“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me,” Job 19:25-27.

Knowing that such is the greatness of this text that no sermon could do it justice I feel I must return to it this Sabbath morning for one more look at its glorious message. I would like to highlight truths that I did not touch upon in our last study.

Job had little hope of ever seeing a restoration of  that lost in his trial and little hope of ever being vindicated before his friends in his lifetime. But he had a firm assurance of seeing just such a vindication one day. To that day he appeals in this great outburst of faith. I wish to look at these words and see Job's Christ.

I. THE KNOWLEDGE THAT JOB DISPLAYS.

1. He believed that Christ was then alive. This was a truth that 2000 years later was rejected. John 8:56-58. Abraham look forward and saw Christ's day. Job had a consciousness of Christ living in his own day. What a glorious thing it is to live in the consciousness of Christ being alive. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us, Hebrews 9:24.
2. He believed that Christ was God. The One he calls his Redeemer he also calls God. This is a knowledge denied many “learned” men today. Isaiah 9:6, I Tim 3:16.
3. He believed Christ was his kinsman. He calls Him his Redeemer (Goel) which refers to the next of kin in whom was vested the right of redeeming any estate that had been sold. Lev 25:25. Job saw Christ as his next of kin to Whom fell the task of redeeming God's elect even at the price of His won blood, Acts 20:28.
4. He saw Christ as the glorious Magistrate coming to judge the world. He and Enoch are among the very earliest prophets of the judgment of the world. Jude 14-15. That day is much closer for us. How much more conscious we ought to be of it.
5. He believed that Christ would raise him from the dead. As I have said, he does not seem to have much hope of a restoring of his standing and honour among his generation but he certainly was assured of a resurrection to happiness. Even the worms which would humble him even more than his present afflicted state could not stop that happening. Is this not what Paul spoke of, I Cor 15:42-43, II Cor 5:1.

II. THE LESSONS WE MAY LEARN FROM JOB'S GREAT CONFESSION.

1. We may enjoy full assurance of salvation in this life. Job was assured of his present and future standing in Christ. Even so was it with Paul. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day, II Timothy 1:12. Here is past, present and future assurance. II Tim 4:8.
2. The basis of all comfort. A clear view of Christ, His person and offices, is the only ground of true assurances, Ephes 1:17-20. We must search the scriptures and pray for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment that we may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, Phils 3:10.
3. No matter how severe may be the affliction that comes upon us we need not lose that assurance. How terrible were the circumstances of Job at the time he uttered these words. It was not what was happening to him that dictated his state of soul and mind but what he saw in Christ. It is to be noted that from this great cry Job does not again lapse into such a spirit of complaint as he has on occasions up until this point. He seems to get the victory over his murmurings. With our eyes upon Christ we are enabled to in . . . patience possess ye your souls, Luke 21:19.