Job

Job 27: Wealth cannot protect the wicked

Begin in prayer

Before we read Job’s refusal of false charges, please ask God to expose the things we trust instead of Him.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless.

Genesis 17:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Keep us from trusting possessions or claims about our goodness. Help us recognize the righteousness sinners receive through Christ. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Job swears by the living God that he will not speak deceit or surrender his integrity. He complains that God has taken away his right and refuses to justify the friends’ charges. He asks what hope the godless person has when God takes away his life. Job describes children facing the sword and hunger, survivors dying, and widows making no lamentation. Wealth passes to others, and a fragile home cannot protect its owner. Terrors and a sweeping wind carry him away amid public scorn.

As you read Job 27, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God appoints the oppressor’s portion, and wealth cannot protect a wicked life from His judgment.

Job refuses to admit the crimes his friends have alleged against him. His oath invokes the living God who still gives him breath, although he also complains that God has denied his right. That complaint is Job’s judgment of his treatment, not proof that God has been unjust. His refusal of false charges does not make him sinless. He then describes the godless person’s helplessness when God takes life away. Piled silver, many clothes and a house cannot secure that person’s future. The fragile home and sweeping storm show how completely such security can fail. These warnings preserve God’s judgment without proving that Job’s losses came from the wickedness his friends invented.

How does Job 27 show us that God appoints the oppressor’s portion, and wealth cannot protect a wicked life from His judgment?

Job refuses to make a false confession.

He will not call the friends right about charges he has denied. The living God continues to give him breath as he resolves to speak without deceit. His integrity concerns those charges, not a claim that he has never sinned.

Possessions cannot secure the oppressor’s life.

Job describes silver and clothes gathered in great quantities. Others receive them, while the owner’s house proves fragile and terror overtakes him. The judgment is severe, even though chapter 21 showed that wicked people can enjoy long prosperity.

Memorise

He lies down rich, but he shall not do so again. He opens his eyes, and he is not.

Job 27:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what false security must I leave as I seek mercy through Jesus?

Job refuses false charges, yet also warns that wealth cannot protect a wicked person when God takes away life. Jesus gives a similar warning in Luke 12 verses 15 to 21. Full barns could not secure the rich fool’s next day.

We cannot secure acceptance with God through possessions or claims about our own goodness. Philippians 3 verse 9 points to righteousness through faith in Christ. Jesus obeyed without sin and died for His people, bearing their punishment. His completed redemption needs nothing added to secure their acceptance. God raised Him from death.

Turn from your sins and place your trust in Jesus. He welcomes and forgives all who rely on Him. His righteousness gives believers an acceptance that wealth cannot purchase and loss cannot remove.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Job refuses false charges without claiming sinlessness, and that possessions cannot buy acceptance with God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that wealth cannot overturn His judgment, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Father, thank You that no wealth can overturn Your judgment. Forgive our deceit and our trust in possessions. Please bring us to faith in Jesus and the righteousness He gives. Teach us to speak honestly and hold earthly gifts with open hands this week. In Jesus' name, Amen.