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My Redeemer Lives - Job 19
My Redeemer Lives - Job 19
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!
Job 19:23-27 has been said to be the most quoted passage in the book of Job. YET, it is stated by most commentators that this passage is also the most notoriously difficult section to translate or to understand.
Job affirms that he has a living 'redeemer'. As Satan was said to be the 'accuser', so Job took refuge in his conviction of a Redeemer. This word in the Hebrew was used of one's nearest kinsman that would perform certain duties for a deceased person. Such duties could include the "buying back of lost property, caring for the widow of the ceased, and ensuring justice be done if the relative had been unjustly slain." (compare Ruth 2:20, Num. 35:19)*. This word also was used of God in relationship to Israel: God was their redeemer or deliver (compare Exod. 6:6, 15:3; Psalms 19:14; 78:35; 103:4; Jer. 50:34, etc.). As Job contemplated dying without ever having the opportunity to straighten things out with God, he yet had confidence that God himself WOULD straighten things out.
Even though Job would die and the body return to dust, His redeemer LIVES and would stand or arise, even upon Job's grave. While Job was certain to die (as all those before him had), yet his Redeemer LIVES and would yet take care of his needs.
Job is confident that such WILL take place, whether 'in the flesh' (ESV, NIV, NRSV) which would require a resurrection, or 'from the flesh' (as in apart from, NASB95) which would be in the spirit.
Although Job does not understand what is really going on, and although he has stated that he understands God to be both his adversary and his persecutor, yet he holds on to his faith, confidence, and fear of God. His faith will NOT be dictated by circumstances, which is the very challenge that Satan laid down in the beginning. "I know that my Redeemer lives."
NOW, for us. We live in a different era with a more complete revelation of God and God's dealing. While God does not reveal all the ins and outs of His providential dealings with us, and we are left with many questions of 'why', God HAS provided Himself as our Redeemer in the form of the Son of God. Jesus, who was God and with God, became flesh and redeemed us from our sins and the wrath of God due us. Like Job, we can have confidence that we do not face our accuser (Satan and his slander) alone. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We WILL see God. Jesus will come and we will be caught up with him to ever be with the Lord, whether we die first or are still alive at his coming. Having greater assurance by a greater revelation, we have this confidence: "I know that my redeemer lives, and ever cares for me!".
Hugh DeLong
* Old Testament Survey Series: The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, James E. Smith, Logos edition.
John 1:1, 14; 1John 2:1; Matt. 5:8; 1Thess. 4:17; Gal. 3:13, 4:5; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:18.
