My Redeemer Lives

A lone survivor of disaster number one told Job that robbers stole his oxen and donkeys and killed his servants. While he was still speaking, another arrived with news of another disaster. One disaster was followed by another until after four waves of destruction, Job tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshipped God. He declared: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.” [1]

In Leviticus 26:18-28, God speaks of four waves of disasters coming upon those who choose to defy obedience to His laws. In Matthew 24:20-22, Jesus speaks of the tribulations of the last days being shortened lest even in His elect would give up the faith. In Revelation 6-16, God speaks of three waves of judgments being executed against sin, namely, the seven seal, seven trumpet and seven bowl judgments. This is one wave of disasters short of the four waves of judgment that defiance against God deserves.

Job is a type of Christ in the Old Testament. God said of Job, “There is none like My servant on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil.” Job was not suffering four waves of judgment because of a particular evil in his life, but because there is evil in the world, and sometimes God allows evil to test the faithfulness of His servants knowing that it will impact the lives of many people for His glory. Our Lord Jesus Christ was treated horribly in this world. He was beaten, spit on, scourged, verbally abused, and crucified between two criminals, yet He had done no wrong. His only crime per-se was to love God and people. Such love draws the ire of Satan.

Thus, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” [3]

The Apostle Peter wrote, “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.” [4]

Sherry and I work with small children at a school. Certain ones more than others struggle with not getting what they want when they want it to the point of falling on floor, curling up in a ball, and crying like a baby. Then, in our society there are adults who protest and commit acts of violence when forbidden do whatever evil they want to do against others. Where is love in all of this?

How did Job face his test? What bit of truth amidst lies and confusion helped him to keep going forward in his relationship with God? It was this truth, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” [5]

Knowing that God will make all things right when we see Him face to face, helps us to keep on loving Him and people. This world is passing away, but God’s kingdom is forever. Thanks be to Christ, our wonderful Redeemer, we also shall live with God forever.

[1] Job 1:13-21
[2] Job 1:8
[3] Matthew 16:24
[4] 1 Peter 2:19-23
[5] Job 19:25-27