706. JOB 19:25. JOB’S FAITH, AND CONFIDENT EXPECTATION. [NO. IX.]
Job_19:25. Job’s Faith, and Confident Expectation. [No. IX.]
"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."’97Job_19:25.
The condition of Job when he uttered the text was one of extraordinary and unparalleled adversity and sorrow. As the mariner, tossed on the heaving billows amid the darkness of the night, at length hails with delight the first streak of the morning light’97so Job, in the very depths of his afflictions, is sustained by the hope of a blissful and triumphant deliverance.
The text is the appeal from the surmises and insinuations of his mistaken friends, to the inward confidence and experience of his own soul.
The text is, confessedly, one of the most difficult passages in the Old Testament records.
A certain explanation has been generally given and received, which cannot well be borne out by the text itself. Our translators have supplied several words, which are in italics. Without looking at the subject, however, critically, observe,
The object of Job’s confidence.
And,
The blessings he hopefully anticipated.
I. The object of Job’s confidence.
"The Redeemer." The term is derived from Goel’97the individual who had the right under the law,
(1.) To redeem the inheritance: Lev_25:25, &c.
(2.) To avenge the death of his brother. Goel is styled, the avenger of blood.
(3.) To vindicate the character, or "advocate the rights of another.
Now Jesus, the Messiah, is in each of these senses, the Redeemer.
1. We had forfeited life and the Divine favor,’97lost heaven. He came to restore it to us. "I am come," &c. "This is the record," &c.
2. We had been destroyed by the hellish adversary. For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy, &c. Death and the grave were the allies of Satan. He hath abolished death, &c. Conquered the grave, &c. "I am he that liveth," &c. He will finally bind Satan, and confine him to the place prepared for him, and his fallen angels.
1. Christ is our vindicator and advocate. He pardons’97he justifieth’97he pleads out cause. "If any man sin," &c. "He ever liveth," &c. He will vindicate his saints before an assembled world. Job spake on him,
2. As living.
Events seemed to say, that the object of his hope had failed. Job realized him as living’97the source of all life’97the ever self-existent God; not like the gods of the heathen, &c. Job speaks of him,
3. As his Redeemer.
"My." How sweet and rich this word. It is the golden link. A, or the Redeemer alters the whole. It must be my Redeemer Mine by gift’97mine by application and choice, &c. Job refers to his,
4. Experience on this subject.
"I know." I have a clear understanding of it’97an inward assurance. I know, not I think, or I hope; but I know. It is holy, divine assurance. I would add three or four things respecting this Redeemer:’97
His power. "Mighty to save," &c. All powerful.
His merit. Influence exhaustless; the virtue of his blood all efficacious.
His love and compassion. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," &c.
His unswerving fidelity. Faithful to his work’97to his Father’97and to his saints. II. The blessings he hopefully anticipated.
Observe, however,
1. He calculated on the certainty of his own mortality.
He probably thought his earthly career would soon end. "If I wait the grave," &c. At any rate he was aware of the certainty of death. Worms would feed upon him. The whole frame be decomposed, and mingle with the dust of the earth. "Dust thou art," &c.
2. He believed in the resurrection of his body.
"Yet in my flesh," &c. One of the most profoundly deep and sublime truths, is that of the resurrection of the dead. "If a man die, shall he live again," &c. He would not behold God in his sepulchred state; but reclothed with the flesh which worms had destroyed; yet that flesh how marvellously changed! "Sown in corruption, in dishonor, in weakness, a mortal body," &c. 1Co_15:42.
3. He expected this resurrection to be effected by his Redeemer.
Evidently the weight of the text rests here. His God or Redeemer would bring him forth from his dusty bed. Resuscitate’97restore’97glorify, &c. How this harmonizes with the exclamation of Christ: "I am the resurrection and the life," &c.
4. He expected this event in connection with Christ’s second advent.
"And shall stand at the latter day," &c.
His faith might take in the first advent of the Messiah to redeem the world; but his final hope rested on the second glorious appearance of the Lord from heaven.
This doctrine had been taught before the days of Job. Jdg_1:14, &c. This is distinctly revealed in the New Testament oracles. 2Th_1:7; see especially Php_3:20, &c.
5. He expected, in his resurrection body, to have the vision of the Redeemer.
"Whom I shall see," &c. "Blessed are the pure in heart," &c. "Beloved, now," &c. "We shall be like him," &c. Who would not wish to see some of the illustrious of mankind, &c.; but especially to see Jesus, the Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer of the world.
Application
1. Is your experience like that of Job’s?
Do you know scripturally and experimentally that Christ is your Redeemer? That he liveth, &c.
2. Is this great truth your consolation, and hope, and joy?
Life is ebbing’97death is approaching. How affecting the destiny and the change, which is to pass over you.
The gospel reveals a glorious resurrection. I urge the attainment of the hope, on each and all. This will be to you’97light in darkness’97peace in trouble’97joy in affliction’97life in death.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS