“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” Job 19:25

The idea of “redemption” in the Old Testament is often used in the general sense of deliverance. God is viewed as the redeemer of His people, and He would vindicate them. Throughout the discussion Job is having, he knows that they only place he will find relief from the pain and suffering he is going through will come from his redeemer. The Hebrew word Job uses means the “next of kin” and it was the responsibility of the relative, when necessary, the right the wrongs. Other people may forsake Job, but he knows only God can redeem him!

Job envisioned his Redeemer standing at last upon the earth. Even though he will return to the dust of the ground, ultimately Job will be vindicated. Job could not have realized that a kinsman redeemer would come to vindicate not only him, but all of us! Job teaches us great lessons about how to view our Redeemer. 

We see Job’s confidence in the coming Redeemer. When everything was taken from him, Job understood that he would not be vindicated by the might of man, but the one that was to come. As Christians, we have a clear concept of the plan of redemption carried out by Jesus when He died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. We know these passages well:

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, or it is written, “Cursed is everyone that is hung on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers” (1 Peter 1:18).

“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Also, Job believed in the resurrection. His flesh would not see his Redeemer while on the earth and in the flesh, but in the life to come, “And after my sin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). Because of the redemptive work of Jesus, we can have the same expectation and promise, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28, 29).

Considering all that Job is going through, this is certainly considered as a mountaintop of Messianic prophecy.  The coming of the Redeemer is something Job yearned for, because – in that day – he would understand the reasons for sin and suffering. There are so many things that we do not understand. We do know that the sorrow and pain that we face is because we live in a world where Satan can exert his influence. We know that suffering and sorrow will come upon all people, but to fully understand why often eludes our grasp. 

We must trust in the redemptive work of Jesus, remain faithful and obedient to the will of God, and we will like Job see God someday, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am.” (Fanny J. Crosby, Redeemed).

By: Justin Odom