I think it is at least possible this is Divine timing. As we begin Holy Week, with Resurrection Sunday in view, we also naturally, in our study, come to the first resurrection promise to Job. Most of us are familiar with the promise that comes later that was made famous by Handel’s Messiah (I know my Redeemer liveth…) but we are not so familiar with the amazing passage we are going to probe this week. What comfort it will bring to you as you think of your loved one who has died, if that is your situation — or of your own impending death, which is all of our situations!
Though it is tempting to spell it out for you, I know you will learn more if you dig it out yourselves, and I think this will be a sweet devotional time over the first part of this Holy Week.
I am so thankful to God for the many sisters of depth He has led here, that we may encourage one another in this journey. In this post I especially encourage you to go through the questions methodically so you can really see this clearly. You can do them all at once or little by little. Because this is Holy Week, let’s spend extra time with Him. To finish by my next post on Good Friday, pace yourself so you get to the glorious end! I really think these are some of the most fascinating passages in all of Scripture and have the potential to make this Holy Week very meaningful.
BACKGROUND QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING JOB’S PERSPECTIVE
Job is one of the earliest books. It is important to realize that Old Testament saints did not have the understanding that we have been given, this side of the cross. Their view of the afterlife was shadowy at best, and their thoughts about it often seem plagued with doubts and fears. The writer of Ecclesiastes is often very mournful, because he has blinders on, and has so little hope of the afterlife. His words are often similar to those of Job. He often asks mournful questions in his prayer journal. Find the doubting question or statement in Part A, and then find the New Testament answer in Part B.For our musically inclined participants, if you can think of a song that shares the promise of Part B, tell us! We can be singing through Holy Week.
1. What’s it all about?
A. Ecclesiastes 1:2
B. Colossians 3:1-4
2. Is there an afterlife?
A. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
B. John 11:25; John 14:1-3
3. Is there no Comforter?
A. Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
B. John 14:16-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
TURN TO JOB 14 and find the doubting or mournful statement in part A, and the New Testament promise in part B.
4. Is there any hope of forgiveness at life’s end?
A. Job 14:1-4
B. Romans 8:1-2; 1 John 1:9;
5. Is there any hope we will have new bodies?
A. Job 14:7-12
B. 1 Corinthians 15:35-55
JOB’S LAMENT AND PLEA
6. Job rejects suicide, but does wish God would take his life. But then he is afraid of even that, for his view of the afterlife is so shadowy. So in his lament, he expresses what he wishes God would make happen. Find it in Job 14:13.
7. Find the question he asks of God in Job 14:14a.
THE GLORIOUS REVELATION
8. As can happen in a lament, the Spirit of God now speaks to the lamenter. Job’s doubt begins to turn to hope in the last part of Job 14:14. Find it.
9. Here is the glorious promise, beginning in Job 14:15.
A. What does Job realize is going to happen after his death and why? (verse 15)
B. Contemplate this phrase “you will long for the creature your hands have made.” If you are a mother or a spiritual mother, compare this to your feelings about your “child.” Though you didn’t “make your child” you surelyhad a part in what she or he has become. What does this phrase mean to you?
C. This is exactly what happened to Lazarus in John 11. How did Jesus feel about Lazarus? What did He do?
D. How does Jesus feel about Job? About you? About your loved one in Him? What will He do?
10. What does God also reveal to Job in Job 14:16?
11. And what else in Job 14:17?
12. How will you apply this to your heart?
Extra:
13. What psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs remind you of these promises? What are some good versions of them on you-tube or other places that we might watch?
57 comments
Before beginning this segment I would like to share how wonderfully God has met my situation with Joseph. In the book I am reading on teens it says that teens are naturally materialistic making it hard for them to see the spiritual battle they are in. I have been trying to present this idea without success that I could see until this weekend. These events have been an open door to walk through in talking about this. For lunch today we went to Joey’s favorite French restaurant, Hardees(burger joint). I got to talk about how lack of love from parents make girls needy like this and what being married to a girl like this would be like. About how parents can spot things like this and be so helpful when choosing a wife, if you don’t shut them out. We also talked about the feeling that addicts men to porn(she sent pictures). All of this and the walls did not go up. Of course he is treading lightly because he wants his phone back so bad.
God has also worked in my heart. I was so angry yesterday, it was evening before I let him contact her at all and that was to break up with her. This morning I sent her a text saying that she has acted like a sexual predator, that God could help her but Joey could not so leave him alone. With that said God began to soften my heart and I offered to talk to her after church but she has finally stopped texting. A friend of mine with a daughter her age is actively trying to evangelize her so I will leave it alone and just pray. All this came about because Joey was talking to her about the Lord. Isn’t Satan in overtime!
We only occasionally sing hymns at The Summit but today we sang Be Thou My Vision! What a blessing to my soul. Joey commented that he liked it! The boy who hates slow music! He also said that his 2 best friends were the campus pastor and youth leader who are both great role models.
I know that we are far from out of the woods but I am so encouraged by answered prayer and ‘vision’. Thanks to all of you for praying.
Anne
What a terrific ‘mama bear’ you are! You will do anything to defend your ‘cub’. If only more Christian parents of teen-age boys would wake up and see their sons are being drawn into the ‘web of lies’. I pray God will give you strength to continue the fight.
I have a special prayer request. I found out earlier today that Christopher, the only child of my cousin Roy, is in the hospital with swine flu. The doctors have called in the family. They are not believers. Christopher is in his early 30’s and was working in Florida when he fell ill. He’s now in Atlanta. The family lives in North Carolina.
Lord, give Tammy the right words to say to encourage Roy’s family. Help Christopher to draw close to you. Give the doctors wisdom only you can provide. Amen
Tammy, my extremely healthy sister was not expected to live through a similar ordeal. She made a remarkable recovery! And there is NO OTHER explanation except the hand of God touched her. I’m praying this happens to Christopher.
Got word this morning Christopher pulled through Saturday night. Doctors did not expect him to make it through the night. I’ll keep ya’ll posted.
Thank you Marlys for your encouragement.
I just got word that Christopher passed away yesterday. Please remember his Dad,Roy, and his Mom, TerriLynn. The funeral is set for Friday.
Praise God! Bless His Holy Name! I share your joy at this encouragement. Lord, please bless these 2 men that precious Joseph looks up to. Give them wisdom and Your insight into what Joseph needs from them. And, Lord, be with this troubled young woman, too. Help her to know that the only fulfillment she will ever find is in YOU ALONE!
Anne, you are such a brave, wise Mom. You inspire me!
Marlys, thank you for your encouragement. I can tell you that this has been the Lord, not me. I usually don’t do anything unless I am angry and in that case I do the wrong thing. This was the Lord and I am excited about what God will do here. He wants to save this little girl. When I called her grandmother last night I was very satisfied with her love for Miranda and her plan for this situation. Miranda got on the phone and tearfully apologized to me giving me the opportunity to forgive her.
I know that this situation has been bathed in prayer and I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.
Lord, I pray right now for your healing touch on Christopher. Strengthen him physically, emotionally and spiritually please Lord. He is in need of more than physical healing. He needs his sins forgiven. Open his and Roy’s eyes that they may each see their need of a savior and send to each one an evangelist who will tell them of Your wonderful salvation. May this be the day that they move from death to life in You, receiving the peace that passes all understanding. Lord may we be so bold as to claim this entire family for Your kingdom. Satan means this illness for death but we ask You to use it for good. We ask also for Your healing touch in all that his doctors and nurses do for him. Give them Your wisdom and Your boldness. Perhaps one of them will be Your evangelist. Amen
1. What’s it all about?
A. Ecclesiastes 1:2: It’s meaningless!
B. Colossians 3:1-4 It’s about Christ/things above.
2. Is there an afterlife?
A. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 We become dust; who knows if there is an afterlife?
B. John 11:25; John 14:1-3 Yes! Jesus is the resurrection. He’s alive and has gone to prepare a place for us.
Thanks, Dee! I’m glad to go to bed with thoughts on “things above.” I was cynical for awhile this afternoon and stuck on the “meaningless” for awhile.
Worship song that directs my thoughts to eternity with the One I love: “Soon” by Hillsong United
This was very nice Annmarie. Thank you for sharing it.
#1A: I see no meaning in anything!
B: We are to set our minds on heavenly things…not earthly things. Christ is our hope!
#2A: We are no higher than the animals, we all turn to dust when we die. Who can prove otherwise?
B: Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He goes to prepare a place for us. I would also add John 4:6 – Jesus is the ONLY way, the ONLY life.
#3A: This life is nothing but trouble, it would be better if we were never born.
B: God will not leave us orphans, but will comfort us in all our troubles.
Here is a scripture presentation. Pretty powerful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSeJzuq95SA&feature=related
Nice youtube video, Marlys. I’ll have to watch it several times to take it all in.
I like that as the images pass by and the verses come and go on the screen, the music plays steadlily in the background with a constant, repeating note in the chords like a heartbeat.
Reminds me that as our days/months/years pass by and people/health come and go, God and his promises remain constant, steady, and as close as our heartbeat.
Gloris
I started the questions tonight and am really looking forward to finishing!
Find the doubting question or statement in Part A, and then find the New Testament answer in Part B.For our musically inclined participants, if you can think of a song that shares the promise of Part B, tell us! We can be singing through Holy Week.
1. What’s it all about?
A. Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
Doubt: things are meaningless, life is nothing of intrinsic value.
B. Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Our lives are meant to glorify God. Another verse this one brings to mind is 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Also note 2 Timothy 1:8-12.
2. Is there an afterlife?
A. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath [b] ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal [c] goes down into the earth?”
Doubt: It is not known where the spirit goes after death. All may return to dust.
B. John 11:25; John 14:1-3
John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies”
Jesus has secured our afterlife—more than an afterlife, a resurrection! Death cannot hold us because it could not hold Him.
John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
This is one of my favorite passages because of its comfort and assurance. I love the words “If it were not so, I would have told you.” It’s so easy to be deceived by people on earth, so it is even that much more comforting to know that Christ, my Savior, will never lie to me and knows exactly what my heart longs for. He knows I need to hear words of gentleness and truth.
The progression of these passages amazes me… from returning to dust in Ecclesiastes to dwelling forever in God’s mansion, in a room made just for me! Praise God!
3. Is there no Comforter?
A. Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.
But better than both
is he who has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.
People who are oppressed cry in vain without anyone to comfort them in their distress. Because of this, the dead are better off than the living. Best off are those yet unborn because they have not yet felt pain.
B. John 14:16-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
John 14:16-18
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (New International Version)
The God of All Comfort
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Both of these verses show us the truth that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter now and forever. We are not orphans, we are adopted into God’s everlasting family and will never be left alone. There is not a trouble we will ever be made to face alone.
I loved waking up to this great beginning!
1. What’s it all about?
A. Ecclesiastes 1:2
Doubting Statement: All is vantiy.
Vanity-Strong’s 1892-Hebrew-HABEL-emptiness; fig. something transitory and unstatisfactory.
Transitory-existing/lasting only a short time. short-lived; temporary.
Unsatisfactory-inadequate.
B. Colosians 3:14
New Testament Truth
v.4 Christ is our life.
Christ-Strong’s 5547-Greek-CHRISTOS-Anointed
Life-Strong’s 2222-Greek-ZOE-to live, life
In Colossians 3:4 Christ is used as an adverb.
Metonymically, for the author and giver of eternal life.
Metonymy-a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely related.
2. Is there an afterlife?
A. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
Doubting Statement: All is vanity. All go. All are. All turn. All dust.
Doubting Question: Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Knoweth-Strong’s 3045-Hebrew-YADA-to know; to ascertain by seeing.
Spirit-Strong’s 7303-Hebrew-RUWACH-wind; breath.
B. John 11:25
New Testament Truth
Jesus said unto her, I am (the author and giver of eternal life) the resurrection and the life (zoe): he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
Resurrection-Strong’s 386-Greek-ANASTASIS-returned to life.
Believeth-Strong’s 4100-Greek-PISTEOU-to believe; have faith in; trust. Here means when one believes and continues to believe has eternal life in him.
Dead-Strong’s 599-Greek-APOTHNESKO-to die a natural death.
Live-Strong’s 2198-Greek-ZAO-physical life.
John 14:1-3
I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you unto myself: where I am, there ye may be also.
Prepare-Strong’s 2090-Greek-HETOIMAZO-to make ready.
Receive-Strong’s 3880-Greek-PARALAMBANO-to take near oneself as an associate.
Come-Strong’s 2064-Greek-ERCHOMAI-move toward any persons-future sense-certain to take place; idea of traveling.
Again-Strong’s 3825-PALIN-return back to former place.
Mansions-Strong’s 3438-Greek-MONE sing.a staying residence;abode-here is MONAI plu.-resting places. May have reference to individual places for families even as they lived on earth.
3. Is there no Comforter?
A. Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
Doubting Statement: Oppressed had no comforter.
Oppressed-Strong’s 6231-Hebrew-ASHAQ-to press upon; defraud/deceive; violate; do wrong (violence); use.
Comforter-Strong’s 5162-Hebrew-NACHAM-to pity; console; to avenge.
B. John 14:16-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
New Testament Truth
The Father shall give you another Comforter.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come (erchomai) to you.
Comforter-Strong’s 3875-Greek- PARAKLETOS-PARACLETE-the Holy Spirit as comforter is Christ’s substitute on earth. Undertakes Christ’s office in the world. To comfort, encourage, and exhort.
Comfortless-Strong’s 3737-Greek-ORPHANOS-obscure, dark.
the orphan is often little esteemed and neglected and thus forced, as it were, to wonder in obscurity and darkness. Here used metaphorically, of disciples without a master.
God comforteth us in all of our tribulation.
Comforteth-Strong’s 3874-Greek-PARAKLESIS-to aid/console.
Tribulation-Strong’s 2347-Greek-THLIPSIS-to crush, press, compress, squeeze, to break. fig. pressure from evils, afflictions, distress. Tribulation is the appointed of Christians. Results in increased energy and blessedness of the spiritual life. God comforts the faithful in tribulation and the comfort thus given enables thim to comfort others.
Word Studies gleaned from THE COMPLETE WORD STUDY DICTIONARY NEW TESTAMENT Edited by SPIROS ZODHIATES TH.D.
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
and the things of this earth
will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace
This song was sung at my moms’ funeral just a few weeks ago. This song is the only song that is keeping me focused on Jesus through my many tears of grief.
Lynn — my prayers are with you. Mothers are irreplaceable.
Lynn, I am so sorry.
I’m praying for you, Lynn. My Mom asked me to sing that to her over & over the last days of her life. It’s precious to me, too! Dee is right…Moms are irreplaceable!
TURN TO JOB 14 and find the doubting or mournful statement in part A, and the New Testament promise in part B.
4. Is there any hope of forgiveness at life’s end?
A. Job 14:1-4
1 “Man born of woman
is of few days and full of trouble.
2 He springs up like a flower and withers away;
like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.
3 Do you fix your eye on such a one?
Will you bring him before you for judgment?
4 Who can bring what is pure from the impure?
No one!
Here we see a refusal to believe that one can be cleansed from sin.
B. Romans 8:1-2; 1 John 1:9;
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:9
These two verses are more of my favorites, so full of hope and grace. “NO condemnation” is what reminds me that I am OK in Christ only because of Him. A friend and I were discussing 1 John 1:9 the other day and she said “isn’t it great that we just have to believe and He does all the work?” Most certainly!!!
5. Is there any hope we will have new bodies?
A. Job 14:7-12
Job 14:7-12 (New International Version)
7 “At least there is hope for a tree:
If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
and its new shoots will not fail.
8 Its roots may grow old in the ground
and its stump die in the soil,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud
and put forth shoots like a plant.
10 But man dies and is laid low;
he breathes his last and is no more.
11 As water disappears from the sea
or a riverbed becomes parched and dry,
12 so man lies down and does not rise;
till the heavens are no more, men will not awake
or be roused from their sleep.
**No hope of a new body in this passage.
B. 1 Corinthians 15:35-55
1 Corinthians 15:35-55 (New International Version)
The Resurrection Body
35But someone may ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”[a]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we[b] bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[c]
55″Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”[d]
**Christ will give us a glorious, imperishable, powerful spiritual body.
JOB’S LAMENT AND PLEA
6. Job rejects suicide, but does wish God would take his life. But then he is afraid of even that, for his view of the afterlife is so shadowy. So in his lament, he expresses what he wishes God would make happen. Find it in Job 14:13.
If only you would hide me in the grave [a]
and conceal me till your anger has passed!
If only you would set me a time
and then remember me!
7. Find the question he asks of God in Job 14:14a.
If a man dies, will he live again?
THE GLORIOUS REVELATION
8. As can happen in a lament, the Spirit of God now speaks to the lamenter. Job’s doubt begins to turn to hope in the last part of Job 14:14. Find it.
All the days of my hard service
I will wait for my renewal to come.
9. Here is the glorious promise, beginning in Job 14:15.
You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
A. What does Job realize is going to happen after his death and why? (verse 15)
Job realizes that he will be renewed and there is an afterlife where he will live again as a beloved child of God. He knows God will call him and he will come to God. They have a relationship.
B.Contemplate this phrase “you will long for the creature your hands have made.” If you are a mother or a spiritual mother, compare this to your feelings about your “child.” Though you didn’t “make your child” you surely had a part in what she or he has become. What does this phrase mean to you?
It means that when we take time to nurture others, we are forever bound by love.
C.This is exactly what happened to Lazarus in John 11. How did Jesus feel about Lazarus? What did He do?
Jesus wept for Lazarus and showed this love by raising him from the dead. He called to Lazarus and Lazarus came to Him.
D.How does Jesus feel about Job? About you? About your loved one in Him? What will He do?
Jesus loves Job and has rewarded him for his uprightness and following God all of his life. He loves us all and is tender to us when we doubt, constantly reassuring us in our fears. He promises us a glorious future in Him beyond this life and we can rest on those promises because we know He Who makes them to us.
10. What does God also reveal to Job in Job 14:16?
16 Surely then you will count my steps
but not keep track of my sin.
Job finds out that there is forgiveness. God watches tenderly over us but is not condemning us for our sins. Like Romans 8:1-2 says, there is no condemnation for those of us in Christ.
11. And what else in Job 14:17?
My offenses will be sealed up in a bag;
you will cover over my sin.
Not only will God not count Job’s sins (or ours), He will cover them over as if they had never existed. This is the best possibility for humanity.
12. How will you apply this to your heart?
I will cling to God’s promises no matter what my mind’s doubts tell me. Like Job I sometimes despair of what goes on in life and do not understand much of it. However, I have these promises from the One Who will never deceive me or let me down. If it were not so, He would have told me.
Such good answers Tracy.
My favorite line was “when we take the time to nurture others, we are forever bound by love.”
I think that is true also in our relationship with the Lord — as we press into Him, as we worship Him, our love for Him grows.
I can see you are also nurturing people on this blog.
Thank you, Tracy.
As I finish the outline and format of this study it reminds me of a grand panorama. I have opened a Word document and gone out to Bible Gateway to paste in the scripture verses very much like Tracy has done. As I look over it I am reminded of standing on the top of a mountain and looking out over the surrounding mountains and valleys. Mountains and valleys of my need and His supply. I am dead to this world and He has hidden my life in Christ to be raised with Him. I have sin, I need covering and He has provided. He will raise me up because He desires me to be with him. Death has no sting for me because Christ has absorbed it. The more I look at it, the more wonderful truths I find. I hope this makes sense. I worked a long day today and I’m kind of tired. Maybe that is why it impresses me as so huge. It will keep me busy all week.
The panorama image is so neat!
Tracy, thank you so much for your in depth study & wonderful thoughts. You’ve helped me with this weeks study questions so much as all of you have. It’s brought tears to my eye’s studying & learning what the Lord has planned for us. Praise God! I’m so thankful for you all & for Dee. Your all in my prayers!
4. Is there any hope of forgiveness at life’s end?
A. Job 14:1-4
Doubting Statement: Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. v.4
Clean-Strong’s 2889-Hebrew- TAHOR-pure
Unclean-Strong’s 2931-Hebrew-TAME-foul; polluted; defiled
I think this is the part most of us don’t like to admit-we are defiled because of Adam’s sin. But now that I am clean and covered with the blood of Christ, I’ve come to realize this is my favorite part of salvation. Yes it will be great to go to Heaven, but while I am on this earth, I am able to be in the presence of a Holy God. One song I will be singing Easter Sunday with church choir is HOLY OF HOLIES. We are able to meet with God ‘face to face’ at the heavenly holy of holies-God’s throne of grace. As I post I am listening to Adrian Rogers ‘Christ’s Substitutionary Death on the Cross’. He states the first picture of the cross was shown in Genesis when God shed the blood of an animal to cover the shame of Adam and Eve.
B. New Testament Truth
Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are Christ Jesus, who walk…..after the Spirit.
Condemnation-Strong’s 2631-Greek-KATAKRIMA-a decision against someone, a condemnatory judgment. This Greek word is used only in Rom. 5:16, 18; 8:1.
Walk-Strong’s 4043-Greek-PERIPATEO-to tread or walk about. Figuratively, to live or pass one’s life, always with an adjunct of manner or circumstances. Here in Rom. 8:1 implying manner or rule.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Faithful-Strong’s-4103-Greek-PISTOS-to win over, persuade. Worthy of belief, trust, or confidence. Here in 1 John literally means “dependable the God”.
5. Is there any hope we will have new bodies?
A. Job 14:7-12
Doubting Statement: they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
B. New Testament Truth
1 Corinthians 15:35-55
v.44 …There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
v. 52…we shall all be changed.
v.48 Earthy Body:
corruptible
dishonor
weakness
natural
living soul
mortal
v.48 Heavenly Body:
incorruptible
glory
power
spiritual
quickening spirit
immortal
Quickening-Strong’s 2227-Greek-ZOOPIEO-vivify-to give or bring life to.
Spirit-Strong’s 4151-Greek-PNEUMA-breath-man’s immaterial aspect. The principle of life residing in man. Spiritual entity in man-the breath of God in man.
1 Cor. 15:45, “a quickening spirit,” a spirit of life as raising the bodies of his followers from the dead into the immortal life.
As I pondered ‘quickening spirit’, I thought of the words in Genesis which tell us God breathed into Adam and made him a living soul. When we left our mother’s wombs we had (and still have) the same God-breath in us. Do you think that when a believer dies that the God-breath goes back to God? Is that the part of us that returns home to heaven?
A song that came to mind is WHERE JOY AND SORROW MEET. Its by Avalon. The best YouTube video, in my opinion, is the one posted by chboxer. It’s a slideshow of individuals worshipping as Avalon sings Where Joy and Sorrow Meet acapella. Running time is 3:38.
WHERE JOY AND SORROW MEET
There’s a place of quiet stillness tween the light and shadows reach
Where the hurting and the hopeless seek everlasting peace
Words of men and songs of angels whisper comfort bittersweet
Mending grief and life eternal where joy and sorrow meet.
There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet
There’s a place the lost surrender and the weary will retreat
Full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief
For the wounded there is healing strength is given to the weak
Broken hearts find love redeeming where joy and sorrow meet.
There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet
There’s a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep
And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep
There is hope in desperation there is victory in defeat
At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet.
There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow…meet.
(this is the arrangement our choir is going to do Easter Sunday)
Beautiful lyrics, Tammy! Thank you!
1. What’s it all about? This life seems futile (which is the doubting part) because this world is not our home. Right now I am dead because I am dead to this world. My life is hidden in Christ to be revealed when He is revealed in glory. For this reason I set my mind on what is above. Dee you said that Solomon had blinders on. He did seem to be looking only at earthly things but I am not sure why. He was the wisest man on earth but lived a life filled with idolatry so he could have been blinded by sin? I don’t know at what point in his life he wrote these words. It must have been late since he talks of all his experiences
2. Is there an afterlife? Solomon says no and this is the doubting. From this side of the cross and with the New Testament we know that Jesus is the Messiah. Did Job have prior prophesies of the Messiah in his time? Was he the prophet as God spoke to him in his lament? These verses in John very clearly state the ministry of Jesus as Messiah.
3. Is there no Comforter? Solomon sees no comfort for the oppressed. The NT tells us of the Comforter God has sent to us. He will comfort us in all of our afflictions and teach us how to comfort others.
4. Is there any hope of forgiveness at life’s end? Job sees life as short and full of trouble. He wonders if God notices him and if He will bring Him to judgment. He wonders how anyone can stand in the face of God’s judgment. God did provide in Christ and the NT verses show us that we will not be condemned. The demands of the law are real but Christ has freed us from it through confession, repentance and faith in Him.
5. Is there any hope we will have new bodies? As far as Job can see human death is final. Tree stumps can sprout but not dead bodies. These 1 Corinthian verses show us that our natural bodies are but seeds that will be sown at our death exactly opposite of Job’s thoughts. We will be raised as God decides. Just as there are different kinds of seeds so are we all different and will have a different kind of glory in the resurrection. How interesting. All this time I have pictured my present body glorified and minus the features I don’t care for. How naive. Just as we have borne Adam’s image in this life, we will bear Christ’s image when we are raised. What wonderful things to think about! Verses 50-55 describe the resurrection and that some will still be alive at the last trumpet. The sting of death that Job saw is gone due to Christ’s sacrificial death.
Anne asks good questions about Ecclesiastes — a puzzling, but fascinating book. My guide, A Woman of Contentment, has a paraphrase of Ecclesiastes by T. M. Moore in the middle that is an illuminating work of art.
Tim Keller gives evidence that the genre of Ecclesiastes is a poetic play. Solomon looking back on his life after he disobeyed God and married 700 wives — and is doing us the favor of showing how we will feel, when we are old, if we go looking for love in all the wrong places. Our spiritual vision will become dim. Yet because this is looking back, and he has insight as an old man, there are moments of great vision.
Is this passage from Job a fresh look for any of you? I had not seen this resurrection promise until last summer.
1. What’s it all about?
Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
The writer is expressing his doubt that anything in life has any real meaning or purpose – any lasting value.
My paraphrase: “Does anything really matter? Does my life have any purpose, the things I do day after day seem nothing more than futility.”
Colossians 3:1-4 the answer to the above.
God sees my position as being already raised with Christ and I need to set my heart, my mind, on the things above; everything I do and my life matters for eternity. There IS more to life than what my physical eyes can see, more to life than the day to day mundane tasks.
There is so much more to life than what the world tells me is important – money, success, the right clothes, beauty, possessions – everything I do is wrapped up in the mystery of my real life being hidden with Christ. The old self, the me who lived for worldly things and therefore found no meaning in life, has died.
2. Is there an afterlife?
Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 the writer mourns that man’s fate is the same of an animal, that man has no advantage over the animal. Both go to the same place. He says, “Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”
My paraphrase: “How can my life have any ultimate meaning or lasting significance? How can I have any hope of seeing those I love again? We’re no different than animals; we die and cease to exist.”
John 11:25 the answer to the above
Resurrection and life, after death, are a real certainty, because Jesus IS THE resurrection and THE life. He is the source of all life and the One Who gives it, and He lives, though He died. Jesus is the One Who accomplishes it.
John 14:1-3
To my doubts and fears, Jesus says, “Trust Me!” He cannot lie! He promises me that He is making ready my place in heaven and that I will be where He is when I die. There is room for everyone who belongs to Him.
3. Is there a Comforter?
Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 “…and they have no comforter”
The writer sees the oppressed and how their oppressors get away with evil. He sees their tears, their cries, and they have no comforter. They’d be better off dead, or better yet, never having been born (that parallels Job).
My paraphrase: “Does anyone see my tears? Will there be someone to comfort me in this life, or after I’m dead? Evil seems to win the day here on earth!
John 14:16-18 is the answer to the above
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Paracletos – one called alongside to help, or intercessor), (Counselor), that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth.”
Yes, there is a Comforter, given to us by the Father Himself; a Comforter Who was called alongside of me to help me, who will be with me always. He lives inside of me so I will never be like the orphan left alone.
2Corinthians 1:3-4
There is a comforter, our compassionate God Who is the God of all comfort. He comforts me no matter what is causing my sadness, despair, or discouragement. And yes, there is a comforter for others because believers can take the comfort they’ve received from God and give it to others.
Turn to Job 14 and find the doubting or mournful statement in Part A, and the New Testament promise in Part B.
I find several mournful statements in Job 14, including:
Man springs up like a flower and withers away
Man, like a fleeting shadow, does not endure (verse 2)
He asks God to look away from man and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired man (verse 6)
Man breathes his last and is no more (verse 10)
The doubting question in verse 14 is:
“If a man dies, will he live again?”
John 3:16-18 the answer (that I chose)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned”.
This also may answer the other theme that runs through Job 14 and this is Job’s fear of God’s judgment:
“Do You fix Your eye on such a one? Will You bring me before You for judgment? Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!” (verse 3-4)
“If only You would hide me in the grave and conceal me till Your anger has passed!”
6. Job rejects suicide, but does wish God would take his life. But then he is afraid of even that, for his view of the afterlife is so shadowy. What Job wishes would happen is that God would hide him/protect him until after judgment.
7. Job is asking God if there is life after death. He seems to trust here that if there is, God will provide salvation because he indicates that life after death will be worth the days of his struggle.
9A. What does Job realize is going to happen after his death and why? (verse 15) That God will call him and he will be able to answer. That he will indeed be with God. That God will long for him. Even in all of his suffering Job knows that God loves him.
9B. Contemplate this phrase “you will long for the creature your hands have made.” If you are a mother or a spiritual mother, compare this to your feelings about your “child.” Though you didn’t “make your child” you surely had a part in what she or he has become. What does this phrase mean to you?
To me it means that He loves me more than I love my own children. We give everything we can to shape our children as they grow. We have a great deal of ourselves invested in them. Because we love them so much we want everything good for them we enjoy their achievements and love to be in their company.
9C Jesus loved Lazarus and He raised him from the dead. He longed for Lazarus to be with Him. I don’t think that is the only reason He let him die and then resurrected him. One thing that I find myself needing to remember is that while Jesus is God and in control of all things He feels all of the emotions we feel and more. When I am hurt by enemies, many times it is my pride that is hurt, Jesus hurt because He loved them.
9D Jesus also loves me, my loved ones and even my enemies and He has made provision for our resurrection also.
10. What does God also reveal to Job in Job 14:16? God would look at him and not take note of his sin.
11. And what else in Job 14:17? There would be covering for sin. While God could not ignore sin and remain just, He still provided a way to accomplish this in Christ who has covered our sin.
Job lamented and God answered him. The whole time Job’s friends were accusing him of hiding sin he was confessing to God. They did not even hear him. They were so busy pontificating that they missed the whole exchange and prophesy! I have to say that even after reading Job many times I also did not see it.
12. How will I apply this to my heart? Even in suffering I must remember that God is enough, that He loves me, will provide for me and that I will not be able to understand so I must simply trust.
A few weeks ago I found a poem on the internet that I wanted to share but did not because of it’s length. I think it would be good to share it now because it seems somewhat appropriate for question 5. It may be that our suffering is a foreshadowing of what God will accomplish in our final death and resurrection.
THE SEED
I am the seed
So small, so dry,
Lifted in the hand
Of the silent Sower.
Into the earth
I fearfully fall,
Darkness covers me,
Silence surrounds me.
The terror of my heart
Is the only sound
To keep me company.
All that is me
Huddles together
Trying desperately
Not to surrender
Any part of the self.
“Why was I planted?”
I cry out.
“Why am I here?”
I entreat.
“Take me out into the light;
I cannot bear
This deathly dark.”
I weary. I weaken.
The days become long.
I can no longer fight.
I surrender
In this lonely place
Of waiting.
Quietly I sense
A penetrating warmth;
It surrounds me;
It fills me
And blesses my pain.
In a moment
Of peacefulness
I forget my fear.
I let go of my self
And suddenly
The husk that holds me
Weakens and breaks.
“No!” I scream.
I am losing my self,
But it is too late.
The husk is cracked;
I cannot be contained.
It is then
That I sense a power
Deep inside of me,
Encouraging me,
“Let go. Let go. Let go.”
It is an energy
That pushes the husk
Until it falls away.
As it slips aside
My eyes behold color.
Ah! Can it be?
A tiny glimpse of green!
“How could that be?”
I marvel,
“There was never green
In the heart of me.”
Yet, it is there;
Each day
It slowly stretches upwards
To where the warm
Seems to be.
I become less of a seed.
I am losing my self.
But the pain I once knew
Is lost in surprise;
Something wonderful
Deep within my heart
Is greening and growing.
Days go quickly now.
I become one
With the small stem of life.
Oh! The glorious moment
When, ah, breath of Spring
Fast fills my face.
I move through the hard earth
And taste the world which awaits my arrival.
From within my tender shoot
Comes a soft sound.
I listen. I hear.
It is a song to the Sower:
O Sower of seeds,
Did you always see
The gift of green
That was hiding in me?
O Sower of seeds,
How came you to praise
The beauty within
That I hid from my eyes?
O Sower of seeds,
The husk has been broken;
All praise to you
For helping me open.
Accept now my praise
My thankfulness, too,
For the seed you have sown
And the gift you grew.
May you lead me to others
Who await your good word,
So the seed within them
Can awaken and be heard.
Amen! Alleluia!
-Joyce Rupp
Anne
Perfect timing with the poem. Thank you for sharing it.
1. What’s it all about?
From Eccl…Without Christ, life can feel meaningless. Even with Christ, there are some days that feel this way. That is why, I must keep washing my mind with His word and His truth.
From Colossians…I must set my heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, until He is told…go and get your children…When I set my mind on earthly things, like our government…Iran and their desire to destroy Israel, my personal concerns, ETC…well, that is discouraging. My focus needs to be…when Christ who is my life…appears!!!, then I will also appear with Him in Glory. Thank you Lord. Please keep my mind stayed on these things.
2. Is there an afterlife?
From Eccl…This is what many people think today. No jeopardy for them, if this is true. On the other hand, nothing to look forward too, no hope of reunion with loved ones, nothing to hope for regarding setting wrongs right, no eternity with the Most High God…oh, how despairing to think this way.
From John…When I think of preparing for company…how thoughtful I try to be so they will experience a ‘glad welcome’, how anxious I am to receive them under my roof…Imagine, the God of the universe, Who made all of this, is preparing a place for me! Oh, my, how marvelous, how wonderful, is my Saviors’ love for me!!!Again, notice the reminder…I will come back and take you to be with me. Lord, help us to live in that truth.
3. Is there no Comforter?
From Eccl…A natural response to one who has no hope. So sad…Is it not what we heard from Washington last week, regarding abortion and how it would save money, because lives would not be brought forth?
Verse 3… But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
From John…Until He comes back for us, He now comes to us through His Holy Spirit,,,why???…in this world, oh how we need a Comforter, who is in me and with me. Thank you for not leaving me as an orphan.
From I Corinthians…Lord, You are the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort…may we each experience that from You this day, so much that it overflows to any other, who needs it. Actually, from others, You have planned for us to be comforted. How much we need the body.
4. Is there any hope of forgiveness at life’s end?
From Job…Job doesn’t seem to have hope here, but he is asking the question and he seems to know, judgment is coming.
From Romans and I John…We are told,,,no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…cleansing comes from Him, though confession.
5. Is there any hope we will have new bodies?
From Job…This sounds like there is a slim hope for resurrection…maybe at the end of all things
From 1Corinthians…This is very specific…full of hope…we will all be changed. The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality….yes death is swallowed up in victory. Thank you Lord…just as You did not remain in the grave, neither shall I.
6. Job rejects suicide, but does wish God would take his life. But then he is afraid of even that, for his view of the afterlife is so shadowy. So in his lament, he expresses what he wishes God would make happen. Find it in Job 14:13….Let me die…but not forever…please remember Me…until You are no longer angry.
7. Find the question he asks of God in Job 14:14a….If a man dies, will he live again??? Isn’t that one of THE questions???
8. As can happen in a lament, the Spirit of God now speaks to the lamenter. Job’s doubt begins to turn to hope in the last part of Job 14:14. Find it….Till my change comes. Or as NIV…I will wait for my renewal… He is trying to have that long view…past this brief, but oh so hard life, looking forward. So many times today, that has caught my attention…looking forward to what is to come, but the Lord has not left us as orphans while we are in this life He has sent the Comforter.
9. Here is the glorious promise, beginning in Job 14:15.
A. What does Job realize is going to happen after his death and why? (verse 15)….He is still going to be in relationship with the Lord..”Thou wilt call and I will answer…” He seems to know God will long for the work of His hands, perhaps from his experience as a father. I am going to check others answers…I am not sure of this one.
B. Contemplate this phrase “you will long for the creature your hands have made.” If you are a mother or a spiritual mother, compare this to your feelings about your “child.” Though you didn’t “make your child” you surely had a part in what she or he has become. What does this phrase mean to you?… I do, as an imperfect Mother, long for things for my children…
111 John 1:4 (NIV)
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
I love to be with my children. They are my delight…always have been…well, there were some days:-),,,But what I love to hear most from my children, now grown and with children of their own, is how they are growing in the Faith. There is not greater joy!!!
It is good to be back from a wonderful, restful vacation. I have enjoyed reading all the good comments and praying for the requests.
Dee, you asked if this passage was a fresh look for any of us and I would answer yes, definitely! I enjoyed this chapter in your book particularly because I see how it ties in not only the resurrection but God’s loving care of Job in his suffering. The book of Job now ministers to me and I won’t avoid it ever again.
Thank you all so much for your prayers, my migraines are much improved.
I heard from my friend about Miranda today. She is in the hospital. Joey told me that she has a history of cutting and we think that is what it is. Could we continue to pray for her? As far as I know she now has no Christian witness as she goes through this. I am proud of Joey for reaching out to her. I pray he learned a lesson about spiritual warfare and how important it is to stay close to God and to keep his life pure. I can’t see it right now though.
Someone asked about the Paul Tripp book on raising teens, Age of Opportunity, about what is good about it. I’m not even halfway through it but what I like about it is that it deals with the condition of their hearts and not just outward behavior. It teaches me how to look beyond the behavior to the heart and try to change that. I got it from Shepherd Press and I also get their enewsletters which are good.
6. What Job wishes God would make happen. Job 14:13
Job wants God to hide him in seclusion in the world of the dead until God is done being angry with him. Job also wishes God would recognize him once again. (as he worships?)
I base my answer on my word studies of this verse: O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldst appoint me a set time and remember me!
I discovered hide and secret mean the same in Hebrew even though they are two seperate words.
Hide-Strong’s 6845-Hebrew-TSAPHAN-to hide by covering over
Secret-Strong’s 5641-Hebrew-CATHAR-hide by covering/conceal
Grave-Strong’s 7585-Hebrew-SHEOL-world of the dead; as if a subterranean retreat; seclusion
Wrath-Strong’s 639-Hebrew-APH-rapid breathing in passion. ire-anger
Past-Strong’s 7725-Hebrew-SHUWB-to turn back (hence, away)
Appoint-Strong’s 7896-Hebrew-SHIYTH-to place
Set-Strong’s 2706-Hebrew-CHOQ-an enactment/appointment
Remember-Strong’s 2142-Hebrew-ZAKAR-to mark (as to be recognized)
7. Question Job asks of God in Job 14:14a
If a man die, shall he live again?
Die-Strong’s 4191-Hebrew-MUWTH-be dead
Live-Strong’s 2421-Hebrew-CHAYAH-to revive; make alive; restore life to.
8. Job’s hope Job 14:14
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change comes.
Chage-Strong’s 2487-Hebrew-CHALIYPHAH-alternation-change course-successive change from one thing or state to another and back again.
A while back we learned about Laminin. The protein molecule (I hope I got that right) that is shaped like a cross. Have any of you ever heard of the Pine Tree Cross? If not check out this website and you will see what I’m talking about. It’s my Easter gift to each one of you.
I clicked comment before I posted the web address. Sorry.
wwww.wandascountryhome.com/pinetrees/
A friend of mine visited the farm and sent me the info. I have lived around pine trees all my life and never knew this. Enjoy!
I will be looking for these this year. I have lots of southern pines to look at:)
9. Glorius Promise Job 14:15
A. What does Job realize is going to happen after his death and why?
Job realizes God is going to hold him accountable for the way he lived his life. Why? Job know he belongs to God.
B. What does the phrase, “you will long for the creature your hands have made”, mean to me?
I was never able to bear children (which in my situation was a blessing) but I have been involved in the lives of children through child care, as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and AWANA leader. From a spiritual mother point of view I hope to see how my “children” will serve the Lord in their adult years. One of mine I taught in SS and VBS as a child is now 25, a mom, and the secretary of the church I attend. My ‘honorary son’ is coming home from Afghanistan Monday. His mom called and asked if I would help her plan his welcome home party. For a couple of years I was a child care provider for foster parents. I would pick up 2 foster children after school and take care of them until their foster parents arrived home from work. Those children became a part of me and my heart was broken when they were adopted and I was told I could never have contact with them again. That’s been over 15 years and those young girls are now adults. Of all the children I have had the opportunity to care for there is one child I ‘long’ to know about. I received a call from the Department of Family and Children Services late one night asking me if I could sit with a child at the hospital. A neglected five month old infant had been removed from her teen-age mother. Thankfully I am an aunt so I am familiar with infants. I will never forget this experience. She was so hungry she ate every hour on the hour. She had no sleep schedule so she would sleep for only twenty minutes at the time and she did not want to placed in the crib. She was starving for touch. I held her all night long. She finally went into a peaceful sleep at dawn. Even though I knew she would not remember my voice I would sing to her and I told her Jesus loved her. She would be a teen-ager now. I have often wondered if that one night I had with her made a difference in her life. I believe I will get the answer when I stand before Christ.
C. John 11
How did Jesus feel about Lazarus?
According to John 11:5 Jesus loved Lazarus. The Greek word for loved used here is AGAPAO (Strong’s 25). To esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in someone; to delight in. According to that definition Jesus enjoyed being with Lazarus (Mary and Martha). There are people I enjoy being with. I think sometimes people forget Jesus was human just like us. He experienced life from our viewpoint. I heard recently that Jesus spent more time in the marketplace than the ministry. I forgot who stated that but he went on to say that being a carpenter Jesus understands how we feel after a hard day of work. He understands about dealing with difficult people. He understands when there is a downturn in the economy and no one is buying your product. I had never considered all that before.
What did He do?
When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick he waited for two days before heading out to see him. Of course we know now this was part of God’s plan. Jesus even told the disciples Lazarus was dead. How heavy and somber the trip must have been. Only Jesus knew what was going to take place. When He and the disciples arrived Lazarus had been buried for four days. After speaking with Martha and Mary, Jesus was moved by the weeping. In his humanity he responded to Lazarus’ death. He was greatly moved with emotion. You know I have heard this preached many times but after reading it again and studying for myself I believe Jesus was overcome with emotion just as we are when a loved one dies. He hurt because his friend had died. And even though His Diety knew Lazarus was going to live again, his humanity still felt the sting of death-separation from a loved one. Through my study of the verse Jesus wept I discovered the Greek word for wept-DAKRUSO-is only used here in Luke 11:35.(Strong’s 1145) According to Zodhiates, the translation should be “He shed tears”. He goes on to write, “When the Lord, however, stood before the tomb of Lazarus, He simply a tear as if to say to those around Him that He was Master of the situation, even if that situation was death”.
Jesus commands the stone be rolled away from the tomb and calls Lazarus by name to come out of the grave. After Lazarus came out Jesus commands, probably Martha and Mary, to free Lazarus from the grave clothes. Lazarus’ resurrection was done to bring glory to God the Father.
D. How does Jesus feel about Job, myself, and my loved ones in Him?
Jesus delights in us. He loves us so much He died for us.
What will He do?
He will call us to come out of our graves. He will resurrect us.
10. What does God also reveal to Job in 14:16?
God reveals to Job that He knows when Job sins.
11. And what else in Job 14:17?
God reveals to Job that his sins are stopped. The word sealed (kjv) in Hebrew is CHATHAM-close up, make an end, stop. (Strong’s 2856) I know Job was not sinless and that he lived before the law so I gather that the burnt offerings Job offered to God, I hesitate to use the word atone but it’s the only one that comes to mind, took care of Job’s sins. I can’t think of a better way to express my thought. I think the writer is telling us that sin has no dominion over Job.
12. Application to my heart.
I know I am not free from the presence of sin in my life but I am free from it’s power. I am covered with the perfect righteouness of Christ and that is the only reason God can look at me. Now that I am free from the dominion of sin, I think differently, certain things no longer appeal to me, and I want to have more meaningful conversation.
Dee, I have never been involved in such an in-depth study of Job, not even when I taught Sunday School. The only promise I have ever heard from Job is “I know my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). Every morning this Holiest of all weeks, I have looked forward to sharing my findings with everyone. It has greatly enriched my daily ‘maintaining the mundane’ of life. I’m finding I am more aware when my mind begins to wander and I quickly want to get back under God’s wings of protection. Thank you Dee for giving all of us your precious time to teach us God’s truth.
Tammy,
I just saw your above post that Christopher passed away. I am so very sorry. Stopped at that point and prayed for his parents, Roy and TerriLynn. Just praying that in the middle of this tragedy of losing their son, they will find God, because I know He is longing for them and wanting to comfort them.
#4. Is there any hope of forgiveness at life’s end?
Job 14:1-4
“Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away, like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Do You fix Your eye on such a one? Will You bring me before You for judgment? Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!”
My paraphrase: Life is so short, so fleeting, and full of trials and sorrows. And then, I must be brought to stand before a holy and pure God. Who or what can do something with my sin? No one can! What am I going to do?
Job knows that he is impure and wonders how he can be made pure?
B. Romans 8:1-2 and 1 John 1:9
There is forgiveness of my sin through Jesus Christ. He sets me free from the law, having to keep it ( which I can’t), and from death. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
#5. Is there any hope we will have new bodies?
A. Job 14:7-12
Job laments that there is more hope for a tree than for man. Man dies and is no more.
B. 1 Corinthians 15:35-55
Paul tells us what the resurrection of our bodies will be like. The raised body will be imperishable, raised in glory and power. And we shall bear the likeness of the Man from heaven.
#6. Job rejects suicide, but does wish God would take his life. But then he is afraid of even that for his view of the afterlife is shadowy. In his lament, he expressed what he wishes God would make happen. Find it in Job 14:13.
“If only You would hide me in the grave and conceal me till Your anger has passed! If only You would set me a time and then remember me!”
If Job is wishing here that God would take his life, he realizes his need to be “hidden” until God’s anger has passed. Then there will be a time when God will cause Job to live again.
#7. Find the question he asks of God in Job 14:14a.
“If a man dies, will he live again” (is there anything for me after death?)
#8. Job’s doubt begins to turn to hope in the last part of Job 14:14.
Job says, “I will wait for my renewal to come”.
“All the days of my struggle I will wait,
until my change comes”. (NASB)
This “renewal” or “change” that Job decides to wait for must be a glimmer of hope, for, if Job were to resign himself that he will die and cease to exist, there would be nothing to wait for.
Thanks for your precious sharing. Great testimony from Tammy about holding that child. So good to have prayers for one another — truly a community.
Tomorrow, Good Friday, I’ll do a post about the “True Job” — so please finish up your contemplations on this one today.
Love to each of you
#9. Here is the glorious promise, beginning in Job 14:15.
A. What does Job realize is going to happen after his death and why?
He will live again, he will hear God’s voice and answer Him. Because God loves Job and wants him to be with Him wherever He is.
“You will call and I will answer You, You will long for
the creature Your hands have made.”
God’s longing for His creature is certainly the opposite of rejection and the proof that man ceases to exist after death.
B. Contemplate the phrase “You will long for the creature Your hands have made.” If you are a mother, compare this to your feelings about your child. What does this phrase mean to you?
I picture and feel the longing I have and the joy I’ve felt in taking my children in my arms, holding them, kissing them; a small hand
in mine. But there’s more. It’s the connection I long to have
with them; the relationship; talking, sharing, an emotional and
spiritual closeness; a bond.
And because of sin, in myself and them, how often that desire
is frustrated. That same sin in me often keeps me away from
God. But when I die and am finally made perfect, because of
Jesus, it will be a pure longing that will be fulfilled and
realized, union with God no longer marred by sin.
I think that’s why God set out from the very beginning to bring us to Himself, by His plan of salvation through His Son, not because there is anything in us that deserves it, but He loves the “creatures He has made” so much. He longs to bring us safely home, with Him. It reminds me of the verse:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those
sent to you, how often I have LONGED to gather your children
together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but
you were not willing”. (Matthew 23:37)
Sinful as we are, He loves us. He longs to wipe away the dirt and draw us near.
Hello, my Sisters in Christ! It has been a long two weeks of business trips and extra duties. I’ve been home only long enough to repack a suitcase and move on to the next event. Fortunately a Great Banquet weekend was the middle excursion. What a wonderful 3 days of study, worship, laughter and tears for the 72 of us gathered together in God’s love! Though it took quite a while, I’ve read through the last two weeks worth of blog and have but one thing to say … WOW!! You ladies are AWESOME!!!!
I quickly read through the scriptures for this blog and what captured my attention was Job 14:15-19:
You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
Surely then you wil count my steps
but not keep track of my sin.
My offenses will be sealed up in a bag;
you will cover over my sin.
But as a mountain erodes and crumbles
and as a rock is moved from its place,
as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil,
so you destroy man’s hope.
When God breaks through to us and we hear his still voice speaking, we are filled with hope. How wonderful is it that God will list all I have done, all my steps, but not keep track of my sin. In fact, He will seal it up in a bag so that it does not stink and offend anyone! Please don’t be offended but this reminds me of walking the dog and carrying a plastic bag to pick up the poopoo so my dog’s waste does not offend anyone else! Now there’s an image … God following us around with a pooper-scooper! I guess that makes Jesus the plastic bag?
Anyway, when I hear those whispers from God, I am lifted and encouraged and filled with renewed hope. Then my day begins and I look all around me and little by little that hope begins to erode. The storms of life wear away at me and the ground is washed away beneath my feet, once again. Just like Job.
Thank you, Jesus, for bearing the burden of me. On this Maundy Thursday may we remember your last supper, your charge to serve, your signs of communion with us, and the great love and obedience that began your humiliation and glory! Amen.
10. What does God also reveal to Job in Job 14:16?… That the Lord numbers his steps. The Lord knows the length of a life and He observes all that we do. It also seems to say that his sin is covered…not observed. Which reminds me of the blood on the mercy seat.
11. And what else in Job 14:17?..
Job 14:17 (NIV) My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin.
My sin is sealed up in a bag….actually it is sealed up in the body of Christ and it is covered with His blood.
12. How will you apply this to your heart?…I loved this new picture of the cross in Job 14:17. My sin is sealed and covered, because of Christ’s death on that cross. I can know, that even when I die, I shall live. What hope I have in the Lord… Lord, may Your blood continue to be applied to my life. Give me understanding regarding the power of Your blood.
Love to you too, Dee. I am trying to come to Kansas City to hear you speak.
I am reveling in the new things I am learning through this study. What precious timing to have fresh understanding right before Easter Sunday. This study is so anointed. I love the verse that speaks of God longing for the creature he has made. When my boys were little and I knew I would be away from them for a time, I would begin missing them and longing for them even before I left. God longs for us similarly. That is amazing. It is too wonderful. I also love the reminder that God seals our sins in a bag. This is a powerful visual aid since I tend to hold my sins against myself.
Question 12
I will apply this to my heart by letting go of sins and past failures because my Father God longs for me to be with him!
One hymn that reminds me of the promises in this study is, “Because He Lives.” It was a favorite of my sister Esther who died of a brain tumor in September. Partly because yesterday was her birthday and partly because Resurrection Sunday is almost here, I have been thinking of it and singing it to myself a lot. The words are:
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus,
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy He gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Chorus:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
I am SO thankful for the hope of the gospel that God gave glimpses of in the Old Testament and paints with bold colors in the New Testament. I appreciate the way you have helped bring these Scriptures together for me, Dee.
May God grant each of you a blessed Resurrection Day because He lives!
Allie Jo — thank you.
I have a friend in my Bible study who lost her young sister last year — and her birthday was the same as Esther’s. She keeps me thinking of you.
Thank you Allie Jo, so well said…I agree, the hope we have, even in loss is so wonderful. This morning the song singing in my heart is Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God shouldst die for me…May we all be blessed with His sweet presence in all of our moments this Good Friday.
This is the song I would like to share. “Champion of Love”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFrLPXT6Uqs&feature=related
I want to wish everyone a Happy Good Friday… may you all be very blessed by knowing how much Jesus loves us. I am continually uplifted by all of your words in this study. Thank you for drawing me closer to my Lord.
I wish it could always be Holy Week. I know any day with Christ is a holy day, but I am speaking of this glorious time of year. I remember how Pastor Mike used to say Good Friday isn’t just good… it’s the Best Friday that could ever happen to us.
Allie Jo, Thanks for sharing Because He Lives. What hope we have because He lives! I am so sorry about your sister. Sisters are also so very special.
I have been thinking this morning about question 1. I guess this would be a heart application for this truth and Because He Lives speaks right to it. So very often I get mired down in Solomon’s futility because I am looking around and not up. I realize that of course these things are hopeless if I am the one trying to fix them. Fortunately I am not. So the question is am I going to try and fret or will I trust and obey.
Thank you for caring, Anne.
GOOD SHARING FROM ALL!