“How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4). This is no comfort, no help, for Job.
Job now gives his last speech — his greatest effort to justify himself. Yes, this was the needs be of all his trial and sorrow. His words are very touching. “Oh that I were as in the months past, as I was in the days of my youth” (see Job 29:2-25). It is not, Oh that it were with me, but, Oh that I was. How like the mistaken longings of the soul that is being driven from self to Christ. There is a peculiar delusive pleasure in being satisfied with oneself. Very often after conversion the thought is how much better I am now than I once was — how I do now walk in the ways of God. Some few are even so far deceived as to think the old nature is entirely changed and that there is not a root of sin left in them. But, alas, when the time of temptation comes, all this is leveled to the dust. Now, just read Job 29-31 and you will say, if any man could have justified himself by good works, Job was the man. There is not a man in all your town that can say as much as Job said, and say it truly. As to his kindness to the poor, he was the very opposite of the lying charges brought against him. Thus he lets memory recount every good act of his life, but all fails to give rest to his troubled spirit. I, I, I, I did this, I did not do that. But it is all of no use. “Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended” (Job 31:40). Not so Job: You will speak again, and though your words may be few, they will be full of meaning. Now, if Job could not be just before God, how can you? Let memory glance back along the track of life. What sins before God? Are your words ended? Are you dead beaten? Do you say, I cannot tell what to make of it? Then let the Lord speak to you.
C. Stanley (adapted)