A truth that we can learn from Job is that everything people say about God, even in the Bible, may not always be true about God. Everything in the Bible was truly expressed by someone and in that the Bible is always true, but what some of the people in the Bible think about our Heavenly Father isn’t always true. There are places in the Bible when someone attributes characteristics to God that are not His characteristics at all, so it is here in Job 1:21 (NLT):
21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had,
and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!”
Job truly made this comment, which is true. The first half of the verse is good. We all come into this world naked and when we leave all our natural possessions stay here; but it is not true to say that God takes away His blessings. When we walk outside of God’s principles the devil, as it was in Job’s case, steals it from us. We don’t have to let him of course. Job attributes to God what the devil did. Many people to this day think the same way about God because they are ignorant of what the devil does. God wasn’t destroying Job’s livestock and family. Satan attacked Job, not God. However, Job’s fear opened the door to these tragedies.
You’ll find that many of the things that Job and his friends “comforters” said to each other in the book where misapplied truths about God in Job’s life, which is also a problem today still. Job’s “friends” accused him of not being righteous before God; and we know that God said that he was righteous according to Job 1:1; and in the end God asked Job to make sacrifices for two of his friends in Job 42:7-10.
To interpret the Bible correctly you have to see God from Genesis to Revelation. Ask yourself “who are the people that this passage is referring to?” “Does the Scriptures address this subject in other places of the Bible?” “Is this interpretation conflicting with other well established truths about God in the Bible?” When studying Scriptures you can’t forget the other principles about God. If there is enough biblical evidence to support a big change in your thinking about God than you can re-evaluate and draw a different conclusion. The greatest help to me is the witness of the Holy Spirit and He doesn’t contradict Himself in the Bible. You also might want to ask a proven Saint, like your pastor too. However you must always prove everything with the Bible. If it isn’t backed by Scriptures than it is just a thought or an opinion or a manmade belief system; and none of these are good for sound doctrines about God and His ways.
The Bible is the best base for all true believers today. Even if it comes from someone in the spirit world. If they are contradicting the Bible they are false. In Job 4:12-17 (NLT) we read about a supernatural being appearing to Eliphaz in a dream. This visit inspired Eliphaz to accuse Job of doing unrighteousness and we know that Satan is the accuser of the brethren.
12 “This truth was given to me in secret,
as though whispered in my ear.
13 It came to me in a disturbing vision at night,
when people are in a deep sleep.
14 Fear gripped me,
and my bones trembled.
15 A spirit[a] swept past my face,
and my hair stood on end.[b]
16 The spirit stopped, but I couldn’t see its shape.
There was a form before my eyes.
In the silence I heard a voice say,
17 ‘Can a mortal be innocent before God?
Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’
First God’s angels always encourages you not to fear and then he would speak to you clearly face to face. An undiscernible form is from Satan and is not one of God’s angels. Even if God’s angel appears clearly to you today, he would never contradict biblical truths. They wouldn’t replace the Bible either or claim to have a more perfect revelation of God outside of the Bible. There is no biblical record of any godly angel teaching people. Paul exposed this tactic of the devil:
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (NLT).
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercutthose who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
Keep on studying the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you personally. Knowing the Bible is half the battle and practicing it will complete your learning.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT)
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects
us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
