Devotions on the Book of Job (Thursday, Week 8)
1Read through Job 16
Job feels “worn out” and “devastated” by God (Job 16:7), “assailed” and “torn” by God (Job 16:9), “shattered” and “crushed” by God (Job 16:12). And yet Job knows that- somehow- God is his only hope:
"O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high
My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend" (Job 16:18–21).
Here we find Job appealing to God against God. In His commentary, Hywel Jones says that this “expresses daring faith and remarkable insight- an insight that is proved true at the cross of Christ”.
Job’s appeal must be directed to one who has the status to argue the case with God as an equal. He looks to God as his only hope before God! This appeal was foreshadowed back in chapter 9, where Job wished there was a mediator, lamenting that there is not (Job 9:33). But as Robert Fyall points out “here [in Job 16], the fierce conviction that there is a witness in heaven is far stronger than the desperate hope of chapter 9”.
This Sunday, we will turn to Job 19- where Job’s hope is articulated with even greater clarity as he cries out:
"I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes— I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me" (Job 19:25–27).
What a wonderful mark of Job’s genuine and persevering hope.
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1 Comment
Graham Marlin Jun 4, 2016 @ 7:32 am
This morning I woke before 4.00am. I may have been dreaming but found myself singing in my mind some gospel songs I learnt in church as a boy. Their theme was "Redemption" Here is an example (excerpts from its three verses):
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim......
For our sins He suffered and bled and died,
He's our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus, the crucified.....
Jesus, Saviour reigneth for ever and ever,
Crown Him, crown Him. Prophet and Priest and King!
Death is vanquished! tell it with joy ye faithful,
Where is now thy victory, boasting grave?
Jesus lives! no longer they portals are cheerless,
Jesus lives, the mighty and strong to save.
This last Easter I was privileged to be taken by George and Lynore to hear Handel's Messiah. This is perhaps the greatest Christian music ever written (you can read about its history on the internet) It is Scripture put to majestic orchestral and choral music from the OT where the Messiah is prophesied and the NT where the Messiah is manifest, born, crucified, risen and exalted. Part 3 opens with Job's declaration of faith - "I know that my redeemer liveth", written as an air for soprano voice. On this occasion it was sung by Lynore's daughter, Penelope Mills. As always this recital (more than 2 hours) of the Messiah was totally inspiring and I think that every Christian should hear it at least once in their lifetime.
In the Bible in Exodus 15 there is Moses' song of redemption to celebrate Israel's redemption from Egypt. In Isaiah 35 the prophet describes the future joy of the redeemed in song - "But the redeemed of the Lord shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads, They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Revelation 5 describes the song of the redeemed - "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain."
We all have a new song to sing - "I know that my Redeemer lives." Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Lord will always and forever be at the heart of our worship.