40. Job's Sure Knowledge.

For I know that my Redeemer liveth. - Job 19:25.

Difficulties of translation very great. We prefer a candid reading to one which might be obtained by pious fraud. It would seem that Job, driven to desperation, fell back upon the truth and justice of God. He declared that he should be vindicated somehow or other, and even if he died there would certainly come a rectification after death. He could not believe that he would be left to remain under the slanderous accusations which had been heaped upon him He was driven by his solemn assurance of the justice and faithfulness of God to believe in a future state, and in a Vindicator who would one day or other set crooked things straight. We may use the words in the most complete evangelical sense, and not be guilty of straining them; indeed, no other sense will fairly set forth the patriarch's meaning. From what other hope could he obtain consolation but from that of future life and glory?

I. JOB HAD A TRUE FRIEND AMID CRUEL FRIENDS. He calls him his Redeemer, and looks to him in his trouble.

The Hebrew word will bear three renderings, as follows,—

1. His Kinsman.

· Nearest akin of all. No kinsman is so near as Jesus. None so kinned, and none so kind.

· Voluntarily so. Not forced to be a brother, but so in heart, and by his own choice of our nature: therefore more than brother.

· Not ashamed to own it. "He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb. 2:11). Even when they had forsaken him he called them "my brethren" (Matt. 28:10).

· Eternally so. Who shall separate us (Rom. 8:35)?

2. His Vindicator.

· From every false charge: by pleading the causes of our soul.

· From every jibe and jest: for he that believeth in him shall not be ashamed or confounded.

· From true charges, too; by bearing our sin himself and becoming our righteousness, thus justifying us.

· From accusations of Satan. "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan!" (Zech. 3:2). "The accuser of our brethren is cast down" (Rev. 12:10).

3. His Redeemer.

· Of his person from bondage.

· Of his lost estates, privileges, and joys, from the hand of the enemy.

· Redeeming both by price and by power.

II. JOB HAD REAL PROPERTY AMID ABSOLUTE POVERTY. He speaks of "my Redeemer"? as much as to say, "Everything else is gone, but my Redeemer is still my own, and lives for me." He means,—

1. I accept him as such, leaving myself in his hands.

2. I have felt somewhat of his power already, and I am confident that all is well with me even now, since he is my Protector.

3. I will cling to him for ever. He shall be my only hope in life and death. I may lose all else, but never the Redemption of my God, the Kinship of my Savior.

III. JOB HAD A LIVING KINSMAN AMID A DYING FAMILY. "My Redeemer liveth." He owned the great Lord as ever living:

· As "the Everlasting Father;" to sustain and solace him.

· As Head of his house, to represent him.

· As Intercessor, to plead in heaven for him.

· As Defender, to preserve his rights on earth.

· As his Righteousness, to clear him at last.

What have we to do with the dead Christ of the church of Rome? Our Redeemer lives.

What with the departed Christ of Unitarians? Our divine Vindicator abides in the power of an endless life.

IV. JOB HAD ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY AMID UNCERTAIN AFFAIRS. "I know." He had no sort of doubt upon that matter. Everything else was questionable, but this was certain.

· His faith made him certain. Faith brings sure evidence; it substantiates what it receives, and makes us know.

· His trials could not make him doubt. Why should they? They touched not the relationship of his God, or the heart of his Redeemer, or the life of his Vindicator.

· His difficulties could not make him fear failure on this point, for the life of his Redeemer was a source of deliverance which lay out of himself, and was never doubtful.

· His caviling friends could not move him from the assured conviction that the Lord would vindicate his righteous cause. While Jesus lives our characters are safe. Happy he who can say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

· Have you this great knowledge?

· Do you act in accordance with such an assurance?

· Will you not at this hour devoutly adore your loving Kinsman?