INTERCESSORY PRAYER

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

Devotion 7 of 17 JOB REMEMBERS HIS CHILDREN

The patriarch Job was a unique individual. Although he did not have a Bible like we do, and is considered to have lived before the giving of the Law, he possessed keen spiritual insights. One evidence of this is found in the consideration Job had for his children. "And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually" (Job 1:5). Here, prior to the law, a godly man is found who made intercession to God in the behalf of his children. He knew that one person could stand up for another, and that such action would be honored in heaven. Remember, he had no Bible, the Law had not yet been given, and the exposure of mankind to the Living God had been extremely limited. What conclusions concerning intercession should be reached by those living iun the blazing light of the Sun of Righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ?

JOB INTERCEDES FOR HIS "FRIENDS"

Another example of Job's intercessory activity is found at the close the book bearing his name. This man endured unparalleled grief--an example of how much a soul can bear and still keep faith in God. During his testing, he confronted some "friends" who supposed themselves to have spiritual insights. You will recall they concluded Job must have sinned secretly, else he would not have experienced such grief. They were wrong in their assessment, and were told so by God Himself. It is sad to hear preachers and teachers today speak of the failings of Job. I fear they are more closely related to Job's "friends" than to Job, noted for his "patience" (James 5:11). The Lord's instruction to Job's enemies is arresting."Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of Me the thing which is right, like My servant Job. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:8-10). Do not miss the revelation. "The Lord turned the captivity of Job, WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS." Here is intercession of a different order. When Job prayed for his friends HIS captivity was turned! That certainly puts new meaning to the words of our Lord; "Pray for them that despitefully use you" (Matt 5:44).

-- TOMORROW: MOSES, THE INTERCESSOR --