The Joy of Glory

Job 19 (click here)
Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God… (Job 19:23-26)

Reflection
If only Job knew… his words would be written in a book for future generations to read. His wish would come true in a way that he could scarcely imagine. Yet, for what purpose does Job want his words recorded? The answer is given in verse 25 which begins with the word “For…” indicating purpose.

Job wants his words recorded because his redeemer, his God is the living God who will stand upon the earth and Job will see him in his flesh. It is hard to know how much Job intends to communicate to us through these words, but as a Christian… we cannot help but see the promise of ultimate redemption through resurrection!

Our redeemer has stood upon the earth… Jesus Christ. He has paid the price for our redemption through his own death and resurrection so that even when our flesh is destroyed (we die) we will be raised again! And in our resurrection bodies we will stand upon a new heaven and new earth and we shall see our God (Revelation 22:4)!

At the very least, Job wants his words recorded because even if his flesh should ultimately be destroyed, he has faith that his living redeemer will give him victory beyond the grave! He wants all of posterity to remember that he did not die in defeat… that through his God, even death cannot win!

*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.