Breathingbook

Hello fellow believers. Peace out to all of you and steady on, in Jesus’ name.

As things have moved forward in our current study on the book of Job, I want to briefly remind you of how we’ve come to where we are. Please bear with me as I do a short recap for those who’ve recently come to our study and might be unaware of some things which were established in previous studies, and perhaps also point out a few things which might have been snatched away.

For those of you who have been continuing with me on this journey, thank you for coming back, again and again.

God bless you all.

Now, “we are where we currently are in the Book of Job study” because of “where we have been.” Remember, if you will, how this study originates from the Hebrews Bible study (which is still in progress even though we are currently working on the Book of Job). Specifically, we left off in Hebrews with Heb 1:10-12 Jesus’ Nature Eternal, which covered 1:10-12 (and quoted Psa 102:25-27).

Heb 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.

Though much of chapter one of the Hebrews study has been about establishing Jesus’ supremacy over angels (and, indeed, all things), the author of Hebrews has been selectively referencing the Old Testament (OT) prophecies which prove how Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Messiah, and Jehovah God, the Creator. These references have been discussed one by one as we’ve moved through the Hebrews studies. Howbeit, the subject of Jesus as Creator God, with Father as His God, has been covered more in depth since Heb 1:8 Jesus is God and Heb 1:9 Jesus the Righteous were done.

Heb 1:8-9 is quoted from Psa 45:6-7, and so a complete study on Psa 45 was written, called Psa 45 A Wedding For Jesus. This post showed us not only how Jesus was prophesied in the OT as the Messiah King who takes on a “Gentile” bride to be His consort “queen,” but also first introduced the idea of Zion/New Jerusalem to our study through the Oil of Gladness statement (Heb 12:22-24).

Psa 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the Oil of Gladness (sasown) above Thy fellows.

Because the “Oil of Gladness” statement in Psa 45:7 is a Key Phrase, it points us to Isa 61:3 where the Oil of Gladness is referred there as the “Oil of Joy.” This is because the Hebrew word for joy and gladness in Isa 61:3 and Psa 45:7 is actually the same word, “sasown.” Sasown means, specifically, “welcome.” What this means is even though it’s been translated into two different words, it’s actually the same phrase. Thus, “Oil of Gladness/Joy” joins Psa 45 with Isa 61, covertly introducing the topic of Zion/New Jerusalem through Isa 61:3 to Psa 45, and thus, the Hebrews study.

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the Oil of Joy (sasown) for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.

You see, the Oil of Joy/Gladness is when God’s Word (promises or prophecies) are fulfilled. In other words, something God said in His Word is made manifest or complete. It is “welcomed” cheerfully and is given to strengthen the faith of believers, give them endurance and hope. So, to expand upon the concept of “Oil,” I wrote, What is the “Oil?”

The concept of Zion/New Jerusalem is brought into the Psa 45: A Wedding For Jesus study in, yet, another way through the scene depicted of the consort queen who stands amongst other virgins in Psa 45:9-11,14. Btw, the word for queen used in this verse from the Masoretic text is the Hebrew word “shegal” and does not have the meaning of a full queen, but of a consort: a consort is in no way equal to the King, but is one who is set apart, cohabitates with (lives in the same household), and is intimate with the King.

Psa 45:9-11,14 Kings’ daughters were among Thy honourable women: upon Thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; 11 So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him. 45:14 She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto Thee.

Since the image of the consort queen was given standing amongst other virgins who follow her (Psa 45:9,14), I went to the two examples in God’s Word which show one group of “virgins” standing out from “others.” Specifically, I covered the virgins who had brought extra oil for their lamps (for the unexpected delay of the Bridegroom at the midnight hour (Mat 25:1-13) and the church of Philadelphia who is singled out in Christ’s letters to the Seven Churches (Rev 3:7-13).

First off, the parable of the ten virgins tells the story of ten virgins, five that are called wise and the other five, foolish. The five who are called wise took extra “oil” in their vessels with their lamps and the five called foolish simply took what was in their lamps with no extra (Mat 25:1-13). Together, they wait for the “Bridegroom” which is Jesus. Since the bridegroom is Jesus, this really couldn’t be talking about ten individual women, but, instead, symbolically, ten types of churches. And so, the story unfolds wherein the Bridegroom comes and the five who were wise go with Him, and the foolish, are shut out (see Ten Virgins post for more).

In the church of Philadelphia example, there are seven churches, altogether, to whom the Lord Jesus writes letters (Rev 1:11-20; 2:1-3:22). Six of them have some problems and Jesus points to these things saying they direly need to be corrected. However, the church of Philadelphia is set apart from the others by Jesus saying they are doing well.

Now, aside from the historic Philadelphia church, the meaning behind the word Philadelphia is love of brethren or “brotherly love.”

Jn 15:12 This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Basically, Jesus encourages the church of Philadelphia to continue keeping His Word, not denying His Name, and to continue to actively “overcome.” If Philadelphia does this, Jesus tells them He will make them a “pillar” in the temple of His God (see lily information; Psa 45: A Wedding For Jesus), they will “go no more out” – meaning they will no longer be going in and out from His Temple – and He will write upon them the name of His God, and the name of the city of His God, which is “New Jerusalem” (Rev 3:12).

Rev 3:7-8,12 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new Name.

Thus, the consort queen of Psa 45:9-11,14 pointed us to the virgins who took oil in their vessels with their lamps (Mat 25:1-13) and the Church of Philadelphia, at some point in the future, as representing Zion, which is also New Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-24; Rev 3:7-13).

Next up came Heb 1:10-12 (which quoted Psa 102:25-27), resulting in the Heb 1:10-12 Jesus’ Nature Eternal post. Since, Heb 1:10-12 came from Psa 102:25-27, Psa 102: Prayer of the Afflicted Part 1 and Part 2 were written.

These redirected the study, somewhat, pointing us towards the topic of affliction. I say, somewhat, because the entire Book of Hebrews is a letter reminding believers of the prophecies of Christ, of God’s historical interactions with believers (and non-believers), encouraging them not to turn away from Christ, and to look forward to entering into His rest. There are also many exhortations to continue in endurance, with examples (both with Jesus and the saints of history’s past), as well as explanations of God’s views on chastening, instruction and correction. So, a turn towards suffering or affliction seems a natural one (at least, it does now, in hindsight).

Psalm 102 tells the story of a man in the midst of affliction who is rejected by those who’ve become his enemies, mostly because he has become a spectacle, “eaten ashes like bread, and mingled” his “drink with weeping” (Psa 102:8-9). Indeed, Psa 102 is unique because Psa 102:8-9 is quoted in Heb 1:10-12 in such a way that it shows God is actually the true speaker (or inspiration) of the quote. In other words, God, by way of the Holy Spirit, spoke through the man in the midst of his affliction to give us this prophecy.

In those studies, I wrote, “the only way to really explain what’s going on with the suffering of the man under affliction is through the Book of Job.” This is because others also rejected Job because of his affliction, although he had truly done nothing wrong. Yet, God utilized him in the creation of what is the longest recorded conversation between God and man in the entire bible. The only thing that even comes close to it is the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In other words, Job, like the man in affliction of Psalm 102, was chosen by God to endure affliction, because it was his “Appointed Time.”

Also, in Psalm 102, the topic of Zion/New Jerusalem rises again.

Psa 102:12-18 But Thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the Name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. 16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

So to help give understanding to what the concept of Zion is, I wrote What is Zion?, which further explained the indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Tabernacle within all believers. And, as further study in Hebrews will reveal, the subject of Zion/New Jerusalem is brought up in Heb 12:18-24. There, it’s strategically placed between the topics of chastening (Heb 12:3-13) and a warning about a shaking coming to both earth and heaven to remove the things that can be shaken, so that what cannot be shaken, will remain (Heb 12:25-29; Rev 12:3-12).

Heb 12:22-24 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

All that being said, we continue with our current work in the Book of Job, where we’ve covered Who Job is, Appointed Times, and the Meaning of “Cost,” where the endurance of Job is evidently, nothing less than God enabled. For it is only by the grace of God that anyone could ever undergo such a “sifting” process, and yet, survive (Lk 22:31-34).

I believe it is this idea of the tabernacle being a “holy” place for the Lord to dwell within us, which is at the heart of Zion/New Jerusalem. By “holy” place, I specifically mean a Tabernacle that does not waver in firm belief about the Lord’s goodness, love, righteousness or faithfulness, even in the midst of deep affliction. In other words, it cannot be moved.

In any sifting process one gets a very good look at themselves. Misconceptions and false ideas have a way of being stripped away so one can look at the very heart of the matter. The benefit of such things taking place is mostly indescribable as it is unique to each individual, yet God trims our branches and gives us a better view of things that are often blindly taken for granted, so that only that which is from Him – which He deems “good” – can remain.

Heb 12:27-29 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Howbeit, it is Jesus Christ – and Christ alone – who has ever been able to endure suffering without turning against the Lord God in accusation, and that is exactly why it is only with Him wholly within us, that we shall be able to withstand the storms that shall come against us.

Which brings us, again, to the idea of a Tabernacle within believers that cannot be removed.

Isa 33:20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new Name.

This very apparently entails not loving one’s own life nor trying to save it when in the midst of affliction (Mat 16:23-27; Jn 11:48; Rev 12:11), and this seems to be the question at hand in the Book of Job.

Job 2:4-5 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth Thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face.

And that – is a matter of faith, trust and love.

Jn 1:4-5 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

May the peace of God that goes beyond all understanding be yours.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James