My Redeemer Lives

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.... Job 19:25 NRSV

I was going one way with this devotional but ended up somewhere else!

This verse is sung in countless songs, especially those hymns that are sung at Easter. I love these kinds of songs and I am thrilled at the thought that my Redeemer does live!

However, we have taken this verse out of context. In other words, we have taken a verse that meant one thing in the book of Job and used it to mean something entirely different. Of course, we Christians often do that sort of thing. Most of the time, it is a harmless practice but I have seen some Bible verses used in very hateful and non-Christian ways.

In any event, this verse is actually not speaking about God but about a type of lawyer or representative to share Job's case in God's presence. A redeemer is actually a relative who will buy back your property/ get you out of slavery if you get into trouble, pay off your debts if you lose your financial standing or even provide restitution if you kill someone. Hmmmm... well I thought I knew what this was about but it seems to suggest that the Redeemer is actually Christ. I always hesitate to jump from the Old Testament to the New but I can't seem to help myself here.

If we have been adopted by God, then Christ is our relative. Christ has paid our debts. Christ has made restitution for our killings. Christ has gotten us out of slavery to sin and death. In fact, it will be Christ who stands beside us or perhaps in front of us and pleads our case before God.

What is really interesting is that Job knows he is righteous. He doesn't really need a redeemer. What he needs is for someone to talk to God on his behalf just to get an understanding of why he had to go through all this suffering.

Job just wants to talk to God face-to-face.

God, we are thankful that we can speak with you in prayer. Please listen to our requests even as Jesus puts in a good word for us! In His name we pray. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims