Beloved, I am pleased to share with you today the above theme from Job 14:1 and following. Indeed, “Who will draw a pure man from the impure?” asks Job (v. 4). Later he cries out: “My transgression is sealed in a bag…” (v. 17). He is not aware of the fullness of grace, as is always the case when one is concerned with one’s own righteousness. Does each of us know the One who perfectly purifies the filthy sinner and threw into the depths of the sea the heavy “sack” containing all his sins? (Micah 7:18-20).
The Almighty is not, like the God of the Stoics, bound by fate. He cannotchange his purpose, but can change his procedure. Changes in its external procedure already in its secret purpose. The thread of man’s life in the hands of God, to lengthen or shorten it according to the circumstances already foreseen. Hence the full extent of the exercise of prayer. Prayer and its answers do not interfere with God’s purposes. Not only what God does, but how He does it, already predetermined. Believe in prayer one of the means designated in the end. God builds Zion up at the “appointed time” to promote it, for He considers “the prayer of the needy” (Psalm 102:13). The duty and prevalence of prayer is both an experience and a revelation.
Prayer and its effectiveness are an instinct of human nature. One of the great moral laws under which God placed His intelligent creatures. Man’s inability to reconcile it with his philosophy has no argument against it. Man must pray; and God is the listener of prayer. Our departure from this definitive and irrevocable world. The case of man to death is – contrasted with that of a felled tree (Job 14:7). “For there is the hope of a tree, if it is cut down, that it will grow back, and that the tender branch (or grows) of it will not cease; although its root ages in the earth, and its stump dies (by all appearances) in the earth; yet by the smell of water (its sweet contact, such as an exhalation or smell), it will bud and produce twigs.
The question asked (Job 14:14) – “If a man dies, will he live again?” – is likely to be answered twice. As for the current world, or the world in its current state, No; as for a future resurrection, yes. The fact of such a resurrection, however, is probably not, at least distinctly, in Job’s mind. Death is considered by most ancient nations to be a “perpetual sleep.” Revelation assures us of this in 1 Thess 4:14 (Daniel 12:2). This revival at the appearance of the Lord, when “the heavens will pass with great noise” (2 Peter 3:7, 10). New heavens and a new earth will be the promised abode of the saints of the resurrection (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
Hence the weak knowledge of it by the saints of the Old Testament: for knowledgeof it must be only according to the knowledge of what was its foundation. Life and immortality are brought to light by Christ Himself (2 Timothy 1:10). As in Adam all die, so only in Christ will all be made alive. Christ was resurrected as the firstfruits of those who slept. Christ the firstfruits of those who died; then those who belong to Christ at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:20), but had weak and occasional glimpses of the resurrection obtained by Old Testament believers, David’s hope having prophetically expressed the resurrection of the Messiah, rather than his own personally (Psalm 16:8; Acts 2:25). This is thesecond appearance of the Lord, and the resurrection of his people being linked to it, hence the blessed hope of the believers of the New Testament.
A vague apprehension is now exchanged for glorious certainty (2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 3:21). The question “Where is it? Solemn and important in relation to man, considered to possess an immortal spirit (Job 14:10). But there weretwo states after death: Lazarus is carried into Abraham’s womb. The rich man looks up in hell, being in torment. “The wicked is cast out in his wickedness”, Where? Judas went to his house. « The righteous hope in his death. » The penitent thief was in heaven, while his lifeless body was thrown into a pit. Where was his companion who died in his sins? Ps 9:17 gives the solemn answer. “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” “Oh that you hide me in the grave until your wrath has passed (the present affliction is considered a sign of this anger); let you fix me for an hour and remember me. He has doubts about the possibility of fulfilling this wish. “If a man dies, will he live again? (Job 14:14). But he responds to his wish and declares what the result of his answer would be. “Every day of my set time, I will wait for my change to come. You will call and I will answer; thou shalt desire the work of thy hands.
For especially in a deep affliction, often seems without much thought: Even believers sometimes do not know what they are asking for. Yet a great truth in his words, but vaguely apprehended by himself. Truths are often spoken by the presence of the Spirit, while they are imperfectly understood by the speaker (1 Peter 1:12).” To the imagination can be given the type and shadow of a terrible truth.” Much more so when the human spirit is in intimate communion with the divine. God’s saints actually hid for a while in the tomb and in the spirit world. The words of the prophet (Isaiah 26:20) remain almost an echo of those of the patriarch: A fixed time is indeed assigned to God’s people for their recall from the grave. God remembers them there as He did with Noah in the Ark (Genesis 8:1). For death is precious in his eyes and hisnames engraved on the palms of his hands. The wall of Zion, though in ruins, is continually before Him (Isaiah 49:16). The righteous, before the last and great tribulation, most of the time will be removed from the evil to come, sittingin their rooms for a little while until the indignation has passed.
To this, Job’s faith and patience are manifest (Job 14:14). “Every day of my set time, I will wait until my change comes. Faith foresees change for the better, and patience awaits it. There are”changes” in a believer’s experience: (1) When he is born again, and the time ofthis deliverance into God’s hands passes from spiritual death to life. (2) When he falls asleep in Jesus and he enters into heavenly rest. (3) When he comes out of the tomb to be made body and mind entirely like Christ, and to be always with the Lord. Probably the third of these is somewhat indicated in Job’s words. For this, as well as the change for the better at death, was his desire to be granted, and he had patiently waited for. For deliverance is decreed for all of God’s people.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Job asks God to shorten his sufferings:
- Afflictions, general references
Jb 14:1 The man born of woman! His life is short, constantly restless. Ps 119:50, 143 This is my consolation in my misery, for your promise gives me back my life. 143 Distress and anguish reach me: Your commandments delight me. Rom 8:18 I believe that the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared to the glory to come that will be revealed for us. 2 Cor 4.8 We are in a hurry anyway, but not reduced to the extreme; in distress, but not in despair;
- Own justification, the impossibility of the
Jb 14:4 How will a pure man come out of a defiled being? There is no way out of it. Ps 130:3 If you kept the memory of iniquities, Jehovah, Lord, who could subsist? Ez 14:14 and if there were in his midst these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, they would save their souls by their righteousness, said the Lord, the Lord. Rom 3:19 Now, we know that everything the law says, it says to those under the law, so that all mouths may be closed, and everyone may be found guilty before God.
- Resurrection, doubts about the, on the part of the people of the world
Luke 20:27 Some of the Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, approached and asked Jesus this question: Acts 17:18, 32 Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to speak with him. And some said: What does this discoureur mean? Others, hearing him announce Jesus and the resurrection, said: It seems that he announces foreign deities. 32 When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some laughed, and others said, “We will hear you on this another time. 1 Cor 15:12 Now, if one preaches that Christ rose from the dead, how do some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 2 Tim 2:18 who have turned away from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already arrived, and who are overthrowing the faith of a few.
- Pain, general references
Jb 14:22 It is for him alone that he feels pain in his body, It is for him alone that he feels sadness in his soul. Isa 21:3 That is why my kidneys are filled with anguish; Pains grip me, like the pains of a woman in labor; Spasms prevent me from hearing, Trembling prevents me from seeing. Rom 8:22 Now we know that, to this day, the whole of creation sighs and suffers the pains of childbirth. Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, and there will be no more mourning, no cry, no pain, for the first things have disappeared.
From all the above, we note that it was with God that Job wished to speak, not with unfortunate comforters as were his friends, whose wisdom would have been to remain silent. He felt that what they had uttered was iniquitous and misleading language in the eyes of God which had given them no authority to speak in this way, and which would certainly take them back, as it did, indeed. He would hold firm his integrity before Him, no matter what they might say; and he knew that he would be justified, and that his terror would not disturb him. He expresses the desire to discover all that was unfortunate in himself, and would like to know why he was hunted here and there like a dead leaf or dry thatch. He did not yet know the grace that would make him able to judge himself. He sees only an indictment of bitter things set against him, and the legacy of the iniquities of his youth that afflicts him. His feet are put in the vines, his paths are observed, the very plants of his feet are marked, and he withers away like a rotten thing, like a garment that the ringworm has gnawed away at. Job ends his answer here with more general reflections on the miserable lot of man in this world. He is fragile and sinful by nature, and there is no hope for him to live here on earth again, when he dies, while a tree will still grow offspring, even if it is cut very low. But “man goes to bed and does not get up: until there are no more heavens.” Then he will wake up from his sleep. Job still asks to be hidden in the sheol until God’s stopped time arrives for Him to remember him, when God will call and he will respond. In the meantime he sees no reason for hope; for just as the most solid buildings fall into ruin, so man passes so completely that he knows nothing about it; either that his sons are in honor, or that they are lowered. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom as I walk in your ways.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “Eliphaz’s second speech: The wicked are punished.” (Jb 15)
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.