LIfe In HIs Hands - Job 12-13

Job 12:10-12 (ESV Strong's)
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of all mankind.
Does not the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?
Wisdom is with the aged,
and understanding in length of days.

Life In His Hands

Job is defending himself to his “friends.”  In his pain, his friends have attacked him by telling him that his pain and suffering are a result of his sin.   Job is about to go on the attack and complain before them and to God that he is NOT suffering because of his sin.  He believes he is a righteous man.  Indeed, the first chapters of the book tell us that was exactly God’s assessment of Job.   Yet, in the above passage, Job first declares a truth we all should acknowledge.   In God’s hands is everyone’s life.  God is the one who gives us breath.  

Job goes on to tell his friends that just like the ear tests the words it hears and the tongue tastes the food that enters the mouth, he will test the counsel of his friends and see it it satisfies.   According to Job, it does not.    He is letting them know that the “aged” those who have “length of days” will test their words (counsel to him) and they, too, will reject them.  

Job is making the point that he believes their counsel is off base and misrepresents what God is doing ini his life.  He is right, of course, but it will take more arguments and more chapters to reveal God’s plan to both them and Job.   The point we might take from this passage is that it is God who gives life and it is God who gives truth.   We ought not try to put ourselves as judge and jury as to what is happening in the lives of others.  We ought to just be ready to share with them the truth of God’s word and let God be the judge and jury.    God gives life and truth ... not us.