I Abhor Myself and Repent

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Job 42:6
Psalters: 174, 23, 150, 329
Preparatory to the Lord's Supper
  1. The background begins with the history recorded in chapters 1 and 2.
    1. The three older friends AND Job speak with an wrong presupposition, namely, that bad events are punishment.
    2. The young friend, Elihu, speaks out angrily against the three older friends and against Job (32-36).
    3. Finally God makes Job realize his ignorance with a lengthy series of questions about creating and creation (37-39; 40:6-41).
  2. Job’s repentance. Job takes a new look at himself and turns away in utter disgust (makes him vomit).
    1. Job draws this conclusion after seeing himself in the light of God’s speech through Elihu and directly through the whirlwind.
      1. In his great grief, sorrow and pain he had sinned grievously, accusing God of injustice.
      2. But God is merciful and abounds in grace, revealing Himself and His greatness and holiness in order to convict Job.
      3. He sees only himself and sees his sinfulness (more than his sins).
    2. First, Job sees nothing good and understands why he is worthy to be thrown away.
      1. Job correctly identifies himself spiritually as “vile” (40:4).
      2. And Job says he “abhor”s himself.
      3. “Ashes” is figurative for what is without value (Isa. 44:20).
    3. Second, Job now repents.
      1. Job retracts his charges against God and His justice, and confesses his speaking as a fool without knowledge.
      2. True repentance is self-condemnation because I am the one wrong, the sinner.
  3. Self-abhorrence is not to end in itself, but in humility!
    1. Humility is the ability to see ourselves in the light of the greatness of the cross and of the Savior.
    2. Then God can and did show Job (and us) His answer to our sin and sinfulness: Jesus Christ.
    3. This, in turn, brings us to the measure of thankfulness to God, which is to be shown in our whole life.