Believers, the Wisdom is shouting for you the book of Job, before the end comes upon you like a thief!
The Messiah warns us many times to not fall asleep but to make sure we stay awake so that the end will not come upon us by surprise.
Indeed, the end will take place during a period of darkness pushing most of the mankind to face a complete loss of orientation. At that time, people will not be able to find their way because of the great confusion; they will act indiscriminately and cause their loss.
A long time ago, Job lived a similar experience as the one we begin to live.
He was abandoned by the Lord, yet by his firm attitude, he stayed on the right but very narrow track that leads to the eternal life. The following text is given to throw some new light on his unique experience.
A man faithful to Elohim
Well before the Apostles John and Paul, Job has left us a wonderful testimony about the right definition of a true believer in Elohim. Job was indeed a man who believed in and feared Elohim by shunning evil:
" 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared Elohim and shunned evil." (Job 1: 1)
This attitude of Job has attracted many blessings of Elohim to such an extent that he became the most famous person of his time in the East!
" 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. "(Job 1: 2-3)
Delivered suddenly to Satan without any warning.
Yehoah, who nevertheless loves Job, will deliver him without any warning to the power of Satan to show how Satan is powerless against a man steeped in the fear of Elohim:
"12 And Yehoah said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”So Satan went out from the presence of Yehoah .
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans[c] raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of Elohim fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across[d] the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”(Job 1: 12-19)
First, Job is losing not only all his wealth but also his beloved children. But look how he will stand strong against this adversity and how his behaviour will be outstanding while facing this extremely dramatic period of time in his life:
" 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. Yehoah gave, and Yehoah has taken away; Blessed be the name of Yehoah .” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge Elohim with wrong."(Job 1: 20-22)
This should remind us of the teaching of Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians:
" Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Yeshuah, 6 who, being in the form of Elohim, did not consider it robbery to be equal with Elohim, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore Elohim also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,10 that at the name of Yeshuah every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Yeshuah Christ is Lord, to the glory of Elohim the Father." (Philippians 2: 5-11)
Indeed, as Job did not rebel, nor had the slightest feeling of bitterness after the first wave of painful trials that fell upon him, in the same way, Yeshuah our Messiah has also agreed to be delivered to the power of Satan. Just like Job, Yeshuah the Messiah during his trial has also found refuge in the Word of Elohim:
" 1 Then Yeshuah was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of Elohim, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Elohim.’” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of Elohim, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Yeshuah said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your Elohim.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Yeshuah said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your Elohim, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him." (Matthew 4: 1-11)
But the sufferings of Job are far from their end because Satan will receive the permission to hit harder and this time in his flesh:
" And Yehoah said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”7 So Satan went out from the presence of Yehoah, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes."(Job 2: 6-8)
Job will not be influenced by his wife.
Despite the darkness Job is facing and the sufferings he is enduring, unlike Adam, Job snapped back his wife, when she was trying to push him to speak against the Lord:
" 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse Elohim and die!”10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from Elohim, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. " (Job 2: 9-10)
If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me!
Like the Messiah, Job will ask to be freed from the terrible pain he is suffering and he will ask to die. He will also regret being born:
"1After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job spoke, and said: 3 “May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’ 4 May that day be darkness; May Elohim above not seek it, Nor the light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not rejoice among the days of the year, May it not come into the number of the months. 7 Oh, may that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it! 8 May those curse it who curse the day, Those who are ready to arouse Leviathan. 9 May the stars of its morning be dark; May it look for light, but have none, And not see the dawning of the day;10 Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hide sorrow from my eyes. 11“Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? May Elohim above not seek it, Nor the light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not rejoice among the days of the year, May it not come into the number of the months. 7 Oh, may that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it! 8 May those curse it who curse the day, Those who are ready to arouse Leviathan. 9 May the stars of its morning be dark; May it look for light, but have none, And not see the dawning of the day;10 Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hide sorrow from my eyes. 11“Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? (Job 3: 1-12)
Job, in the midst of his terrible suffering, had the same kind of desire as the one Yeshuah had shortly before his sacrifice:
" 36 Then Yeshuah came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”" (Matthew 26: 36-39)
So-called "Friends" to discourage!
Job, at the summit of his discouragement must also deal with his "friends" who instead of trying to console him and speaking to him gently, they will often make him feel guilty . Here are few of the answers given by Job to his so-called friends:
" 1 Then Job answered and said: 2 “No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you!3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not know such things as these? 4 “I am one mocked by his friends, Who called on Elohim, and He answered him, The just and blameless who is ridiculed.” (Job 12: 1-4)
“1 Then Job answered and said: 2 “I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all! 3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? 4 I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you;5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief. 6 “Though I speak, my grief is not relieved; And if I remain silent, how am I eased?”(Job 16: 1-6)
“ 1 Then Job answered and said: 2 “How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times you have reproached me; You are not ashamed that you have wronged me. 4 And if indeed I have erred, My error remains with me.” (Job 19: 1-4)
Yeshuah at the critical time of his arrest caused by the denunciation made by his disciple Judas is left alone as all his disciples without exception have fled away from him:
“ 43 And immediately, while He was still speaking,Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.” 45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 Then Yeshuah answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.” (Mark 14: 43-50)
Wisdom, the key that opens all the doors on your way to Life.
In response to all this, Job knows what his place is and how to remain in it with a great humility, even though he was considered the greatest one of all the East. He shows his admiration for Elohim:
" 1 Then Job answered and said:2 “Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before Elohim? 3 If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. 4 Elohim is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? 5 He removes the mountains, and they do not know When He overturns them in His anger; 6 He shakes the earth out of its place, And its pillars tremble; 7 He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars; 8 He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea; 9 He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; 10 He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number. 11 If He goes by me, I do not see Him; If He moves past, I do not perceive Him; 12 If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’13 Elohim will not withdraw His anger, The allies of the prou lie prostrate beneath Him. 14 “How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him? 15 For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge. 16 If I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice.” (Job 9: 1-16)
Job also knows that finding and acquiring wisdom is the most important task for man in general and for himself in particular:
“12 But where can wisdom be found?And where is the place of understanding? 13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. 16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire. 17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. 20 “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air. 22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’ 23 Elohim understands its way, And He knows its place. 24 For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, 25 To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure. 26 When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt, 27 Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. 28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Yehoah, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’” (Job 28: 12-28)
If you want to learn more about wisdom, that wealth often unknown to man, go and read a meditation about it on this website. Wisdom existed before the creation and the LORD is ready to offer it to anyone who will ask for it. Read what wisdom says of itself:
“22 Yehoah possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men."(Proverbs 8: 22-31)
No one can pretend not to have heard wisdom or not having crossed its path:
" 1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way,where the paths meet.3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,At the entrance of the doors: 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of Yehoahis to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.”(Proverbs 8: 1-13)
The message of Job for our time!
Are we ready to follow Job’s illuminating behaviour, ready to lose everything at any time, given that all that we have came as a gift from Elohim. Elohim can give and take away whenever He wants and we must remain wise like Job.
Even if suffering reaches us, let us turn ourselves to the light and not towards the darkness where humanity is being plunged today:
" 17 For Elohim did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of Elohim. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in Elohim.”
(John 3: 17-21)