Job's Redeemer

[Upholder]

25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
(Job 19:25-27)

The Biblical account of Job is a story of suffering like no other. Job, who was a man of vast wealth and fortune, was suddenly struck down by a series of terrible events that came seemingly out of nowhere. With his children dead, his servants dead, and his flocks and herds of livestock gone, Job sat down among the ashes, covered with boils.
Job's three friends came and sat with him, to comfort him and share in his sorrows. As they conversed with Job, they tried to find a reason for the sorrows that had so suddenly come upon him. But even as these well-meaning friends tried to help Job, their words only added to his grief, for while much of what they said was true, it was not true of Job and could not be applied to him with any fairness.
Job spoke at length about his plight, and his words conveyed the misery that he felt. To us who have difficulty comprehending the downcast state of mind that Job experienced after the devastation of his family and posessions, some of his utterences do seem strange. But although Job went so far as to even curse the day of his birth, he was careful to never curse God, for although Job had been a rich man, he was also a man who feared God. Job recognised that his wealth was something the Lord had given, and that the Lord had taken away, and while he no doubt enjoyed his wealth, he was careful not to put his trust in it, for he trusted in something far greater.

Job says, "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth". Here was a faith in Job that was more than just a philosophical and stoic acceptance of his lot in life. Here was a hope that trancended his present circumstances, and looked forward to a time when the glory of his Redeemer would be revealed.
Job goes on to say, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God". Job knew that his earthly temple was only on this earth for a season, and that it would one day return to the dust from whence it came. In the misery of his condition, he may have assumed that this event would not be long in its coming. And yet, he declares with full confidence his belief that after death in his flesh he would see God.
This resurrected body would have eyes that were able to see. Job says of God, "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." This wonderful knowledge was made known to Job, not by flesh or blood, but by the revelation of the true and living God who he would one day see with his own eyes.
These events took place long before the time when the Lord Jesus would take upon himself the form of a man and come to this earth, and like many other Old Testament saints, Job did not know exactly how the prophesied events concerning the coming Christ would unfold. Job did not know that Christ's name would be Jesus, but Job did know that Christ would come to save his people from their sins. Job calls him "My redeemer". This shows that Job knew exactly what Christ was coming to do. This Redeemer was not coming to only lift the poor from poverty or heal the sick, though he could certainly do that. The Redeemer was coming to purchase, to deliver, and to redeem sinners by paying the price of sin with his own death upon the cross of Calvary.

The Redeemer that Job spoke of can be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, for the Scriptures say:

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
(Acts 4:10-12)

Salvation is only possible through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.

Job's use of the word "redeemer" also indicates something else about his faith. It is clear that he did not trust in his good works for salvation. Job's life was full of good works, but he recognised that even the most diligent practice of these works was not enough to take away his sin in the sight of God. If it were possible for Job to be saved by his good works, then he would not have spoken of his Redeemer, for he would have no need of one. All have sinned, and like every other sinner, Job needed a Saviour.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)

Job did not know that God would eventually restore to him more than the posessions than he had lost, but he did know that regardless of how little or much of this world's wealth he had, he posessed something that was of far greater worth: the knowledge that his sins were forgiven.
And as believers, we can rejoice; because Job's Redeemer is also our Redeemer. The Lord Jesus Christ who died to redeem Job also died to redeem us and save us from our sins. Let us never cease to praise him for his mercy and goodness to us!

[NCUNIT33]

25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
(Job 19:25-27)

He was looking forward in time to a promise, Just as others have in the past.
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Great scripture Upholder "I know that my redeemer liveth"

Pastor Jim Norman
Northside Baptist Church

[Upholder]

NCUNIT33 Wrote:He was looking forward in time to a promise, Just as others have in the past.
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Amen, Brother Jim.

[Bro Nobody]

How did he know or why did he know. Yes it was in faith but how did he come to learn of this wonderful message? Maybe from Noah or one of his sons? Or through direct revelation from God... We see God speak to him later, why not previously?. What ever it is, Job gives possibly the earliest written Gospel message and it alone is enough to teach salvation in Christ....