Job still is seeking to respond to the ongoing criticism of his former friends. The opening words indicate that the discussion has sunk to an acrimonious level. There is bitterness between Job and his ‘comforters’. They complain of his language, 18:2-3, and accuse him of anger and rage, verse 4. They continue to address him as a wicked man whose is suffering the proper consequences of his sin.
Job is responding by complaining of their vexatious and cruel words, 19:1-3. He reiterates, in greater detail than ever before, the afflictions that he has endured.
6-12 — The afflictions that have come directly from God.
13-19 — The afflictions from the response of friends and family.
20 — The physical afflictions.
He begs for their pity and then expresses confidence that God will vindicate him one day, 25-28.
The words of our text have been something of a battleground for some textual scholars. There are those who would deny that there is any reference to the resurrection to Christ and His resurrection. Others would suggest that Job was displaying a knowledge that was equal with that of God’s people in the New Testament age. The first notion we outrightly reject. The second view we have reservations about. I have no doubt that Job had a knowledge of Christ and of His standing upon the earth. He would also have had acknowledge of his own resurrection. All this I believe is in the text. It was not in the breadth or range of doctrinal truths that the OT saints were in a position of inferior knowledge to the NT saints. No it was in the degree of knowledge. That which was in embryo in the OT is fully developed in the NT.
We have here a wonderful illustration of how doctrinal knowledge is a source of real comfort in a time of affliction. Job comforts himself as he views the future time when he see Christ stand upon the earth. Do not despise Bible doctrine, Christian. Rather, strive to learn it for it will serve you well.
As Job is surrounded by affliction and false accusation he looks away to Heaven and comforts himself in the Lord.
I. JOB VIEWED THE LORD AS HIS VINDICATOR
The Lord is not only our deliverer from trouble but He will vindicate us from all accusations. The word Redeemer bears this meaning. Is not the Saviour our all in all?
1. Job knew that in the end it was with God he had to do. He could bear more easily what men were saying and doing to him when he remembered that it was how he appeared in God’s eyes that was important. I Corinthians 4:5.
2. That being so, it is vitally important to have a vindicator. There are many just accusations levelled against the believer. The law of God, conscience, the devil, the world. Christ answers them all now before God and one day before all created beings. Rom 8:31-34, Luke 12:8.
3. This knowledge kept him free from the fear of man and conformity to the world. The fear of man snares the soul. Proverbs 29:5. The fear of God will keep you back from doing what others do, Nehemiah 5:15. Young people, seek the fear of God. It will bring you glorious liberty. I Corinthians 4:3-4.
II. JOB RECOGNISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR VINDICATION
Here is a vital truth in days when men seek out their own vengeance. Christians are made patient under duress knowing that the Lord will vindicate them one day. We may not see it this side of the grave but it will come.
1. The day of vindication has not yet come for the Lord Jesus. He is still rejected and refused. Why then should we expect an early vindication? II Peter 3:4.
2. The day of vindication is identified here. The day of resurrection and the appearing of the Lord Jesus. II Thess 1:7-10, Jude 24. That is the day when the Lord and His people will be vindicated, Philippians 2:9-11.
3. The form of our vindication is here suggested. In my flesh shall I see God. That is vindication. There can be no doubt about the standing, the salvation of the one who is brought in to see God. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me, Psalms 49:15. The word receive carries the meaning of the stretching out the hand by a groom to receive his bride. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Matthew 25:34. It is on that day that it will be acknowledged that the root of the matter was in us, verse 28.
It is a great comfort for the Christian to thus contemplate the day of vindication but what of you sinner? You have know such hope for you do not share in the knowledge that Job had. I know that my redeemer liveth. Do you KNOW Christ as YOUR redeemer? Can you a confidently look forward to the day of resurrection and standing before Christ?