I’ve left the Book of Job until last because it’s in a category by itself. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible around 1400 BC. Job was written at least 700 years earlier (2100 BC) and possibly as early as 2600 BC. Although much older than Genesis, God chose to place the Book of Job in the Old Testament canon behind the historical books and just ahead of the poetical books. The Book of Job addresses why God allows righteous people to suffer. We know that when we suffer as Christ did our character is somehow strengthened and our souls are purified. We ultimately grow closer to God and learn to depend on His strength.
Through Job’s experience we learn of God’s awesome power and inscrutable ways. We learn of God’s deep love for us and that He superintends every aspect of His creation. The lesson here is we need to know God in a personal way and never stop seeking to deepen that relationship. As we know God better our trust in Him will grow stronger. We will know for certain that God will do his best for us in every circumstance. We will learn to endure whatever happens to us with patience and fortitude knowing it’s God’s will for us as we continue to trust in Him and praise His name. This was the lesson Job learned through his suffering.
Job 19:25-27 – For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed , this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God. Whom shall I see for myself, and my eyes behold, and not another.
New Testament – Galatians 4:4 – But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
Job 14:4 – Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean one? No one!
New Testament – Hebrews 10:14 – For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Job 33:23-24 – If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to show man his uprightness, then He is gracious to him, and says, “Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.”
New Testament – Mark 10:45 – (Jesus speaking) – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Witnessing for Christ