One of the greatest questions ever posed is found in Job 14:14. “If a man dies will he live again?” It is more than an idle question! Job was in an appalling crash and burn scenario. Chances are he didn’t know that Satan was forbidden to take his life. Death had to be the next abysmal trial.
The decaying world says, “After death you’re fertilizer.” Job had a holy premonition that God might say, “Yes, you will live again!” Job is thought to be the oldest book in the Bible. This then is the first twinkle of hope in Scripture that the grave doesn’t have the last word.
Job was reeling in questions. It seemed to him that God was fuming with anger towards him. The grave might be a hiding place. Job could wait there while God’s anger cooled.
In the sweetest of notions Job imagines God missing him and calling to the dust in the grave. “You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made.” The Creator in effect says, “Job, I’ve been longing for your company. Arise from the dead!”
“If a man dies will he live again?” In his trials Job had a reason to hope!
After five more chapters of dialogue Job will have a burst of progressive revelation about the resurrection of the dead. More tomorrow.
Steven C. Johnson
Landingstripenterprises
“If only you would hide me in the grave
and conceal me till your anger has passed!
If only you would set me a time
and then remember me!
If a man dies, will he live again?
All the days of my hard service
I will wait for my renewal to come.
You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
Surely then you will count my steps
but not keep track of my sin.
My offenses will be sealed up in a bag;
you will cover over my sin. Job 14:13-17 (NIV)