The Allegories in the Book of Job (Part 1)

Beloved, I feel led to write unto you from a new subject entitled “The Allegory in the Book of Job.” I am sure you know that the word allegory means symbolic representation. The Book of Job has much to teach us in this respect. There can be no doubt that there was a man whose name was Job. How do we know? Well, God classifies Job with Noah and Daniel (see Ezekiel 14:14). Also, in the Book of James (James 5:10-11), we refer to Job’s patience in connection with the prophets of the Lord. Within the record of Job’s life is concealed a most wonderful allegory of the fall and rise of the human family.

Precious Ones, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac were real persons. Yet, in the scriptures (see Galatians 4:22-31), we find that the apostle Paul, in speaking of the casting out of Hagar and Ishmael (Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid and Abraham’s first-born son – see Genesis 16:1-11), refers to that incident as an “allegory – the description of one thing under the image of another. Therefore, although the above-mentioned are real people, God also used them as symbols to teach us Biblical principles.

Chosen Ones, during Job’s prosperity, he was like a man “hedged” about in Eden. Satan, the accuser of the Brethren, intended to make man curse God by depriving him of his blessings. We can identify with Job. Today, the allegory is that Satan has caused many to fail God in their purpose – to turn away from God because He hasn’t yet answered their prayers. Because it seems as though Satan has deprived them of their blessings, they have become impatient, left the church, and walked away from God’s will for their lives. Man was put out of the Garden of Eden, yet he endeavored to worship God through sacrifices and offerings (Genesis 4). In the same way men are attempting to worship God today while living in sin. Remember, however, that God can only be worshipped “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

I will write more on this subject next Sunday. Until then, know this…

I cherish you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy