“My Redeemer lives”
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
Job 19:25-27
The phrase “my Redeemer lives” is one of the most often quoted verses in the book of Job. It signifies an important understanding in Job’s progress from hopelessness to assurance and hope. Job rose from the pit of discouragement and misery to the heights of full trust in the mercy of God. This godly man understood God’s character, which is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth… forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6, 7)
Job 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.” At that point, Job would “see God.” And he comprehended that this would take place at the final resurrection at the end of the world.
Savior and Mediator
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. And He redeems those who are enslaved by Satan (Isaiah 41:14; 43:14). For He delivers all those that seek His mercy and justice (Luke 4:18).
When Job said “my Redeemer lives”, he expressed his desire to have a “mediator” between him and God (Job 9:32–35). He declared his conviction that his “witness is in heaven” (Job 16:19). Therefore, he yearned to have an advocate to plead his case before God (verse 21).
Finally, Job asked God to be his guarantee (Jb. 17:3). He not only recognized God as his “mediator,” witness, advocate, guarantee, but as his Savior. Job 19:25 represented one of the Old Testament declarations of God as man’s Redeemer. The life and death of God’s only begotten Son fulfilled this truth.
When a person accepts Christ as his personal Savior and walk in His steps, he gets 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, God’s love embraces all mankind, but it directly benefits only those who respond to it (John 1:12). Therefore, if anyone hears His voice calling him today, accept His free offer of love and proclaim “my Redeemer lives.”
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
