Job 36:8-12. We can learn something about the need for confession and repentance.
In Job 36 we can learn something about the need for confession and repentance. 11-13-14 Kevin E. Jesmer
In Job 36 we can learn something about the need for confession and repentance. Elihu talks about what could be part of the reason that the righteous, like Job, are afflicted? Look at Job 36: 8-12, “But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, 9 he (GOD) tells them what they have done— that they have sinned arrogantly. 10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. 11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. 12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.” People are bound by the power of sin. The are subject to the Fall, that is, they have been born into and live in a fallen world. It feels like their souls are bound in chains, with cords of affliction. What do they do? Where can they go for help? They can come to the one who knows, God Almighty. His name is Jesus. Jesus, like an excellent Physician can properly diagnose our condition and give us the proper words and direction. Part of our redemption comes with confession and repentance. Look at verses 9-10 again, “9 he tells them what they have done— that they have sinned arrogantly. 10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.” Repentance is important. God helps us to recognize our need to confess and repent through his Word and his Spirit. Concerning the Holy Spirit Jesus says, “…Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John16:7b-11)
So often we don’t want to repent. We may concede that we have done wrong and try to change. We may also try to stay true to a new path without actually confessing and repenting. When we do this we are avoiding the painful truth about our sin and the need for repentance. We are trying to “save face”. But this is robbing God of his glory and trying to keep our own glory. Maybe we think that if we confess our sins and repent too publically then people around us will be discouraged or no longer listen to us. But to the contrary, they will be encouraged and inspired and may even follow our example and do the same and cry out to Jesus to be saved. If there is honest confession and repentance then blessings ensue. Look at verse 11, “If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” We will live in the grace of God’s love and forgiveness. We will live in spiritual prosperity and taste the peace of God that transcends all human understanding.(Php 4:7) But if we refuse to confess and repent, there are consequences. (12) Confessing and repentance actually bring times of refreshing from the Lord. Acts 3:19 reads, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” It is time to experience a clean slate and begin again by the grace of God. Confession and repentance is a necessary part of life.
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