In the book of Job, the main character and his “friends” argue back and forth about the cause of Job’s recent misfortunes and debilitations.  Job maintains his innocence and desire for an explanation from God.  His friends encourage Job strongly to repent because he must have done something wrong.  The youngest friend, Elihu, touches on the workings of God in verses 33.29-30: “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.”  “Bring back his soul from the pit” sounds like good news; what are “these things” that God does?

The first “thing” is described in chapter 33, verses 15-18.  God sends warnings to men in dreams.  The purpose is conviction of sin – to “turn man aside from his deed.” We hear testimonies in our day, particularly in the Muslim world, of men and women who claim a visit from Jesus in a dream, causing them to seek out the Word of God.

A second thing, in verses 19-22, is discipline in the form of physical pain or suffering.  We also hear stories of people who cry out “Save me, Lord” in the midst of their hurts.

A third thing, in verse 23, is an “angel” who declares the truth to man.  This is our mission as Christians, to proclaim the truth and grace we know in Jesus Christ.  It is cool to think that our evangelistic efforts make us like angels to those we witness to.

And the fourth, most important thing that God does is in verses 24-28.  God is merciful (v 24), he restores to man his righteousness (26), causes man to repent and believe (27) and redeems man’s soul from the pit (28).

Even back in the Old Testament, men like Elihu know how God was working.  This side of Jesus, the Word of Life, we know that God’s mercy and salvation work is all that is needed to save us from the pit, and that God uses multiple means to open eyes, discipline, and provide witnesses of His goodness.