Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:8-10)
Job’s faith continues to be impressed on me. He lived before the Scriptures were written. His knowledge of God must have come from oral tradition (and personal experience). He was experiencing the most difficult situation. Yet he knew that God knew what was happening to him. And that God was right and good. In the end Job would be purified as gold.
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You Think Too Much! 
Maybe I am the only one that thinks this way, but Job may had it easier because Job was righteous. He knew he was righteous and because of that he knew God wasn’t judging him. I commend him for that.
But unfortunately, we are not all righteous, we don’t know when things happen if it is a judgement or trial.
Jeff,
Cool blog. I know I’m not posting this in the right article, but your Bible reading schedule is great. I would’ve never thought to arrange a schedule like that.
How much do you think was by Divine revelation?
That’s a good question and one that I have considered. I know I don’t have the answer, but how ’bout a question to answer your question?
Do you think there was a lot more divine revelation “back then” than there is now? Did God talk to “everyone” the way he did to Abraham and Job? Even then, the Bible records very few instances of God speaking with Abraham (yes, several, but think of the time–years–between instances).
I just think about these things a fair amount. It’s either putting myself in those times, or putting them in my times. Either way, it’s boggling.
Do you think there was a lot more divine revelation “back then” than there is now? We have God’s Word in the Bible, so I would say Yes.
Did God talk to “everyone” the way he did to Abraham and Job? I think only to the righteous. both were counted as righteous.
Maybe I am the only one that thinks this way, but Job may had it easier because Job was righteous. He knew he was righteous and because of that he knew God wasn’t judging him. I commend him for that.
But unfortunately, we are not all righteous, we don’t know when things happen if it is a judgement or trial.
Job wasn’t any more or less righteous than any believer today (may have been more separated) – they were saved the same way back then as we are today.
If by judgment you mean chastisement, I very much believe God will let all His children know when He is chastising them and for what – otherwise it defeats the whole purpose of the chastisement – which is correction.