The Allegories in the Book of Job (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme “The Allegories in the Book of Job” – When man was deprived of the happiness of Eden, he lost all that he had, because of his sinful choice. Like Job, Adam could say, “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away” (Job 1:21). However, Job, unlike Adam, offered homage (payment) unto God with praise and thanksgiving, “blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). When Adam sinned, all he offered to the Lord was an excuse, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). It is no wonder that “the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:12), as opposed to Adam, who had everything in the beginning and lost everything in the end (see Genesis 3:24). God drove Adam out of the place of his blessings!

Precious Ones, this teaches us in allegory that God prefers praise over excuses. The story also teaches us that if we continue to lift Jesus up in praise and worship, the latter days of our human existence will be glorious and will far exceed anything that our natural eyes have beheld. It is written that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (I Corinthians 2:9).

Chosen Ones, let us not follow the pattern of Adam, but rather that of Job. Let us “bless the LORD at all times [and let] his praise…continually be in [our mouths]” (Psalm 34:1).

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

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Allegories in the Book of Job (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Allegories in the Book of Job” – The departure of Elihu is as mysterious as his appearance. Remember, Elihu, the youngest of the group, was used by God to rebuke Job’s three friends for their unjust comments to Job. In the closing of Elihu’s remarks, he exhorted Job to “stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). Then we learn, without a pause in events, that Elihu’s presence was swallowed up by the presence of God when He spoke to Job out of a “whirlwind” (Job 38:1). Where is the allegory in this? On the day of Pentecost, the testimony of Christ was confirmed by “a rushing mighty wind” (Acts 2:1-4 and Matthew 10:20). The Almighty God spoke through the Holy Ghost.

Precious Ones, this is why it is important to have the Holy Spirit resting within us. The Holy Spirit is God’s confirmation that He is with us. The Holy Spirit is better than “the Ark of the Covenant” that Israel needed in order to feel the nearness of God’s presence. Not only is the Holy Spirit better because He resides in us (instead of having to be carried with “staves” or rods from place to place), but the Holy Spirit will also perform the action of a “whirlwind” every time we need confirmation to know the will of God. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water [a whirlwind action in the soul]” (John 7:38). The scripture goes on to tell us what Jesus was talking about when He made this statement – “this spake [Jesus] of the Spirit…for the Holy Ghost was not yet given” (John 7:39).

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this –

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

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Allegories in the Book of Job (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Allegories in the Book of Job” – Even though the Lord’s “yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light” (Matthew 11:30), that fact by itself is not the ultimate encouragement. Rather, just as Elihu was the end of the arguments of Job’s three friends, even so Christ was the end of the accusations, condemnation, the Law, and the prophets. Therefore, I am encouraged to know that Christ’s yoke is not only easy, but that it also destroys any yokes that the devil tries to put on us. Some of you may read Job’s story and say, “I wish God could contend with Satan over me, but I know that I’m not as trustworthy as Job!” – as if to discourage yourself by thinking that God cannot brag about you! This is far from the truth! God had to contend over Job because He had not yet atoned for Job’s sins. You, on the other hand, have a different testimony; there is no more contention for you because what Jesus did at Calvary ends all discussion about you, just as Elihu ended all discussion about Job.

Precious Ones, Jesus taught the disciples this on the Mount of His Transfiguration. When Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the conscience of man and the prophets) appeared, they were silenced by His voice and removed, and only Jesus was left standing in the midst of the disciples. This taught them that they did not need to build a tabernacle for Moses or Elijah (Matthew 17:4, Mark 9:5). All they needed was Jesus, and all we need is Jesus. He alone is the answer to all of our problems – Hallelujah!

Chosen Ones, don’t read the Bible and be discouraged by the high standard that we must achieve to live a holy life before our God! Rather, let the scripture encourage you in two ways: (1) When you read what God requires and notice that you have failed to measure up to the standards of the scripture, remember to also notice the grace and mercy that God gives you. Notice the time He allows all of us to get it together. (2) Be encouraged to know that today Satan can no longer try to influence or even challenge God as he did in Job’s time – Calvary ends all arguments!

I will write more on this subject next Sunday. Have a very happy and blessed Easter.

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

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Allegories in the Book of Job (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Allegory in the Book of Job” – The dispensation of The Law tried to reprove Job through the spoken judgments of his friends. This was obviously of no help to him – otherwise, God would not have had to reprove Job Himself through a “whirlwind” (Job 38:1). This teaches us through allegory that Isaiah was right when he said that “the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). God can handle being the Judge over His people without any assistance from man!

Precious Ones, please do not misunderstand; there are times when God uses men to stand as His representatives to judge men’s sins. The sudden appearance of Elihu (the youngest of Job’s friends, Job 32:2), who silenced the arguments of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, is an allegory (image) of Christ Jesus coming “suddenly” to this earth as a “daysman” or mediator between God and man. (Take the time to read Malachi 3:1; Luke 2:1-14; and Matthew 3:13-17).

Chosen Ones, as Elihu was in God’s stead to judge the reproaches of Job and his friends (Job 32:6), even so was Christ made like unto sinful flesh to take away our reproach and sins. Elihu was gentle with Job, and told him “my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee” (Job 33:7). These words are an allegory of the words of Jesus when He said, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Jesus does not desire to make us afraid of Him or to make it hard on us. His desire is simply to cause us to repent (change our way of thinking).

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

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

Pastor William L. McCoy