Helps for Daily Life 8
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BIBLE STUDY 2: HELPS FOR DAILY LIFE
A SERIES: THERE IS HOPE
LESSON 8: Job 19:25-27 THE GOD I KNOW HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL!
Job 19:25-27 [KJV]
25. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth:”
26. “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I
see God:”
27. “Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
though my reins be consumed within me.”
A noted author, John Killinger, tells a powerful story about a man who is all alone in a Canadian hotel room. The man is in a state of deep depression. He is so depressed that he can't even bring himself to go downstairs to the restaurant to eat. He is a powerful man, the chairman of a large shipping company. Nevertheless, at this moment, he is absolutely overwhelmed by the pressures and demands of life; and, he lies there on a lonely hotel bed far from home wallowing in self-pity.
All of his life he has been finicky, worrying about everything, anxious and fretful. Now, at mid-life, his anxiety has gotten the best of him, even to the extent that it is difficult for him to sleep and eat. He worries, broods, and agonizes about everything: his business, his investments, his decisions, his family, his health, even his dogs.
Then, on this day, he craters. He hits bottom. Filled with anxiety, completely immobilized, paralyzed by his emotional despair and unable to leave his room, he moans, "Life isn't worth living this way. I wish I were dead!" Moreover, then he wonders what God would think if he heard him talking this way. Speaking out loud again he says, "God, it's a joke, isn't it? Life is nothing but a joke."
When we meet Job in this memorable scene he admits that he is hanging on by the "skin" of his "teeth." (19: 20) In desperation he pleads with his friends to have pity on him, and confesses that he cannot understand why they have insisted on playing God. In essence, Job seems to be saying, "God, it's a joke, isn't it? Life is nothing but a joke."
HERE IS A MAN WHO IS BROKEN FINANCIALLY. Once the richest man in the land, comparable to a 1st century sheik; but, now, reduced to a pauper on skid row. HERE IS A MAN WHO IS BROKEN EMOTIONALLY. In the same scenario, he had to bury all 10 of his children. HERE IS A MAN WHO IS BROKEN PHYSICALLY. Along with all of the other calamities came the physical plague many believe to be black leprosy. While sitting outside of his society, on a pile of ashes, and a "potsherd" as his only means of relief, he scrapes his sore, ugly boils, abandoned by his wife and friends.
In verse 23, Job prays that God will allow his words to be written in a book; a prayer that is answered, because we have Job's words before us today, for which we are grateful. Then, suddenly, in his hour of helplessness, Job seems to come to the realization that God has everything under control.
Job exclaims, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." I can just see Job turn to his so-called friends and say, "Boys, the future looks bleak and unpromising. And, even though I don't know what tomorrow holds, I know who holds tomorrow; and, He's the God who has everything under control.”
Let's continue to learn about the God I know, the God who has everything under control, and notice 3 glorious truths.
I. THE GOD I KNOW IS THE GOD OF PRICELESS REDEMPTION! Job speaks of God by use of the term "Redeemer." Of all of the other names of God that he could have chosen to use, Job selectively, specifically, and sovereignly used this name to describe the God of priceless redemption.
The Hebrew word for "Redeemer" is the word 'goel.' In Numbers 35: 12 the word 'goel' is translated "avenger." However, the primary role of a "goel,' or "Redeemer," was to buy back, or purchase relatives who had become slaves. The 'goel' or "Redeemer" was also the one who bought back land which was to be kept in the family.
Looking at this wonderful description of the God of priceless redemption, we see
A. THE GOD I KNOW IS CLOSE. The actual meaning of the word "Redeemer" is one who is "a near kinsman, or next of kin." In fact, on several occasions, the word is rendered "kinsman" in our English Bible. Therefore, before one could be a 'goel,' or "Redeemer" he must be close, or next of kin.
This is illustrated no greater than in the book of Ruth. Boaz, a near kinsman of the deceased Elimilech buys back a parcel of land for Naomi. Yet, how could Job call God our near kinsman? How could Job refer to God as our "Redeemer?" How could Job see God as his 'goel?'
Without question, from his ash heap in the patriarchal era, Job is looking to Bethlehem where God was "made flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1: 14) That is when, where and how God became our next of kin. In the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, God became close to us.
Secondly, this Redeemer THE GOD I KNOW IS NOT ONLY ONE WHO IS CLOSE,
B. THE GOD I KNOW IS COMPASSIONATE. In the days of the text, a 'goel' or "Redeemer" not only had to be the next of kin; but, he had to be willing to pay the redemptive price. Referring again to the story of Ruth, there was a nearer kinsman than Boaz; however, the nearer kinsman wasn't willing to pay the price and be the redeemer. That is when Boaz, the mighty man of wealth, stepped in and redeemed the land.
Thank God, Job not only looks to Bethlehem but also to Calvary. He sees the old rugged cross where Jesus, our near kinsman, paid the exacted price for our redemption. THE GOD I KNOW not only had it all, but He was willing to give it all, and pay the ultimate price.
We read in 1 Peter 1: 18-19 that Christ did not redeem us with "corruptible things, as silver and gold....but with the precious blood of Christ...as a lamb without blemish and without spot."
I am reminded of a story about a little boy who had carved a sailboat out of a single block of wood. He had spent a great deal of time and effort creating his masterpiece, and it was a wonderful piece of work. After he had finished, he decided to take it down to the stream to see if it would sail, and it did.
However, the strong current caught the little sailboat and carried it downstream. The boy couldn't keep up running along the bank of the stream and soon the little boat was out of sight. The little boy searched until dark, but in vain. He never found his boat.
One afternoon, as he walking downtown, he saw the boat in a window of a pawnshop. Undoubtedly, someone had found the boat and sold it to the pawnbroker. He went inside and told the pawnbroker that he had made the boat, and he was its creator. The pawnbroker told the little boy that he would have to buy the boat if he wanted it. Therefore, the little boy pulled out of his pocket several crumpled dollar bills and purchased the boat that he had built. As he walked away from the store, he looked to his boat and said, "You are twice mine. I made you and I bought you."
At the cross, the Lord Jesus, THE GOD I KNOW, became our ultimate kinsman Redeemer. He was ready, willing, and able to pay the ultimate price for our redemption. He bought our past, our present, and our future. THE GOD I KNOW IS THE GOD OF PRICELESS REDEMPTION.
II. THE GOD I KNOW IS THE GOD OF MATCHLESS RESURRECTION! As Job looks at the stark reality of death, he is uniquely refreshed with the glorious doctrine of the resurrection. Keep in mind that, chronologically, the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Thus, it is amazing that this ancient patriarch was able to look not only to Bethlehem and Calvary, but to the empty tomb.
The doctrine of the matchless resurrection is set forth in the words of 25, "For I know that my Redeemer liveth." With those immortal words, Job sets forth the doctrine of the resurrection in a two-fold manner.
A. JOB SPEAKS OF THE PROPHETIC RESURRECTION OF GOD'S SON! Having looked at Bethlehem and Calvary, Job views the empty tomb. With a full assurance of faith he declares, "For I know that my Redeemer liveth." Job is prophesying of the glorious resurrection of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is telling us that the One who is our 'goel,' our near kinsman, and our Redeemer is also our Risen, Resurrected Lord.
The word "liveth" is a wonderful word. First, it depicts the risen Christ as a flower. The word "liveth" is a vegetation term. In Genesis 2: 9, the word is used to speak of how God made all of the trees in the garden to "grow." Thus, we can say that Christ lives a flower. Although he wilted and died, THE GOD I KNOW is the Easter lily that bloomed again.
Next, it depicts the risen Christ as a fountain. The word "liveth" was often used to describe water that had not become tasteless. Thus, Christ not only lives as a flower, but as a fountain. He is not only alive, but He gives life. Like a fountain of sparkling, springing water, THE GOD I KNOW gives "living water" to flow from our inner man.
B. JOB SPEAKS OF THE PERSONAL RESURRECTION OF GOD'S SERVANT! We read in verses 26-27. Once Job catches a glimpse of the resurrection of Jesus, he exclaims, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
He is not only speaking of the prophetic resurrection of God's Son, but of the personal resurrection of God's servant. In other words, he is referring to his own resurrection. Job lays hold of the blessed truth that because Jesus lives, he will live also.
I think about a businessman who stopped on a rough country road, and asked a little boy who was shooting marbles, "Son, is this the road that goes into town?" Without looking up, or stopping his game, the little boy said, "Yep!" The man asked, "Is it this bumpy all the way into town?" The little boy said, "Nope!" Finally, the little boy looked up and said, "Mister, it's this bumpy 'til you get to the graveyard. After that, the road is paved all the way into town."
Thanks be to God, the road of life is bumpy all the way to the graveyard; but, after that, it's paved all the way into the city of God. Why? Because Jesus lives, we will live. The great preacher, B. B. Warfield explained it well, "The heavy, ponderous stone that sealed Jesus in the confines of that rock-walled tomb was, but a pebble compared to the Rock of Ages inside."
Oh yes, because He lives, we live now, and we will live forever. Some glad morning there will be a rumbling of grave stones, and every child of God that died in "corruption" will be raised in "incorruption." That which was laid to rest in "mortality" will put on "immortality."
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Because He lives.”
There is hope for tomorrow because THE GOD I KNOW HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL AND HE IS THE GOD OF PRICELESS REDEMPTION, AND HE IS THE GOD OF MATCHLESS RESURRECTION.
III. THE GOD I KNOW IS THE GOD OF TIMELESS REVELATION! The Bible repeatedly speaks of Christ's first and second advents. In His first advent, HE CAME IN HUMILITY. In His second advent, HE WILL COME IN GLORY. He came the first time as "THE LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD." He will come the second time as "THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH."
In his own words, Job speaks of the second coming of Jesus Christ, referred to by many as the "hour of Christ's revelation." Job refers to 2 things in his mini-prophecy of this event.
A. CHRIST WILL BE GLORIOUS IN HIS RETURN! We read of it in verse 25, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." Job prophecies that the same Christ who rose again will, one day, return again. He gives no other details except to say that He "shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
In order for Him to "stand at the latter day upon the earth," he must return to the earth. In other words, Job is speaking of an event that saturates the pages of God's Word. From the prophecy of Enoch to the prophecy of Malachi, to the prophecy of John the Revelator, the second coming of Christ is promised, prophesied, and proclaimed.
It has been said that of the 929 chapters in the Old Testament, there 1,845 references to the second coming of Christ. Of the 260 chapters in the New Testament, there are 318 references, or 1 out of every 30 verses. For every prophecy concerning His first advent, there are 8 concerning His second advent.
It reminds me of what I read about a clock in Strausburg, Germany. Around the dial of the clock are the engraved words: "One of these hours our Lord is coming!" Let every scoffer refute it, every skeptic refuse it and every sinner reject it; but, mark it down, one of these hours our Lord is coming. Jesus said in John 14: 3, "If I go to prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN." He will return in power and great glory.
B. HE WILL BE GLORIOUS IN HIS REIGN! The word "stand," Job uses in verse 25, speaks of "that which is set or fixed." In other words, Job is looking to the day when Jesus will "stand," set or fix His holy foot on the Mt. of Olives, as described in Zechariah 14: 4, "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."
Friend, one day, the risen Lord, the resurrected Lord, and the returning Lord will be the reigning Lord. One day, Jesus will be the "King of the Hill!" The first time He was "despised and rejected of men." The next time "every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
The first time He was laid on a Roman tree. The next time He will sit upon a Heavenly throne. The first time He came to be crucified. The next time He will come to be crowned. One day, every king, every queen, every dictator, every prime minister, every czar, and every president will step down from their throne, take off their crowns, and fall on their faces before King Jesus.
THE GOD I KNOW is the risen Lord. THE GOD I KNOW is the returning Lord. THE GOD I KNOW will be the reigning Lord. I'm glad that I'm on His side, I'm glad that He's on my side; and, I'm glad that He has everything under control.
I am not a fatalist, but I am a realist. The truth of the matter is that this world is going to get worse long before it gets better. The stock market may crash. Right now the price of oil is way down, but it will not continue that way. The price of a barrel of oil may top $100. A gallon of gas may eventually average at least $5. The unemployment rate may hit 20 percent. The war on terror may never be won but get worse and worse. The threat of nuclear war may become a daily fear and reality. Nevertheless, ladies and gentlemen, I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE FACE OF CAPTAIN JESUS, THE GOD I KNOW, AND EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
Why? HE IS THE GOD OF PRICELESS REDEMPTION. HE IS THE GOD OF MATCHLESS RESURRECTION. In addition, HE IS THE GOD OF TIMELESS REVELATION. I submit unto you that if He is God enough to take care of all of that, He is certainly God enough to take care of us. BLESS HIS NAME; THE GOD I KNOW IS THE GOD WHO HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL!
DO YOU NEED SOME HELP?
To find more help in receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior please go to the Bible Study Title Page “ETERNAL LIFE.” Please send me an email and let me know about any decision for Christ you make so that I may pray for you. Feel free to send me any questions, comments, or responses you may have as well. For those who are already Christians I invite you to also please let me know of any decisions you make in your Christian life for Jesus. Please send me your questions, comments, or responses and let me know if the Bible Studies are helping you. <rfdenning1951@gmail.com>
ALWAYS REMEMBER!
The support of your local Church ministry and the ministry of your Pastor should be the first priority of your Christian life and your service to the Lord. Be faithful to prayerfully prepare and attend Sunday School and Worship Service this Sunday and participate in worship as your Pastor preaches the Word. Do not forget to give the Lord at least your TITHE through your local church from your gross income – that is your first fruits. Any other other giving is an offering to a ministry unto the Lord. Honor the Lord in all you do and with all that you have. Always remember that everything you have and all you are belongs to the Lord. It is on loan to you – so manage it well! There will be an audit one day! Make sure the Books Balance!