Job Had a Certainty of Seeing God
May 5, 2020
Commentary
As a result of all that had happened, Job was estranged from his family and friends. Even his wife and kin could no longer stand to be around him (v. 19). Physically he was just skin and bones and barely alive (v. 20). So he asked his friends to have pity on him and to stop all their persecution (vv. 21-22). In this final paragraph of his reply to Bildad, Job declares his confidence that he will be vindicated (vv. 23-24). But as for himself, it was as though he were already vindicated. Just before concluding his words in response to Bildad, Job warned his friends of the effect that their insistence upon his guilt would have. He suggested that their persistent persecution of him would bring punishment upon themselves, and then they would know about judgment firsthand. At that time they would understand his problem better. (vv. 25-29). On this note Job left off his speaking.
In his book With the Word, Warren Wiersbe says that this passage contains one of the greatest declarations of faith found in the Bible (vv. 25-27). What tremendous faith Job had, especially in light of the fact that he was unaware of the discussion between God and Satan. Job thought that God had brought all these disasters upon him! Faced with death and decay, Job still expected to see God. and he expected to do so in his body. As we read this, we need to realize that when the book of Job was written Israel did not have a well-developed doctrine of the resurrection. Although he struggled with the idea that God was presently against him, Job firmly believed that in the end God would be on his side. This belief was so strong that Job became one of the first to talk about the resurrection of the body. He said, “In my flesh I shall see God,” and that shows how strong his faith was.
Application
What tremendous faith Job had, especially when he was unaware of the conference between God and Satan. Job thought that God had brought all of these disasters upon him. Faced with death and decay, Job still expected to see God, and he expected to so do in his body. This was a miracle as the doctrine of the resurrection was not known at that time. Lord help me to have that kind of faith!
Job 19:19– 29 (NET)
19 All my closest friends detest me; and those whom I love have turned against me.
20 My bones stick to my skin and my flesh; I have escaped alive with only the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity on me, my friends, have pity on me, for the hand of God has struck me.
22 Why do you pursue me like God does? Will you never be satiated with my flesh?
23 “O that my words were written down! O that they were written on a scroll!
24 O that with an iron chisel and with lead they were engraved in a rock forever!
25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God,
27 whom I will see for myself, and whom my own eyes will behold, and not another. My heart grows faint within me.
28 If you say, ‘How we will pursue him, since the root of the trouble is found in him!’
29 Fear the sword yourselves, for wrath brings the punishment by the sword, so that you may know that there is judgment.”