Marked for the Sword
He does not believe that he will return out of darkness, and he is marked for the sword. He wanders abroad for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’ He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand; distress and anguish terrify him; they prevail against him, like a king ready for battle.
Job 15:22-24
+
Marked for the Sword
The fate of the wicked is not an envious one. Eliphaz continues to paint a very vivid picture of the life of the wicked. His hope is that Job will see his life in the portrait and repent of his wickedness and receive restoration. Eliphaz warns Job that his life is marked for the sword, that is to say, death is in his future because of his sin. This of course is true. As Paul tells us, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Yet what Job’s friend does not recognize is that death come to all, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This truth is not a license to do as we please since wea re all bound for the grave. It is however a call to repentance. This knowledge of the Law shows us our sin and our complete inability to save ourselves from its deadly consequences. It drives us to recognize our need for a Savior outside of ourselves. This is where the Gospel of Jesus Christ sooths the convicted soul. For as we know, “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We are rescued for the condemnation of the Law and our heads are pulled of the chopping block, as we are no longer marked for the sword. Instead, we are marked for glory, we are marked for salvation. In your Baptism God chose you as His child, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).
Job 15:22-24
+
Marked for the Sword
The fate of the wicked is not an envious one. Eliphaz continues to paint a very vivid picture of the life of the wicked. His hope is that Job will see his life in the portrait and repent of his wickedness and receive restoration. Eliphaz warns Job that his life is marked for the sword, that is to say, death is in his future because of his sin. This of course is true. As Paul tells us, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Yet what Job’s friend does not recognize is that death come to all, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This truth is not a license to do as we please since wea re all bound for the grave. It is however a call to repentance. This knowledge of the Law shows us our sin and our complete inability to save ourselves from its deadly consequences. It drives us to recognize our need for a Savior outside of ourselves. This is where the Gospel of Jesus Christ sooths the convicted soul. For as we know, “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We are rescued for the condemnation of the Law and our heads are pulled of the chopping block, as we are no longer marked for the sword. Instead, we are marked for glory, we are marked for salvation. In your Baptism God chose you as His child, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).
Recent
Archive
2022
January
In One SpiritHe is ComingA Light for the NationsDepart in PeaceThe BenedictionWise Men SeeTrusting in the EmptinessWilted BlossomsConceiving TroubleWhat Comfort?SolaceWorn OutTorn With WrathLike a WarriorA Pure PrayerHeavenly WitnessA Ready GraveA Pledge for YouA Byword of the PeoplesHold OnNight into DayWhere is My Hope?
2021
January
The Arm of GodSigns and PromisesThe Calling in Your HeartOur Active GodAmazing HelpThe Purpose of BaptismHave Courage to BelieveToo Soon ForgottenThe Unexpected ChangeSustained by TrustHe Who Bears All SinsA Wonderful VictoryWhen God SpeaksOur Faithful ShepherdThe Purpose of ScriptureOne Little WordThe Supreme ConsolationA Thorn in the FleshNever Doubt RedemptionThis Is the VictoryLet Your Faith Be FirmA Pure Dwelling PlaceBuilding an Eternal HouseGlorious PromisesNoble and Necessary ChastisementOur New MotivationGod Will Preserve His ChurchGod's Will, Christ's PurposeOur Savior DefinedFalse Saintliness
February
The True Center of SalvationThe Purpose of GovernmentWhat Is a Good Work?The Chief DoctrineA Simple ExplanationJoyful NewsHarmless NoiseIn God's HandsTreasure in Weak VesselsThe Pure, Clear WordWas It Better Before?Responsibility to OthersTrue EqualityA Broad InterpretationThe Flesh Is WeakWhen Pity Is WrongNo Sin AllowedTake the High RoadGod Is TrueSetting an ExampleThe Spirit Giveth LifeThe Christian LawBeware of False ShepherdsThe Lofty and the LowlyIn the Hour at HandLearning to CallWhen the Wicked SucceedTake up Your Cross
March
On Godly BehaviorThe Sheep of ChristThe Calm after the StormOn Becoming a ChristianEternal FoodConcerning Knowledge and PowerFight PowerfullyThe Yoke of ChristThe Obedient ChristThe Fulfillment of the LawDivine RighteousnessThe Gospel Is PublicTo Live as a ChristianThe Promise of GodlinessWhy Is Christ Punished?Blind Human NatureHave Faith Like ChildrenThe Spirit of TruthWaiting for GodTo Know God