MY REDEEMER LIVES!

Job 19

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Oh that my words were now written!

Oh that they were printed in a book!

24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead

In the rock for ever!

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 19:23-27

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I believe we have a wrong impression about Old Testament saints many times. We often view them as ignorant of the workings of God and trying to appease him with good works and obeying rules. While there are certainly people who were like that (and there still are today), they also knew quite a bit about God himself, and his plans for for history.

I understand that they did not have the full picture, but we cannot discredit them either. Many people believe that we do not need the Old Testament today. They think that it does not apply to modern times. That is far from the truth and Job proves it right here in this text

We find Job is wishing that his words were recorded in a book. If he only knew! He wants his words recorded because he is about to make a statement of faith. Understand, Job was the first recorded book of the Bible. The creation and flood accounts of Genesis predate Job on a timeline, but many scholars believe this was actually the first book put in print. That is impressive when we consider what Job is about to say; what he wants written down!

I also find it interesting that Job wants his statement recorded so that it lasts forever. He does not want this statement to be lost in time. While some things he would just as soon have been forgotten, this was not one of them. It is cool that his words are written down in a book and that they will last forever. As I said before, God's word will never pass away. God granted Job's prayer here.

Job's statement in verse 25 is huge. Before Moses wrote the book of Genesis, Job was talking about his need for a Redeemer! Adam and Eve knew that they needed a Redeemer and they had passed that message down to their descendants. Noah and his family knew that they needed a Redeemer and they passed that message down to their descendants. Where Job fits in after that we do not rightly know, but the message had been passed down. Job knew that he needed a Redeemer.

Job also knew that his Redeemer lives. His Redeemer did not previously live. His Redeemer would not live in the future. His Redeemer lived during his time and his Redeemer lives now!

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I serve a risen Savior

  He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living,

  Whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy;

  I hear His voice of cheer;

And just the time I need Him

  He’s always near.He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

    He lives within my heart.

He Lives - Alfred Henry Ackley

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Not only does Job speak of the saving work of Jesus as his Redeemer, but he also speaks of his work in end times. Job goes on to say, "And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth". Job is talking about the Millennial Reign of Christ when his feet physically touch the earth again. Jesus will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords for 1000 years. But wait, Job's statement gets even better!

In the next verse, Job speaks of the resurrection of the saints. Job says, "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 says that his physical body is dying. That is true for all of us. Then he tells of his faith that he will see Jesus in his flesh. Job believed in a physical resurrection for the saints. He wasn't going to be a spirit floating around, he was going to have a body! He was going to have eyes that could see and he would see God in his (Job's) flesh. We have a lot of crazy ideas floating around about heaven. Job might not have had a perfect understanding, but he had a pretty good one. I would venture to say, a better understanding than many church members today.

If that doesn't get you excited, you might need to check your salvation! No matter what happens to us here on earth, it only gets better for the saints. We will die. That is a given. However, we have the promise of being with God in a new body that will be free from all this suffering and sin. Job looked forward to it and so should we!

Father, this world seems to be getting more and more wicked. There is constant violence and hatred. This is sickness and death. People live in fear and dread. Help us to look forward to you return. Help us to teach others the truths of your word so that they can be ready as well.