“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” Job 19:25
One of our favorite songs at CCM is “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” This wonderful song of victory is taken from Job 19:25. In context, Job has lost everything. In one day all his livestock and all his servants were either stolen by raiders or burned up in a fire. All his children died as they were gathered together in a house that collapsed as well. Not long after this, Job was struck with a terrible disease that caused painful boils to break out all over his body.
On top of all this tragedy those closest to Job pile on the torment by insisting that all this is his fault. His wife tells him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!.” In a similar fashion Job’s friends tell him that none of this would have happened to him if he hadn’t done something terrible and they try to get him to repent of his sins so that God can bless him. This goes on for 40 chapters because Job refuses to be a hypocrite and admit to something he hasn’t done.
In the midst of this torment and confusion Job declares, I know that my Redeemer lives. In making this statement Job reveals his hope in three essential aspects of salvation, things that his friends and his wife have no concept of. The first is that we need a mediator between God and men, someone who can bring God and man together. The second is the hope of vindication, that the mediator will defend us against the accusations of Satan which are embodied by Job’s friends and even his wife. The third is the hope of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus, of course, accomplishes all these things.
In the midst of terrible suffering and persecution Job manifests his faith in Jesus Christ. This is reminiscent of another wonderful hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” This hymn is taken from Lamentations 3:23 where Jeremiah, like Job, makes a bold declaration of faith in God in the midst of the terrible judgment and suffering of the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
Job and Jeremiah witness to us a powerful example of faith and a strong admonition for us to always see our situation with the eyes of faith. Do not trust in the wisdom of men but wholly in the word of God with boldness and without reservation. This is why even in the context of Job’s terrible suffering our hymn can declare, and we joyfully sing, “Shout on, pray on we’re gaining ground!,” and “the dead’s alive and the lost is found! Glory Hallelujah!”
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn