In Job, chapter seven, verse twenty, the servant of God considered the possibility that his counselors were right, that God had loosed His anger toward him because of some unknown transgression. However, Job did not know that God was watching. Not for displeasure but in compassion and admiration: Though tempted to the limit, Job consistently refused to curse God, as suggested in chapter two, verse nine, and so the redemptive power of God was exalted. In due time, when the test ended, God revealed His approval publicly in chapter forty-two, verse eight.
Job reasons with God concerning his dealings with man. But amid this discourse, Job seems to have lifted his thoughts to God with some faith and hope. Observe the concern he is in about his sins. The best men have to complain of sin. The better they are, the more they will complain. God is the Preserver of our lives and the Saviour of the souls of all that believe, but probably Job meant the Observer of men, whose eyes are upon the ways and hearts of all men. We can hide nothing from Him; let us plead guilty before his throne of grace, that we may not receive condemnation at his judgment seat. Job maintained, against his friends, that he was not a hypocrite nor a wicked man, yet he owned to his God that he had sinned. The best must so acknowledge before the Lord. He seriously inquires how he might be at peace with God and earnestly begs forgiveness for his sins. He means more than removing his outward trouble and earnestness for the return of God’s favor. Wherever the Lord removes the guilt of sin, he breaks the power of sin. To strengthen his prayer for pardon, Job pleads the prospect he had of leaving the situation quickly. My sins are not pardoned while I live: I am lost and undone forever. How wretched is a sinful man without a knowledge of the Saviour!