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Job 19:25 My Redeemer Lives

 

1/28/16 I really enjoyed reading and pondering this verse from a Job perspective having read from the beginning of the chapter.  It is taken out of context as an Easter verse and now it feels as if it has more meaning for me. It's so great to think positive and forward towards Easter before Lent!

Job makes an outburst during his darkest hour to exclaim the brightest hope, "I know that my Redeemer lives!"  This often sung Easter hymn continues in verse one: "What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever living head!" How amazing that Job would say words that would be sung for generations to come. “He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen!”

During the time Job lived, it was the tradition for a family member to be the "redeemer" to buy back a lost inheritance after a relative died, to buy back an enslaved person's freedom, to avenge the blood of murdered relatives to uphold justice, and to take care of the widowed.  Therefore, Job had an life example analogy from which to draw from.

We can exclaim, just like Job, when we do not know all the answers to why things happen, that at least we can be certain that "my" Redeemer lives! Jesus is "my" Redeemer!  It's a personal thing! As things do not go right in life during my time on earth, "my" Redeemer lives and will buy back my inheritance that I lost through sin. When I die, God will permanently buy me back just the way I am and make me new again. When grief, doubt, fear, and confusion feel overwhelming as we face adversity, we can exclaim, "my" Redeemer lives!"

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as I am brought from darkness to light!  I can look through the rain and see the sunlight as I am brought from sadness to joy! I can see the forest through the trees as I am brought from death to life! In times of trouble, I can lift my head up in God's promises toward God who lives to silence all my fear, wipe away my every tear, and calm my troubled heart. Just as someone who has been wrongfully jailed might feel when he is finally released, I someday will stand before my Maker and praise Him "oh what comfort this sweet sentence gives!" What assurance! My God is THE living God and not just some false stone God. Not only is He living now and right here with me, He lives forever and ever. We live with joyful anticipation and celebration today and forever.