I Know That My Redeemer Lives

For I know that my Redeemer lives…  –Job 19:25a

We all have suffered at times in our lives. Some have lost possessions or even a child, others have battled difficult illness or have been falsely accused, and a number of us have been despised and forsaken by friends and family. Suffering is a part of our lives, but none of us have endured these things on the level of Job. He lost 10 children, virtually all his possessions, and was struck with a painful and debilitating disease. Yet in the midst of this all he made some profoundly glorious statements (see 1:21, 2:10, and 13:15). Maybe the greatest of all Job’s words and the basis for these other statements is found in our text—For I know that my Redeemer lives.

Though Job apparently had no hope for his life on earth, there was hope for what would follow. Though he received no comfort from his three friends (16:2), he found the only comfort in life and death. Though he lost most things and was uncertain about almost everything, he had the One and knew with absolute certainty that his Redeemer lives. The word “Redeemer,” as it is used here, has many nuances. It could be translated as Kinsman, Vindicator, or Advocate as well.

All Jobs children had died, his wife wanted him to curse God and die, and as for the rest of his friends and family read 19:13-19; yet, Job said, “For I know that my Kinsman lives.” He had a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, who is never ashamed of His kin, and whose relationship can never be severed.  

False accusations about Job were flying around like airplanes at a busy airport. Job needed to be cleared of these charges brought by Satan and his three friends. He tried to clear himself, but to no avail. Finally, he declared, “I know that my Vindicator lives.” A vindicator exonerates from blame and false charges. Job found his in God.

Job was not sinless. Not only did he need to be vindicated, but also someone to intercede on behalf of him for his sin. He knew this and confidently proclaimed, “I know that my Advocate lives.” He realized what the Apostle John would later write (1 John 2:1), And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

The word used in this text sums up the others. Christ is a Kinsman, Vindicator, and Advocate because He is the Redeemer. Jesus paid the price of His own life to purchase the lives of sinners, to make Job and many others the children of God. Job knew that he was not his own but belonged to his precious Savior.

You will not likely ever go through what Job did, but even if your life is full of losses and crosses it is well with your soul if you are in Christ. When friends forsake you and foes assail you, Jesus never will. Even now you may not understand why your circumstances are what they are or what the future holds, but in Christ you can have the confidence and comfort of Job. This comes not by looking at what you are or may be experiencing, but by looking to Jesus, your Kinsman, Vindicator, Advocate and Redeemer. He endured the wrath of God for your sin, that in times of adversity as well as prosperity you may say, “I know that my Redeemer lives—glory, hallelujah!”