A Living Redeemer

By Danny Saavedra

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” Job 19:25 (NIV)

Remember how Job’s friends were there for him when they arrived? They sat and mourned with him; they tore their robes and sat in silence with him for seven days. Right about now, I imagine Job is probably pining for that week of silence. Why? Because these men became so presumptuous and judgmental. In fact, in the previous chapter Bildad called Job a wicked, evil man, basically threatening him with the extinction of his name and memory (Job 18). Upon hearing this, Job responds to his pal by saying, “How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me” (Job 19:2–3 NIV). 

Throughout this book, Job basically defends himself from the slanderous, accusatory, judgmental words of these men, declaring himself innocent, appealing to God and heaven as his witness (Job 10:7, 13:15–19). So, by the time we arrive at today’s verse, Job has already called God his judge, advocate, witness, and surety.

And in today’s verse, this man who endured more than any person should ever have to endure in an entire lifetime, who has suffered unspeakable tragedy and been subjected to deep indignities and extreme judgments at the hands of his friends, calls the Lord God “my redeemer.” He knows His redeemer lives. 

Before Job was born, God was his redeemer. In the best of times, God was his redeemer. In the worst of times, God was his redeemer. And long after he’s gone, God is still his redeemer. Even at the end of his rope, after all he had experienced, Job still honors God and calls the Lord “Goel." His avenger, his rescuer, his closest relative, his kinsman redeemer (what Boaz was for Ruth, what Jesus is for us). 

If today you’re feeling scornful condemnation from a hostile world, from judgmental family and friends who don’t know the Lord; if you're suffering through terrible loss, gripped by grief, hindered by hopelessness, I want to offer you this encouragement and pray it can be a comfort for you; Your redeemer lives! And because of this, “do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16–17 NIV).