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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Job 16-17
I still can’t help but see Jesus’ experience at the cross in many of Job’s words. I see it in statements like, “They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt” (Job 16:10a). Or, “God hands me over to the unjust; He throws me to the wicked.” (Job 16:11). And another example, “Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion.” (Job 17:2). Jesus truly was an innocent man thrown to the wolves and, for a moment, forsaken by God. He endured it all for us.
I also see Jesus’ purpose in some of what Job says. A good example of that is Job 16:19-21. This passage reads a little differently in the CSB translation than in the NIV, but both indicate an advocate who argues on our behalf with God. Interestingly, the CSB has a footnote with the last statement, “just as anyone would for a friend” that gives the literal translation of “anyone” as “a son of man”. I realize that is a fairly standard phrase to indicate a human, but it is also part of who Jesus is. He is Son of Man and Son of God. And He is indeed the advocate who declares us righteous before God.
This leads me to another possibility for the purpose of this book. Paul mentions more than once in his New Testament letters that we suffer with Christ. He suffered on our behalf so that He could bestow His righteousness on us. However, to share in that righteousness, we must also share in the suffering. So, though we now stand innocent before God, we still have this baptism of fire to pass through before we join God in His glory at the appointed time.
Job 18
Just as Job’s suffering brings Jesus to mind, so his friends’ response to him makes me think of the Jewish religious leaders. They foolishly declared the Righteous One wicked in the name of God. In doing so, they declared themselves as the standard for holiness. I see no humility in Job’s friends, either.