Discover His heart: He knows me and loves me enough to witness on my behalf
After observing a lengthy high profile court case on television a few years ago, I came to understand the role of a witness. The case was filled with witnesses for both the prosecution and for the defense, and it was the job of the opposing lawyer to discredit each witness as much as possible so that the testimony became null and void. Sometimes the courtroom atmosphere got a little heated as accusations were made, and I’m not talking about the room temperature. Job’s courtroom in our reading today was picking up in intensity as the name calling continued and accusations were made.
@ Job 15
Eliphaz continued his indictment of Job even after being called a worthless quack in Job’s last dialogue. Eliphaz was obviously offended and struck back with a long discourse about what happens to wicked people. “Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: ‘A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag… Your own mouth condemns you, not I. Your own lips testify against you…The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless. The sound of terror rings in their ears.’” (2,6,20-21) Eliphaz, who was only a witness to the events of Job’s life, went ahead and judged Job guilty of sin and tried to scare Job into repenting of sins he hadn’t committed. What a comforter!
I can’t help here but think of our accuser, the devil, who stands before God accusing us of all manner of evil. (Rev 12:10) But I’m so thankful to know just how God views him, “[The devil] has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) We, too, should remember his title when he lies to us.
@ Job 16
“What miserable comforters you are! Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking? I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you. But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.” (2-5) I pray my counsel is never judgmental and arrogant like that of Eliphaz, but rather that it is as Job suggests and is filled with encouragement – words that remove grief rather than cause it.
“O earth, do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf. Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. (18-19) Job was aware that he had a witness in heaven, Someone who had witnessed every deed, every word of his life, and he was calling on that witness to speak on his behalf. However, Job was in the process of learning to give witness himself to the faithfulness of God regardless of his circumstances.
We, too, have a witness in heaven who sees every part of our lives and is well able to speak on our behalf. But just as Job was working on his public confession of trust in God, we are called by Jesus to do a little witnessing ourselves in Matthew 10:32-33, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” If we witness for Him, He’ll witness for us.
When accusations and taunts come to us that cause confusion, condemnation and distress, we can know that they do not come from the One who knows the truth. And as we give witness to the faithfulness of God, we can call on the One who is truth to plead our case, our Witness in Heaven who knows all things—He is the one witness that no one can discredit!
Moving forward – Today I will refuse words and thoughts from the enemy and the accusations of things that are untrue. I call on my Witness who knows and sees everything to speak on my behalf.
Tomorrow@Isaiah 40-44
Phyllis Benigas 