[William Blake] Illustration of the Book of Job
This is the end of my series on Job.
I thought it would be good to compare the stories of Jesus and Job, looking at the similarities and the contradictions.
Children
Job’s children did not follow in his righteous footsteps. Much like how the Children of Israel failed to obey God’s commands.
It was likely that Job and his family were nomads and lived in tents, so I find it strange that his children were in a stone building when they died. Maybe it was a stone temple to a pagan god. Maybe the raucous behaviour was a part of pagan worship.
Blameless
Both men were blameless in God’s sight (Job 1:1, 1 Peter 1:19). But even though they were blameless, they both went through great suffering.
Falsely Accused
Job’s friends falsely accused him of hidden sin (Job 19:1-2). In the trial of Jesus, there were false witnesses who spoke against Him (Matthew 26:60).
Disfigured
Job was so disfigured by his sufferings that his friends didn’t recognize him.
Job 2:12
When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads.
Similarly, Jesus “was marred more than any man” at His death (Isa 52:14).
Walking on the Water
There is a nice connection in the Book of Job with Jesus walking on the water. I believe this is a proof that Jesus is God.
Job 9 v 8
He (God) alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
The Four Witnesses
When we imagine the scene of the Crucifixion. We see Jesus on the Cross, with three women and a young man, John, standing nearby. The comforters were named Mary; the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Mary, wife of Cophas.
Whereas with Job, we have his three male comforters; Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. And a young friend called Elihu, which means ‘He is my God’. These friends did not remain silent and argued with Job. Whereas Jesus’ comforters remained respectful and silent.
Jesus Speaks to Job
Another mind bending thought is that as Jesus is God, He is the one speaking to Job from the whirlwind at the end of the book. The picture below is a Byzantine illustration showing the pre-incarnate Jesus speaking with Job.
My Redeemer lives
This verse is commonly linked to Jesus.
Job 19 v 25-26
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God,
Handel includes this verse as part of an aria in his famous oratorio, Messiah.
Prior to this verse, Job complains how all those around him curse him. But after this, he proclaims how he will see God, his Redeemer.
Submission to God
Finally, even though Job was tempted to curse God and die, he instead accepted God’s plan and submitted himself.
Equally, Jesus accepts His Father’s plan and resists temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane. He accepts that He will need to drink from ‘the cup’.
What can we learn from Job?
Following Christ is not about reducing our own personal suffering, but trusting Him when suffering crosses our path. And if we endure through it, we will be greatly blessed, just like Job.
Another connection is between the three comforters in Job and Peter, James and John in the Garden of Gethsemane. At least Job’s comforters stated awake.