How to Read Job by John H. Walton

Author:John H. Walton [Walton, John H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2015-09-23T16:00:00+00:00

The question that we must answer, then, is how to determine whether “awaking” is from sleep or from death, and whether “seeing God” is in the sanctuary or in heaven. “Awaking” is attested in both sorts of contexts (cf. the motif of going to sleep besieged by enemies and awaking with an expectation of God’s deliverance, e.g., Ps 3:5; 63:6-7; 139:18) just as “seeing God” is, so we have a methodological conundrum as we try to discern how we would know which meaning was intended by the psalmist.

Returning to Psalm 17 we can see that in the context the psalmist is praying to be delivered from enemies (Ps 17:14) and he seeks vindication (Ps 17:15). Dying would not constitute deliverance and vindication even if he ended up in the presence of God in heaven. This passage makes perfect sense as a reference to waking in the morning and finding the enemy defeated. We should not opt for a metaphorical reading if the text makes perfect sense without reading it that way. Such a passage could not be used to prove that Israelites had a hope for heaven. Ambiguous terms and contexts do not serve well as primary evidence. All these passages can easily be interpreted within the framework of Sheol being the only alternative.

Redeemed from Sheol.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps 16:9-11)

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