This post is ONLY an introduction to the series on the Book of Job. If you are interested in the entire series, click "Next Post" at the end of this post.
This month we are going to look at a book of the Bible that most pastors avoid because it contradicts the doctrine that they actually teach. When pastors do teach from this book, they tend to keep it superficial. However, we will see that this abstract and superficial presentation quickly falls apart with two to three questions. This is why this book isn't studied in depth...and that is a shame because understanding this book leads to helping the individual grow spiritually. In the language of the previous post, it helps the individual go from a "2" to a "3". This month we will be covering the Book of Job.
One of the first ways some people try to discount this book is to say that Job didn't really exist...that the events didn't really happen.
(The rest of this post is focused on two things: 1) Proving Job actually existed and 2) There is revelation in the Book of Job that is currently being ignored AND would help us today. If you already believe both of these points, click on this link Job 1 to begin your look at the Book of Job.)
Last month we looked at God's Will and how it is a central doctrine that is at the root of some of our toughest questions. Understanding God's Will and how it works leads to spiritual growth. We saw that some people believe in a superficial man-made doctrine called "sovereignty" or "predestination". This doctrine is based on the beliefs that God can initiate His Will over the will of the individual and/or the future has already happened yet. We've seen this man-made traditional belief is NOT supported by the Bible.
In fact, the Biblical passages that completely expose this false doctrine of "sovereignty" and "predestination" are as follows:
1. Numbers 14:11-22
Moses changes God's Will
2. Jeremiah 15:1-6
God tells Jeremiah that even if Moses and Samuel were present, they could not change God's Mind.
3. Ezekiel 14:12-23
God tells Ezekiel that even if three specifically identified people were present, all they would be able to save is themselves and not their children.
4. II Kings 20:1-6
God tells Hezekiah he is going to die. Hezekiah prays and God allows Hezekiah to live for 15 more years (to Hezekiah and the nation Israel's detriment!) BECAUSE of Hezekiah's prayer. God stated something as fact and then changed it. Either the future hasn't happened yet and God's Will is able to be changed OR God lied!
(Note: The previous four links lead to sections from "Modeling God's Wills"...the sequel to "Modeling God".)
EVERYONE who says that the future has already happened and that God can initiate His Will over the will of the individual MUST interpret this passage as God lied. I don't know about you, but I believe it is impossible for God to lie.
These passages together prove that God's Will happens through people who have enough spiritual value...that God overrides the will of the individual ONLY in RESPONSE to Justice. We have already covered how the Biblical examples of the people who we ought to emulate all bear injustice well, so that God can work through them to bring about His Will. These passages show that:
1. Moses had enough spiritual value to change God's Will
2. God says the situation in Jeremiah is so bad not even Moses and Samuel had enough spiritual value to change it.
3. That three specifically named individuals ONLY had enough spiritual value to save themselves and NOT their kids if they had been present in the situation described in Ezekiel.
Who are the three specifically named people in Ezekiel who had enough value to save themselves from a horrendous situation?
"And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, when a land sinneth against me by committing a trespass, and I stretch out my hand upon it, and break the staff of the bread thereof, and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast; though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord Jehovah." (Ezekiel 14:12-14, ASV)
Noah was the ONLY righteous man on earth. Noah bore injustice well. He brought about the third dispensation and was able to save his wife, three sons, and their wives...eight people in all.
Daniel bore injustice well. Daniel got the revelations that proved to the Israelites how the fifth dispensation would end.
The third person is Job!!!!
Job existed! Saying Job didn't exist is a belief that the God lied to Ezekiel. Job is specifically mentioned by God to the Israelites as an example of someone who had tremendous spiritual value. Job is an example of a person who bore injustice well.
Job is also mentioned in the same company as people who brought about tremendous revelation that literally changed the world!!!!...The Flood and Jesus' crucifixion. Are there two more pivotal events in the history of the world?
In fact, Noah and Daniel had information that could have benefited people if they had taken the time to look deeper and understand.
Likewise, Job is someone who brought about tremendous revelation that COULD literally change the world...
...if we are willing to look deeper and understand.
In order to begin studying the Book of Job, click the following link:
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