Christ In The Old Testament: JOB
The POETIC
Exploring the Poetry of Job, let’s see how Christ displayed in the Background.
PURPOSE
The Book of Job stands as the most profound exploration in Scripture of the age-old theological conundrum known as "the problem of evil" or "theodicy." In its essence, this question revolves around the existence of suffering and evil in a world created by a benevolent God. It beckons one to consider three plausible but unsatisfactory answers:
1. Is God righteous but lacking the power to prevent suffering?
2. Is God all-powerful but harboring elements of evil in His nature?
3. Is all suffering deserved, indicating that the truly innocent never endure pain?
The biblical perspective deems these answers inadequate, and the Book of Job grapples with an alternative. Job’s narrative opens a broader perspective that transcends human comprehension. It unveils an eternal conflict between God and Satan, a contest ultimately showcasing God’s righteousness and supremacy.
He allows the innocent to suffer to demonstrate that even amid their trials and unexplained adversity, His sovereignty still garners glory.
From a human standpoint, the problem of evil remains a vexing enigma, but from a divine viewpoint, God's glory shines even when evil is permitted.
Christ's sacrificial death emerges as God's ultimate answer to the problem of evil.
Job provides glimpses into God’s heavenly court. It reveals that God permits an adversary, Satan, to challenge His sovereign righteousness, yet His glory prevails in the end. Job’s longing for a Redeemer (Job 19:25) finds fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The creative work of God’s Spirit is evident as stated below:
"The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life." (Job 33:4, NIV)
The prose sections of Job (chapters 1-2; 42) exhibit human behavior under divine scrutiny, while the poetic sections (chapters 3-41) emphasize that, no matter how logical human reasoning appears, it cannot fully grasp the mind of God. Job and his counselors only attain partial understanding of suffering, and it's only when God reveals Himself that the insufficiency of human wisdom becomes apparent.
Job instructs us on how to submit to God's will even when His intentions are shrouded in mystery, and suffering and evil seem unjust.
STORY
Key Themes: The character of God, the character of humanity, the problem of evil.
Timeline: Uncertain but likely during the time of the patriarchs (between 2000 and 1500 BC)
Dating the events of Job is challenging due to Job's extended lifespan (Job 42:16), the use of livestock as a wealth measure, and Job's role as a family priest. These factors suggest a timeframe overlapping with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Furthermore, Job and his companions refer to the Creator as "God" (Elohim) or "the Almighty" (Shaddai), rather than using the Israelite covenant name, Yahweh, indicating a pre-exodus era.
ORIGINAL HISTORICAL SETTING
Author: Unknown, potentially during Solomon’s reign.
Date of Writing: Approximately 950 BC
First Audience and Destination: The Israelites.
Occasion: The Book of Job does not specify the motivation for its writing, and its events apparently occurred centuries before the author’s time. It’s plausible that the author had access to records of the dialogues, but chapters 1-2 could only be known through divine revelation.
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
After the upright Job suddenly lost his family, health, and possessions, he engaged in extensive dialogues with his friends to fathom the reasons for his suffering, yet God alone had the final word and ultimately restored what Job had lost.
CHRIST IN JOB
If Job, like Jesus later, endured suffering triumphantly, serving God’s purposes, then His people can do the same.
James 5:11 NIV reinforces this notion:
"As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
In the midst of his profound losses and suffering, Job yearned for a mediator to intercede between him and God.
1 Timothy 2:5 NIV elucidates this:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
