“Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on 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 19:23-29
Scripture Notes
Little did Job know that thousands of years later we would read about his sufferings, laments, and assertions. Better than having his words written on a scroll or inscribed in lead, the life of Job is etched on the hearts of believers. He reminds us that life is not without hardship, that it is okay to cry out to the Lord, and, most importantly, to keep the faith amid anguish and suffering.
But in the brief moment of relenting from his grief and turning away from his friends’ accusations, he shows a great spark of faith. He declares that his redeemer lives and that he has hope of vindication. Before his body is completely stripped away, he will see God and know he was not wrong to trust in Him. But here is where this often-professed verse gets interesting. Is Job referring to Christ or to God when he says redeemer or an advocate on earth?
Notice that redeemer is not capitalized as it is in Isaiah, but is used much like the word in the story of Ruth. Boaz is a near kinsman, or redeemer, and, by law, should advocate for the family of Naomi. Is Job crying out for a kinsman to vindicate him, or is his face turned toward heaven? There are several ways we could look at the words of Job:
- He hoped that his injustice would be recognized and that what was recorded of his ordeal would lead to his vindication in the future.
- He was seeking a heavenly being other than God, since God did not seem to respond to Job’s cries of suffering and lament.
- He called on God directly as the ultimate redeemer of His people, which included Job.
- He called on a redeemer-kinsman, someone who would buy back land, avenge the dead, and free him from captivity.
We may not know Job’s true intention behind his profession of faith. What we do know is that Job is readily rebuked by Elihu, who calls him out for his pride and presumptuousness in calling out the Lord. Even if Job is right that he doesn’t deserve the suffering he endures, who is he to say anything against the wonders of God (Job 37:14-20)? In chapter 38, God’s voice continues the questioning.
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the measuring line over it?
Job 38:4-5
The greatest moment of faith comes when Job recognizes that his righteousness will not save him, and only someone willing to sacrifice on his behalf can provide complete redemption. It is difficult, almost impossible, to view Job’s life without a modern lens. We have the benefit of Scripture, the life of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What was it like for Job? We cannot know the extent to which Job understood what was to come, but we do know that, like us, he was immediately humbled by his insignificance before the Almighty.
Life is not as simple as “ the good will prosper, and the wicked will suffer.” The wicked suffer, and the righteous suffer alike. The difference between the two is to whom or what those afflicted call out to. Who do they ultimately trust? Does faith remain steady amidst suffering, does it falter, or does it not exist at all? When we face our own hardships, we look to Job not as someone without fault, but as someone who recognized that his goodness was not enough. We all need a redeemer.
MEMORY VERse
Karl F. Struss. Storm Clouds, 1921. The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Related Verses
More verses about redemption:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- Job could not have imagined that his words would last in the way that they have. How does knowing that God keeps a record of all our struggles and hidden pain change your perspective?
- When feeling ignored, misunderstood, or judged wrongly, how do you respond? Defensive or aggressive? How can you shift your posture of defense into a more humble stature?
- Job did not speak of feeling but of conviction. Are you relying on your feelings to determine your actions? How can you pivot away from emotional highs and lows and be more deeply rooted in objective biblical truths?
- When you suffer loss or disappointment, is your objective to gain back what you have lost or to be in God’s presence and trust in his purpose? In what ways can you nurture your faith to rely more on God rather than on worldly blessings?
- Are you longing to be in God’s presence? What can you do in your day-to-day life to cultivate a stronger, more active faith that brings you closer to God? What do you need to eliminate or move away from in your life so you are not distracted from this purpose?
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