Meditation No. 48

Meditation Title:   My Redeemer Lives

Job 19:25  I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

One thing I always think stands up for the integrity of Scripture is the willingness of the translators to acknowledge where there are ambiguous meanings to words used, and these appear in the footnotes of your Bible (there are also relatively few of them). I mention this because in the remaining seven verses of chapter 19 there are no less than 7 footnotes, and so we will take each of them into account. Having moved from speaking about his three friends, the Lord, and his own situation, he now turns to an “if only” section. “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll,” (v.23) which might be read as “If only my words were recorded…” Why does he want his words recorded? He doesn't actually say but we may infer so that they can be used even after his death to justify him. How are they to be recorded? “that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!” (v.24) The footnote suggests “iron and lead” as a possibility. Whichever it is we have list of various ways that writing might have been recorded in those days.

Then comes this declaration that is perhaps the best known part of Job: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” (v.25). We have two footnotes in this section: ‘'redeemer' may mean ‘defender', and ‘upon the earth' may mean ‘upon my grave'. In a previous study we saw Job refer to, “ my witness …. my advocate …. My intercessor ….. my friend” ( 16:19 ,20). Now again Job senses revelation of truth, truth that even today evades many. It is that, far from God being an enemy in heaven, there is One there who will defend him, one who will speak up for him and justify him. The objective of heaven is not to condemn and destroy him, but to justify and save him!

The incredible truth is that heaven works on our behalf, not against us. This is an incredible change from those human-inspired world religions that work to get God on their side by their efforts. No, the truth is that God is already on our side; all we have to do is believe it! Job senses that his redeemer or defender from heaven will come to the earth, maybe even to stand on his grave, or the grave prepared for him, to speak up for him. The picture of his defender coming and standing on his grave, is one of closest encounter. Did he, perhaps, sense that this Coming One would come and declare not only his justification but also his resurrection? Is it not a similar picture to Jesus coming to Lazarus's tomb (Jn 11) and calling him out to new life

But then he continues, “And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (v.26,27). The footnote alternatives are very unclear here but seem to suggest “after I awake, though this body has been destroyed” indicating a sure belief in a life after death. This is a staggering declaration of faith, that even though he dies, he will live on and will see his Redeemer in heaven (implied). Surely this must be the peak of revelation that Job has, that although he is suffering, yet his suffering will come to an end and he will depart to be with his Redeemer – NOT separated from Him. Hallelujah!

Finally he turns back on his accusers: “If you say, `How we will hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him,” (or ‘me' according to the footnote) (v.28) i.e. if you continue to keep on at me, looking for a fault in me, you need to watch out: “you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment.” (v.29) If you point a finger at me, you'd better watch out because you will be accountable to heaven as well. if you say I am being punished for my failures, you should worry yourselves lest your own failures are picked up by heaven and God's anger for them comes down on you too! It is a short sharp warning about accountability and not feeling too smug about our own position. As Christians we realise that none of us can stand before God unscathed; that is why Jesus died on the cross for every one of us, because we all need his salvation. Let's remember that, especially when we are faced by those who have clearly failed! We have no grounds to point fingers! Don't do it!