The statement “my redeemer lives” spoken by Job in Job 19:25 is one of the most well-known and profound verses in the entire book of Job. After suffering immense losses, pain, and accusations from his friends, Job makes this bold declaration of faith and hope in his redeemer. But what exactly did Job mean when he made this statement? Let’s explore the context and significance of this verse.
The Context of Job’s Statement
The book of Job tells the story of a righteous man named Job who experienced terrible suffering allowed by God to test his faith. Job lost his wealth, children, and health in a short span of time (Job 1-2). His three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – came to comfort him but ended up accusing him of sin and wrongdoing, insisting that his suffering must be God’s punishment (Job 4-31). Job maintained his innocence and was confused about why he was undergoing such pain.
In Job 19, after being reproached by his friends, Job begins a lengthy response expressing his pain, loneliness, and desire to plead his case before God. His friends and even God seemed distant as if he was abandoned. In verse 23-24, Job longs for his words of defense to be written down and inscribed forever on a rock with an iron tool and lead. He wants a permanent record of his claims of innocence for all time.
Then in verse 25, after those statements wishing for vindication, Job makes his famous declaration: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”
This statement comes immediately after Job longs for public vindication. He cannot seem to find justice or someone to defend him among men. But he expresses faith that ultimately, he has a “Redeemer” or defender who will come to his aid. This statement is a ray of hope amid his deep pain, despair, and questioning.
The Meaning of “Redeemer”
The key to understanding Job’s statement is the meaning of the word “Redeemer.” In the ESV, the Hebrew word is “goel” which refers to a defender, vindicator, or someone who delivers or rescues. It comes from the concept of kinsman-redemption in the Old Testament where a relative would step in to buy back or avenge a fellow relative in distress (see Leviticus 25:25, 48-49). The redeemer was a protector of the family rights and honor.
Figuratively, the word “redeemer” or “kinsman redeemer” was applied to God as the one who defends, delivers, and rescues His people. This redemption theme is prominent in the Old Testament to portray God’s salvation plan for Israel (Psalm 19:14, Isaiah 41:14).
So, when Job says “my Redeemer,” he is referring to God as his defender and vindicator who will rescue him from his adversity and prove his innocence. He knows God is alive and aware of his situation even though He seems distant.
Key Points about Job’s Meaning
Here are some key points about what Job likely meant when he made this famous statement about his living Redeemer:
- Job was declaring his confidence that ultimately God would defend and vindicate him despite his circumstances.
- He was expressing hope in God’s salvation, intervention, and redemption even though God seemed absent and he felt abandoned.
- Job trusted God would prove his innocence and righteousness after death if not during his lifetime.
- He believed God was alive, aware, and involved even when God seemed silent and distant.
- The redeemer concept gave Job hope of future deliverance and justice from God.
Foreshadowing Christ
While Job likely had the Hebrew concept of kinsman-redeemer in mind, many Bible scholars see this verse as foreshadowing redemption through Jesus Christ. As the true Redeemer, Jesus stands as our defender and vindicator before God. Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” And Romans 8:34 states, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
So in the Old Testament, Job expressed hope in God as his living Redeemer. For Christians, that hope finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ who ever lives to intercede for His people and redeem them from sin and suffering.
Job’s Confidence Despite Suffering
Considering the intense adversity Job faced, his statement “my Redeemer lives” demonstrated remarkable confidence, hope, and trust in God’s redemption and vindication. Though plagued with questions and self-defense, Job refused to curse God but continued to cling to faith in Him (Job 1:22, 2:10).
This verse gives us a glimpse into Job’s heart and shows he still trusted God amid his deep pain and confusion. He yearned for God to intervene and reveal Himself. Job longed for the restoration he believed would come from the living God. Instead of giving up on God, Job clung to the assurance that his Redeemer was alive and aware.
Implications of Job’s Statement
Job’s declaration about his living Redeemer has some key implications and applications for believers today suffering through trials and doubts:
- Like Job, we can have hope in God’s redemption and justice even when facing adversity and unanswered questions.
- We do not need to have all the answers during suffering. Like Job, we can still trust God is alive, aware and cares.
- Our pain has an expiration date. God will ultimately right every wrong even if not in our lifetime.
- Jesus Christ stands as our living Redeemer interceding for us just as Job hoped God would redeem him.
- Suffering does not mean abandonment. We are not alone because God redeems in His perfect timing.
Just as it sustained Job in his darkest days, confidence in the living Redeemer can give us strength, hope and reassurance even amidst pain, doubt, and unanswered questions. Job’s statement points to the elegance of God’s redemption plan through all time.
Later Statements by Job
After his exclamation about his living Redeemer, Job continues defending himself and questioning God in chapters 20-31. But by the end of the book, after God speaks to Job (Job 38-41), Job humbles himself and acknowledges God’s sovereignty and goodness even amid his suffering (Job 42:1-6). His statement about his Redeemer comes before God’s speeches and before the blessings God restored to Job (Job 42:10-17).
Some key observations about Job as the book continues:
- He oscillated between trust and doubt due to his intense grief and desire to defend his innocence.
- At times Job seems to doubt whether God will actually redeem or vindicate him.
- He persisted in declaring his innocence though he struggled to understand God’s purpose.
- Once God spoke and revealed His power, Job humbled himself before God’s sovereign majesty.
- Job still did not have all the answers but came to trust God’s righteousness and goodness.
So while Job’s statement about his living Redeemer expressed faith and hope, he still struggled greatly with trust and humility towards God as his suffering continued. Only encountering God’s presence helped Job gain proper perspective.
Conclusion
The statement “my Redeemer lives” is a powerful declaration of hopeful faith during a time of intense adversity. Job meant God was still alive and aware of his plight and would ultimately vindicate and redeem him in accordance with His justice, goodness and unfailing love. It revealed Job’s trust in God’s salvation plan even amidst confusion, pain and perceived abandonment. This verse gives us a model for clinging to redemption hope during suffering. And for believers, this points forward to the living hope we have in Jesus Christ as our eternal Redeemer and Defender.