Do You Know Job’s Prophecy of King Jesus and the Resurrection?

Introduction

I was reading Job 19:25-27 and saw this incredible prophetic utterance about King Jesus standing on the earth with His resurrected holy ones, and it got me thinking: How amazing is it that even in the midst of his suffering, Job could express such a profound hope and faith in the Redeemer? This passage is one of the most powerful declarations in the Old Testament, not only about personal resurrection but also about the ultimate victory of God’s people, standing with Christ on the renewed earth. It points us to the deep hope we have in Jesus and the resurrection, reminding us that God’s promises extend far beyond our present circumstances.

Narrative Context

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The book of Job is one of the oldest and most complex texts in the Bible, dealing with the themes of suffering, divine justice, and human faithfulness. Job, a righteous man who endures immense suffering, expresses his anguish and confusion while defending his integrity against his friends’ accusations that his suffering must be due to hidden sin. In the midst of his lament, Job makes a startling declaration in Job 19:25-27, affirming his faith in a living Redeemer who will ultimately stand upon the earth and vindicate him.

This declaration is significant because it reveals Job’s confidence in a personal Redeemer and his hope in bodily resurrection, centuries before these doctrines were fully developed in the biblical narrative. It is a remarkable testament to God’s revelation, even in the earliest periods of biblical history, and provides a foreshadowing of the messianic hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Scriptural Foundations

Job 19:25-27 (WEB)

“For I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth. After my skin is destroyed, then in my flesh shall I see God, whom I, even I, shall see on my side. My eyes shall see, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.”

Explanation:
Job’s declaration contains several profound elements:

• “My Redeemer lives”: Job expresses belief in a living Redeemer, a concept that goes beyond just divine help. The term “Redeemer” (Hebrew: go’el) refers to one who avenges or buys back, indicating a close, personal relationship. This points to Christ, who redeems humanity from sin and death.
• “In the end, he will stand upon the earth”: This phrase is prophetic, envisioning a time when the Redeemer will take His stand on the earth. It parallels the Christian belief in the Second Coming of Christ, when He will establish His kingdom and reign over the earth.
• “After my skin is destroyed, then in my flesh shall I see God”: Job anticipates a bodily resurrection, where he will see God with his own eyes. This is one of the earliest biblical affirmations of resurrection hope and aligns with the New Testament teaching on the resurrection of the body.
• “Whom I, even I, shall see on my side”: Job expresses a personal relationship with God, indicating that he will see God as his advocate and not as a stranger. This foreshadows the intimate relationship believers have with God through Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:52-54 (WEB)

“For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable body has become imperishable, and this mortal has become immortal, then what is written will happen: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'”

Explanation:
Paul’s teaching on the resurrection echoes Job’s hope, describing the transformation of believers’ bodies at the resurrection when Christ returns. This “victory” over death fulfills Job’s vision of seeing God in the flesh.

Perspectives from Others

1. Traditional Jewish Interpretation:
   In Jewish thought, Job’s words are often seen as a statement of confidence in God’s justice and vindication rather than a specific prophecy of resurrection. This view emphasizes God’s eventual restoration of Job’s fortunes but does not necessarily connect it to bodily resurrection.
2. Christian Interpretation:
   Christian scholars traditionally interpret Job’s declaration as a prophetic glimpse of Christ’s role as Redeemer and the resurrection of the dead. This interpretation sees Job as expressing a hope that aligns with the New Testament teaching of Jesus as the living Redeemer who will return to establish His kingdom.
3. Skeptical Views:
   Some critics argue that Job’s language is metaphorical rather than literal, suggesting that his reference to “seeing God” is about spiritual insight rather than physical resurrection. This view downplays the eschatological significance of the passage.

Identifying Misunderstandings

A common misconception is that the Old Testament, particularly the book of Job, lacks any clear teaching on resurrection. However, Job 19:25-27, along with passages like Daniel 12:2 and Isaiah 26:19, reveals that the hope of resurrection and vindication was present even in the early stages of biblical revelation.

Another misunderstanding is the view that Job’s Redeemer is merely God in a general sense, not specifically Christ. While Job’s understanding was not as developed as New Testament revelation, his use of the term “Redeemer” and his expectation of seeing God in the flesh foreshadow the fuller revelation of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer.

Relevance and Application for You

Understanding Job’s prophecy of the Redeemer and the resurrection has several practical implications:

1. Hope in Suffering:
   Job’s faith in a living Redeemer amidst intense suffering reminds us that, no matter what we endure, we have a hope that transcends this life. Christ’s resurrection guarantees our own, assuring us that suffering and death do not have the final word.
2. Confidence in God’s Justice:
   Job’s declaration affirms that God’s justice will prevail. In a world where injustice often seems to rule, believers can trust that Christ will return to make all things right, vindicating those who have remained faithful.
3. Personal Relationship with Christ:
   Job’s hope was not just in an abstract idea of God but in a personal Redeemer. This challenges us to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, knowing that He is both our advocate and friend who will stand with us at the end.

Encouragement and Conclusion

Job’s prophetic declaration of a living Redeemer and the hope of resurrection is a powerful reminder of God’s love and faithfulness. It points us to the reality that Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, will one day stand on the earth, and we will see Him face to face. This hope should fill us with confidence and joy, knowing that no matter what we face, our future is secure in Christ.

As we reflect on Job’s faith and the ultimate victory of our Redeemer, let us be encouraged to live with the same bold hope and trust in God’s promises. We are called to love what God loves—truth, righteousness, and faithfulness—and to hate what He hates—sin, injustice, and idolatry. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we can navigate the challenges of life with unwavering hope, knowing that we will one day stand with Him in the resurrection, triumphant over sin and death.