Metaphysical meaning of Job (mbd)
Job, job (Heb.)--persecuted; calamitous; afflicted; adversity; adverse desires; a coming back; restored to one's senses; penitent; converted.
"A man in the land of Uz," the central figure of The Book of Job (Job 1:1; 2:37).
Meta. The transition of man from personal, formal righteousness, which is the basis of all self-righteousness, to a true inner change of heart and an entrance into the real Christ righteousness, which deals with the very thoughts and intents of the innermost consciousness instead of merely setting right a few outer acts.
In self-righteousness there is fear of evil; the things that Job feared came upon him (Job. 3:25, 26). Then along came his three friends to comfort him and to argue with him. These friends represent accusations against self and attempted self-justifications of the outer or personal consciousness.
Next came Elihu, the interpreter, or Holy Spirit, who opens man's eyes to the real righteousness. The self-righteousness of the outer man is based on outer acts only and does not bring about the reign of love and wisdom in the heart, in the thoughts, words, and the whole life; seeing this fact, the individual truly repents. Job said (Job 42:5, 6), after God had talked to him:"I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear;But now mine eye seeth thee: Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."
Then come forgiveness and healing. When Job turned to God and prayed for his friends, his captivity was put away, "and Jehovah gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). Thus when the awakened individual forgives, and seeks the cleansing, redeeming, transmuting Christ power for the uplift of his apparent failings and shortcomings, he enters into true peace, joy, and abundance.
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Preceding Entry: Joash
Following Entry: Jobab
