A Redemption Story
The story of Job is relatable to us all. After tremendous loss, Job asks God, “why?” We are given a unique perspective into Job’s circumstances, hearing the behind-the-scenes as God allows his testing to happen. The reader also gets to know how the story ends—with God lovingly restoring to Job all that he had lost.
As Job laments and grieves all that he had lost, he makes a few profound statements that are oddly prophetic. First, he says this:
“Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt.” Job 14:14-17 NLT
Job, not having a picture of what Jesus would do on the cross, longed for the very thing that Jesus fulfilled. While God restored all that Job had lost, losing his family was truly irreplaceable. Still, Job’s “if only” ideas were actually describing a hope to come—not just for Job, but for all who receive the gift that Jesus has provided for us through His death on the cross: the dead live again, and our guilt and sin are covered by the precious blood of Jesus.
Job goes on to say,
“Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock. “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” Job 19:23-27 NLT
Once again, Job’s words prophetically speak of the future. Job’s words were indeed recorded, as we are here still reflecting on them today. Still, the most powerful part of his words here was his longing for the Redeemer promised in Old Testament prophecies. His words described perfectly the hope we have that long after our earthly bodies fail us here, we will see God face-to-face.
There are so many lessons we can learn from Job’s story, and so many questions we can get lost in the weeds of, but the big takeaway from Job’s story today is this: Job had no idea in the middle of his pain how great his story would be. He had no idea that his wildest hopes and wishes would actually happen in a way far greater than he could imagine. Job’s story is a reminder to us all that when we trust God in the worst parts of our pain, He can truly redeem anything.
Are you going through a season of lamenting like Job? May you be encouraged by his story today, remembering that our great Redeemer has overcome it all in ways far greater than we can imagine.
