From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Job 16: An Advocate in High Places

A detailed study of Job 16 examining his severe suffering, his plea for a heavenly witness, and the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ.

Affliction often drives a person to despair when earthly companions fail, but true relief comes when you look upward. You should seek your heavenly advocate.

By speaking edifying comfort (Job 16:1-5)

Job confronts his friends for offering empty, agonizing words instead of the true strength and solace they owe to a suffering brother.

God demands that speech given to those in deep affliction must build up and comfort rather than add vexation to their grief.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate physician and comforter who speaks perfect words of life, rest, and peace to all who are weary and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27).

Believers are commanded to speak only what is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it gives grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

By enduring unmerited hostility (Job 16:6-11)

Job experiences his profound suffering as a direct, exhausting assault from God, who has turned him over to the hands of ungodly men.

God possesses absolute sovereignty over human suffering, breaking down the believer and orchestrating adversity according to His perfect will.

Jesus Christ bore the full, unmitigated wrath of God and the violent scorn of ungodly men on the cross to deliver His people from judgment (Matthew 27:39-44, Galatians 3:13).

Believers must entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while suffering according to the will of God, knowing that testing produces endurance (1 Peter 4:19, James 1:2-4).

By sharing Christ's sufferings (Job 16:12-14)

Job describes his physical and emotional shattering as being set up as a target for God's arrows and broken into pieces without mercy.

God sometimes allows the righteous to be utterly smashed and stripped of all earthly security to test their faith and display His glory.

Jesus Christ was delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God to be pierced for human transgressions and crushed for human iniquities (Acts 2:23, Isaiah 53:5).

Believers are instructed not to be surprised by the fiery ordeal that comes upon them for their testing but to share in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-13, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

By maintaining personal integrity (Job 16:15-17)

Job sits in sackcloth and weeps openly while firmly maintaining that his hands are free from violence and his prayer is pure.

God requires absolute honesty in grief and acknowledges the clean conscience of a believer who suffers without foul rebellion or hypocrisy.

Jesus Christ demonstrated perfect righteousness and sinless integrity, committing no sin, yet offering up prayers with loud crying and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death (1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 5:7).

Believers must keep a good conscience so that those who revile their good behavior in Christ will be put to shame (1 Peter 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:19).

By trusting your heavenly advocate (Job 16:18-22)

Job cries out to the earth not to cover his blood and looks to heaven for his witness and advocate to plead his cause with God.

God provides a true record and an advocate in heaven for the afflicted believer whose tears and righteousness are disregarded on earth.

Jesus Christ is the completely righteous advocate with the Father who perfectly intercedes for His people and cleanses them from all unrighteousness (1 John 2:1-2, Hebrews 7:25).

Believers are urged to approach the throne of grace with confidence through their high priest to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 8:34).

Invitation

No matter how overwhelming your suffering or how deeply you feel broken by the trials of life, you do not have to stand alone before God. Jesus Christ came into the world, died on the cross to pay the full penalty for your sins, and rose again from the dead, completely conquering death and condemnation. He now lives forever in heaven as the perfect, righteous advocate who intercedes for all who belong to Him. You can be fully reconciled to God and secured for eternity by turning from self-reliance and calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
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Good News rCa

Christ's death on a cross paid the debt we owe God for our sins (Colossians 2:14). God raised Him from the dead to prove this (Romans 1:4). This means God can now remain right, while forgiving our sins (Romans 3:26) and delivering us from His coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). It's a free gift for those who believe in Christ (Romans 6:23).If you believe, call on the Lord to save you (Romans 10:9-13):

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