For a printable copy of this chapter click here: 8.5×11″; A4 paper
Click here for a pdf of Genesis 1–3 in Redemptive History: 8.5×11″; A4 paper
.
2) Job 1:6–11 and Job 2:1–7: The setting of the book of Job corresponds to an era before the time of Moses. However, linguistically the book fits the time-period just before the exile.[1]
It offers tantalizing clues of what was to come in redemptive history.
The story begins with Satan living up to his nickname “the Accuser” (Rev 12:10). He charged that Job served the Lord only because God had blessed him.
Yet, Job proved true. Despite incredible suffering inflicted by the devil, he emphatically insisted, “Even now, behold, in the heavens is my witness, and my advocate is on high” (Job 16:19).
Job trusted that a member of the divine council would intervene with God for him (Cf. 1 John 2:1–2; 1 Tim 2:5).[2]
After enduring further attacks from his friends (eg. Job 18), Job voiced his desperation, feeling that the Lord had hemmed him in on all sides.
Nevertheless, he asserted, “I know that my redeemer lives, and one coming after me shall arise [to vindicate me]. And after this skin of mine has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25–26).
Job built his confession of the resurrection upon the logic which would later form the cornerstone of Christian faith (John 5:28–29; 1 Cor 15:20–23, 50–55).[3]
God’s restoration of Job’s fortune illustrates this in an amazing way. When we compare Job’s material and relational wealth as listed in Job 1:1–3 with his blessings in Job 42:12–13, we can see that every amount doubled except for the number of his children.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
.
Read Job 1:6–11 and 2:1–7. What evidence do we see that the Lord has reined in the devil’s ability to strike? Why did Job stand firm? How does Job receiving the same number of children after his great trial illustrate his confession of the resurrection of the dead? What encouragement does the book of Job give you?
.
.
.
.
Go to Satan Addresses the Heavenly Council (Zech 3:1–5)
[Related posts include Serpents in the Ancient Near East (Gen 3:1); God Curses the Serpent (Gen 3:14); The First Good News (Gen 3:15); Satan Addresses the Heavenly Council (Zech 3:1–5); Christ’s Resurrected Body (Luke 24:31, 35–44); A Second Resurrection (John 5:28–29); Satan Vanquished (Rom 16:20); Dead in Adam but Alive in Christ (1 Cor 15:20–23); Perishable Flesh and Blood (1 Cor 15:50); We Shall Be Changed (1 Cor 15:51–52); Victory over Death (1 Cor 15:53–55); Our Certificate of Debt (Col 2:13–14); and Our Great High Priest (Heb 2:14–18)]
[Click here to go to Chapter 7: The Seed of the Serpent and the Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:14–15)]
.
[1] James L. Crenshaw, “Job, Book of,” ABD 3:858–68, 863.
[2] John H. Walton and Kelly L. Vizcaino, Job (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 215.
[3]John E. Hartley, The Book of Job (NICOT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988), 297.
Redemptive History and Theology 