Job 22 … Consider His Pleasure Procured

Originally posted: 8/28/2020

“Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,
Or profit if you make your ways perfect?” (22:3).

Oh, my stars. Eliphaz has really gone off the deep end. He’s so convinced of Job’s shameful guilt that he now makes a case against Job that seems to be contrived from his own imagination. I can’t help but wonder how he concocted such a catalog of Job’s supposed sins; without any proof.

In today’s vernacular, his pointed allegations may have sounded something like this:

Job, you have mistreated the poor by demanding their clothing as collateral; you have withheld help and care for the weary and hungry; you’ve been merciless to the widows and orphans. And Job, you really thought God couldn’t see what you were up to, so you just kept going on your merry, wicked way. No wonder your life is in the pit of dread and darkness! Oh, and by the way Job, all the righteous people are glad that you are finally getting your just desserts: (22:6-20).

“The righteous see and are glad,
And the innocent mock them,
²⁰ Saying, ‘Truly our adversaries are cut off,
And their abundance the fire has consumed,'” (22:19-20).

I can’t even imagine how Job was able to continue breathing as each false charge was hurled.

And of course, Eliphaz had categorically determined the reason Job had fallen so far; it was of course, Job’s self-righteousness.

Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you,
That He enters into judgment against you?
“Is not your wickedness great,
And your iniquities without end?” (22:5).

Job, you claim to be so innocent and righteous. Is that why God has you under His judgment? Job, you are surely guilty; the duck test proves it, Job. Your only hope is to repent.

“Yield now and be at peace with Him;
Thereby good will come to you.
²² “Please receive instruction from His mouth
And establish His words in your heart.
²³ “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” (22:21-23).

And as my heart broke to think of one who was still reeling in his grief, one who was suffering immense physical pain, one who had done nothing to deserve any of this, I kept coming back to that question Eliphaz posed before jumping on the train of condemnation against Job.

“Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,
Or profit if you make your ways perfect?” (22:3).

Pleasure/Delight: 2656. חֵפֶץ ḥēp̱eṣ: A masculine noun meaning delight, pleasure, desire… The root idea is to incline toward something.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

Procure: “to obtain or get by care, effort, or the use of special means.”

We can read between the lines of his sarcastic question. Hey Job, since God needs nothing, how would your righteousness possibly procure for Him any delight or pleasure? And do you really think that your righteousness would even be anything He inclined Himself to, anything He desired?

And I wondered if Job found himself pondering the same question. Is there any Pleasure anyone can bring to the Almighty? Does anything Procure Him Pleasure? And if so, what?

There are definitely answers in His Word.

Consider His Pleasure Procured

To begin with: notice the occasions when His Pleasure is Not Procured:

• His Pleasure is NOT Procured in the death of the wicked.
  • Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?… ³² For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live;”…“Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11).

• His Pleasure is Not Procured in our sacrifices and offerings for sins according to the Law.
  • After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, (Hebrews 10:8-10).

Contrast the above with what does Procure His Pleasure.

• His Pleasure is Procured when His servants prosper.
  • Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication;
    And let them say continually, “The Lord be magnified,
    Who delights in the prosperity of His servant,” (Psalm 35:27).

• His Pleasure is Procured when man’s steps are established in Him.
  • The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
    And He delights in his way.
    ²⁴ When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
    Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand, (Psalm 37:23-24).

• His Pleasure is Procured in the salvation of His people.
  • For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
    He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation, (Psalm 149:4).

• His Pleasure is Procured in His Servant Who brought forth justice.
  • “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
    My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
    I have put My Spirit upon Him;
    He will bring forth justice to the nations,” (Isaiah 42:1).

• His Pleasure is Procured when His purposes are accomplished.
  • “Remember this, and be assured;
    Recall it to mind, you transgressors.
    ⁹ “Remember the former things long past,
    For I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is no one like Me,
    ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning,
    And from ancient times things which have not been done,
    Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
    And I will accomplish all My good pleasure;’”  (Isaiah 46:8-10).

• His Pleasure was Procured in the guilt offering of His Son.
  • But the Lord was pleased
    To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
    If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
    He will see His offspring,
    He will prolong His days,
    And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand, (Isaiah 53:10).

• His Pleasure is Procured when sinners repent.
  • “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance,” (Luke 15:7).

• His Pleasure was Procured in our full reconciliation provided through the cross of Jesus Christ.
  • For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, ²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; (Colossians 1:19-20).

How do we respond to His Pleasure Procured?       

Some of us may have a hard time grasping the truth that God actually takes Pleasure in us; especially when things get tough or we mess up. The enemy will always strive with his lies to cause us to focus on the misery and discomfort of this life, and to doubt His Word that promises His Pleasure is Procured by His Will and Procured for us through faith.

His Word is clear. He actually finds Pleasure in His children, through our salvation, and as we walk in step with His will to experience His Presence.

Let us choose to daily seek His Presence, the place where His Pleasure is Procured for us!

You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever, (Psalm 16:11).

He is faithful, for His Good Pleasure, to work in our lives that we would first desire, and then do, His will. As we cooperate with His work, we will experience His Pleasure Procured for us.

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure, (Philippians 2:13).

And as we experience His Pleasure Procured for us, let us ask Him to grow us in our desire to bring Him Pleasure. His Word says we can only do that with faith. Oh, that we would grow to live in ever-increasing faith, that we would walk in the daily reality of His Pleasure Procured.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, (Hebrews 11:6).

Let’s Grow Together!