Job Musings

A friend sent me her Job Musings this morning; I asked permission to post, and she agreed, under the condition of anonymity! :)

Paying attention to the content of the conversations (between Job and his friends) is like listening to my own heart; if I just do better, be better, everything will get better. Repent and ask forgiveness and life will be good; but that isn't really what is promised. 

With Job's words comes an insight into the future beyond what I expected at that time in history.  As someone said at church Sunday morning, Job is looking for an arbitrator, a mediator between him and God. "If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more." Job 9:33-34  The answer,  "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men..." 1Timothy 2:5

Wow, Job is looking for Jesus, seeking relief from God's punishment.  And though Job may not know his name, he certainly believes there is such a one.  "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 16:19-21  "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."  Hebrews 7:25

Job is aware, somehow, that he has a redeemer and that he will come to earth at the end; "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the  end he will stand upon the earth." Job 19:25.  "On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, ..." Zehariah 13:8

How did Job know all that?  Was there some ancient revelation given concerning the Messiah and the end times.  I always thought that up until Jesus became flesh, it was the righteousness of man evidenced by obedience and sacrifices that gave man an assurance of forgiveness.  Obviously, Job believed in that program; he offered sacrifices on behalf of his children in case they sinned. Why then did he acknowledge an advocate, a Redeemer?

Aren't we supposed to be getting questions answered in our Bible reading, not finding more questions? Job is far more intriguing than I have previously thought.

Does anyone else have insights you would like to share? Email me and I'll post them! I'd love to have more involved!