Job is Sure He Will See God
December 14, 2022
Commentary
This chapter reveals both one of Job’s lowest moments and one of his highest spiritual victories. First, he grieves over the harsh treatment of his friends (vv. 1–6). Then he complains that God seems to stand against him (vv. 7–12). He feels abandoned by relatives and companions (vv. 13–22). Yet in the end, he rises to remarkable confidence in God, despite overwhelming grief (vv. 23–29).
Job insists that even if he had sinned, it would be his own matter, not theirs (vv. 1–6). He feels trapped by God, saying, “He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass” (v. 8). God appears silent and distant (vv. 9–12). Job does not understand the reason for his suffering and lays his condition at God’s feet. He never considers Satan’s role. In his confusion, he struggles with the mystery of God’s purposes.
Job describes how his suffering has damaged every relationship. He says that God has put his family and friends far from him (vv. 13–14). Serv-ants ignore him, and even his wife turns away (vv. 15–17). He laments that those he loves treat him like a stranger. Children mock him, and companions despise him (v. 18). Physically weak and reduced to skin and bones (v. 20), he pleads, “Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends” (v. 21), begging for simple kindness.
Yet suddenly Job speaks words of powerful hope. He declares, “I know that my redeemer liveth” (v. 25). Though his body may decay, he believes he will see God with his own eyes (vv. 26–27). This is one of Scripture’s greatest statements of faith. Even without a clear understanding of resurrection, Job trusts that God will vindicate him. Though he feels that God is against him, he believes that in the end God will stand on his side and that he will behold Him in the flesh.
Application
When I feel abandoned or misunderstood, do I still say, “I know my Redeemer lives”? When God seems silent, do I trust His heart? Am I letting pain harden me, or lift my eyes higher? Like Job, I want faith that rises above grief and deep confusion. Today, I choose to believe I will see God’s goodness and restoration in the end.
Job 19:1–29 (NET)
1 Then Job answered:
2 “How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?
3 These ten times you have been reproaching me; you are not ashamed to attack me.
4 But even if it were true that I have erred, my error remains solely my concern!
5 If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and plead my disgrace against me,
6 know then that God has wronged me and encircled me with his net.
7 “If I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I receive no answer; I cry for help, but there is no justice.
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass, and has set darkness over my paths.
9 He has stripped me of my honor and has taken the crown off my head.
10 He tears me down on every side until I perish; he uproots my hope like an uprooted tree.
11 Thus his anger burns against me, and he considers me among his enemies.
12 His troops advance together; they throw up a siege ramp against me, and they camp around my tent.
13 “He has put my relatives far from me; my acquaintances only turn away from me.
14 My kinsmen have failed me; my friends have forgotten me.
15 My guests and my servant girls consider me a stranger; I am a foreigner in their eyes.
16 I summon my servant, but he does not respond, even though I implore him with my own mouth.
17 My breath is repulsive to my wife; I am loathsome to my brothers.
18 Even youngsters have scorned me; when I get up, they scoff at me.
19 All my closest friends detest me; and those whom I love have turned against me.
20 My bones stick to my skin and my flesh; I have escaped alive with only the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity on me, my friends, have pity on me, for the hand of God has struck me.
22 Why do you pursue me like God does? Will you never be satiated with my flesh?
23 “O that my words were written down! O that they were written on a scroll!
24 O that with an iron chisel and with lead they were engraved in a rock forever!
25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God,
27 whom I will see for myself, and whom my own eyes will behold, and not another. My heart grows faint within me.
28 If you say, ‘How we will pursue him, since the root of the trouble is found in him!’
29 Fear the sword yourselves, for wrath brings the punishment by the sword, so that you may know that there is judgment.”
The Whole World Stinks
One evening several college students spread Limburger cheese on the mustache of a sleeping fraternity brother. Upon awakening the young man sniffed, looked around, and said, “This room stinks!” He then walked into the hall and said, &l … Continue