How to Remarkably See King Jesus in the Book of Job ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

July 23, 1994, I lost my husband to suicide. Shortly after that the cat he had given me jumped out a window where she was staying and disappeared forever. I was driving to Missouri to get to the children for Christmas. Then, the Porsche I was driving from Laredo to Missouri was stolen without insurance. That same morning all the cash I owned devalued 50% due to President Clinton’s deal with China causing the Mexican Market crisis of 1994. I took a deep sigh, filled out the police report, and got tickets to fly to Missouri. I thought of the Book of Job and whispered a prayer, please do not ask for my children as well. At that time, I did not remarkably see King Jesus in the book of Job. I saw Job and somehow believed myself to be like him. Therefore, I was waiting for my restoration.

A Wrong Comparison

Thinking of the book of Job was comforting at first. I very quickly quoted Job. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (JOB 1:21). I thought of the Bible that lay on the front seat of the car filled with notes in the margins, praying the thief might read it and find Christ. Then I remembered the praise songs that were playing on the CD player in the car. So, I went on my way joyfully singing praises to God, believing will all my heart he would restore me as He had Job.

Funny had a little bit of wrong theology could be both good and bad. I had thought of myself as Job, rather than to remarkably see King Jesus in the Book of Job. The problem was not the faith I held that God would make all things right. Instead, the problem was my desire He fulfill my desires my way. Much like Job and His friends I did not understand the depth of the story, nor the suffering servant who paid it all for my redemption.

Opening The Book of Job

No one knows for certain when the book of Job was written nor who the author is. Although Hebraic teachers most believe it was also written by Moses, as God spoke to him in Mount Sinai and the desert. We know that:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Job 32:8 – But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

2 Peter 1:20-21 – Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Although it is not certain what date Job lived it is believed that it was before the time of Jacob (Israel) as there is no mention of the Mosaic law. Perhaps, he lived at the time of Abraham and Melchizedek.

¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. ¹⁹And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: ²⁰And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14: (KJV)

At any rate, the timing and people are as mysterious as was Melchizedek whom we are told little about.

Job As a Typology of King Jesus

Multiple times and even to Satan, God refers to Job as “my righteous servant.” Note just in case Satan had not noticed Job, God points him out.

“Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8

God is about to distinguish the difference between those who love God for who He is and those who seek Him only for what they can obtain. I daresay, Job was picked out for affliction because God knew His heart. He was about to show the world and all the hosts of heaven just how noble Job’s faith was. In doing so He uses the testimony of Job to save the friends as well as proclaim Sovereign Grace and Glory of God. Furthermore, He is preparing the stage for His redemption plan to unfold in His son. Demonstrating just how His true Suffering Servant would face such cruelty for the salvation of others.

Afflicted of God

Throughout the book of Job, it is truly clear who is acting out evil against Job. But it is also clear who is Sovereign in allowing it. We could all count Job afflicted by God. A picture of the suffering servant to come.

⁴Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵But 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 everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53

Remarkably See King Jesus

Job was a man and not perfect as was the Son of God. Yet he did present a picture of King Jesus to come. Throughout every story, we see King Jesus presented. He is the story. We see Him in the story of Noah, Abraham, and Joseph to only point out a few. He is a part of every story. If we open our eyes, we will see Him there on every page.

Job mourned the day he was born, due to the pain. Jesus sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the fate to come. He prayed that this cup be taken away, yet, not His will but the Father’s be done. Trusting the Father fully and knowing this was the only way, He stepped forward to the cross.

IMAGINE This Scene Of King Jesus in Humble Power

After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. 2Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, STEPPED FORWARD and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

Jesus said, “I AM HE”

And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

The strength, the power in His voice had caused this army of soldiers to fall back. Never had they seen such as this–the one they sought stepped forward to be taken. No fear. And no quivering. He stepped forward as the great I AM.

7So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. 8“I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.”

King Jesus is our redeemer,

The great I AM stepped forward and died the death that my sin deserves, that I might be redeemed. At the end of the book of Job, it says God’s wrath was hot against the friends of Job for all their false theology. They were so caught up in Prosperity Gospel, they could not see the truth of who God IS. The only one who spoke more righteously was Elihu who was like a type of John the Baptist introducing God onto the scene. He is not included in God’s wrath at the end. Job willingly received their burnt offerings as God instructed and prayed for their redemption. This all despite their cruelty in proclaiming his guilt.

Yet, they too, had to be willing to humble themselves before God and bring their offering to this man whom they had condemned with their words.

⁶But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you James 4

And Jesus said, “

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? ³I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13.

Furthermore, how often do we pray for those who have wronged us? Pray for their redemption? I daresay I have so often failed in this regard; but God is transforming my heart one tiny step at a time.

All Things Work Together For Good

Job came to know God better through all that he suffered. He now had even a greater joy, hope, and understanding of God’s plan. Those things he would have questioned in the past were clearer. Although, truth be told God questioned Job as to “Who are you to question God? Were you there when I created all these things? Do you hold all the heavens and earth together? How can you understand my ways?”

So back to my story. For so many years I wasted looking for God to send me someone who would love me. But, after many wrong turns and directions while thinking He was answering that prayer, I came to discover He was more than enough. All because I had the wrong theology concerning Job. Yet, now that I see myself as Job’s friends and Job as the humble picture of King Jesus to come, I recognize how all the sufferings of this world bring me closer to Jesus.

Things of this world cannot bring the joy He brings me. He has blessed me richly. I bow before Him, knowing He knows what is best for me. Even in the middle of a storm, His anchor holds me fast.

James 5 (ESV)

(One day, when King Jesus Returns)

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. ²Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. ³Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. ⁴Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁶You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

So for now–Patience in Suffering

⁷Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. ¹⁰As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

¹²But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

And let us now pray The Prayer of Faith

¹³Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. ¹⁴Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

¹⁶Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ¹⁷Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

¹⁹My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Knowing all this: What should be our goal and our mission in this life?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

How to know King Jesus as Life, Love, Hope, and Joy from the Beginning

Disclosures

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.