Reading

• Job 18:1-21:34

Devotional

As the conversations between Job’s three friends and Job continue, we find a very curious statement made by Job. Living in such an early time period, it is unclear just how much GOD had revealed at this point regarding the eventual coming of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Yet it seems Job knew something of it, for he said:

²⁵ For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; ²⁶ And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
(Job 19:25-27)

From as far back as The Fall, when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, GOD has been gradually revealing details regarding His plan to bring Jesus as the Savior of the world. Because GOD spoke directly with the patriarchs (the heads of the families) during this age, it is unclear what they might have known at the time of Job, but it is obvious that Job knew of GOD’s plan.

The New Testament book of Hebrews tells us that Abraham, another patriarch, was looking for the city which is made by GOD (Heb. 11:8-10). In other words, the patriarchs knew that this life was not all there is, that how we live here determines our destiny in the next life.

Zooming forward in time to today, we know that Jesus has in fact come and He did stand on the earth. Our hope of salvation is in Him and it is to Him that we cling in full assurance of faith that He is our Advocate and Redeemer. Like Job, we too shall see GOD—a thought which should cause our hearts to yearn within us as it did Job.

The Hebrew word for “redeemer” means one who avenges, buys back, purchaser as of a ransom payment when someone is held hostage. It carries with it the idea of being the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.). In other words, Jesus paid our ransom fee because Satan had us hostage because of our sins but now we are free if we have been washed by His blood. This is the greatest joy that we can have. Praise GOD for His deliverance and our Redeemer who lives!