Job 27 | MHM | STEP | Job's Protestation of His Sincerity This section is a powerful speech by Job. His words are called a “parable” because they are serious, wise, and full of authority. Job is speaking strongly after a long argument with his friends. They wanted to end the disagreement, but Job decides to make a solemn oath to confirm his innocence. He takes all responsibility on himself if he is wrong. This shows how confident he is in his honesty. Just as an oath for confirmation is an end of strife (Hebrews 6:16 ), Job wants to silence his accusers and prove his sincerity.

‏ Job 27

Job's Protestation of His Sincerity

This section is a powerful speech by Job. His words are called a “parable” because they are serious, wise, and full of authority. Job is speaking strongly after a long argument with his friends. They wanted to end the disagreement, but Job decides to make a solemn oath to confirm his innocence. He takes all responsibility on himself if he is wrong. This shows how confident he is in his honesty. Just as an oath for confirmation is an end of strife (Hebrews 6:16 ^a), Job wants to silence his accusers and prove his sincerity.

v. 2: Job begins his oath by saying, As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment . He calls God the living God, the eternal Judge, and shows respect for God’s authority. But Job also complains that God has not given him justice and has allowed his suffering to continue. He feels God has made his life bitter and filled with pain. Even so, Job still trusts God and believes in his own innocence, even while feeling abandoned.

v. 3–4: Job promises, All the while my breath is in me… my lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit (Job 27:3-4 ^b). He is determined never to lie or say anything false, no matter what happens. Job’s friends accused him of being a hypocrite, but he is willing to answer honestly to any question. He will not admit to something he did not do, nor will he deny the truth even if it is against him. He wants to keep a clear conscience all his life, remembering that God gave him his breath, and so he should never use it to say anything evil.

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v. 5–6: Job explains his oath by saying, God forbid that I should justify you—he will not agree with his friends’ harsh judgment by admitting to something untrue. He says, until I die I will not remove my integrity from me; my righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go (Job 27:5-6 ^c). Job refuses to give up his honesty, even if it means suffering or dying. He remembers that keeping his integrity is the best way to prepare for death. Even when others judge him as a hypocrite, Job stands firm, just as the apostle says, We have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly (Hebrews 13:18 ^d). He wants his heart to remain innocent and not to condemn him, trusting that it is God that justifies his people.

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Condition of Hypocrites

In this section, Job speaks clearly about how terrible it would be to be a hypocrite. He has just finished saying how much he values his own honesty. Now, Job explains that he fears being called a hypocrite more than anything else. He believes that the life of a wicked person or a hypocrite is the worst fate anyone can have.

v. 7: Job says, Let my enemy be as the wicked . This means he would not wish the punishment of the wicked even on his greatest enemy. He knows that being in the place of a wicked person is worse than any hardship in life. Job is not saying anyone should become wicked, but he is showing that no one should want the fate of a hypocrite, no matter how rich or successful they seem.

v. 8: Job asks, For what is the hope of the hypocrite? . Even if a hypocrite gains many things in this world, such as wealth or praise, he cannot count on these things forever. When God takes his soul, all his hopes will disappear. As it says, Thy soul shall be required of thee (Luke 12:20 ^e). All the things he trusted in will be left behind (Psalm 49:17 ^f), and he will be left with nothing in the end. Even if he did many religious actions, God will say, Depart from me, I know you not (Matthew 7:23 ^g). So, a hypocrite will be miserable when he dies, no matter how good his life seemed before.

v. 9: Job continues, Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him? . When hard times or death come, the hypocrite may try to pray, but God will not listen. Unless the person truly repents, God will not hear their prayers (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 66:19 ^h). The Bible says, Get you to the gods whom you have served (Judges 10:14 ⁱ), meaning that people who do not listen to God should not expect his help. On the day of judgment, the hypocrite’s cries will not change God’s decision (Matthew 7:22-23; Luke 13:26 ^j).

v. 10: Job asks, Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call upon God? . The hypocrite does not really enjoy being close to God; he only does religious things when it is convenient. In difficult times, he will not stick with God, and when life is easy, he forgets God. Hypocrites treat religion like a job they do not like, quitting when it is not useful. True believers find joy in God and keep praying to Him, no matter what happens. Those who do not truly love God will find it easy to leave their faith behind when life gets hard or when they are tempted by pleasure.

Heritage of the Wicked

In this section, Job answers his friends about what happens to wicked people. He agrees that those who do evil and oppress others will suffer in the end. Job’s friends believed that God punishes the wicked quickly and openly. Job, however, points out that sometimes punishment comes slowly, but it is always certain. Even if the wicked seem to prosper for a while, their final reward is misery and ruin. Job wants to show that just because evil people sometimes succeed, this does not mean they escape God’s justice.

v. 11–12: Job says, I will teach you by the hand of God (Job 27:11 ^k). He will share what he has learned about God’s ways with the wicked. He reminds his friends that they themselves have seen how wicked people end up. So, they should not judge Job wrongly just because he is suffering. The real lesson is about the portion of a wicked man with God (Job 27:13 ^l). Even if the wicked have success in the world, their true reward from God is disaster.

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v. 13–15: Job teaches that the children of wicked people may seem to do well at first. His children are multiplied (Job 27:14 ^m), but many will die by the sword, or some will suffer hunger and not have enough food. Others may die from disease, being buried quickly and without honor. The families of the wicked will not even mourn for them. This shows how even a large family or many possessions cannot save them from God’s judgment (Psalm 17:14; 2 Samuel 24:13 ⁿ).

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v. 16–18: Job continues, saying that the wicked may gather much wealth—heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay (Job 27:16 ^o). But they will not keep it forever. God will make sure the just shall wear his raiment, and the innocent shall divide his silver (Job 27:17; Proverbs 13:22 ^p). Even if they build fine houses, they are weak like the house of a moth or a hut in a garden (Job 27:18 ^q), and will soon be destroyed.

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v. 19: Job explains that the rich man may rest in comfort and think he is safe—he shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered . He does not have true peace, and his riches will not help him sleep well. Even if he seems happy, his heart is troubled. In the end, he opens his eyes and he is not; his life and wealth are suddenly gone (Ecclesiastes 5:12 ^r).

v. 20–21: When death comes, it brings terror. Terrors take hold of him as waters (Job 27:20 ^s), and he is carried away by the storm like a violent wind. Death is frightening for the wicked, not peaceful. It takes them away quickly and without warning, just like a storm destroys everything in its path (Ecclesiastes 5:17 ^t).

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v. 22: After death, God’s anger falls on the wicked. God shall cast upon him, and not spare . There is no escape from God’s judgment. The wicked person cannot run or hide from God’s wrath (Joshua 10:11; Zechariah 5:7-8 ^u).

v. 23: Finally, after the wicked are gone, people will reject them. Men shall clap their hands at him (Job 27:23 ^v), meaning they will be glad at his downfall. His name will become a warning to others. People will remember him with shame, not honor (Proverbs 11:10; Psalm 52:7 ^w).