Another year around the Son 1.19.20
Read Job 17, James 1:19-27
All Job has is given into the harmful hands of Satan. (Job 1:12) And now rubbing salt in the wound his friends blame him as if there is a sin or error of his own doing. Job longs for God to offer a guarantee, a promise. “¶“Give me a pledge (guarantee, promise) with Yourself [acknowledge my innocence before my death]; Who is there that will be my guarantor and give security for me?” Job 17:3 AMP
Stealing, killing, and death are the works of the devil. These things Jesus came to destroy. 1 John 3:8 Jesus came to offer life and life abundant (John 10:10). And even while we are reading the tragedy of Job and his agony we have this guarantee. What a gift, what an opportunity! Thank you Lord for the promise.
The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own[purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:14 AMP)Read it afresh in Ephesians 1:13-14. What grace! What eternal security!
What if Job could understand the salvation plan of God like we can. What if he could hear the resurrected Jesus say: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”” Luke 24:49 NIV He can’t and yet he says: even if he slays me, I will hope in him. Job 13:15 NET
Eilphaz is irritated, and argues with Job. Another advantage we have of the entirety of the the bible is the wisdom of James: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
LORD we need the guarantee. We need the pledge. We need the foretaste. Christ thank you for the promise. Amen
