Job Text, Chapter 4. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. Reply of Eliphaz. "Who ever perished, being innocent? Job 4:7. His night vision of God is sublime, Job 4:12-19. He advises Job to turn to God, Job 5:8, and suggests that if Job would repent his troubles would disappear. Job 5:17-27. God, and is abundantly rewarded. "SOTERIOLOGY IN THE BOOK OF JOB" Henry C. Thiessen describes the word Soteriology in the following manner: Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures In Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, 195 1), p.274. The term "Soteriology" is derived from two Greek words "soteria" and "logos," the former meaning "salvation" arid the latter word, "discourse" or "doctrine" Soteriology, therefore, is the doctrine of salvation . . . Salvation deals with the provision of salvation through Christ and the application of it through the Holy Spirit.      SOTERIOLOGY INDEX SALVATION Dispensations A. Examples Of Job's Knowledge Of God B. Examples Of Job's Knowledge C. Analysis Of What Job Knew And Believed D. New Testament Truth Found In Job E. Messianic Passages In Job F. Job A Picture Of A Sinner Suffering In Hell In The Hour Of Trial      When considering the facts of what Job and his contemporaries knew about salvation, we must first lay a careful groundwork of what is involved in the truth of salvation. It is common to hear preachers and Bible teachers remark lightly in their discourses that "everybody in the Bible is saved in the same way." We concede readily that everyone in the Bible who has found favor with God has done so based upon the grace of God. We also admit that faith was involved in every character of the Bible being brought into a state of acceptable fellowship with God. SALVATION   Index      By faith we mean; they were given a promise to believe; they believed that promise from God; and then they acted upon that promise. As a result, God, who is faithful, brought that sinner into a satisfactory state of companionship with Deity.      From This point on, however, the pathways to God take many different turns. For example; when Philippian jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved, Paul answered, " . . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31). You can search the Scriptures in vain to find anybody in the Old Testament, being told to take these steps. As all geometry students know, things that are dissimilar are not the same. We conclude that Adam found favor in God's sight in a different manner than did the Philippian jailer.      By far, the largest segment of the professing body of general Christendom believes in Baptismal Regeneration. Many of these friends use Acts 2:38 as the basis for their belief. A quick glance at the context, however, will reveal that everyone there in Peter's presence was a Jew. No one there asked to be saved. In fact, salvation is not the theme, but rather accepting the Kingship of their Messiah, the Son of David.      Should someone focus on the verse in Acts 2:21 to show that this is a "how to be saved and go to Heaven" passage, we will point out that Peter is quoting Joel 2:32. Obviously, this verse is not talking about "soul salvation," but rather how the Jew can save his body from destruction by the antichrist in the Tribulation Period. The passage in Acts 2:21 synchronizes with Matthew 24:15-22. (Matthew 24:15-22, SRB).      Sometimes well meaning preachers use Acts 2:42-47 as an example of the ideal first church which it was. They erroneously advocate that we go back to the Apostolic church program today. In doing this, they fail to notice some significant truths in the passage. For example: everyone in this church was a circumcised, pork abstaining, temple worshiping Jew. The Apostles are present. They were performing their Apostolic gift ministries by performing signs and wonders that the Apostles alone could accomplish. We have no Apostles today with the gifts of signs and wonders. Those who claim these gifts are counterfeits. They could not raise someone from the dead as the Apostles did if their lives were at stake. Everyone in this early church shared his possessions with others. Can you picture this being done today? In our world we are robbed by the state and after the state takes most of the proceeds they give what is left over to the so called "poor." (Cf. Acts 2:42-47.)      They went to the temple every day. They broke bread from house to house daily. This does not refer to the communion service, but rather to meals enjoyed in the homes of the believers. Conclusions: There is not a church in the world today that could be "apostolic." First of all, there are no apostles present today exercising their sign gifts to Israel. Second, the temple has been destroyed since 70 A.D. Things different are not the same.      When the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, He was hanging between two thieves. The thief on the right saw the superscription written over the head of the Savior in Greek, Latin and Hebrew. The sign read, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS" (Luke 23:38). The one thief turned to the Lord Jesus Christ and prayed to be remembered in Christ's kingdom.., " (Luke 23:42). (Note: Do not look for this verse in other translations, for the Bible perverts have removed the word, "Lord" from the thief's mouth).      There is no record in the entire Bible of anyone getting "saved" in this manner. Nevertheless, the Lord turned to the repentant thief and said, " . . . Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43) (KJB). As far as the Bible record reveals, this is the last person to enter paradise before the Lord Jesus Christ took paradise up into the Third Heaven. (Ephesians 4:8).      This saved thief is the only man in the Bible to enter paradise on those terms Notwithstanding he was in paradise as surely as was Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Isaac and the host of Old Testament saints. Yet. things different are not the same. The common denominator for all the occupants of paradise was the same, faith and grace. Beyond that, however, their actions before the Lord that put them in Paradise were different. DISPENSATIONS   Index What is the answer? The Bible teaches us that we must "rightly divide the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). Lewis Sperry Chafer gives us the answer in the following words: Lewis Sperry Chafer, Major Bible Themes, (Wheaton, 1955). p.96: It is probable that the recognition of the dispensations sheds more light on the whole message of the Scriptures than other aspects of Bible study. Often the first clear understanding of the dispensations and God's revealed purposes in them results in the beginning of useful Bible knowledge and in the fostering of a personal interest in the Bible itself Man's relation to God is not the same in every age. Clarence Larkin differentiates between an "Age" in the Bible and a "Dispensation" in the following manner, Clarence Larkin, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth, (Philadelphia, 1952, Page 7:      The difference between an "Age" and a "Dispensation" is, that an "Age" stands for a period between two great physical changes in the earth's surface, while a "Dispensation" stands for a "moral" or "probationary" period in the world's history. For illustration, the "Present Age" began with "The Flood," and ends with the return of Christ to the Mount of Olives. "The Flood" caused such physical and climatic changes that the length of human life reduced from 900 to 100 years; all this will be reversed when Christ comes hack, when the whole contour of the Land of Palestine will he changed. (Zechariah 14:4-10; Ezekiel 47:10-12; See Zechariah 14:4-10 SRB.)      Men shall live again for upwards of 1000 years. (Isaiah 65:20). The "Dispensations" are:- 1. THE EDENIC. 2. THE ANTE-DILUVIAN. 3. THE POST-DILUVIAN. 4. THE PATRIARCHAL. 5. THE LEGAL. 6. THE ECCLESIASTICAL. 7. THE MESSIANIC. 8. THE DISPENSATION OF THE "FULNESS OF TIMES."      These helpful comments from these scholarly Bible students should cause us to see that God has distinct ways in dealing with the world in different time periods. The only way to rightly divide the word of God and teach it without introducing errors is to accept this dispensational approach. The author realizes that some men, known as hyper-dispensationalists have prostituted this method of Bible teaching and searching for Bible truth. But as others have said, every false teaching began with a correct teaching emphasized out of balance with the remainder of the word of God. The author rejects this ultra-dispensational approach that limits the Pauline Epistles only as truth for the saints of this age. We accept all Scripture as teachable and applicable providing the verses are kept in their context and the teacher recognizes to whom the Lord is addressing Ills words. if the remarks are not addressed to the saints of this age. then we must identify to whom they are addressed. We may apply the truths to this time period, but our teaching must make this clear or else we shall introduce error into the minds of our hearers or our readers.      One more comment from Charles L. Feinberg should secure for us the foundation to begin our consideration of Soteriology in the Book of Job. Dr. Feinberg quotes the following illustrations: Feinberg, loc. cit., pp. 48-49: An Englishman once said to Moody: "Did you ever notice this, that the Book of Job is the key to the whole Bible? If you understand Job you will understand the whole Bible!" "No," said Moody, "I don't comprehend that. Job the key to the whole Bible! How do you make that out?" The Englishman said: "I divide Job into seven heads. The first head is: A perfect man untried. That is what God said about Job; that is Adam in Eden. He was perfect when God put him there. The second head: Tried by adversity. Job fell, as Adam fell in Eden. The third head is: The wisdom of the world. The world tried to restore Job; the three wise men came to help him. That was the wisdom of the world centered in those three men. You cannot, "he said, "find any such eloquent language or wisdom anywhere, in any part of the world, as those three men displayed, but they did not known anything about grace, and could not, therefore, help Job. Then in the fourth place comes the Daysman, that is Christ. In the fifth place" God speaks; and in the sixth, Job learns his lesson. I have heard thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' And then down came Job flat on the dunghill. The seventh head is this, that God restores him. Our last estate is heifer than our first."      It is impossible for us to know the extent of knowledge that Job and his contemporaries had concerning God and all the doctrinal truths that we have recorded for us in the written word of God today. We know for a certainty that they knew more than is recorded in the word of God. We are limited in the scope of our knowledge of their spiritual illumination by the facts recorded in the Old Testament. Beyond this we must enter into the area of speculation and not fact.      In this regard. Lewis Sperry Chafer has given us this very enlightening comment. He said, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, (Dallas, 1947), Vol. VI. pp. 69-70: In view of the evidence at hand it would seem reasonable to assume that a very full revelation was given to the early members of the race, Much was said directly to Adam. The antediluvians had sufficient light to serve as a basis upon which the world that then was, could be judged for its sinfulness. The Book of Job is rich in doctrine. Recently, R. H. Hawthorne had identified over a hundred doctrines in the Book of Job and collected the various passages under their doctrinal heads (Bibliotheca Sacra, CI: 64 ff.). All that Job had on which to live for God was wholly apart from even a verse of written Scripture.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      We know that God communicated with Job through words (Job 6:10, (Job 23:12), (Job 33:14-16). One of these direct encounters face to face with God is recorded in Job 38:41.       Since Job did not act nonplused at the anthropomorphic appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must assume that Job had experienced this type of meeting on a regular basis. It was while the Savior was walking and talking with Job, as lie did with Adam, Enoch, Abraham and other Old Testament saints, that the Savior would have given Job the knowledge of the past, present and future that Job had required. A. Brief Examples Of Job's Knowledge Of God:     Index This Page  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB    OU Index 1. Job and his friends were monotheistic in contrast to the polytheism that was prevalent in the nations to the north, east and south of the land of Uz were Job lived. They knew that God was the creator of all things (Chapters 38,39,40), including man who was made from the clay and Who held man's breath in His hand. (Job 4:19; Job 10:9; Job 12:10). They were Trinitarian in their belief, acknowledging the Father, The Redeemer and the Holy Spirit (Job 19:25; Job 26:13; Job 27:3; Job 33:4.)  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 2. They understood that God did not have man's limitations (Job 10:4-5). They knew that God was: a. Omniscient: (Job 36:1; Job 42:2). b. Omnipotent: (Job 42:2). c. Omnipresent: (Job 34:21-22). 3. Job and his friends knew that God was:  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index a. Just: (Job 4:17). b. Pure: (Job 4:17). c. Holy: (Job 6:10).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index d. Righteous: (Job 35:2; Job 36:3). 4 . They knew that God was the Sustainer of all things (Job 9:5-7). Including all of the animal life. (Job 38:39-41; Job 39:1-30).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 5. They understood that God was the Almighty Judge of His universe and creation. (Job 21:19-22). And as Judge God will bring retribution upon the wicked (Job 21:22-30). As a result, they knew there was a dwelling place for the wicked (Job 18:21). They knew this place was called Hell, (Job 11:8). Hell was also called, The Pit (Job 33:18; Job 33:24; Job 33:28).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 6. In like manner, they knew there was a dwelling place for God on high (Job 22:12; Job 31:2). God's dwelling place was called Heaven, (Job 22:12). Job expected that he and all the righteous would go to Heaven when they died, (Job 30:23). This is how the Lord Jesus Christ described Heaven, John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 1 go to prepare a place for you" (KJB). B. Miscellaneous Examples Of Job's Knowledge:  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index     Index This Page 1. Job and his contemporaries not only recognized that God was their Creator, but that He was their Safeguard as well, (Job 10:12). They believed, with Adam, their lives were sustained by the breath of God, (Job 27:3). Not only that, but God determined how long they would live, (Job 7:1).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 2. They understood that the soul of every living thing was in the hand of the Lord, (Job 12:10) They also knew that God determined how long each would live (Job 7:1).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 3. They believed that God knew all of man's ways and brought them through tests to prove them, (Job 23:10; Job 7:17). They knew that God cared for them during times of trouble, such as, famine, danger or anything that might destroy them (Job 5:18-26).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 4. They believed that God's love and care included the fact that God heard the prayers of the righteous man and disciplined him when he needed correction, (Job 5:17; Job 5:12). This included saving the poor from the sword and from the hand of the mighty, (Job 5:15). When the righteous would be falsely accused, they believed that God would judge the wicked for their wickedness (Job 27:13-23).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 5.Job knew that all he had came from God, (Job 1:21). Job believed that it was God Who had given him the light that he had, Job 3:20; Job 3:23).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 6. It was their belief that God will not cut off the righteous and that the innocent will not perish. (Job 4:7). 7. They recognized that mortal man could not be more just than God nor could man be more pure than his Maker, (Job 4:17). This concept is far advanced beyond the heathen concept of God. All heathen make their gods look like them, act like them and have passions as mortal men.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 8. Job knew that once the saints passed beyond this life, they could no longer help those who remained on this earth, (Job 5:1). This is something the Romish church has not yet learned although it has been common knowledge for 4,000 years for those who will believe the Bible. 9. Those in Job's day knew that if we want justice we must commit our cause to God, (Job 5:8). This also included committing our cause to God's majesty, (Job 5:9-10).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 10. Bildad introduced a very important dispensational truth when he declared that a righteous man will prosper, (Job 8:6). Bildad was convinced that Job was a secret sinner. He observed that if Job were really righteous he would not be suffering.      This introduces an important truth. The author believes in Job's era. the righteous did pros per and the wicked did not flourish. In Job's day, over 4,000 years ago, he did not have one verse of Scripture to guide him. God revealed himself personally to Job and his contemporaries. Evidently, those who believed God and lived for Him prospered while the ungodly suffered physically and materially for their disobedience. This was so well known that all four of Job's friends were convinced Job must be harboring secret sins. Otherwise, God would not allow Job to be punished if lie were living a righteous life.      Thus it is important to note for the following reasons. Misguided and Scripturally ignorant preachers, especially some television preachers, preach what they call, Prosperity Theology. They teach if vou are saved and living for the Lord you will automatically prosper materially and be free of physical illnesses as well. They use, or rather misuse passages in the Old Testament to prove their theory. For example, they take the passage in Exodus 15:26 to try and prove Christians living for the Lord will never get sick.      These untutored preachers use the last part of the verse, "for I am the LORD that healeth thee" to prove their point. If they would read the context, they would see that verse teaches no such error as they are propagating. The answer lies in rightly dividing the word of truth. While prosperity and healthy bodies were the rewards for righteous hiving in Job's day. it is not the standard in the church age. Paul was sick and infirm all of his ministry. Note what he declared to be truth in the church age: (2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Timothy 3:12).      We conclude therefore, that Job's four friends were correct in the statements concerning the righteous suffering, but they were misapplying this truth to Job. None of the four, including Job, realized that God was using Job for a special purpose to prove to Satan that Job would continue to love and serve God no matter what happened to him. Job was a righteous man: he did prosper; he was free from sickness. Following his special test from God, Job returned to being a wealthy, prosperous and healthy man who lived to be over 200 years old. Life in his dispensation. however, cannot be applied to the church age period in which we are now living. C. An Analysis Of What Job Knew And Believed:     Index This Page  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 1. Job's Outstanding Character:      Job was a perfect man. Since the Bible defines its own terms, we know that this word, when applied to man on earth, never means sinlessness. C.I. Scofield, hoc. cit., p. 1001 remarks, "The word implies full development, growth into maturity of godliness, not sinless perfection." Therefore, as far as any mortal eye could see, Job was a perfect man, (Job 1:1).      God confirmed that this was true. (Job 1:8).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Not only that, but God testified to Satan in a face to face confrontation, that there was none like Job on the earth. (Job 2:3). Even more remarkable is the fact that this testimony from God came after Satan's first encounter with Job following the loss of all of Job's children, together with all of his wealth.      Job knew that God had turned him over to Satan for some unknown reason. (Job 16:11). In spite of this, Job remained a man of integrity (Job 2:3) and did not charge God foolishly. (Job 1:22).      What a remarkable man! 2. Job's Religious Life:      One of his duties as the patriarchal head of his family was to function as the priest for his family before God. Job faithfully fulfilled this sacred obligation. (Job 1:5).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Not only did he offer burnt offerings every morning for his own family, but he offered sacrifices for sinners outside of his family under the auspices of the Lord. (Job 42:8). Job was known as a man of prayer who faithfully worshipped God. (Job 1:20).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      A fact that we dare not overlook is the truth that although Job was considered a perfect man, Job knew that he was a sinner who needed pardon and a means to have his transgress ions and iniquities taken away from him. (Job 7:20-21). Job understood that repentance and forgiveness from God was necessary. (Job 42:6).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 3. Job's Understanding Of Salvation      Job had a remarkable knowledge of spiritual truth that remains unknown to a vast portion of Christendom today. Nevertheless, Job did not have a complete knowledge of Divine truth. One of the areas that perplexed both Job and Bildad was, "How can a man be justified with God?" (Job 25:4).      Job knew that he needed to be cleansed from sin.(Job 9:30-31).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index Yet, Job most certainly did not believe in Baptismal Regeneration. He most certainly did not infer that water could have anything to do with his cleansing in fact, Job knew for certain that water could not cleanse away his sins. (Job 9:30).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Job had a clear understanding of original sin brought about by the fall of Adam. (Job 31:33).      As a result, Job knew that every child of Adam was born under the condemnation of sin when he asked, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one" (Job 14:4).      Job knew that God must take away his sins. (Job 14:17).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Job knew that the righteousness he needed to stand acceptably before God must be imputed to Him by God. (Job 15:14).      As a result, Job knew that he needed a Redeemer. He needed One Who could take his iniquities that were remitted and sealed up in a bag and separate him from that bag of sins. (Job 14:17).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Job not only knew that he needed a Redeemer, but he knew that his Redeemed was alive. Job knew Who his redeemer was and many other things about Him. (Job 19:25-26).      Job was one of many Old Testament saints who had seen his Redeemer and who walked and talked with Him before His incarnation. G. Campbell Morgan gives this stirring comment, Morgan, loc. cit., pp. 66-67." Suddenly amid the darkness and overwhelmed by the sorrows of the hour, Job seems to have caught the music of eternal things, as it swept across the strings which seemed to be broken by suffering. It is as though the personality of Job was like an aeolian harp across which the wind sweeps, making music. Morgan continues his evaluation of Job and his Redeemer by saying, Ibid., pp. 68-69: The words, ?My Redeemer' have a fulness of meaning to us which can only he interpreted in the incarnate Son of God. It is important that we should understand what the word meant as Job uttered it.      The Hebrew word is the word, ?Goel,' which is found scattered across the pages of the Old Testament literature. To these people the ?Goel' was the nearest and next of kin, whose duty it was to undertake the cause of another in case of need. We find most about the ?Goel' in the Book of Ruth, where we have an illustration of the activities of such an one. We may summerize by saying that the ?Goel' stood for another to defend his cause, to avenge wrongs done to him, and so to acquit him of all charges laid against him.      His declaration proved that in the midst of his agony,, for a moment at least, he was convinced that while there was no one to stand for him in life, all his friends. Having misunderstood him, all his acquaintances having left him, he yet had a Kinsman Who was his Advocate, his Avenger, the One through Whom he would be acquitted.      A sinless man would never cry for a Mediator any more than a well man would cry out for a physician. We conclude, therefore, that Job not only knew that he was a sinner but that he needed a Savior. He knew that he needed One who could take his bag of iniquity, pay its price and leave its benefactor available to receive the righteousness of God. Job knew also that his Redeemer was alive.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Job knew that he needed a Daysman. He cried out in Job 9:33, "Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both" (KJB). In his turmoil, Job lamented in Job 16:21, "Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!" (KJB). John Gill makes this comment about Job's plea for a Daysman, An Exposition of the Old Testament, (London, 1852), Vol. II., p.667: Job is here not speaking of the affair of salvation, about which he had no doubt. He knew his state was safe, and he had an interest in the living Redeemer and blessed Mediator; but of the present dispensation of Providence, and of the clearing of that up to the satisfaction of his friends, so that he might appear an innocent person; and since God did not think fit to change the scene, there was none to interpose on his be-half, and it was vain for him to contend with God.      After checking 105 commentaries on the Book of Job, the author believes Dr. Gill and the others have really missed the point, Some of the comments are ludicrous while others are totally afield from what Job is obviously describing. The author concurs with Dr. G. Campbell Morgan's evaluation, Morgan, loc. cit., p. 32: Let us examine this a little closely. The word, ?Mediator' conveys exactly the same idea as the word ?Daysman.' I do not quite like the word that first suggests itself to me, but reverently I will use it. It means a middle man; or as arbiter; some one standing between man and God; some one who lays his hand on God with authority, the authority of partnership and fellowship; the authority of the fact that He is one with God, and enters into all the Divine counsels, and One Who lays His hand one me with the same authority, authority based upon the fact of His own humanity, that He knows human nature, not merely with intellectual knowledge of Deity, but with the experimental knowledge of the Incarnation. The Man Christ Jesus' thus lays His hand on God and on man.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      This is exactly the plea that Job is making. In fact, immediately after Job's cry for a Daysman in Chapter nine, Job launches into a tirade against God out of the depths of his suffering and misery. (Job 10:4-6).      What Job is really saying to the Lord Jesus is, "How do you know what it is like to suffer as a man? You do not have a man's body, therefore how do you know what I am suffering?" We must notice, the Lord does not scold Job for making a charge that borders on an irreverent accusation against the Lord. I believe if we would have heard the Savior's reply to Job, it might have gone something like this.      "You are right, Job. I do not have a body like yours. I do not know what suffering and pain is like. But wait, Job! One of these days, I will. One of these days a body will be prepared for me and I will occupy that body so that I can be your Daysman and the Daysman for the world of sinners. I will be able to put my Human hand on the head of man and the Head of God and be your Mediator." This is one of the precious passages on the Incarnation of our Savior missed by so many who have hurried through the Book, or else, flatly refused to believe that Job knew about that which he was speaking.      Should any question this interpretation, please look at the following verses from God's Precious words: (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:16; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 5:8).      Praise God for a Daysman who knows our pains, sorrows, troubles, heartaches, trials, temptations and can thus lay His hand on our heads and God's head and mediate our cases before the Heavenly Father.      We might note in passing that this was the reason that Job's four "comforters" made such a miserable failure of their comforting. They hadn't recently returned from burying ten children, losing all their wealth and suffering with a Satanic torture that only this Dragon could create. They knew nothing about suffering, therefore all they could do was to preach doctrines to Job that he already knew, spout platitudes that Job knew better than they did and finally in their desperation ended up accusing Job of covering up hidden sins as the reason for Job's suffering.      Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ?Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God?      Paul reminds us that we are to "weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15).      If we can't do this, then it is infinitely better to leave the "comforting" to someone who knows what the one needing comfort is facing. We praise God, that although Job pleaded for such a Daysman, we need not, for he has already been here and represents our cause at the Throne in Heaven.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 4. Job And How he Was Saved: Job had remarkable faith. (Job 13:15). This faith was properly based upon the word of God. (Job 23:12). The second Old Testament ingredient for salvation was depending upon the grace of God for pardon. Job believed his salvation came from God. (Job 13:16). 5. Miscellaneous Truths Known By Job: Job knew of the Millennial Reign of Christ as did Enoch of old: (Job 19:25; Jude 1:14-15) Job knew of the bodily resurrection of the saints as well as other resurrection truths: (Job 14:14; Job 19:26-27). Job knew that God had a hedge about him and the security of the believer: (Job 1:10; Job 29:2).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index Job also knew of the heavenly inheritance the Lord has provided for His own: (Job 31:2). 6. Some of Job's Mistakes:      God never spares His own, nor does He try to cover up their weaknesses and mistakes. From what we have already examined in the area of Job's knowledge, the following mistakes appear incongruous. Perhaps the statements were made under the pressure of suffering, but nonetheless they are recorded against him.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      There is little doubt that Job was saved by grace through faith in God's oral revelations to Job. Yet, as Job's four comforters put the pressure on Job to confess hidden sins that Job had not committed, Job defended himself: (Job 27:6; 33:9; Job 34:5). Elihu reminded Job that he had boasted: (Job 35 :2). Finally, the three men stopped arguing with Job "because he was righteous in his own eyes. "Elihu became upset with Job "because he justified himself rather than God." (Job 32:2).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index      Without trying to excuse Job, we believe the answer is that Job was already pushed beyond human endurance by the Satanic tortures the Devil had brought upon him. Job knew that God had delivered him to Satan and Job could not understand why. Job knew God would do that for sinners, even as Paul did for Hymenaeus and Alexander. (1 Timothy 1:20). When his friends began accusing Job of secret sins for which God was now punishing him, Job merely went to extremes in defending himself. We are assured that God understood, however, and we know that in the end Job repented of his brash remarks for which he knew better: (Job 40:3-5; Job 42:6). D. Brief New Testament Truth Found In Job:     Index This Page 1. Cf. Job 4:17; Romans 3:21-23. 2. Cf. Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:5. 3. Cf. Job 9:20; Romans 5:1; 1 John 1:8. 4. Cf. Job 9:33; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1. 5. Cf. Job 11:4-5; John 7:17; Romans 3:2. 6. Cf. Job 14:4; Luke 1:47; I Timothy 3:16. 7. Cf. Job 19:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:20. 8. Note also: The Redeemer will be visible when He comes. (Job 19:27).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index He will stand upon this earth (Job 19:.25). He is associated with a rock and a Book that is eternal. (Job 19:23-24). He was alive in Job's time (Job 19:25-26). , "For I know that my redeemer liveth,"). He will resurrect dead bodies (Job 19:26). 9. Cf. Job 23:12; Matthew 4:4; Acts 20:32. 10. Cf. Job 25:4; Romans 5:1. 11.Cf. Job 32:8; 2 Timothy 3:16. 12. Job wished for a Book to be written. (Job 19:23-24).      It was! We are studying Job's written Book in the midst of God's completed revelation as given to the English speaking people known as the Authorized Bible of 1611 or the King James Bible. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Revelation 5:1). E. Messianic Passages In Job:     Index This Page      Although we are familiar with the Messianic Psalms, the Messianic passages in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Micah, Zechariah and other Old Testament writings, somehow many writers have overlooked the very obvious Messianic passages in the Book of Job. Alfred Edersheini shares this information with us as he quotes two sayings from the Talmud, "All the prophets prophesied only of the days of the Messiah," and "The world was created only for the Messiah." Edersheim continues: Edersheim, The Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah, (Grand Rapids, 1959), Vol. 1, P. 63; Ibid., Vol.11, Appendix IX.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index Note also: The Redeemer will be visible when He comes. (Job 19:27). He will stand upon this earth (Job 19:25). He is associated with a rock and a Book that is eternal. (Job 19:23-24). He was alive in Job's time. In accordance with all this, the ancient Synagogue found references to the Messiah in many more passages of the Old Testament than those verbal predictions, to which we generally appeal; and the later formed (as in the New Testament) a proportionately small, and secondary element in the conception of the Messianic era. This is fully borne out by a detailed analysis of those passages in the Old Testament to which ancient Synagogues referred as Messianic. Their number amounts to upwards of 456 (75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiographa) and their Messianic application is supported by more than 558 references to the most ancient Rabbinic writings. In Appendix IX, where a detailed list is given of all the Old Testament passages which the ancient Synagogue applied Messianicly, together with the references to the Rabbinic Parashahs constituting the Midrash on Leviticus, no fewer than twenty five close with an outlook on Messianic times. The same may be said of the close of the many of the Parashahs in the Midrashim known as Pesiqta and Tanchuma. Besides, the oldest portions of the Jewish liturgy are full of Messianic aspirations.      Out of all these numerous references to the Messiah found by the old Rabbinic writers, numbering over 558, they did not find one single reference to the Messiah in the Book of Job. Max Reich, using the Messianic Psalms, describes for us what to look for in typical Messianic passages. He declares: Max Isaac Reich, Studies in the Psalms of Israel, (Harrisburg, 1942), pp.74-75: Altogether, I think we might say that we have a four fold view of the Messiah in the Book of Psalms. He is prophetically foretold in those Psalms in which the psalmist echoes back to God the divine speech concerning Him in the prophetic Scriptures. Then he is typically foreshadowed in those Psalms in which the sufferings of the godly Man (Hebrew, Chass?) are dwelt upon. He is spiritually longed for in those Psalms in which the deeper aspirations of the soul are voiced. The cry for righteousness, for the vision of God, for the light of His countenance, are desires which the Christ came to fulfill. He is mystically experienced, for He was already by His Spirit in the hearts of His ancient people to whom glimpses of His sufferings and glory are vouchsafed (1 Peter 1:11) As all divine manifestations from the beginning were in and by the Son (John 1:18), so all spiritual experiences were foretastes of those heavenly benefits, which are poured out on us in His incarnation and redeeming grace, now that "the fullness of the time" has come.      Based Upon these scholarly definitions, may the Holy Spirit of God reveal to us, that which for some reason was not seen by the ancient Rabbinic writers and many of our Christian writers.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 1. God testifies that Satan moved God against Job to destroy him without a cause. (Job 2:3). This is what perplexed Job. He was taught that God moved against sinners and judged them. Job, however, was perfect, upright, "saved by grace through faith," feared God, shunned evil, and there was not another man like him on the face of the earth.      This is a direct quote and evaluation from God. Yet, Job is suffering like a guilty, Hell bound sinner. He has been turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. He is tasting what Hell will be like for the sinner. Surely, even the casual reader of the Bible can see the Messianic implication. Our Savior was hated without a cause and crucified without a cause. (Job 9:17; John 15:25). Isaiah and Psalm 22:1 should cause us to remember the sinless, Son of God, suffering and dying vicariously for no reason of His own. Hear Him on the cross roaring, "Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?" (Cf. Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46).      Job was suffering because he was "perfect," even as the Savior suffered as the Perfect sinless, Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 2. Job's Satanic Temptations To Sin Is Parallel To Our Savior's: a. Satan's philosophy is seen in Job 2:4. Job's response: Job 2:10. Our Savior prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was under the fierce attack of Satan, Luke 22:44. Yet He responded, Matthew 26:39. We also remember, Satan tempted the Savior to turn stones into bread after He fasted forty days and forty nights, Satan was defeated. (Matthew 4:3-4). b. Job's wife suggested that Job commit suicide by cursing God and dying. (Job 2:9). In like manner Satan suggested to the Lord that He jump off the pinnacle of the temple in an obvious suicidal suggestion. (Matthew 4:6). Satan was rebuffed by our Lord.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index c. Job, the richest man of all the east, had his possessions taken away by Satan with the obvious intent that Satan would return them if only Job would curse God and worship Satan. Job response was, (Job 1:21). Satan offered Christ the kingdoms of this world if only He would fall down and worship Satan. (Matthew 4:9). Once again Satan was totally defeated. (Matthew 4:10). 3. Satan used Job's closest friends against Job to try and get this tortured old man to curse God.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index       Bildad sank so low in his Satanic suggestion, that he inferred that God had killed Job's children because they had transgressed. (Job 8:4). All of Job's life he had made burnt offerings for his children to guard against this very thing. It is little wonder that this suffering, tormented man became bitter. Job cursed the day he was born. (Job 3:1). Job never cursed God, however. Our Savior experienced the open rejection of His home town people even to the place where they tried to kill him (Luke 4:29). His close friend and disciple Peter was used of Satan to try and keep Christ from going to the cross. (Matthew 16:23). 4. Job is spoken of as "roaring." (Job 3:24). Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is spoken of as "roaring" from the cross as He hung on the cross acting in the capacity of a Lamb. (Psalm 22:1).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 5. Job had reached the conclusion that it would please the Lord to destroy him. (Job 6:9). Consider our Savior's identical position, (Isaiah 53:10). 6. As Psalm 22 is a Typical Prophetic Messianic Psalm. Job Chapter 1, 6:9-20, would have to be considered a Typical Prophetic Messianic section.      It is obvious by using a few references, that Job did not experience the events described by his language. They look beyond to the suffering Savior. Notice, "He teareth me in his wrath" (v. 9). "They gaped upon me . . ." (v. 10). "God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked" (v. 11). " . . . He poureth out my gall upon the ground." (v. 13). These few references should be sufficient to show that Job is speaking be yond his own experience, but referring to the Messiah, even as David did in the Psalms.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 7. Job 19:25, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" (KJB). This is clearly a reference to the Messiah.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 8. In like manner, most any reader should see the Messianic prophecy in Job 30:23 in connection with John 14:1-2. (Cf. Job 30:23; John 14:1-2). F. Job A Picture Of A Sinner Suffering In Hell.     Index This Page      As we compare the suffering of Job with the passages in the word of God that deal with the sinner in Hell, we notice some very striking similarities. They are so frightening in their concept that we can hardly consider them coincidental.  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 1. Job is a perfect picture of a man suffering under the wrath of God. (Job 2:3). 2. We must remember after Job is turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, we find Job out on the ash heap (Job 2:8).      Without a doubt this is the city dump in the land of Uz at the city of Petra. As Job sits on the city dump, he is surrounded with ashes, garbage, dead things, fire, worms and blood. When the Savior was trying to describe Hell to the disciples, He likened it to the city dump in Jerusalem. This was located in the Hinnom Valley, south of the Temple Compound. It was known as "Gehenna," the place of burning refuse, garbage, ashes, fire and where there were eternal worms. (Cf. Mark 9:42-49).      Other references: (Matthew 5:29-30; Isaiah 66:24; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:11-15).  â€¢ OU TOP â € ¢ AC  JFB  SRB   OU Index 3. The reader may want to pursue the study by checking these passages in Job. (Job 7:5; Job 13:24; Job 18:11-21; Job 20:7; Job 20:11; Job 20:16; Job 30:20; Job 30:30). 4. Job curses his day (Job 3:1), and considers it better if he would never had been born. (Job 3:3). Compare Judas Iscariot.(Mark 14:21). Some one has said, "It would have been better never to have been born, than never to have been born again." We close this chapter with a quotation from Samuel Zwemer; Samuel Zwemer, Sons Of Adam, (Grand Rapids, 1951), pp.93-94: Job's longing for a Daysman to judge his cause and his triumphant cry, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," has been immortalized in Handel's Messiah and will be sung down the ages on Easter Day in spite of all efforts to emasculate its meaning by criticism of the text. After the death of Emerson's little son, we are told that the Scottish philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, wrote to his American friend: "What can we say in these cases? There is nothing to be said--nothing but what the wild son of Ishmael, and every thinking heart, from of old have learned to say: God is great! He is terrible and stem; but we know also He is good. "Tho ugh He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Your bright little boy, chief of your possessions here below, is wrapt away from you; but of very truth he is with God, even as we that yet live are -- surely in the way that was best for him, and for you, and for all of us. In this way Job's tears are our legacy of joy and his faith cheers Carlyle and Handel and all of us." "In the hour of trial Jesus pray for me, Lest by base denial I depart from Thee. When Thou seest me waver With a look recall Not for fear or favor Suffer me to fall." AMEN Index Job 4 [SOTERIOLOGY OF JOB]      SOTERIOLOGY INDEX SALVATION Dispensations A. Examples Of Job's Knowledge Of God B. Examples Of Job's Knowledge C. Analysis Of What Job Knew And Believed D. New Testament Truth Found In Job E. Messianic Passages In Job F. Job A Picture Of A Sinner Suffering In Hell In The Hour Of Trial Chapter 5 SATANOLOGY CONTINUE> TOP Job ~ Index