“Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book!” (Job 31:35)
Job did not know why he had been singled out for such a painful end to his life. He did not die in this state but at the time he expected that he would.
When we read through his life testimony (esp. chapter 31) we must shudder because we have not lived out the righteous life that he has and yet he still suffered so greatly. Job knew the reality of the words, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding” and he had lived by them. He still believed them true but in his desire to know the truth he cries out for more revelation from God.
The Book that he cries out for is readily available to us today. May God graciously grant to us the same desire for it’s revelation that Job had.
Jesus said that the Ninevites who repented at Jonah’s warning would be a testimony against Israel and that the Queen of Sheba would be a testimony against Gentiles at the White Throne Judgment because they did not come to Him (Matthew 12:38-42). It may well be that Job will similarly be a testimony against Christians who, though they had ready access to God’s Word, did not avail themselves of it. At the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) where all believers will appear, we will receive reward according to how we lived in Christ.
No doubt many of us will go with hopes high expecting the “Well done, good and faithful servant” but instead we will find that we have not obeyed our Lord and will have mountains of wood, hay and stubble to see burned (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Why have we not obeyed our Lord?
Obedience to Jesus Christ is the expression and evidence that we have faith in Him and believe what He has said (cf. James 1:22; 2:20). Faith (believing God’s Word) comes from first hearing or reading His Word (Romans 10:14-17). Job says that a reverential fear of the Lord will motivate us to seek answers and when we have them obedience to them will bring understanding. Job longed for more revelation of and from God.
When we do not obey the Lord it may be because we do not know what He has said. We do not know what He has said because we do not read, study and meditate on His Word.
God has now written a book and Job will be a witness against us if we do not avail ourselves of the wonderful privilege of absorbing the knowledge, wisdom and understanding it provides. It really is the Bread of Life to our souls. Let us not starve!