now we are able to live in quiet dignity, personal integrity and hopefully will be able to honor our Lord Jesus Christ by living righteous, holy lives.