Have you ever been accused falsely? I can recall one hurtful occasion in which I was asked to help in a search to find the right person to fill a job opening. As is typical of this process, only one candidate can be chosen by the selection committee and the others are informed they have not been selected.
One of the candidates assumed I had not adequately represented his candidacy and therefore not only expressed harsh words towards me, but vowed revenge. Sadly, given the nature of the search process, I was not at liberty to discuss reasons for the selection or non-selection of candidates and therefore was denied the opportunity to offer a defense. Had the person known the reason for his non-selection, he may have stilled been angry but I knew his anger won’t have been directed toward me. I’m sure my attitude wasn’t appropriate, but don’t we all want a chance of proclaiming our innocence?
Poor Job knew he was innocent and even though his friends went out of their way to convince Job otherwise, they really were no help. Since we know the story, we too know that Job was innocent and we applaud his efforts to defend himself.
The most convincing part of Job’s defense comes when he speaks about the ways men defy God and defile themselves. Job says: vs. 31:23 “For fear of his splendor, I could never do such things.” Therefore, Job calls his accusers to come forward with their written indictment but concludes his testimony by saying to God to go ahead and punish him severely if he has failed God in any way.
To me, this final statement is either the most convincing thing someone could say — if it were true — or the most damaging thing someone could say — if it were false. Would you dare make this statement to God in your defense?
There is only one who could and still speak truth and his name is Jesus.
David Blythe
