I guess I'll start in order that the verses come to keep me from confusing myself. Job 33:23 is a scripture that my grandma pointed out to me a while back, I understood it back then but it sure was refreshing to be reminded again. Of course it is very important to read this whole scripture in context, it's talking about a person who is afflicted and ill like Job. I'm just pointing out key verses to highlight.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his (God's) uprightness: 24 Then he (God) is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the day of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he (God) shall see his (the man's) face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
This scripture has two main points that really stood out to me. The first is the importance of the messenger or the interpreter. The person who is in relationship with God and is able to represent God and His heart to the afflicted. I really believe that is what we are learning to do and have been called to do as believers and followers who truly seek relationship with God. That is essentially what we are learning to do at Pleasant Valley Church and Be in Health.
The second point shows, once again, the freedom man can get in humility when they are finally able to give up certain ways of thinking that are in opposition to God. It shows the joy God has towards these precious people and the love and compassion he shows towards them. It really is a sweet example of His nature. I also believe, in accordance with this scripture and others that the only way people can come to this place of humility and true repentance is if the true love of God is represented to them and if the Holy Spirit is working in agreement with the minister on their heart. So that that place of repentance is a safe and loving place, not one of condemnation or fear. I sincerely believe bringing a person to repentance out of fear is one of the saddest misrepresentations of God and His heart towards them. The "fear" the Bible speaks about towards the Lord is one of respect and trust, not terror or fright.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 says this: 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out the the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
This next scripture in Job, to me, is such a reassurance of God's faithful judgment and inability to do wrong.
Job 34:10-12 says: Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. 11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
This is special to me because it's a promise that I can always trust Him and have confidence in Him that He will do what is right and always be trustworthy. This is something I want to be written on my heart so that there will be no opportunity for the enemy to accuse God to me. It also shows that if something is not going right in my life, I need to search my own heart, not blame God. It's interesting how so often it is just so much easier to try to blame Him or someone else for our problems, this scripture kind of puts the responsibility back on us for our own wellbeing. This reminds me of something Pastor Henry said once or twice, it was something to the extent of: "Another person may do something to hurt you or defile you but it is up to you to decide how you're going to handle it. Are you going to harbor it up inside and allow bitterness to fester inside of you or are you going to choose to separate them from their sin, knowing that it's the enemy who is working inside of them and choose to forgive them and move on." Another thing Pastor Henry says is, "You can't get very far forward if you are only looking in your rear view mirror."
Just last night I had an experience where the enemy was tormenting me about some things I had done the day before. In my frustration and distress, I cried out to God, begging Him to get that tormenter away from me but it wouldn't leave. Today when I was praying about that situation, I came to the realization that I had never come out of agreement with the things the enemy was accusing me of neither had I repented for entertaining him. I recognized that I was trying to bypass any responsibility and blame God for not taking away the torment. Needless to say, because of what I'm learning in these scriptures, I was able to repent for my participation with the enemy in that particular area of my life. Within a few hours God helped me work out the lies that I had come in agreement with and I was free once again! He sure is faithful!
Job 36:8-10 says: And if they (the righteous) be bound in fetters, and be holden in cord of affliction; 9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. 10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
This reminds me of something that was said in one of our recent church services about the real definition of Grace as found in 2 Peter 1:2-10. I'm just going to quote verse two but I highly recommend reading the rest because it truly is powerful.
2 Peter 1:2 says: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Grace: # G5485 in the Strong's Concordance
-the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in life; (including gratitude)...
Wow, I love this blog thing! It's like a journal to get all of my thoughts together and as it's all formulating I'm getting more and more excited! If this isn't for anyone else, it sure is for me.
Anyways, moving on, I'm coming to my final points which beautifully sum up this revelation. I'm skipping over to Job 40:11, this part is extra powerful because it is God's challenge to Job and at the same time to all of us who read it.
Job 40:11 says: 11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold anyone that is proud, and abase him. 12 Look on every one that is proud and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. 13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. 14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Way to get to the point, God! He proceeds after this with a description of two great creatures, first Behemoth whom He says is "chief of the ways of God" and then Leviathan of whom He says in Job 41:10-15 and 33-34:
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me? 11 Who hath prevented me that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. 12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion. 13 Who can discover the face of his garment? Or who can come to him with his double bridle? 14 Who can open the doors of his face? His teeth are terrible round about. 15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
33 Upon the earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. 34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
I have a Dake's study bible with extensive notes in reference to these scriptures. Dake speculates that Leviathan, in particular, is actually a reference to Satan himself. I found this interesting because when I went back to God's challenge in Job 40:11-14 I finally realized what God was saying to Job, or at least a part of it. He was essentially telling Job that of his own power there was no way for him to be able to overcome the things he was dealing with. In verse 14 he says that if Job can overcome these prideful and intellectual beings or iniquities then he can say that he can save himself.
This also shows a powerful warning about our pride and our thinking we can overcome the enemy of our own power. The scripture even says in the book of Jude that the archangel, Michael, did not even have the authority to rebuke the Devil.
Jude 1:9 says: Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst (dared) not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke thee.
I am so glad that the Lord is on our side and that He has promised to show himself faithful on the behalf of those who love and serve Him. I am humbled to realize how weak we truly are as human beings but at the same time relieved that He has said over and over again that this battle is not ours. In reality, if we ever want to be overcomers or if we ever want His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, we have no other option but to trust Him in every aspect of our lives. Because He is the only one who can see the snares of the enemy and who is powerful enough to overcome him. We must choose to believe that what God says is true. And we must choose to rest in the promises of His Word.
James 1:17 says: Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
My other Bible is a Scofield study edition of the King James Version. I don't always agree with his notes but the closing notes on the book of Job really jumped out at me and will sum this entry up perfectly.
"The central problem of the book of Job, i.e. the sufferings of the LORD's people, is explained at least in part by the divinely beneficent purposes which are served. (1) Job's experiences opened his eyes more fully to the ineffable holiness of God (42:5), leading him thereby to self-knowledge and self-judgment (40:4, 42:6). (2) The sufferings of Job are shown to be corrective rather than penal, being used of God to test and refine his character (23:10). (3) The outcome demonstrates that by God's grace His people trust and serve Him because of what He is, not as a mere return for temporal benefits (13:15). And (4) Such experiences, as interpreted here by divine inspiration, reveal the ultimate triumph of a wise and loving God in His unseen contest with Satan over the souls of men. (chapters 1-2).
Finally, when all has been said that can be said in relief of the intellectual problem involved, it must be confessed that beyond the revealed purposes of God there still remains much of mystery. And for this there is no answer except the attitude of worship in which we humbly acknowledge that a sovereign God cannot be required by men to give all the reasons for what He chooses to do (42:1-6; 3:1-3; Romans 11:33-36)."
Romans 11:33-36 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? 36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
