Ruth: 1:20-21; The doctrine of bitterness, part 20 – not being bitter in a bitter existence, ex. Job.

Title: Ruth: 1:20-21; The doctrine of bitterness, part 20 - not being bitter in a bitter existence, ex. Job.   

 

Not being bitter during a bitter existence.

 

EXO 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel.

 

EXO 1:13 And the Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously;

 

EXO 1:14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.

 

We noted the symbolism of the bitter herbs of the Passover, which represented the bitter existence of Israel in slavery in Egypt. Yet also, the sweetness of the roasted lamb overcame the bitterness of the herbs.

 

Passover:

Bitter herbs = slavery. The Lamb of God would take away the sin of the world and also free men from the bondage of slavery.

 

The Passover clearly symbolizes freedom in Christ and it also reveals that no matter how bitter our existence may get, in the Lord we are overcomers who can maintain peace in our souls rather than the root of bitterness.

 

For a living example of a great spiritual man turned bitter, we turn to Job.

 

Job suffered so much loss and pain and he did not know that it was because Satan had challenged his loyalty to God.

 

JOB 2:3 And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause."

 

JOB 2:4 And Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

 

JOB 2:5 "However, put forth Thy hand, now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse Thee to Thy face."

 

JOB 2:6 So the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life."

 

Job does wonderfully at the beginning of the severe suffering and loss that he faced, but as time went on and there was no relief, he began to question the righteousness and the fairness of God.

 

Suffering undeservedly is a test. Prolonged suffering of this type is another test.

 

Almost everyone is willing to put up with suffering if it's relatively short. It's like going out in the cold vs. prolonged exposure. In New England on New Year's Day, a whole lot of people take the penguin plunge and go for a swim in the Atlantic, but they don't wade in the water for long.

 

JOB 3:20 "Why is light given to him who suffers,

And life to the bitter of soul;

 

JOB 3:21 Who long for death, but there is none,

And dig for it more than for hidden treasures;

 

Why does God give light (life) to the bitter soul who suffers? He would rather dig his grave than for gold.

 

"Why did You even create me if You were just going to torture me?" This is a common question among those who suffer for prolonged periods. We can be encouraged that it was asked by the most spiritual person on the planet at the time.

 

Suffering must be long and intense for such a feeling to be real - to long for death as a relief, and thus overcoming fear of it.

 

JOB 9:17 "For He bruises me with a tempest,

And multiplies my wounds without cause.

 

Job imagines that God is causing him to suffer just because God can, because He is sovereign.

 

This is why it is of extreme importance to come to know God from the Bible, from the inspired scriptures, rather than assuming what the world portrays Him to be is true.

 

JOB 9:18 "He will not allow me to get my breath,

But saturates me with bitterness.

 

God never makes anyone bitter. Their misunderstanding of circumstances as well as God’s reason for those circumstances causes the root of bitterness to grow within them.

 

JOB 9:19 "If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one!

And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

 

If I, or someone sympathetic, wanted to give me relief, how could they? They would have to overpower God. If someone wanted to be my lawyer and defend me, how could they? How could anyone call God into court? In other words, "I'm doomed!"

 

JOB 9:20 "Though [If] I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me;

Though [If] I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty.

 

JOB 9:21 "I am guiltless [Though I were perfect];

I do not take notice of myself;

I despise my life.

 

Another possible translation is “If I am righteous … If I am guiltless.”

 

This is likely the way it should be translated. The sentences begin with the Hebrew particle im, which can mean “since” or “though” but in a conditional clause means “if,” and that’s how they translate the same particle in verse 19. Plus, in Job’s complaints throughout this book, we don’t see him claim to be superior - we don’t see arrogance in him in this book. We do see him complain, but only as a humble man who does not understand what is happening to him, and has endured it for so long that he has come to the end of his endurance.

 

So he says, “If I am righteous, opening my mouth would only condemn me [because God is bruising me without cause and no one can overrule Him.] If I say I am perfect He will declare me guilty anyway.”

 

Job's suffering causes him to see God only as a tyrant. There is no justice and no way to have an audience with Him.

 

Job throws up his hands in bitter frustration, imagining that no hearing could be called for where a case might be fairly adjudicated. “Can I at least have a day in Your court?” But he concludes that God just does what He wants, and if that want is unfair, then how and to whom could we appeal?

 

So many go astray on in this same way. If God is sovereign, then He can just do as He pleases and none of us can rightly expect something from Him. But while it is true that He acts sovereignty and that He does as He pleases, God is justice and He is righteousness.

 

It is true that God does as He pleases [Sovereign], but God is justice and righteousness. He can only be fair and right.

 

He can only be fair and right, and so God doesn't act outside of any law, He is the living Law that is perfectly right and just. Job's intense suffering, gone on long enough, has caused him to forget this.

 

PSA 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.

 

PSA 89:15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!

O Lord, they walk in the light of Thy countenance.

 

This is what we must hold on to, every step of the way through our prolonged trial.

 

The joyful sound refers to the trumpets that were blown at the great festivals, especially at the feast of trumpets. They signified the calling of the people to come and worship, and for the people to love the Lord and so love His feasts, they would love that sound, and so they walk in the light of His countenance no matter how bitter their life’s circumstances might be.

 

PSA 89:16 In Thy name they rejoice all the day,

And by Thy righteousness they are exalted.

 

PSA 89:17 For Thou art the glory of their strength,

And by Thy favor our horn is exalted.

 

PSA 89:18 For our shield belongs to the Lord,

And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

 

No matter how painful life gets, we must always fall upon the justice and righteousness of God, as well as His mercy and grace.

 

Though the mercy, grace, and fairness of God might seem hidden from you, they cannot be absent nor even diminish. The psalmist begins his poem with the lovingkindness of the Lord.

 

PSA 89:1 I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever;

To all generations I will make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth.

 

PSA 89:2 For I have said, "Lovingkindness will be built up forever;

In the heavens Thou wilt establish Thy faithfulness."

 

God is steadfast love and faithfulness. He cannot be otherwise. This is now revealed by His plan for the Messiah.

 

PSA 89:3 "I have made a covenant with My chosen;

I have sworn to David My servant,

 

PSA 89:4 I will establish your seed forever,

And build up your throne to all generations. "

Selah.