May 5, 2023 - Job 19-24
Job 19 is the chapter in which Job makes that amazing testimony of faith. Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad have spoken, and what a contrast between their words and this testimony of Job! Job is broken down, he is estranged from his family, his servants have no time for him, he is a stench to his siblings, his friends abhor him, and he is almost starved to death. Yet, he testifies: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” (19:25-27)
The other guys, however, don’t let up. Zophar starts right back into Job. Job responds by reflecting on the age old question of why the wicked seem to flourish. Eliphaz jumps back in and accuses Job of wickedness. Job seems to have little time to revisit all this stuff. He answered: “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him” (23:3,4). Job's got it! Let man do and say what he will; he will look to God for his hope.
I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
he lives, my ever living head!
He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend;
he lives and loves me to the end;
he lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing;
he lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King. -- Samuel Medley (1775)