APPOINT ME A SET TIME AND REMEMBER ME

In the course of his response to Zophar’s discourse, Job asks searching questions as to man’s fate. We must recognize that Job’s questions are prompted by his imperfect knowledge at this stage for, unlike us, he did not have the benefit of the scriptures to enlighten his understanding. So, in verse 10 he asks ‘man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?’. Again, in verse 14, he asks, ‘if a man die, shall he live again?’.

Looking to the future with such uncertainty of mind, in the midst of his solemn and depressing reflections on the brevity of man’s existence and the certainty of his mortality, he breaks off to address God directly and express to Him his deep concerns. A superficial assessment of his appeal might result in our judging it to be merely a request for enlightenment - a desire that natural curiosity might be satisfied concerning the unknown future that lies beyond death. But surely we can read beyond this assessment in Job’s case, for here, as in other statements that he makes throughout his book, we can detect signs of a hope to which he clings for life to be extended beyond the grave. If such a possibility exists then it is only because of God’s almighty power to create it. So Job expresses a hope that he might be hidden in the grave (Heb. sheol, here used in the sense of a last resting-place) until, at a set time of God’s appointment, he is remembered by God.

We do not share the uncertainties that clouded Job’s mind, for we have an assurance of ‘eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’, Rom. 6. 23. It is by Him that ‘life and immortality’ have been brought to light through the gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10, so that ours is a sure and certain hope as we rest in Him!

It is both touching and alarming that the vast majority of people cling blindly to a hope of life beyond the grave. Others, in total disbelief, reject the entire concept and claim that death is annihilation.

Our prayers should extend to both groups, for we know that to die without Christ is to die without hope. Let us pray, and continue to pray, for the unsaved of our acquaintance, those we know and love who face a lost eternity.