No 5 Where are We Going? What Will I Offer?

How do you memorialize someone who is already one of the most memorialized persons in history? Some 15,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln. More books have been written about Lincoln than any other person in history with the exception of Jesus Christ. And new books keep coming off the presses about both of them. Why do we need more? Because enough cannot be said about the greatness of their lives and the contribution each has made (in their respective sphere).

Why Another Blog about Job?

The same may be said regarding Will Hardin's new blog on the Book of Job―why do we need another one? The answer is the same. Because of the greatness of Job's life and the contribution he and his book have made to mankind.

I would not be writing a blog on Job and his book if I did not feel I had important things to say. I look at Job a bit differently than many. This blog will express those views.

What's New? What Will be Different?

What follows is by no means an outline of the studies that will be forthcoming. What follows does highlight some of the areas of emphasis. More will be said regarding each point, of course.

1. Suffering

It's not so much about suffering. While the Book of Job readily answers the WHO causes suffering (maybe more clearly than elsewhere in Scripture), it's not as much help beyond that. It's not the most helpful book to direct someone to who is suffering and hurting. Oftentimes, one ends up crying right along with Job and shouting out similar exasperations as he did. We learn more about suffering when we look to Christ's sufferings than when we read the Book of Job. Job's suffering does have many similarities with Christ's experience.

Having said this, many people still find the Book of Job to be helpful even though his story does not fit their own personal story. We all can identify with the "Why me?" part of his story.

2. Self-righteousness 

It's not about self-righteousness. Many Bible students and scholars berate Job for his despicable self-righteousness. They assert that God allowed all this evil (Job 2:11) to come upon Job to take him down a notch-or-two from his high pedestal of self-ordained righteousness. Hardly the case.

3. It is about Christ

Job is a type of Christ. Job's experience gives us deep insights into Christ's life. Illustrative of this point might be, for example, that in their hour of trial, both were spit upon.

Job―They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face (Job 30:10).

Jesus―Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands (Matt 26;67).

Another example: both felt that God had deserted them.

Job―Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When His candle shined upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me (Job 29:2-5).

Jesus―And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me? (Matt 27:46).

4. Control over Satan

The clear message is that God has absolute control over Satan―in the affairs of our lives individually and in the affairs of our world today. Satan would rather we not know this truth.

5. For the People of the Last Days of Time

The people of the very last days will be scouring their memories to be assured that they have confessed all known sin in their life. Job recounted all the categories of possible sins he may have committed (and for which he felt God must now be rejecting him). What stayed Job’s heart true to God will stay our hearts true to God. For Job--God appeared not to be there. For the people of the very last days of time--Jesus appears to not be there. The Book of Job, possibly, provides more benefit to the last generation than for any previous generation.

6. Prophecy
As for Job, so for the people of the last days, the gift of prophecy was manifested in their hour of trial. For Job -- Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it (Job 13:1). For the last day people -- And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit (Job 2:28,29).

7. What was It that Really Opened Job’s Eyes to Truth?

8. Damaged Faith
The Book of Job will help repair our faith as we look to our Redeemer. And all along our paths, the enemy of our souls--as a hungry lion keeps trying to rip, tear and chew up our faith.

9. Job’s Ladder
Job climbs out of the “slough of despond” (from Paul Bunyan’s, Pilgrim’s Progress) to the heights of glory. Each rung up from despair to joy builds Job’s Ladder. Akin to Jacob’s Ladder,
the steps upward to joy are usable for anyone “at the bottom” looking up and desiring to go up. Every step upward brought relief. Once he had reached the top rung, he was enjoying the highest experience in the things of God he had ever known. Together we will build his ladder (useful for every one of us).

10. Following God is Fun

Loving God and being right with God were so rewarding that Job was unconscious of his righteous walk with God. God reveals the kind of trust He wishes for each of us to enjoy and experience daily.

11. Mrs. Job was a Wonderful and Loving Wife--I Like Her!

12. The Subject of Judgment is Prominent in the Book
To best understand the role of mediator--be one!

13. Church Fathers 

Why the Church Fathers like the emphasis on the Church Fathers in the Book of Job.

14. How to Run a Universe

The Book of Job provides a short course on how to run a universe.

15. Finally, if you have followed me to this point, I now give the greatest benefit of the Book of Job. It is one of the most sublime studies of the Character of God. The study of Job reveals Who God is.

It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth (COL415).

My purpose for this site is to do my part in removing the misapprehension and misunderstanding of God. I want to be an illuminating influence in making His character of love known.

Will you stay with me through these studies?

Please send questions and comments to Will Hardin at P O Box 24 Owenton KY 40359.