What is Man?
STUDIES & DOC
What Is Man?
By Your servant, Dan Baxley
What is man that You make so much of him, that You give him so much attention, (Job 7:17)
What is man -- 2024 Update -- Our Hope
This is a question that men, and women have been asking for centuries. This is a question that comes from Job's darkened spirit -- questioning his Creator. This question dates, quite possibly before Moses -- it is, by all accounts one of the oldest of books among the Hebrew writings. Let us read the context surrounding this question, as see its true source -- it is not, just one man's challenge, "What is man that You make so much of him?" This question has been on the lips of mankind for several millennia, but where does this question really originate, a question challenging our Creator? From this ancient language, translated down through the ages, the question remains the same -- this kind of question, no matter the language continues to question our Maker, and we find its origin is from a darker place.
And here is where the spirit behind this question actually originates – a Dark Spirit visits a friend of Job’s and whispers in his ear (Job 4:12-16 - quoted below). Eliphaz, Job’s friend is told to ask this question, and ask and question he does, but not after being troubled himself about whom he is listening to. Apparently this friend convinces himself that this spirit is from God and is passing some wisdom on to him so he can question and tempt Job to surrender and curse His Creator, putting an end to his, Job's, torment.
As you read this account, however, look at it closely and see that this is a "dark spirit" and it put a kind of terror in Elphaz’s heart, but still he listens and then, as you read in Job 7, Elphaz uses this questions and reasoning to try and break Job down. Elphaz is not trying to be a disloyal friend, not at all, he believes he is helping his friend to see a truth, and should accept his punishment.
Let’s have a look at this all important question that Satan plants in the ear of men to confuse and tempt them into despair and hopelessness -- after all, we are but dirt. With this understanding we will examine the answer --
This dark spirit is either Satan or one of his underlings and the question is not one of wonder, but of sarcasm and ridicule. It is also a question many have asked of themselves and of mankind in general, and there is an answer -- not an answer Satan wants to hear, of course, but he is the one that brought it up. He has used this kind of questioning, whispering into the hearts of men, to cause man, over the centuries, to question themselves, and to doubt themselves -- even question their own existence and purpose, as well as the existence of a Creator. But, when we see the source of this question, not that men or women could not think to ask such a thing, not at all, it is just that we find this question asked from near the beginning of recorded history of man. We find a first source, so to speak -- who asked this challenging question first? And it was not a friend of ours or theirs. This question exposes the underlying hate and disgust Satan has for mankind.
Let’s have a look at this all important question that Satan plants in the ear of men to confuse and tempt them into despair and hopelessness -- after all, we are but dirt. With this understanding we will examine the answer --
(Job 4:12-13) A word was secretly brought to me (Elphaz), my ears caught a whisper of. Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake.
(Job 4:15-16) A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:
(Job 4:17) 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
(Job 4:18-19) If God places no trust in His servants, if he charges His angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!(Job 4:20-21) Between dawn and dusk they (mankind) are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever. Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?'
Read it again, this time with a voice of scorn and hate. Whisper as the "demon" might and hear how this really sounds -- dripping with hate. A message was being delivered and Eliphaz was encouraged to use this spirit’s dark wisdom on, or against, Job. The essence of that message whispered into Eliphaz's ear, amounts to the despair that Job at his low point would also ask, with different words, but the same outcome -- "What is man'? is the essence of this sarcastic questioning being whispered into Eliphaz's ear -- "what is man? ...he is but dirt, easier to crush than a common moth, broken up into pieces day and night with not hope ... ", this dark spirit finishes that answer to that question with, "...perish forever". It is true, of course, we are only dirt, but this type of sarcastic truth, leads to a big lie, placing a dangerous since of uselessness in our existence, telling man that there is no HOPE -- that we perish forever -- another example for mixing truth with a lie.
This is the real question, and the dark answer from the dark spirit whispering to Job's friend, Eliphaz, that mankind themselves have been asking, and a great number have accepted the hopeless answer that we are nothing and that we do perish forever -- from dirt we come, and dirt we return -- see, a truth, but only a half truth. Still, the question that starts this whole thing, is brought up by the a devil. And as things usually go, many times the works of the Devil and his agents end up working against them, or the intended purpose -- and the intended damage is reversed.
This dark spirit is most likely from Satan showing his contempt for mankind, maybe even Satan himself. But, the question, the original question is legitimate, and while the dark spirit has its own answer, as read in its own answer, another answer will become apparent, and demonstrate that even the devils do not know the mind of their Creator -- a big whoops, on their part. Certainly, the true answer is not what Satan wants to hear, but by his own mouth or the mouth of his demon agent, he asked the question in an attempt to shake, not only Job’s faith, but the faith of all others – until, that is, the hope of our faith rose from the dead -- demonstrating an eternity for mankind, a future beyond imagination, a purpose Satan and his demon angels did not want to hear, or see come to pass. New sons and daughters (1 John 3:2, Rom 8:19, Gal 4:6).
Gal 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,Gal 4:5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.Gal 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."Gal 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.1Jn 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.1Jn 3:3 Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
I believe that is one of the reasons Satan rebelled and managed to convince a third of the angelic population to join him in an effort to stop this rebuilding of eternity, which would include a closer creation to the Creator Himself -- beginning with mankind, made in His own image, the First being YaHshua, the One we Confess came in the flesh, died for us, raised to life, proving that man, made of dirt, could and will have an eternal future, not as objects, but as Born again to becoming His eternal children -- Children of His Kingdom. This may have been the original plan, the Birthing of His Kind, as opposed to something made, or manufactured, YaHshua being the First, and from this came the angelic rebellion -- Satan, once an Angel of the highest rank, being jealous, thinking man would be his replacement. Or, perhaps, it was his and others rebellion that brought our creation came into being, as a fix, so that this kind of rebellion would never happen again? I could be wrong, but either way, this would explain the continual efforts of Satan and his gang, to side track mankind, to keep us from realizing our true potential, on our way to becoming sons and daughters of the One, the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9-10)
2Co 6:18 I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
If we give up, and Satan can convince mankind that we are just an accident of nature, and our lives are hopeless, just as that dark spirit whispered into the ear of Eliphaz, giving him a message to pass along to Job, and this then to all of mankind? Satan, then, proves the we are not worthy of eternal life, much less worth saving.
Question: What is man that He would be mindful of him?
Answer: We are the Children of the Living God, we are the beginning of those He has called to be His Children.
He personally sent an individual to make this possible, to weed out the potential beings like or that would become like Satan, to expose the wicked and to separate out Children for Himself to enter in and rule the Kingdom, not only this Kingdom but of things we cannot image – when all is said and done, what is revealed, so far, is a New Beginning in the New Heavens, and New Earth (Rev 21:1). So, who are we that He, the Creator of all things, including the angels of Heaven, that He should be mindful of us? We are to follow His begotten, YaHshua, First Born, as adopted sons and daughters awaiting our transformation from flesh to Spirit – that is who we are -- the Children of the Living God and Father of us all. We, made from the dirt and water, like seeds sprouting and growing into something far more than just the seed planted in this earth of dirt and water.
(2Co 5:1) Now we know that if the earthly tent (body) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.Repeat:
(2Co 5:2-5) Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(2Co 5:2-5) Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. NIV
(1Co 15:51-53) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
(2Co 5:21) God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
(1Jn 3:1) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
(1Jn 3:2) Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
(1Jn 3:3) Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
(Php 3:20-21) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord YaHshua the Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
While our true citizenship is in Heaven and we live as strangers on this earth, we are "waiting" on Him to bring our certificates of citizenship, so to speak and to change us into the same immortal Spirit He is of -- literally to be born again. We will "be like His glorious body", fit for eternity.
Repeat again -- The Promise:
(2Co 5:2-5) Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Our future is to inherit the Kingdom, a New Kingdom, entering where Satan will never be allowed.
We are extremely important to our Heavenly Father and even though Satan and his gang of demons do not like it and would love to make us doubt our own destiny, he has lost the battle and has been tossed from Heaven. This, however, is not so good for mankind, because Satan and His angels are no longer in Heaven, causing trouble, but now, on this earth, trapped, no more access to Heaven, and he does not like it. You can read about this in Revelation 12 – there you will read a brief, a sampling of what has already happened since our Lord came to earth and then was caught up to Heaven to be, again, with the Father. Contrary to what some teach, there is no war in Heaven, that is finished and the Angels of Heaven rejoice, but woe to the inhabitants of the Earth – for Satan and his angels are incarcerated here, on this Earth.
Past Tense -- this has already happened:
(Rev 12:7-9) And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in Heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
When you look at the context of this event you will see it is after our Savior, YaHshua is caught up to Heaven that this war takes place. And the Angels of Heaven rejoiced because this trouble maker, Satan and his angels were cast out. Satan is not sitting in Heaven accusing the brethren day and night, as some suppose, that is past, he is cast to the earth and his place in Heaven, along with the angels that followed him, is not more.
(Rev 12:10) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Read this closely – "For the accuser ……. has been hurled down". Those who quote this verse leave the last part out. He, Satan, the accuser, is no longer in heaven accusing anyone, He and his angels have been "hurled down" – down to this Earth -- and are having fits, throwing tantrums as is evident from our history and our present, modern times, so called, witnessed by the daily news cycles.
(Rev 12:12) Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
So, those in Heaven can rejoice because this evil Spirit is not long among them, he has been hurled down – "But woe to the earth and the sea…". The earth and the sea would mean the whole planet, all of earth, the land and the sea. Satan and his demon angels, then, are everywhere, or better still, have access to all that we know and call earth, but he and his bunch no longer have access to Heaven.
These demonic forces of Satan are set to tempt and chase after the people of God. Again, from the history of man from the time our Savior, and before, but especially in our modern historical past we have seen this pursuit of a class of people trying to destroy the People of God as seen in the people of Israel, the Jews. They have managed to get a new foot hold in the land of their ancestors and still there is an evil force and influence present in this earth trying to destroy them. How brazen some have been, calling for the complete annihilation of the people of Israel and hardly a sound from the rest of the world. In fact, when Modern Israel protects themselves they are seen as the aggressor. If these evil forces were ever to overrun the Modern nation of Israel, there would be a blood bath greater than anything mankind has seen before. All we have to do is look at what the ISIS hordes are doing and trying to do -- this is the mental break down of humanity being inhuman toward others they hate, for seemingly no reason, even murder for the sick pleasure of it -- and that is evil.
[2023 - October 6 Update:Another pattern, another murderous group, hiding under the umbrella of a hate religion, breaking out from its darkness into the light of day, to kill and commit other unmentionable acts, being exposed to the whole world as to what they are, and have been all along. But, while this woke some parts of the world up, and while it sickened the mind and thoughts of those who cannot deny this act of barbarism by these Palestinian thugs, and the immediate response was to strike back, and to put an end this these this killers club, it was not long before the streets of some major cities were filled with protesters claiming this was all the victims fault, and that it was the victim (Israel) who should be annihilated. Different people? No, the same people, different name. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Iran, and what do these have in common, other than they are all claim to be followers of Allah, all Islam? They have strings, or more like ropes tying them to IRAN. There are many others such, glorified groups, and mini groups, like the now diminished ISIS, and Al Qaeda terrorist, also claiming Islam as their purpose, as their excuse for being the murderous, killers that they are. We can only hope and pray for the day that is coming when our Savior, YaHshua returns and opens the eyes of those so blind. It is not only these killers who will come to repent before our Lord and Savior, whose hearts will be changed, will have to be changed, but also those living in the lies of the world, being returned to truth, even in the simplest of things. For this day we do pray, but we pray not for those things that must happen, and will happen, things out of mankind's control, things that will be the beginning of His Return to save this world -- and believe me, if you watch the news at all, or for as long as I have, decade after decade, you will see, and understand why this coming time, just before His actual return, is necessary -- just read a sampling, found in the opening of the 6th Seal, in Revelation 6:12-17]
The ISIS Example
ISIS stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham (Al Sham meaning the Levant, or Greater Syria). ISIL is Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. As you can see, they are basically the same thing, but ISIS uses the Arabic word 'Al-Sham' for the region, as opposed to name, Syria. Both point to the same region, and the irony is that this term also is a reference to an Egyptian goddess.
The leaders of this terrorist gang of thugs makes no other claims, than its ambition to establish a Caliphate, a single, united Islamic State governed by Shari Law and enforced by penalty of death -- to all none converts to their religion. They are a murderous bunch and have been enjoying some success, mostly because Europe and the USA are sitting on their hands.
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[2024 UPDATE: ISIS as first called, later many changed to ISIL, as explained previously, and in full murderous operation 2011-13. In late 2019, the international rejection of this terror group was apparent, beginning their downfall, and capped off by the USA President Donald Trump, 2020, and very little is heard from that evil groups since. But, some still say they are working behind the scene, in smaller numbers, but not quite as dead as many would like.Now -- October 2023 - January 2024 -- Israel struck back, and after warning the population in Gaza that they were going to strike hard, beginning in the Southern region and to evacuate, a warning they gave 2 weeks before they began their actual assault into Gaza, and began uncovering Hamas underground tunnel system, where the enemy of Israel was scurrying around like rats, living in the the dark -- well, the Israeli troops, and bombs began exposing these evil works to the light of day. This may be too political for some, but the Bible does warn us about such things. I mention these things in light of Bible Prophecy and what we have been told before hand, and, hopefully, to help open the eyes of some for why we need a Savior. Yes, even those we classify as terrorist, need to be awakened, and see their need to repent and for a Savior to enter their lives. And as we watch what is going on in this MODERN World, with all of its technology, and advancements in knowledge, not bringing peace at all, and is certainly not saving mankind from its rush to extinction, the need to put a stop to this movement toward the eventual outcome of total destruction, something has to happen, something beyond mankind's control, something that will stop us -- by "us" I mean all of mankind, "all" of us need to be saved, in order to stop the madness, or no one will survive -- Matthew 24:29-31 -- Revelation 6:12-17 --Mat 24:22 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.Mat 24:36 But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my FATHER only.Mat 24:29 But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;Mat 24:30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.Mat 24:31 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.Rev 6:12 I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood.Rev 6:13 The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.Rev 6:14 The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.Rev 6:15 The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.Rev 6:16 They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of His wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"]________________________________
Maybe it is time for the Arab states to put up or shut up. These marauders are as big a threat to kingdoms like Saudi Arabia as to Israel, they are not the friends of anyone and are thirsty for blood, anyone’s blood not bound to them -- I must correct that last statement -- this cowards hide behind their own people, sacrificing the innocent children of their own people, putting time in front as they hide behind -- they are truly animals, beasts, or worse, for even beasts tend to protect not bring to slaughter their own.
Sunnis mostly -- not friends of the Shiite, who is primarily the nation of Iran – this could turn out very badly for Iran in the long run. What is that old saying, "you reap what you sow", and this may apply here. If the ISIS manage to conquer Iraq then their natural enemy, Iran will be on their border. Not that many years ago, when Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq, millions of Iranian loyalist martyred themselves before the guns of Iraq, armed with nothing more than a copy of the Quran. The Sunnis (ISIS) have not love for the Shiite and while Saddam was neither he used the Sunnis and others to try and bring Iran under his influence. Once he was not able to do that he made sure the Sunni element in his Iraq would be suppressed and kept under control. It seems Saddam saw the danger of letting them be anything more than farmers. Now we can see why.
We can see these events and many, many other events from the past that demonstrate Satan and his influence in the earth and his constant chasing after the woman that gave birth to the Son of God. YaHshua came out of Israel, a Jew of the flesh and the irony is how many of those of the Islamic religion honor YaHshua as a great prophet but want to kill His people.
What does this have to do with Satan asking the question in a damning way? Proof that he is here, he and his angels (demons) are among us and constantly influencing evil men and women to do their worst. Yes, women too. What kind of woman would send their son out with bombs strapped to their body? What kind of woman would go on national TV and brag about having more babies to be martyrs for Allah? Women, willing to sacrifice their own children to the god of war and to Moloch the god of fire.
The ultimate demands of their leaders is insane – the complete and utter annihilation of the State and people of Israel – this is the treat they want, this is the answer to their problems. If that is not a Satanic ambition then what is?
Conclusion:
We can see these events and many, many other events from the past that demonstrate Satan and his influence in the earth and his constant chasing after the woman that gave birth to the Son of God. YaHshua came out of Israel, a Jew of the flesh and the irony is how many of those of the Islamic religion honor YaHshua as a great prophet but want to kill His people.
What does this have to do with Satan asking the question in a damning way? Proof that he is here, he and his angels (demons) are among us and constantly influencing evil men and women to do their worst. Yes, women too. What kind of woman would send their son out with bombs strapped to their body? What kind of woman would go on national TV and brag about having more babies to be martyrs for Allah? Women, willing to sacrifice their own children to the god of war and to Moloch the god of fire.
The ultimate demands of their leaders is insane – the complete and utter annihilation of the State and people of Israel – this is the treat they want, this is the answer to their problems. If that is not a Satanic ambition then what is?
Conclusion:
Satan is among us and he still asks this question, whispering into the ear of weak and fragile mankind, "What is man but a piece of dirt. Why should God ever care about you?" From Satan's point of view, which he would like mankind to admit, we are nothing but dirt, with a very short life span, so -- why even bother breathing? But there is a Hope, and that is found in YaHshua, and only Him, for who so ever would confess Him will have everlasting life -- Rom 10:9 ... that if you will confess with your mouth that YaHshua is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Unfortunately, this is way to hard for some. Of course, leading to such a confession is the act of repentance and then the reason behind this confession becomes clear. Killers, will not enter the Kingdom of God , not without their confessing YaHshua and they cannot do that unless they "repent" of their unholy acts and then and only then will His Blood cover their sins great and small. Rom 10:10-11 For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."
You have read the answer, and so, when this question ever comes up, you can know in your heart, unworthy as we are, by the Blood of YaHshua, we are destined to be made into more than dirt, we are to inherit the Kingdom of God, because we are His Children.Heb 13:15 Through Him (YaHshua), then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to the FATHER continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to His Name.Php 2:9-11 Therefore the FATHER also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of YaHshua every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that YaHshua the messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the FATHER.
1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant.
1Co 12:2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.
1Co 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God's Spirit says, "YaHshua is accursed." No one can say, "YaHshua is Lord," but by the Holy Spirit.
HalleluYaH