Job, a new perspective, part 4

The english word “integrity” is used 16 times in the KJV, and 4 times in the book of Job, = 25%.

Chronologically, the first 4 usages are in the book of Job, revealing it’s importance.

Job 2:3
And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 2:9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Job 27:5
God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

Job 31:6
Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

Think you are inferior? Think again!

The english word “inferior” is only used 4 times in the KJV, and 2 of them [50%!] are in the book of Job.

In chapters 12 & 13, Job answered Zophar the Naamathite.

Job 12:3
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

Job 13:2
What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

Here is some of the deeper meaning of the context, revealed by the figure of speech repeated alternation from E.W. Bullinger’s Companion Reference bible.

Here are at least 3 applications of this truth, in our administration of grace, of the phrase, “I am not inferior unto you”:

• You = the world = noun = a person, place or thing. Got bad memories of people, places or things? God says you are not inferior to them!
• You = the devil, who is the god of this world. Don’t let him convince you through the systems of the world that you are inferior!
• You = your corrupt old man nature; don’t allow your mind to be your worst enemy! The Christ within, the spiritual incorruptible seed, is your true nature and is not inferior to your old man nature!

Job 27
5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Why to we need to hold onto our righteousness?

Because we are in a spiritual competition.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Technically, even the devil himself cannot literally steal our gift of holy spirit, our redemption, our righteousness, etc.

However, it is possible for him [through our corrupt old man nature and the systems of the world, if we allow it], to steal the word of God out of our mind.

Matthew 13
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

This is why its so important to know how the word of God interprets itself so that we can understand the heart and logic of it in order to stand a lifetime.

I John 3
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The words that have been struck out are not in any critical Greek texts, as the companion reference bible confirms.

Job the indestructible!

Job 34:7
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

The word “scorning” is the Hebrew word Laag, which means “a mocking, derision” and is only used 6 times in the bible, the number of man as he is influenced by the adversary Satan.

It is also the first usage in the bible, both canonically [Genesis to Revelation] and chronologically.

• Definition of mock [from dictionary.com]:
• verb (used with object)
• to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision.
• to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively.
• to mimic, imitate, or counterfeit.

• Definition of derision:
• noun
• ridicule; mockery:
• The inept performance elicited derision from the audience.
• an object of ridicule.

• Definition of ridicule:
• noun
• speech or action intended to cause contemptuous laughter at a person or thing; derision.

We get the idea.

Imagine the psychological and spiritual strength that Job had to not only endure, but to defeat, all the mocking, derision and other verbal attacks from:

• his wife
• multiple rounds of remorseless attacks from all 3 of his friends [9 rounds, from chapter 3 to 28 – sounds like a boxing match!]
• multiple rounds of remorseless attacks from Elihu
• on top of losing his:
• business
• finances
• sons
• daughters
• home
• reputation
• health
• servants

Job basically became a spiritual superman by simply learning and applying biblical principles.

Making this even more amazing is that this was a very ancient time when there was no written revelation from God at all! [there’s a lot of controversy among biblical scholars as to who actually wrote the book of Job and when].

Jesus Christ had to have learned from Job in order to successfully repel all the adversary’s attacks against him.

So here are at least some of the biblical and spiritual principles that Job used to successfully quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

Job 2:9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Definition of retain: chazaq [Strong’s #2388]: to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen

Maintaining his integrity, holding onto God’s righteousness, is what gave Job the strength to endure and to even grow among the attacks.

Thus some of the keys to Job’s success were:

• maintaining his integrity; holding onto God’s righteousness and knowing his completeness in the Lord
• the word integrity is tummah, which is also one of the hidden stones in the high priest’s breastplate of his garment
• tummah is also mentioned with the urim, the other hidden stone in the high priest’s breastplate. Urim means light or flame and references the light in the eastern sky
• in our administration, we have the armour [breastplate] of light
• in our administration, we have the armour [breastplate] of righteousness
• refusing to think or believe he was inferior to anyone