The book of Job in the Bible tells of the experience of a man who lost everything that men value over a few days. He lost his family, his business and his health. The book comprises mostly of conversations that Job had with his friends about the meaning of life. As we live in self-isolation, perhaps for months to come, it would be good if we started to ask some of Job’s questions. The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to each of his questions.
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Job 14:4
Job was thinking about ‘man born of a woman’ and the seeming impossibility of sinful parents producing a sinless child. At the heart of the modern world’s rejection of the gospel is the refusal to accept that ‘all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. But when a man realises his sinful condition, he begins to search for someone different than himself to help him.
Answered by the Incarnation of Christ: “…therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God”. Luke 1:35
How should man be just with God? Job 9:2
Job considers what would happen if he stood in the court of heaven, and God questioned him about his life. He concluded that he would not be able to answer one of a thousand questions God could ask. He began to realise that a guilty man cannot justify himself. God must justify the sinner, or he will be condemned forever.
Answered by the Death of Christ: “ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him”. Romans 5: 8,9
If a man die, shall he live again? Job 14:4
In the days of his health and prosperity, he had perhaps given little thought to death. But his thoughts turned to what lay beyond death. If a man dies, is it really all over? Is there hope beyond the grave? Is there another world, a better world than this?
Answered by the Resurrection of Christ: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”. John 11:25,26
Oh, that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! Job 23:3
As the conversations progressed, Job’s ambition to know God began to deepen! He longed for nearness to God, to be able to approach God’s throne. He wanted to stand before God no longer in fear but welcomed as a friend.
Answered by the Ascension of Christ: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”. Hebrews 4:14-16