A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS PERPLEXITY

April 21, 2002 am
MFBlume

Matthew 27:35-46 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (36) And sitting down they watched him there; (37) And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (38) Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. (39) And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, (40) And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. (41) Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, (42) He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. (43) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (44) The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. (45) Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (46) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

It was an agonizing death.

Think of it.
He sinned not.
He was the most perfect man who ever lived.
The Son of God.
God manifest in flesh.
Yet He suffered so fully.

Yet the greatest issue on his mind was WHY He suffered.

Why do you think Jesus Christ hollered aloud, crying with His voice, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Those words speak more than simply words indicating the absence of the Father.
This Son of God was questioning why the Father would ever leave Him.
They were words questioning any reason for the Father to be so disgusted with Him.
They indicate the Son's bewilderment as to any reasonable conclusion as to why He was fit for being forsaken.
In other words, He could think of no plausible reason or cause in Himself for Deity to abandon Him.
He was so perfect and sinless in and of Himself that in all His consideration and deep concentration upon His life, looking for any reason in Himself that might cause the Father to leave Him, he could find nothing of any grounds.

There is an absolutely wonderful and astounding parallel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament story of a man whose life seemingly stands out in scripture.

There is one entire book of the Bible that is so different, and that has caused many to wonder about and question God's integrity.
And scholars for ages have missed the meaning.
Critics have mocked God's judgment, but the missing factor in their scoffings has been the one single great truth towards which the entire Bible intends to push us.

The Book and the story is that of a man named JOB.

The relevance can only be seen in realizing that Job's story holds a beautiful parallel to that of the cross and Jesus Christ.

Its so perfect that even brief moments, noted in the Gospels, are foretold.

He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.

He cursed the barren, that beareth not.

Jesus came to a fig tree that did not bear figs, since it was not the time for figs.
However, it should not have had leaves if it had no figs.
And this was actually a reflection on Jerusalem who rejected Him and did not render unto Him the fruits of praise and worship due Him, just as the parable of the wicked husbandmen who kept back the fruit of the vineyard and slew the son of the master.

This book has recently been attacked and utilized by the world's scoffers of God and its hateful enemies as a means to show that God is unrighteous.

It is a book that has very recently become the target for the search of a means to "show God up", through His own word.

However, at the same time, God would reveal to His precious church the truths of the precious work of the cross.

If one would ask oneself, why the Lord cried forth such a stark and outstanding statement as, "my God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me,"

...and consider things seemed most strange to Job, also, seeing the very Bible itself, even God's recorded statements of the man, testify of the man's innocency...
...one might read Job's story and catch the answer!
And this answer is one of the most astounding and powerful truths anyone could ever come to know.

Who was Job and what did God say about him?

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job 1:7-8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

They say that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, will all things be established.

If anything could be said about Job, it was that he was perfect, upright, feared God and eschewed evil.

In fact, God said there was NOBODY ELSE LIKE HIM IN ALL THE EARTH.

How many can attest to the fact that JESUS was perfect, and nobody was like Him in all the earth?

As we read of Satan's attacks against this man, slaying his seven boys and three girls, and destroying his buildings and killing his cattle in natural disasters (disasters that ignorant insurance people call "acts of God")...

We see an absolutely innocent man afflicted with sufferings unimaginable.
An innocent man!

The entire episode was Satan's attempts to destroy Job's relationship with God.

Job 2:4-5 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (5) But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

He attempted to prove to God that nobody loves God, and nobody is that full of integrity enough to be afflicted and lose all blessings, but continue to trust and serve God.

Jesus Christ came to this world to seek and to save sinners.

He was completely righteous.
He was perfect.
He was sinless.
Job's life merely foreshadowed Jesus' goodness.
And yet Christ suffered such unimaginable afflictions on a cross.

Smith's Bible Dictionary says:

"Arrived at the place of execution, the sufferer was stripped naked, the dress being the prerequisite of the soldiers (Matt. 27:35). The cross was then driven into the ground, so that the feet of the condemned were a foot or two above the earth, and he was lifted upon it; or else stretched upon it on the ground and then lifted with it.. . . Death . . . was at last the result of gradual benumbing and starvation. . . . death resulted, not from the infliction of mortal wounds, but from internal congestion, inflammation, organic disturbances, and consequent exhaustion of vital energy."

And it is amazing to read through the book of Job and catch some statements that prophesy so clearly the sufferings of Jesus.

Job 16:9-13 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. (10) They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. (11) God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. (12) I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. (13) His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

Like arrows shot into Christ as though He were hung up on the cross as a target, the nails slammed through His hands and feet.

He was given over to Romans and Jews who hated Jesus and preferred a murderous prisoner Barabbas to be released, when Pilate only called for them to choose between them, convinced it would cause them to set Jesus free.

Job 13:27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.

Like nails through His feet, we read this of Job.

Job 5:14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

...so perfectly similar to the sun becoming black at the noon time, when sinners rallied against Christ in watching Him die.

In thinking of Jesus' cry as to why the Father forsook Him, we can surely perceive that Hell was nauseatingly repeating lies and temptations and distortions to His human mind.

And as though God gives us further insight as to what was whispered in Jesus' ears that day on the cross, we read this in Job...

Job 4:12-16 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. (13) In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, (14) Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. (15) Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: (16) It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

There was a devil in the air.

A spirit that did not bring peace, but whose very presence brought tension and anxiety and fear.
Definitely not the Spirit of God.

Job 4:17-21 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? (18) Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: (19) How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? (20) They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. (21) Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

This Devil tempted the Son of God to question the Father.

If you read carefully, you can get the impression that the devil was patting Jesus on the back for being able to recognize there was error in God the Father.
"You're sinless!"
"If anybody deserved to be treated correctly, it is YOU!"
"But look at the situation..."
"Your Father is treating you as typically as can be expected from any mistaken individual."
"He trusts nobody. He accuses his angels with folly, which is why I was cast out to begin with!"
"Do you think He is going to trust you any moreso, let alone equally?"
"You're only of the dust and clay in a human body, pocked up with holes from nails like a garment eaten by moths."
"God disregards all humans, if He disregards you, and treats you this way."

Jesus was innocent!

Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
Job 10:6-7 That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? (7) Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.

Thoughts racing through the mind of the Son of God...

Job 16:19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

He wondered about any possible sins that may have been present, to cause Him to deserve such suffering.

Job 13:23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
Job 6:28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
Job 19:7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
Job 23:3-7 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! (4) I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. (5) I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. (6) Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. (7) There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

Imagine the agony in His mind and thinking behind the words MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

How many thoughts go through our minds, compared to the fewer words we even speak forth?
Job's story is opening this up for us.

As if there is no answer from the Father, He asks WHY???

Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
Job 30:20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.

So Satan tempts Him to think that God MADE AN ERROR.

Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

Something is wrong!

If only...

We all know what its like to say, "If only..."

As we experience a trouble, we have thought, "If only this had not happened beforehand.."

He knew something changed in How the Father treated Him.

He was always so blessed and beloved.
Now He is shunned and abandoned.
Why is the Father sickened with Him?
Nothing changed on His behalf!

Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me;

Psalm 22 agrees:

Psalm 22:1-2 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? (2) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.

As though grasping for any reason for His sufferings of the cross...

Job 31:3-11 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? (4) Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? (5) If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; (6) Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. (7) If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; (8) Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out. (9) If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; (10) Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. (11) For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

Read the whole chapter!

Its agonizing!

Especially when you think of Christ!

But the Gospel begins to shine through.

If you only keep Jesus in mind as you read Job, it all makes perfect sense.
And it glorifies the cross and the work of salvation so highly.

Notice what Job is accused of:

Job 22:5-7 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? (6) For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing. (7) Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

To take a pledge is to make a covenant with someone.

But he is accused of making covenants with people for nought.
We know Job was full of integrity.
So what this can only mean is that he makes covenants with people when there is nothing the people offer of themselves.
Some Bible Translations make it look like Job rips people off.
But we know he had integrity.
He was being accused of making covenants with people who had nothing to substantiate their part.
I other words, He only requires their FAITH.. not their works.
Praise God!

Jesus might be mocked by devils and critics everywhere, however, it is simply the very foundation of the Gospel that we are not saved by works.

We are saved through a faith.
And that faith is that we could do nothing, and that Jesus did it all.
Let them mock Christ for that.
It just glorifies His MERCY!

And He was accused of stripping the naked of clothing.

How can you take naked people and strip them of clothing?
This simply takes into consideration that we are naked before Him in unrighteousness.
And we must humble ourselves in a figurative stripping, by admitting we need Him.
This is the very essence of REPENTANCE!
Again, this is absolutely necessary for salvation!

He did not give water to the weary.

At the well was a woman who came for water.
She said he had no means to get the water.
The well was deep.
But He was not interested in providing this woman with water.
He had LIVING WATER He was more interested in giving her.
Let them mock Jesus by misunderstanding His ways!
Its part of salvation to receive the Living waters of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost from Jesus!

And we begin to see the reason He seemingly suffered so wrongfully.

Why did He suffer so much?
He was innocent and perfect.
Why should such a man suffer like that?
Job sheds the light.

Job 19:9-10 He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. (10) He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

He was stripped of His glory so that He might clothe us.

Job 36:16-17 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness. (17) But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.

He suffered like He did because OTHERS WERE WICKED.

Jesus should not have had to walk a strait path.

In other words, he did not deserve such a STRICT and RIGID walk that He walked.
We must walk the strait and narrow because our flesh would sin and be tempted too much and most likely fall if we were to walk the broad way where nothing was barred from us.
We have to watch ourselves and restrict ourselves, because our flesh would go wild with temptation.
But Jesus went through the rigid and strict and harsh experience of the cross FOR THOSE WHO ARE WICKED... us.

He did not suffer because He was sinful in Himself.

Job 16:11-17 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. (12) I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. (13) His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. (14) He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. (15) I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. (16) My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; (17) Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

Not for any injustice in His hands.

It was your sins that He suffered for.

As Jesus cried, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do..."

Job 24:12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.

His death enabled Him to see God forgive us, because He took the penalty owed us by dying for us on the cross.

Only in seeing Him die as us, can we realize the reason He said "Forgive them for they know not what they do."

The only ones forgiven through this prayer, are those who have faith that the suffering on the cross that He experienced was for their salvation and freedom from that judgment.

He was sinless.

As though seeing the idiocy of guarding his tomb as though they had to watch out for a monster coming forth...

Job 21:32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
RSV Job 21:32 When he is borne to the grave, watch is kept over his tomb.
ASV Job 21:32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb.

And also....

Job 7:12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

The Hebrew term here for "WHALE" is also translated "SEA MONSTER" or "DRAGON".

Was He like a monster that they had to watch over Him?

To keep the disciples from stealing His body from the tomb, or from even taking it from the cross before He died, they placed a watch over Him.

What insanity!

But thanks be to God!...

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

It was all decent and right.

It was absolute mercifulness!
God planned it all because THROUGH HIS DEATH, our sins were removed!
He suffered because of our iniquities!

Reading the next few words closely we see that Jesus Christ was raised up because He indeed was God and was righteous.

Job 40:6-14 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, (7) Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. (8) Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? (9) Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? (10) Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. (11) Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. (12) Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. (13) Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. (14) Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

Words spoken to a mere man to challenge him, and yet they contain a deeper meaning that Jesus indeed did have an arm like God.

He was God manifested in flesh.
He could deck Himself with glory and majesty!
He would abase all who are proud.
He would tread down the wicked in their place!
He would bring salvation!
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.... But this spake He of the temple of His body." John 2:17-19

And after it was all over, and Job recovered just as Jesus resurrected from the grave...

It ALL MADE SENSE.

God knew what he was doing!

Job 42:1-5 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (2) I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (3) Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. (4) Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. (5) I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Jesus is made a mediator for the sinners of the world...

Job 42:7-8 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (8) Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

Aren't you glad that the man Christ Jesus is our mediator and that God accepts His mediation for us?

Only Jesus is the One you can go to!

Otherwise God will deal with us all for our sins.

God to Him and claim al the payment of suffering for YOUR sins.

Why did He suffer so severely?
He was sinless!
Why so much agony?
Because it was for YOUR SINS He died.
So you can only get right with God through THAT work of the cross that HE DID.

Take seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to Jesus.

Seven is the number of completeness.
In other words, realize that only JESUS' work on the cross PERFECTLY deals with your sins.
All your required sacrifice is in JESUS.
Take all your hopes of salvation and redemption to Him.
Put all your stocks in Him.
God the Father listens to no one except the Son of God.

Job 42:10-12 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (11) Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. (12) So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

Exactly TWICE as much as his first possessions.

Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

A double portion!

Double portion always indicates that its now YOU AND JESUS together.

Why did Jesus suffer?

YOUR SINS HAD TO BE DEALT WITH.

And God loved you so much that He wanted you set free from them to be able to come back to Him once again, and remain with Him forevermore!

He took everything that He hated about you and destroyed it on the cross.

All your sins.
He put it into Christ and poured out His wrath upon it all at one time.
All the sins of everyone of us.
All in one fell swoop.
So that you could be freed from them all.
And He makes you a new creature!
Jesus suffered so severely because He took your sins and God destroyed them all in Him.

Then Christ arose again from the dead, and because we chose to accept His work on the cross for our sins, we are made one With Him, and are risen together into a brand new life with Him!

Job was given seven more sons, and three more daughters, just as the same number of children he had at the first.

Jesus had "children" in his disciples.
During the cross, He lost, as it were His children.
But after the cross, the disciples returned to Him.
And they were new creatures, born again.
Just like new sons and daughters that Job received.

It was said of the three daughters that they were so beautiful that none were like them in the east.

After the disciples were born again, they were more beautiful than they had ever been!
New creatures in Christ!