Title: My Redeemer Lives / Job 19:23-29
Faced with death, Job is expressing his earnest wishes. “If my words have been written, and put in a book, may they be forever engraved in stone with an iron pen and lead” (23-24) “I know that my Redeemer lives” (25). What comfort did Job receive as he faced death?
I. Job is comforted by the resurrection.
Death is the separation of the body from the spirit. With death, our bodies return to dust. But life returned to dust comes back to life. “Even after my skin has been skinned (even after the worms have destroyed my body), I will see God outside my body” (26), Job speaks of God’s omnipotence and the doctrine of resurrection. God makes the impossible with man possible. This omnipotence of God applies to individuals, families, nations, and churches.
II. Job saw nothing but the stench of the tomb, but he sees the present comfort of the bright sunlight.
“As far as I know, my Redeemer lives” (25), Job finds comfort in these words. First, 'redeemer' (Hebrew Goel, goel) means a relative (Kinsman), and this kin is obliged to pay for the stolen property (land). Death has taken the body, but there is a living Redeemer who will give it back. The second ransom redeemed with power. There is no other force that can stand against His power. The Third Redeemer avenges the death of his friend. Fourth, he is alive. He is the source of life and gives life to the dead. The climax of the fifth Job's consolation is in the words "My" and "I". Job said that he knew that the ransom was mine, not someone else. Sixth, as far as I know, these words are also comforting. I know for sure that my Redeemer lives. These are the words of greatest comfort to us in the world.
III. Job saw Christ as Goel (the Redeemer) standing on the earth to pay for our sins with His blood.
First, Job's vision does not stop here, but goes on to waiting for the Day of Resurrection, that is, the Second Coming. "Christ who stands on the earth" (25) is the one who conquered sin and defeated Satan. Second, He says, “Out of the flesh I will see God” (26). It is said that the dead will be resurrected when Jesus returns and will stand before God and will see God. There is no greater joy than the joy of seeing God, the joy of seeing Christ. Third, He says, “I will see him, and I will not see him with my own eyes as a stranger” (27). Seeing the Lord through personal fellowship with the Lord means that the resurrection and glory of the Lord will not be unfamiliar.
closing words.
It is foolish for us to view death with trembling, with skepticism and with disgust. In the light of the resurrection, the fear of death will disappear. Death is a time to put on better clothes. What more comforting words could there be on that day, saying, "I know that my Redeemer lives"? I hope that all the saints will receive the comfort that Job received.