'Jesus' In Job

When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before! [Job 42.10]

Over the past few days, I've been saying that Job was not restored until he repented. However, that is only partially accurate. In the strictest timing of events as laid out in the context, Job was not restored until after he interceded (prayed for) for his friends!

To be very clear, nothing says, "I forgive you" like interceding for another person. Intercession is not about getting, but giving...

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [Luke 23.34]

And, in Scriptural continuity, the most effective way to get is to give:

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” [Luke 6.38]

But wait! There's more! Luke 6.38, as powerful as it is, is really nothing if it is not read in its full context! And, in its full context, Job's restoration may be understood as his 'friends' had indeed become 'enemies' in their verbal assaults on Job!

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” [Luke 6.27-38]

Forgiveness is the overriding context of Luke 6.27-38. 'Giving to get,' as popularly singled out and taught by Luke 6.38, however starts with forgiveness. Intercession is forgiveness, as Jesus demonstrated on the Cross (“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”).

John's Gospel account of the Great Commission in interestingly this:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.21-23]

Job's story teaches us that pride prevents one from having a repentant heart before God. A proud unrepentant heart that is 'out of sorts' with God will not, in faith, intercede for (forgive) others and consequently, will not be restored.

As Job's story goes, it was indeed after Job interceded for his friends that he was restored. The fullness of what God was doing in Job was only realized when, for Job, it was no longer about himself, but about forgiveness of others.

Our repentance and humility before God are validated by our forgiveness of others. Job's story is just the beginning of our education to this end. Jesus confirmed it in no uncertain terms:

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6.14-15]

Repentance, all by itself, is not the 'ticket' to restoration. Faith must accompany repentance because without faith it is impossible to please God - and, God said "forgive those who sin against you" which takes more faith than moving mountains! Likewise, faith without repentance will never 'believe' for the right thing - God's will: that none should perish, but that all come to repentance:

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. [2 Peter 3.9]

'Jesus' is right there in Job, just like He said:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39] 

Father, I am overwhelmed with 'Jesus' and His forgiveness in Job today. Thank You for clearing that up for me!