Not as Our Folly Deserves

"Therefore, [Jesus] is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them" (Heb. 7:25, HCSB).

I was reminded of this truth as I finished the book of Job today. Job's friends are ordered by God to take a sacrifice to Job, which he would offer up on their behalf with prayer. God told them, "Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you. I will surely accept his prayer and not deal with you as your folly deserves. For you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has" (Job 42:8, HCSB).

As this verse seems to indicate, Job points to the work of Christ. As intercessor, Job would mediate between his friends and God. It was not a role assumed by Job, but one appointed to him. If his friends obeyed the Lord, Job would then pray for them. If Job prayed for them, then God would forgive them.

Forgiveness is defined with a beautiful word picture in Job 42:8. God says, "I . . . will not deal with you as your folly deserves." Stop. Reread that description. Let it bounce around in your head a few times. Say it out loud. Repeat it. Allow your heart to open to it and let it in.

How many times have you wished your foolishness would be overlooked by the Lord? If you are like me, it is probably as many as acts of foolishness of which you are aware.

How do we find such forgiveness? Bulls and Rams? No, the blood of bulls and goats could get the job done (see Hebrews 10:4). We need someone to mediate for us. Paul tells us, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human" (1 Tim. 2:5, HCSB). The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is both our priest and sacrifice (see Hebrews 9:12-10:14).

In essence, we live because we were obedient to the Word and trusted Christ, and now he intercedes on our behalf. Because Jesus intercedes for us, the Father will not treat us as our folly deserves. What a precious promise that is.