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?
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.
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,"
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.They say that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, will all things be established.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.
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")...
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.
"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.
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.
Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.Thoughts racing through the mind of the Son of God...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.
Job 16:19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.He wondered about any possible sins that may have been present, to cause Him to deserve such suffering.Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 13:23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.Imagine the agony in His mind and thinking behind the words MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?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.
Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!So Satan tempts Him to think that God MADE AN ERROR.Job 30:20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
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!
Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in the
months of old, As in the days when God watched over
me;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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".
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.It was all decent and right.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.
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.
It ALL MADE SENSE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Job was given seven more sons, and three more daughters, just as the same number of children he had at the first.