Elihu has spent the past 31 chapters silently listening to the exchanges we have read. Part of his speech that impacted me also illustrates why we should always be prepared to give an account for the joy we have.
23 If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness;
24 to tell him that God had mercy on him, that he delivered him from going down to the pit; that he found a ransom;
25 his flesh shall become more tender than a child’s; and he shall return to the days of his youth.
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will love him; and he shall see his face with shouts of joy; for he will render unto the man the recompense of his righteousness.
27 He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me;
28 God will ransom his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." - Job 33:23-28 (JUB)As we come to terms our own sinfulness, a Messenger or Mediator may Intercede and spare man from going into the pit.
Christ is that Mediator and He Intercedes for each of us every day.
It is His Flesh was renewed as He gave His Life as a Ransom for many.
When we think about our salvation, does it generate the type of reaction seen in vs 27 and 28. All of us "have sinned and perverted what was right" but "did not get what I deserved" (vs 27 NIV). By the Grace of God, our "life shall see the light" (vs 28 JUB). Salvation is not reserved for an elite group, it is for all who come and accept the offer of Christ to Intercede for us. That is it.
I am repeatedly amazed at the consistency of the message of salvation throughout the bible. The story of Job takes place before the prophets began to speak and allude the coming Messiah; before the exodus and the writing of the law. Yet salvation is understood to exist, even if mechanism of how it will come to pass is not.
From "In the beginning" in Genesis 1:1 to the final "Amen" in Revelations 22:21, we are assured that there is Hope for every human to one day be in the Presence of the Holy One.
Hallelujah
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 36-39
4 comments:
We are very fortunate to have a mediator in Jesus, and no matter what we are experiencing here on earth, there is relief in knowing that we have hope of joining Him one day in Heaven!
For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. - Job 33:14
This verse stood out to me and caused me to ask myself if I was listening to God when He speaks to me?
When we look for the gospel in the OT, it's amazing how often it shows up. Truly, the entire Bible is His story.
33:14 "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it"
So often you hear people say how they wish God would speak to them. The thing is, He has. Repeatedly. In the Bible. If we read it, we will see His words. They will resonate with us. He has already spoken. Are we listening?
^^ Again - oops - that was me!
So true that the message of Salvation resonates throughout scripture even when is not explicitly spelled out. What faith Job had in something so abstract and in the face of such trials.
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