It is unwise and dangerous to speak against a man or woman whom God has justified. Satan does this constantly. It is not for no reason he is called “the accuser of our brothers.” He makes a career out of attacking justified people, charging them with having unforgiven sin and challenging the verdict of God that they stand clean in His sight. How terrible it would be to align yourself with this enemy of God! Yet this is what Job’s companions have been doing for the past twenty-three chapters. They have been the accusers of Job. These three supposed comforters are now off the stage, but in chapter 27, righteous Job responds to their accusations. Testifying on the authority of God, the author of his sufferings, and with all his being, Job swears that he is telling the truth. He highly values the integrity of his life, and this is why he could never admit that his opponents are right. Job has a clear conscience, despite all that has been said against him (v 1-6). In the midst of his terrible losses, Job’s integrity has not been lost, and it cannot be taken from him. When our Lord Jesus suffered the reproaches of wicked men, He held on to the fact that He was the beloved Son of the Father. And when believers in Him have nothing in this world to hold on to, we cling to the only thing the world cannot take from us: our righteousness in Christ. No matter what hardships we face, by God’s grace we are able to continue singing, “Hallelujah! All I have is Christ. Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.” Although it is the Almighty who has made his soul bitter (v 2), Job will not concede that God is corrupt or unjust. He recognizes that God does call the unjust and the wicked to account. If his friends continue to malign him, they will be judged like all godless sinners are judged. In fact, Job prays for this to happen! Thankfully, these friends eventually repent and are forgiven (42:9), but as long as they “rise up against” Job, they are in terrible danger (v 7-10). God’s righteous judgment is certain—in this life or the next. The wicked “oppressors” of God’s people will see their families destroyed. The righteous will inherit their wealth. Their houses will prove to be fragile and temporary dwellings. Their destiny is to be swept away from this world by “terrors” of death, mocked by the demonic agents of divine judgment (v 11-23). It sounds similar to what Job’s accusers have been trying to tell him all along. But he has turned the tables, offering to teach them! (v 11). To persecute one who truly belongs to God is to face a frightening future. They should beware! For further meditation