Page 155 - Reading Job to Know God
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had twofold.
Now God required a blood sacrifice from these three friends. Notice
these two things. First, that this book takes place long before Moses and
the Levitical system. The whole idea of blood sacrifice does not start with
Moses; they are patriarchal and ancient. Then notice that God leaves Elihu
out. Do you remember that Elihu had taken a step in the right direction?
He was not required to bring a blood sacrifice.
I know as I read the book of Job, that he did not speak what was right. Job
was as wrong as they were wrong. God is not putting His seal of approval
on Job’s reasoning’s. God already told us His opinion of Job. “Who is
this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” That is what He
thought of Job’s arguments. They were words without knowledge. And
yet, He says, “My servant Job has spoken what is right.” Now what is it
that Job said that was right? I believe God is referring to the repentance of
Job. He knew how to admit his foolishness and need for change,
“Now Thou canst do all things and nothing can be restrained from
Thee.” “I have heard of Thee with the hearing of the ear, but now
my eye sees You”
Job’s arguments were wrong, but his repentance was right. I believe that
those three never did repent. I think there is something very wonderful
here. As far as the record goes, God never told Job to pray for his friends.
He did not say, “Job, I want you to go pray for them right now”. But Job
had a burden for his three friends. God opened his eyes. It was more than
theology now. He had heard of God for a long time, but now the eyes of
his faith were opened. Through suffering, he saw God with his own eyes,
by revelation, with his spirit. It is marvelous that after all Job had been
through with those three characters, we find him at the end of the book on
his knees praying for them. Verse 10, “When he prayed for his friends.”
Before, when he wanted them to know something, he argued with them.
But now he wants them to see something and he prays for them. He now
knows the difference between hearsay and revelation, between what is
heard with the ear and what is seen with the eye of faith. And, all of a
sudden, Job becomes priest and mediator. Verse 8,
“Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and
go to my servant Job.”
Isn’t that marvelous? Job was not only blessed himself, but now he
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