Thursday: The Resurrection and the Life
Read Job 14:14-15. What question is Job asking, and how, in his own way, does he answer it?
One of the themes in the book of Job deals with the question of death. How could it not? Any book that looks at human suffering would, of course, have to look at death, the source of so much of our suffering.
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Job asks if the dead will live again, and then he says that he waits for his change to come. The Hebrew word for “wait” also implies the idea of hope. It’s not just waiting for something, it ishoping for it.
And what he was hoping for was his “change.” This word comes from a Hebrew term that can give the idea of “renewal” or “replacement.” Often it is the changing of a garment. Though the word itself is broad, given the context-that of asking what “renewal” comes after death, a “renewal” that Job hopes for-what else could this change be but a change from death to life, the time God shall “desire the work of Your [God’s] hands” (Job 14:15, NKJV)?
Of course, our great hope, the great promise that death will not be the end, comes to us from the life, death, and ministry of Jesus. “The [New Testament] teaches that Christ has defeated death, mankind’s bitterest foe, and that God will raise the dead to a final judgment. But this doctrine becomes central to biblical faith . . . after the resurrection of Christ, for it gains its validation in Christ’s triumph over death.”-John E. Hartley, The Book of Job, NICOT, Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988), p. 237.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’ ” (John 11:25, NKJV). What is Jesus telling us here that gives us a hope and confidence about “the end”? That is, what do we know that Job didn’t know?
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I believe in God's word that after death there is eternal life only if one believes in christ us his or her personal Savior before death.
I have just started going back to church and although the story is one I know well I am seeing it in a different light. I often asked why it seems that only misfortune and misadventure can teach us the right way, but I have to believe that there is a Master plan and God wants only our good. I hope re-reading Job and studying the story and the message with the earnest desire to see God's will may help to strengthen my faith and eliminate my doubts.
Praise God that you found your way back into the fold. Almost 4 years ago, I too returned after a very long absence, and I am looking at God & so many Biblical things in a new light. God bless you as you continue on your journey
Praise God, Angela. I too know how it feels to come back to fold of God after short leaves of absence. Our enemies, great and small, want to discourage us by any means possible, with doubt and distractions. Don't worry about your doubts; lay your doubts at Jesus' feet this day, and let Him reveal the knowledge you are searching for in His own time. No one wants to believe this, but God knows what we can handle; some of us can't handle all of the knowledge that God wants to give us at this time. Be patient and wait on the Lord. Your only duty now is to decide this day, as I have, that I will not leave the ship of Jesus ever again, no matter what happens. But I, we, can only do this by "pray with ceasing", 1 Thessalonians 5:17. I'm proud of You!
Job's question waited for an answer. His mind is clouded with a doubt,but at least the doubting, almost desparing cry put into the mouth of the man of sorrows of the old testament is answered by the Man of sorrows of the new testament. The resurrection of Jesus comforts us with a Springtime of hope and life,in contrast to the darkness and coldness of death.
Oh yes, we are better placed than Job to exploit the opportunity offered to us through the sacrifice that Jesus gave. With such knowledge, we should also aim at doing that which places us in a position to gain from this opportunity. If Job could stay focused, with the hope we have today, am sure we can be more than focused.
Day by day as I continue reading verses from the book of Job my perception about life changes. My fear is no longer death because the truth is there is life after death
I have that I,m not in church due to job circumstances,and have seen since I left I do face a lot of challenges.What can I do?
I get amazed when i read about the resurrection, because i see that after every thing i´ve done i didn´t deserve a reward but still He forgives me and gives me the gift of life. everybody who´s going to go to heaven it´s not going to be what we did but what Christ has been doing for us and through us.Maybe somebody could be asking, what could i do to have the eternal life? but the answer is very simple it´s not about us it´s about God.
So, let us come boldly before the throne of God, put self aside so that God can use us to do the work He has appointed for us in this life So that Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life may be glorified.
In the story of Job we have a very clear teaching of what happens when we die.
Job 14:10 asks the question millions ask,
"“But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they?"
There is no cause for speculation or theory. Job 14:12 quickly, directly and clearly gives us the answer.
people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep.
Job 14:21 tells us clearly our dead loved ones are not watching us from heaven.
They never know if their children grow up in honor or sink to insignificance.
Job 7:9-10 makes it clear they are not spirits floating around haunting houses.
Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die[a] will not come back. They are gone forever from their home— never to be seen again.
Job 19:25-27 gives us the hope of the resurrection!
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
William, you are so right. I often have told people: "if there are people in Heaven right now watching what is going on here on Earth, then they are not enjoying Heaven." That would be contrary to the nature of our Loving Heavenly Father; that He would allow our loved ones to die, go to Heaven, and then watch in horror all the bad things that are happening here and now in this world. God knew that man, even redeemed, could not handle that kind of horror, so that's why He allows them to sleep in death, or to "wait until my change comes". As Ecclesiastes 9: 5, 6 says "...but the dead know not any thing,... Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."
We all need to study more. Study the Bible, the Greek and Hebrew Bible, as well as other good books. Also, we all need a good concordance in our houses.
PS, again for you skeptics, the words "for ever" in Ecclesiastes 9:6, are not the forever as we know it. We also must remember that Ecclesiastes is a book of poems, and we know that poets sometimes like to use their poetic license to put a play on words. The fact that "for ever" and "forever" are written differently, means that they are not the same words, thus they do not have the same meanings.
21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” John 11:23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Amazing - a woman - who spent most of her time in the kitchen - still she is clear on the fact that there will be a resurrection at the last day.
Amazing - Jesus gives the clearest message on eternal life to a woman!
Amazing - Martha believed that Jesus was the Messiah - just like Peter
"Read Job 14:14-15. What question is Job asking, and how, in his own way, does he answer it?"
Again Job reveals his understanding that death is not the final end of the righteous.
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live' " (John 11:25, NKJV). What is Jesus telling us here that gives us a hope and confidence about "the end"? That is, what do we know that Job didn't know?"
We don't know anything about the resurrection that Job didn't know, having expressed his faith in the Blessed Hope. Job knew and understood his eternal future in Christ. He understood the meaning of the sacrificial offerings he faithfully followed. Search it.
I'll pray for that, too, Angela.
I will tell you friends, right now...I am afraid to die. Why? I have not been living the life that God intends for me to live, plus I do get frustrated that this world is nothing more than just to (live then you die)...sounds radical, BUT I know it is self that speaks. I won't let the devil get the best of me, though and I will claim Job 14:14 in the name of Jesus. I want Job 14:15 in my life...(You would call and I would answer, and You would yearn for me your handiwork.)I need God to yearn for me His handiwork...Don't you?
Be encouraged my friend!! Fear of dying is a normal human reaction, just as the fear of sickness can be at times. However, we have to let our Faith in God exceed our fears. Also, the fact that you are here writing your testimony, tells me that the Holy Spirit is still working with you. As long as we have the Holy Spirit on our side, working in and with us, there is hope; hope for living a righteous life here on earth, and hope for eternal life in Jesus Christ at His second coming.
The Jewish feast of Pentecost OR First Fruits typified the resurrection of Jesus our firstfruit from the dead And our savior did resurrect.It was a pledge that all who dies in the faith of the atoning sacrifice would be resurrected to eternal life when Jesus comes the second time.Halleluyah!
Job did know about Jesus and the fact that he who believes in Him shall not die. That is why he (Job) said "For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth" Thefore I disagree with the author to say that Job didn't know the promise that jesus gave us.
Thank-you Jesus for your life, death, and resurrection. Your sacrifice, I accept as my pre-paid salvation. I thank-you for the wedding, you have prepared, and I humbly wear your wedding garment you have given me as a free gift. Matthew 22:1-14. Keep me in Thy way always, in Your name amen.
Job knew Jehovah our Lord, he knew that He would some day die to save us from our sins, thus he knew his Redeemer, and yes our redeemer was alive then, and is alive today, we are looking forward to Him standing on the earth again, after the 1000 years we 1st spend in heaven, beyond Orion. Job knew Christ through the symbolism of the sacrificial lamb. He did not know the name Jesus, and have the privilege knowing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, just as the disciples did not know Him as the Jehovah, or Yawee as Job knew Him. The disciples knew Him as the Messiah, and after His death they truly knew Him as Lord, though yes, they called Him Lord before His death. Shakes, I do believe you and the author are right.