02. Gods testimony of Job

God’s testimony of Job The testimony of the inspired Word respecting this man of ancient days, Job, is, that he was a genuine man of God, “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (1:1). His substance was very great, for God had blessed him with earthly blessings in earthly places. It is important to notice this, before Job is put in the furnace. The genuineness of his character is a settled question, on the testimony of God. The testimony of the word is also quite as clear respecting every child of God in this dispensation, however tried and buffeted he may be: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenlyplacesin Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We are not blessed in earthly places, with a substance that may be destroyed; but blessed in the heavenlies in Christ. But mark the certainty: has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy,hathbegotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Thus the blessing of the believer, in these two chapters, Ephesians 1:1-23 and 1 Peter 1:1-25, is in very bright contrast with even the “greatest man of the East”. Job’s inheritance might fade away — not so the believer’s.

Before entering, then, on this scene of fierce conflict, let the believer be well grounded, on the testimony of God, in what is absolutely certain to him. It is most clear by the word of God that he has redemption through the precious blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins. His inheritance in the heavenlies could not be made more secure to him. For the Lord Jesus, who died for his sin, has been raised from the dead, and has gone up on high, to take and hold the possession of the heavenly places for him. Is it not then as sure to the believer as if he were there? That is, could he hold it more securely than Christ in glory holds it for him? Yes, it is a settled question; reserved for him in heaven. But it may be said, Though a child of God, may he not fall, so as to lose it after all? No, that is settled too, for those ’who are kept by the power of God’. Thus, trembling believer, does the testimony of God’s word make all clear and certain to you.

God’s testimony of Job was, that he was ’perfect and upright’. He feared God and hated evil. And again as to the standing of the believer now, how clear the testimony: ’For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified’ (Hebrews 10:1-39). ’And ye are complete in him’ (Colossians 2:10). And is not love to God, love of holiness, and hatred of evil, the characteristic of every one born of God? (1 John 3:6-10). Thus did the testimony of God settle, at first, the blessing and character of Job, and thus now does the testimony of the word settle the blessing and character of every child of God.