“Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust Him
Job was a blameless and upright man who truly feared God (Jb. 1:1). He was blessed with ten children and great riches. But one day Satan appeared before God and accused Job of worshiping God only to receive His blessings. So, God permitted Satan to take away Job’s wealth, his children and health. Job was filled with sorrow but he did not charge God with wrongdoing (Jb. 1:22; 42:7–8). In fact, he declared,
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him… He also shall be my salvation… I know that I shall be vindicated”.
Jb. 13:15-18
My Redeemer Lives
And he further affirmed “my redeemer lives” (Jb. 19:25-27). This is one of the most often quoted verses in the book of Job. It signified an important understanding in Job’s progress from hopelessness to assurance and hope. It signified that he understood God’s character. He saw in spite of his misfortune that the Lord is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth… forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6, 7)
This godly man realized that however hard and long his temptation would be, he had the full faith that God would finally vindicate him. His words revealed that God’s vindication would take place when the Almighty would “stand … upon the earth.” And he saw that this would take place at the final resurrection at the end of the world.
Savior and Mediator
In Job 19:25-27, the Hebrew word translated “redeemer,” go’el, means “avenger,” (Numbers 35:12, 19), and kinsman (Ruth 2:20). God is frequently called go’el in the sense that He vindicates the rights of His faithful ones. For He redeems those who are enslaved by Satan (Isaiah 41:14; 43:14) and He delivers all those that seek His mercy (Luke 4:18).
Job expressed his desire to have an “mediator” between him and God (Job 9:32–35). And he yearned to have an advocate to plead his case with God (v. 21). Therefore, he declared his conviction that his “witness is in heaven” (Jb. 16:19). He asked God to be his guarantee (Jb. 17:3). Thus, Job not only recognized God as his “Mediator,” Witness, Advocate, Guarantee, but also as his Savior. This text represented one of the OT declarations of God as man’s Redeemer. In the New Testament, the life and death of God’s only begotten Son fulfilled this truth.
God’s Reward
For his faithfulness, the Lord healed Job and blessed his latter days more than his beginnings. The blessings that had seemed to be gone forever, returned, more brilliant than ever. Job was blessed with even greater possessions (Jb. 42:12) and was given seven sons and three beautiful daughters (v. 13). Thus, the man who was close to his death continued to live for nearly another century and a half (v. 16,17). And his family, property, friends, and status were regained. But even greater than these blessings was the experience in which he had come face to face with God.
Free Gift of Salvation
When people accept Christ as their personal Savior and walk in His steps, they get saved eternally from the condemnation of sin. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Thus, although, God’s love embraces all mankind, it directly benefits only those who respond to it (John 1:12). Therefore, if we hear His voice calling us today let us accept His free offer of love. Let us not harden our hearts with the cares of this life, doubt, materialism and worldliness (Hebrews 3:15). Today is the day of acceptance.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
