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February 16 Daily Devotional

Engraved in Stone

Peter G. Feenstra

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” (Job 19:25)

Bible Reading

Job 19:1–6, 21–25

Devotional

The words of Job 19 have become familiar to us mainly because of the aria in George Frederick Handel’s Oratorio “Messiah”. We know why Handel included these words in his oratorio. They speak beautifully of the coming Messiah and Redeemer. But why does Job utter them in the first place? Job is not quietly sitting in his living room or by his kitchen table pondering and meditating on the works of the Lord. He is on an ash heap trying to find a place to alleviate his pain and suffering. If Job’s present condition does not improve he will end up in the grave. He is already skin over bones. But who will stand up and speak in his defence when others say that he died because the Lord was punishing him for all his secret sins? Who will stand up at his funeral?

Job is convinced that future generations need to know how he has wrestled in faith and how he did not let go of God. He wants his case to be recorded in a book and engraved in stone. Generations to come must know that in the end One will defend his cause. With undying faith Job believes his Redeemer lives and will rise to his defence. He breaks forth into a mighty confession of faith, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”

In the Old Testament a redeemer delivered his kin from difficulty and danger. He protected and promoted the covenant rights of a relative. A redeemer had a duty to help a relative. Job is convinced such a redeemer exists. He knows that the Lord will defend him even when the terrors of the grave and the pangs of death surround him. Through the working of the Spirit and by the strength of God's grace, Job clings to his only comfort in life and death. He knows that his Redeemer lives.

In His infinite wisdom God made sure the words of Job were inscribed in stone as a living witness of His faithfulness. The Lord came to Job’s defence as His Redeemer. These words were recorded and placed in our Bibles so that we should know the real reason why Job suffered. It was not because of his secret sins but it was to demonstrate the power of God.

Our Lord Jesus is the One who vindicates and redeems Job. He came to this world to vindicate our cause, to redeem those under the law. The story of our life speaks of God’s redeeming love. That story may not be written in a book but it is written on the palms of God’s hands.

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