We have to examine the book of Job with the principles of the New Testament.
We know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We know that our righteousness is as filthy rags. We know that unless we put on God's righteousness, we are none of his and committing ourselves to a fiery pit.
The first question we need ask ourselves, was Job standing on God's righteousness, or was God talking about Job's own righteousness when he said Job was upright and blameless?
If you think Job was standing on God's righteousness, why did Job say "
Job 6:29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it." And also
" Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."
And why did God say
"Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?"
Using New Testament principles Job was not saved in the beginning. We know that our own righteousness cannot save us. Clearly, we are given a picture of a very self-righteous man in chapter one and two. Self-righteousness has merit, but it will not get you into heaven because you cannot maintain it.
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Elihu gives us a picture of salvation in Job 33.
Job 33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. (23) If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: (24) Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (25) His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: (26) He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. (27) He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; (28) He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
(22) A man's soul is lost without Christ.
(23) If there is a witness to God's righteousness. (Which is Christ.)
(24) The ransom to save a man's soul is Jesus Christ.
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
(25) How does your flesh become fresher than a child"? By being born again. Remember the question of Nicodemus?
Jhn 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
(26) (27) A picture of repentance.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
(28) He shall see the light.
Jhn 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
How much clearer does it have to be?
