Job was suffering for reasons he could not understand. He had been God-fearing and tried to live a life of righteousness. He was known and admired throughout his community and yet suddenly his entire life fell apart. He lost his children, his wealth, and worst of all his health.
Since we know the whole story, we can listen to Job’s cries with empathy. Even his friends turned against him with their harsh and judgmental “advice.” His faith amid his suffering is inspirational.
Job is considered to be the oldest book of Scripture; therefore, his assurance in the future Redeemer is astounding.
Job 19:21-29
“Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends,
For the hand of God has struck me!
Why do you persecute me as God does,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?
“Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
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!
If you should say, ‘How shall we persecute him?’—
Since the root of the matter is found in me,
Be afraid of the sword for yourselves;
For wrath brings the punishment of the sword,
That you may know there is a judgment.”
PRAY FOR THE RELIGIOUS AMONG THE JEWISH PEOPLE TO SEEK THE TRUTH ABOUT THE REDEEMER.
