Christ in the Old Testament

Job 19:25

I know that my redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Job 19:23-27 and John 5:16-30

Job is a very interesting book and worth reading if you have never read it cover to cover. Job is a very godly man obedient to God in every way. So much so that Satan asks God if he can inflict Job with all kinds of calamities in order to prove to God that people are fickle and only worship Him when times are good.

So God allows Satan to “test” Job. Job loses his entire family and is given a terrible disease. The rest of the book records how Job deals with his situation and how those around him deal with his situation. In the end, Job is found to be faithful but it’s a very rocky road in between.

In the middle of this book, there is an interesting dialogue with Job and his “friends” who disagree with Job’s perspective on his life. In Job’s response, he says, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).

As Christians we can see Jesus in this verse. Many scholars have used this verse as a prophecy pointing to Jesus as our kinsman-redeemer. Our lives will be redeemed by Jesus and in the end he will stand on the earth. In your Bible footnotes, this could even be translated as “he will stand on the grave” pointing to the resurrection of Jesus.

However, many scholars don’t believe Job’s words are prophecy. Job was likely alluding to God being his Redeemer and that we would deliver Job from his afflictions. Job has in God a kinsman-redeemer who lives and would vindicate him from the wrongs of both men (Job 19:3) and God (Job 19:7). Job believes he is innocent and undeserving of his punishment and that God would ultimately set the record straight.

However you see these words interpreted, one thing is certain – God is a redeeming God and ultimately Christ is our redeemer. We are not innocent. We have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23). Our good works aren’t good enough. We cannot earn our way into favor with God. We need a Redeemer.

And much like Job, we should be confident that we will live with Jesus for all eternity. Job said, “I know that my redeemer lives.” Even in his situation, Job had the utmost confidence that God would make things right. We should have the same confidence.

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). Jesus will set the record straight for God “has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man” (John 5:27).

No matter how dark the world gets or in what situation you find yourself, we have a hope that the world doesn’t understand. This world is not our home. We have an eternal future that is indescribably wonderful because Christ our Redeemer defeated the grave and He lives.

Today’s Prayer: Thank you Jesus for having the power to save and choosing me. Help me today to think less of my troubles and focus on you. Help me live today with eternity in mind.