Job's Sure Knowledge
Job
The Lord had taken
every comfort of life, every source of earthly joy, and every form of temporal
good away from his servant Job. His property, his health, his riches, his
influence, his children, and his friends were all gone! And his wife was as
good as gone. Job was completely alone in this world, alone with his boils, his
pains, and his toubles. But in the midst of his troubles, Job found an argument
for peace and sweet comfort for his soul - "I know that my Redeemer
liveth!" He was driven by the precious trial of faith to look to God, his
Redeemer, alone for comfort. His trials drove him away from every earthly good
into the arms of his Redeemer. Blessed is the man whose trials cause him to
flee to Christ! In the midst of sorrow, Job found great joy. In the midst of
trouble, he found great peace. In the midst of darkness, he discovered great
light. In the midst of uncertainty, he possessed a sure knowledge, by which his
soul was possessed with peace. Job's statement, "I know that my Redeemer
liveth," may be translated three ways.
1. "I KNOW THAT MY KINSMAN LIVETH!" Christ is our
nearest kinsman, and he is our kinsman by his own gracious choice. If the Son
of God is my Kinsman, then all is well!
2. "I KNOW THAT MY VINDICATOR LIVETH!" At the appointed
time, God will vindicate his own. He will set the crooked straight. Oh, for
grace to trust Christ to be our Vindicator! The saddest passages in the Book of
Job are those in which Job attempted to vindicate himself. Job's foolish
attempts at self-vindication have led many to conclude (erroneously) that Job
was a lost man, because this is out of character for a man of faith.
3. "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH!" Christ, who is our
God, is our Redeemer. He has redeemed us from the curse of the law by his
blood. He has redeemed for us all that we lost in the fall. He has redeemed us
from the bondage of sin by the power of his grace. And he shall redeem us from
the grave at last. If my Redeemer lives, I have peace!
Don Fortner