For Us

In Job 16, Job responds to his friends who have accused him: "I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief (v4)." Job says that he would be uplifting to his friends. He would do this not expecting relief from his trials. "Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away (v6)." He says that his situation has become a witness to others. "You have bound me - and it has become a witness (v8)." He says that no matter what comes his way he will stand firm and will not blame. "...yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure (v17)". And even before the Messiah Job knows He is there for him: "Even now my witness is in heaven, my advocate is on high, my intercessor is my friend. ...on behalf of a man He pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend (v19-21)." These last few verses are about Jesus and what He does for us in heaven; He pleads for us with God.