Blood...Cry

Job 16:15-18 – “I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and buried my brow in the dust. My face is red with weeping, dark shadows ring my eyes; yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure. “Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest!

Isaiah 52:14-15 – Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53:9 – He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Genesis 4:10 – The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.

Job 5:1 – “Call if you will, but who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

Job 9:33-34 – If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.

Application:

• ·         “Disfigured” was a term used of a “blemished animal”, which should not be offered to the Lord.
• ·         Peter quotes “he had done no violence, nor…deceit in His mouth” as he encourages believers to endure unjust suffering.
• ·         “Your brother’s blood cries out” for justice. “Righteous Abel”, in one sense a “prophet”, “still speaks”, even though he is “dead”, for his spilled blood continues to cry out to God against all those who do violence to others. But the blood of Christ “speaks a better word”.
• ·         The idea of a mediator, someone to arbitrate between God and Job, is an important motif in Job.
• ·         God is so immense that Job feels he needs someone who can help him, someone who can argue his case in court.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV