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Job 19:25-27 - The Divine Redeemer.

Job 19:25-27 (NIV) 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; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19:25-27 (NLT) But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

INTRODUCTION

At the heart of the book of Job comes his ringing affirmation of confidence: "I know that my Redeemer lives." In ancient Israel a redeemer was a family member who bought a slave's way to freedom or who took care of a widow (see the note on Ruth 3:1). What tremendous faith Job had, especially in light of the fact that he was unaware of the conference between God and Satan. Job thought that God had brought all these disasters upon him! Faced with death and decay, Job still expected to see God - and he expected to do so in his body. When the book of Job was written, Israel did not have a well-developed doctrine of the resurrection. Although Job struggled with the idea that God was presently against him, he firmly believed that in the end God would be on his side. This belief was so strong that Job became one of the first to talk about the resurrection of the body (see also Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2, 13). [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

I Shall See God
   The COVID-19 pandemic caused a domino effect throughout the world. While the coronavirus affected people's health, with many experiencing the trauma and grief at the death of loved ones, people also underwent the hardship of job loss. Social isolation produced an increase in xenophobia, domestic violence, and mental-health issues. There came inflation, supply-chain bottlenecks, and food shortages. At the time of this writing, the ramifications are still ongoing.
   This pandemic was so devastating partially because of the cumulative consequences. Similarly for Job, in a single day, Satan sent a barrage of destruction that took his wealth and all ten of his children. On another day, Job's health was ruined. No wonder he cried out, "May the day perish on which I was born" (Job 3:3).
   Have you felt like Job? Then take heart, because even after he lost everything, Job nonetheless clung to the promise found in today's verses: He fervently believed in the Redeemer of the world, Jesus Christ; he believed that Christ would "stand" victorious over death and the devil, and that even if he did not survive his suffering, it would not stop Christ from resurrecting him in a brand-new, immortal body (1 Corinthians 15:52). Said Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).
   Job looked forward to the cross. How much more so should we, who can look back at the cross, express that hope too? Even if our "skin is destroyed" before Jesus returns, the same promise applies to us if we, like Job, exercise our faith now in the grace of the Savior.
   My Redeemer, amid my tribulations, the promise of Your return and the resurrection gives me hope. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

One of the most solemn and yet most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christ's second coming to complete the great work of redemption. To God's pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in "the region and shadow of death," a precious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, who is "the resurrection and the life," to "bring home again His banished." The doctrine of the second advent is the very keynote of the Sacred Scriptures. From the day when the first pair turned their sorrowing steps from Eden, the children of faith have waited the coming of the Promised One to break the destroyer's power and bring them again to the lost Paradise. Holy men of old looked forward to the advent of the Messiah in glory, as the consummation of their hope. Enoch, only the seventh in descent from them that dwelt in Eden, he who for three centuries on earth walked with his God, was permitted to behold from afar the coming of the Deliverer. "Behold," he declared, "the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all." Jude 14, 15. The patriarch Job in the night of his affliction exclaimed with unshaken trust: "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: ... in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." Job 19:25-27. ... The coming of Christ to usher in the reign of righteousness has inspired the most sublime and impassioned utterances of the sacred writers. GC299-300

CLOSING THOUGHT

Our Own Eyes
   Job caught a glimpse of his glorious future even while grappling with his devastating grief over a great loss in his life. If Job, who was a man infamously acquainted with sorrow, could find the courage to look beyond the pain of his present circumstances into the hope that awaited him, then can't we also do the same?
   Christ our Redeemer reigns in triumph, and he will stand upon the dust of the earth once more. We will each see him for ourselves and no partial glimpses or seeing only with eyes of faith will be required anymore. We will know him fully, even as we are fully known. Let us then follow Job's example and remind our souls that we will see God face-to-face. What a reality to look forward to!
   Read this verse out loud over your own heart whenever you need a boost of encouragement and perspective today. [365 Days of Courage by Sara Perry of Broadstreet Pub]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Job 19:25-27 - The Divine Redeemer.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220811-0828.html

John 11:25, 26 - Experiencing Resurrection Power!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230901-0917.html

Acts 14:22b - Tribulation for Entrance to the Kingdom.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210810-1026.html

Psalm 34:18-19 - The Blessings of Adversity.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120220-2245.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/