When Peter hearkens back to the Old Testament, he’s intentional about it. I had reason to believe this when I saw similar vocabulary in 2 Peter 1:9 (I’ll be using the NASB20) and the Greek Old Testament version of Job 7:21.
Here are the two verses:
- “For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.” – 2 Peter 1:9
- “Why did You not assign my lawlessness to oblivion and my sin to purging? But now I shall depart to the ground, and early in the morning I shall be no more.” – Job 7:21 (NETS)
I’ve used three colors to distinguish the pairs. Amber is for lethe, which means “forgetfulness.” Pink is for katharismos, which means “cleansing.” And red is for hamartia, which is an archery term that means “missing the mark.” That’s an effective way to illustrate what sin looks like.
When two verses use the same three words, you would think there’d be some connection between the two. Are they talking about the same subject? Do the writers have the same goal?
But when I look over these verses, it seems to me that Peter and Job are discussing different issues. The apostle was encouraging Christians to grow in their adoption and practice of godly virtues (2 Peter 1:5-8). Those who fail to do so neglect the blessing of their forgiveness.
But so what? If people forget important facts, they just need simple reminders. Doesn’t seem like a big deal.
And Peter does aim to remind his readers of gospel truth.
“Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you.” – 2 Peter 1:12
But he doesn’t stop there. He adds some new, unexpected, information.
“I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.” – 2 Peter 1:13-15
Peter’s trying to stir up the memories of these believers because he’s not going to be around much longer. His death is impending.
While this announcement might have startled his readers, it was old news for the apostle himself. Decades earlier, after the resurrection, Jesus told Peter about his final days.
“‘Truly, truly I tell you, when you were younger, you used to put on your belt and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your belt on you, and bring you where you do not want to go.’ 19Now He said this, indicating by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’” – John 21:18-19
Well before he wrote his letters, Peter got his marching orders. Follow Jesus all the way to the end. If his life is taken from him, so be it. But he had to decide. Obey the Lord, or take his own path? Peter listened to Jesus.
Now that his life is drawing to a close, Peter wants the Christians he’s discipled to conduct themselves with similar commitment. Live for God because you can! You qualify! Your sins excluded you from the privilege of knowing the Lord and working for Him, but Christ has solved your sin problem! I can almost hear Peter saying, “Now get going! Serve Christ before you run out of time!”
The verse in Job also raises the issue of death. Like Peter, he’s talking about his own demise, except that Job wanted to die while the apostle was simply obeying the will of God.
Job had endured the loss of most of his family and his resources (Job 1:13-19), and then his health (Job 2:7). He had little left, and wished he’d never been born (Job 3:1-19). But since that wasn’t an option, the next best option was death.
This afflicted soul entertained the possibility that his sin caused his pain. Job wasn’t sure, but he was willing to consider it. Yet even if that were the case, he felt there wasn’t anything he could do to alleviate the situation. If God was punishing him, why not finish the job? Let me die!
Peter didn’t want the Christians under his care to endure such turmoil. They could look to the cross of Christ as the basis of God’s forgiveness. Sins are real, but the blood of Jesus is greater than all of them put together. A life of freedom and dedicated service to the Lord is not only possible, it’s God’s gift to all who believe the gospel.
None of us has unlimited time. Job thought that his afflictions would kill him. Peter had a word from Jesus that his time on earth was concluding (2 Peter 1:14). We may not know the precise time of our departure from this life, but what matters more is knowing God’s forgiven us. Far better for the Lord to forget our sins than for us to forget His forgiveness. The suffering and death of Jesus for us are priceless treasures which we must guard and keep all our days. Through them, the Lord purifies us to enter His presence and serve Him. These are keys to abundant, meaningful living.
One final twist. Peter died not too long after writing his second letter. But Job didn’t get his wish; instead, God restored him. Abundantly! (See Job 42:10-17.)
God calls us to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. Our sins interfere with these, but the blood of Christ’s cross purifies us from everything that sullies our souls and disqualifies us from Him. By trusting in the work of Jesus, we can grow in virtue and fulfill His purposes for our lives. Regardless of how much time we have left, let’s stay grounded in the gospel and committed to serving our Savior however we can.
