Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+019
CHAPTER 19 (ESV)
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 “How long will you torment me
and break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times you have cast reproach upon me;
are you not ashamed to wrong me?
4 And even if it be true that I have erred,
my error remains with myself.
5 If indeed you magnify yourselves against me
and make my disgrace an argument against me,
6 know then that God has put me in the wrong
and closed his net about me….
23 “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!
28 If you say, ‘How we will pursue him!’
and, ‘The root of the matter is found in him,’
29 be afraid of the sword,
for wrath brings the punishment of the sword,
that you may know there is a judgment.”
REFLECTION:
- It is easy to point out the mistakes and sins of others. Job’s friends accused him of committing sins to make him guilty—not to encourage or correct him. When we want to warn others, we must be sure that we do it because we love them, not because we are annoyed, disturbed, or blamed. When you point out the mistakes of others, what motives do you often have? Complaint, humiliation, venting? Or is it really for the benefit of others?
- In great suffering, Job knew that his Redeemer was still alive. “Redeemer” in ancient Israel refers to the person in the family who has the responsibility to fulfill obligations that included: redeeming the land sold by poor relatives, redeeming the relatives who were sold to the Gentiles as slaves, presiding over justice for relatives, and raising up offspring for relatives. Job used this word to point out that although he had no chance to defend now, eventually someone (maybe God Himself) would vindicate him. On the other hand, although God appeared to avoid him at that time, Job still had confidence that he could finally meet God face to face. When you are in trouble or facing injustice, do you understand that your Redeemer lives? Don’t forget the Lord’s promise, and don’t forget that He said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:19).
PRAYER:
God, sometimes when I am in suffering, it feels like You are distant and avoiding me. When I am alone and disheartened, it seems like I am facing everything by myself. Job’s experience is a great reminder to me. Although he endured greater suffering than I, he knew that his Redeemer was still alive, and he had faith that one day he would see God face to face, and that God would vindicate him. Please give me faith like Job’s, so that when I am in adversity or injustice, I can still be assured that my Redeemer lives.
HYMN:
My Redeemer Lives – www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBbSyig8vQ0
