http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2017-20&version=NIV
Job 19:25-27: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
How many of us could actually believe the words of Job 19:25-27 if we were sitting where Job is sitting right now. The bottom has fallen out of his life. After listening to a second round of accusations from Eliphaz and Bildad, he cries out about his new position in life. He is estranged, forgotten, a stranger, ignored, a stench, despised, abhorred. He has sunk pretty low. Basically, he is pond scum. And to top it all off, his friends continue to torture him with their condemnation.
But Job clings to the hope in his Redeemer. The first two words of verse 19:25 make it such a strong statement. Job says “I know”; Not “I think”, not “I’m pretty sure”, not “I guess”. He says, “I KNOW that my Redeemer lives”. The NASB says “As for me, I know”. Despite what everyone else thought, Job said “As for me, I know”.
Here’s the thing…Job was a good guy. Remember back in chapter 1? He was upright & blameless; not sinless, but God-fearing and turning from evil. But, bad things happen to good people for a lot of reasons beyond our understanding. Satan would love it if every time something bad happened we would lose our faith in and curse God. Satan knows that if we believe that God is in control, it’s really easy to blame God for all the bad things that happen in life. But Job, he knows God. Job knows his own heart and he knows Gods heart. He knows his God is a perfect Judge and that He is just. He knows that God's wisdom is beyond his comprehension. He knows his God is not punishing him for something he did and he knows that God will vindicate him. He knows his God is sovereign – having supreme authority. He knows that he has a living Redeemer and he has an expectation of salvation. He looks forward to a Savior. He knows and in verse 27, he is overwhelmed by that knowledge.
How did he know you ask? That I don’t know exactly. Job didn’t have the same Word of God that we have today that provides a more complete picture of the promise. But, I do know this…in order to have a faith like Job’s…A faith where even though you’ve done everything right, the bottom still drops out…in order to KNOW, Job had to have had a relationship with God. You can’t have a faith like that in someone you don’t KNOW. I am so excited to be a part of this Bible study because this is where we get to know what Job knew. We get to see the character of God and learn the promises. And through the Word of God and prayer with Him, we too can rest in the knowledge that our Redeemer lives!
We all go through times of adversity in life where it seems like the bottom is dropping out of our lives. Marriages fail, money runs out, people disappoint, careers end, loved ones die, health fades. But we are so blessed to have the Word of God that is full of promises! We have promise of redemption, of protection, of forgiveness, of hope and a future…the list goes on! So I ask you…Like Job, do you KNOW? If not, you are in the right place and I pray that you will persevere. Open up a dialog of prayer with God along with your Bible study and watch your faith grow. You will be amazed at the comfort that the knowledge of the promises of God can give during a time of adversity. Other than this blog, how do you find time to get to know God? Share your thoughts by clicking on the link below to go to the blog site and leave a comment, or feel free to share any other thoughts about today’s passage.
today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
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Listening to these verses on Biblegatway has opened up some new insights for me. As the chapters are read with various emphasizes, you get the feel of despair and darkness surrounding Job. But these verses really give us insight into the thoughts of our Lord as the true innonent one is forsaken and despised.
ReplyDeleteBeing innonent God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit.
Jesus understands the brokenhearted, the downcast and the despised. He strengths the downhearted and exalts those of low degree. As we walk through life let us never be like Job’s friends who only heaped condemnation and self righteousness thoughts upon Job.
Job 9:33-35 states, "If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God's rod from me,
ReplyDeleteso that his terror would frighten me no more.
Then I would speak up without fear of him,
but as it now stands with me, I cannot."
Now, 10 chapters later God has illuminated Job's heart so that he now understands that God himself will redeem Job.
This is a great example of progressive revelation in the Bible. Where more revelation is given as time passes.
We do not receive new revelation as the canon of Scripture is closed, but we may and will receive more illumination (or understanding) of the Scriptures as we study them diligently each day.
Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son who redeemed us bt the shedding of His blood and for the Gift of His Word which is a testimony of His Son. (John 5:39)