20141112 Wednesday, November 12 2014
Job 33: The Postponement Of Death

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept"

The English word "postpone" means to "change to a later time." Every living creature is, by definition, subject to death - regardless of age or circumstances (see also What Makes Physical Life Possible?). A perfectly healthy person can die (e.g. from war or accident) before someone who has a serious illness. A young person can die from any illness, accident or violent act the same as any old person. Being physically alive, in a mortal body, is a fragile state of postponing death.

The "postponement" of death has another meaning. Those who die have their lives postponed to a later time when they will be resurrected (see the Fact Finder question below to understand when the dead will live again). They are not lost or gone forever. Although dead, those who die go instantly, from their conscious perspective, from the last moment of their conscious lives, to the next conscious moment of their lives - the same as a person sleeping through the night. In effect, everyone experiences a death and resurrection every day of their lives - that's the reason that the Word of God directly describes it in that way.

Even the Messiah "slept" in exactly that way, in total unconsciousness, until He was resurrected (see The Day That The Messiah Was Crucified).

"15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." (1 Corinthians 15:20-23 KJV)

Elihu was a young friend of Job who remained silent while the elder men debated what had happened to Job (see Elihu's Answer). Elihu had the disadvantage of youth, having not yet grown in the height and depth of wisdom that can come from a lifetime of good and bad experiences (unless one ignores and squanders their life lessons - whereby the saying "there's no fool like an old fool" applies very well to them), but at the same time he had the advantage of youth in that he was not weighed down by many years of grudges and psychological scars.

Elihu was relatively shallow, but more pure in his views. Some refer to it as "innocent eyes," while others call it naive ("Marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience"). In this experience, Elihu was nevertheless able to see more clearly what the wiser men did not perceive in themselves. Regardless of the level, Elihu had a very good understanding of the postponement of death - both meanings.

"33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 33:2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 33:5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 33:6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

33:8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 33:10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 33:11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. 33:14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 33:21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 33:27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

33:29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

33:31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 33:32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33:33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom." (Job 33:1-33 KJV)

Fact Finder: When will the dead be resurrected?
See The Harvests Of Salvation