God Has the Final Word (Job 38-42)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
7 March 2021
God is not hasty. He does not always act immediately. Job in his adversity was desperately seeking God. He wanted an immediate answer. But Job must taste adversity. God will speak at the end. He has the final say.
God waits until everyone has spoken. Then he speaks. When people have finished talking and giving their opinions and judgments; when they are exhausted, God speaks. Talk less; listen more. Be still and know that he is God.
When God speaks his word is final. He has the last say.
Consider the idea that the Lord God has the final word as it relates to all parties in the book of Job.
Concerning the three friends of Job God's final word to them is that they need forgiveness through mediation. Job is their mediator. He is the Christ-figure to act as high priest for them. Sinners need forgiveness. They need Christ the great High Priest.
Concerning Job, note that when Job speaks his final word (31:40) the Lord then speaks.
Job is humbled. He says, “I am vile” (40:4). People who know their fallen state are humble. They have no righteousness to boast of in God's presence.
Job is silenced. He said he speaks once and then twice but he would proceed no further (40:5).
Concerning the young man Eliphaz we note that the Lord does not chastise him as he does the older friends of Job. It may because teachers such as the three older men can expect a stricter judgment (James 3:1). Or it may be that Eliphaz understood and upheld the sovereignty of God in the his dealings with people.
Concerning the devil Satan we note he is not mentioned in the final part of the book of Job. This may be because the Lord allows the devil to continue his mischief. Thus Peter says the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But Satan is on a leash. He cannot devour believers.
The latter part of Job is about the chastising of believers and not about the final judgment of the devil. God does not chastise the devil; he judges him. Chastisement is for those whom God loves, namely his own children.
Note that in the chastisement of Job the Lord argues from creation. He challenges Job about creation, the natural world and the animal world. Job is silenced. Likewise the apostle Paul challenged his Roman readers over creation (Romans 1:20, 24).
Why did God allow his servant Job to endure such adversity? The answer is given in James 5:11 where James teaches that the end intended by the Lord was to show that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. This is shown in the life of Job when he was restored and wonderfully blessed by the Lord. Jesus Christ suffered great adversity. The end was that through him mercy would be shown to those who trust him for salvation.
God has the final say in all things. Consider this in relation to some important matters.
On the matter of death his final word is resurrection. Death is not the end. Resurrection is God's answer to death. Praise the Lord for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope that it gives to all believers.
Concerning the fallen universe God's final word is not the perpetuation of this fallen world but the creation of a new heaven and earth (Rev. 21:11).
On the persecuted church his final word is not an oppressed persecuted church but a church that is radiant as a bride at the marriage supper the Lamb (Rev.21:9; 22:17; 19:9).
On the judgment of Satan the Lord's final word is the enthronement of Jesus Christ. Satan will not usurp the glory of Christ try as he might.
Praise God that he has the final word. All human words will fail. God’s word will endure.