Praise the Lord! Thank you all for taking time to visit the ScriptureSource Ministries website, particularly the Scripture for the Week meditation section. A hearty welcome! The past week just got over and we are at the verge of starting a brand new week in our spiritual journey life. Many of us thought that we would not make it through the hustles and bustles and trials and temptations and struggles and pains of the past week, but we are here. Praise God for His faithfulness and loving kindness! It’s time to be grateful and thankful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who walks with us at every step and stage of our life.

The Lord God Almighty created the heavens and the earth and everything in them in perfect condition and for a purpose (Genesis 1:1-31; Psalms 148:1-14; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11). Thus, the heavens, the earth and everything that is in them belong to the Lord God Almighty, as it is mentioned in Psalm 24:1, The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. This is including human beings who were created in the likeness and image of God (1:26-27; 2:7). However, human beings, ensnared in the trap of Satan (Genesis 3:1-6), disobeyed God’s commands and fell short of the glory of God (Roman 3:23). As a result, rebellion and sin entered the world and the relationship between God and human race was broken. Ever since the relationship between God and humanity was broken, the relationship between person to person, the relationship between human race and other creations, including the nature were also broken. Right now, the world we live in is filled with disorders, illness, deformities, and death. For some people life is filled with momentarily exciting things but for some life is filled with endless suffering and sadness. Satan who deceived Eve and Adam in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1ff), is still causing people to rebel and sin against God (1 Peter 5:8). Job was a one of a kind of person who went through sweet and bitter experiences in his life due to Satan’s craftiness (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). However, Job was wise enough to lead a righteous life before God and others. The fact is that when everything went on right with Job, he lived a life that was right with God; and when things turned around and his life was filled with bitter experiences, he still lived a life that was right with God, which means, in every life-situation, no matter what, Job led a righteous life.

This week’s Scripture for the Week meditation passage is taken from Job 19:25-27 (mentioned above). This passage talks about Job’s great hope, in the midst of his unreasonable suffering, that his redeemer lives and he will meet with Him face to face and see Him one day with his own eyes. In our meditation, we will come across three phases of Job’s life, which will examine his relationship with his God, his relationship with himself and his family, his relationship with others, and so on.

Three phases of Job’s life: Regarding Job’s life in his own words (personal testimony) were noted in several passages in the book of Job. Whatever is narrated in Job 29:1-25 is really noteworthy and impressive. As a person, he was blameless, upright, feared God, and shunned evil (Job 1:1). Job understood the kind of life he need to live before God and people. When it is said about him – Job feared God and shunned evil, it is explained very well in Job 28:28 that The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding. That means, Job was a righteous person who lived a life that is worthy of his calling.

First Phase of his life: The Bible says that Job was the greatest man among all the people of the East (Job 1:3c). He was a family man with a wife and ten children – seven sons and three daughters (Job 1:2). He was very wealthy – he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys (Job 1:3a), and he had a large number of servants (Job 1:3b). In addition, being the greatest man among all the people of the East (Job 1:3c), he must have had untold number of dear and near ones around him; and, of course, a great extent of land mass. The Scripture says that Job was the greatest man among all the people of the East (Job 1:3b). This means, in every sense, Job was one of the noteworthy and well-to-do persons in the ancient world (Job 29:1-25).

Second Phase of his life: Whoever Job was (his identity) and whatever Job had (his belongings) is lost in a matter of time. Job’s personality, possessions, and protection were tested and taken away from him by Satan (with the permission of God but without the knowledge of Job). Very unexpectedly, he lost his children, his possessions, and his belongings.  He became so helpless, hopeless, unwanted, uninvited, and forsaken. Finally, Job realized that Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble. They spring up like flowers and wither away; like fleeting shadows, they do not endure (Job 14:1-2). Yet, In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing (Job 1:22; 2:10b; 27:2-6). He was faithful to his God and remained as a righteous person.

Third Phase of his life: He was tested and found faultless. As a result, God blessed him with everything he had lost as the result of the test (Job 42:10-16):

• • The Lord restored his fortunes (v.10a)
  • The Lord blessed him with twice as much as he had before (v.10b)
  • God blessed him possessions (v.12)
  • God blessed him with children – seven sons and three daughters (Vs.13-15)
  • God restored the broken relationship between him and his dear and near ones (v.11)
  • God blessed him with long life (v.16a)
  • God blessed him to see his children, and their children to the fourth generation (v.16b)
  • God blessed him with blessed life full of years (v.16c)

This was possible only because in and through all life-situations (good times or bad times), Job continued to remain faithful to his God (Yahweh) and led a righteous life that is pleasing to God. Job was counted along with Noah and Daniel (Ezekiel 14:12-13, 19-20).

When the disaster struck Job, he did not understand why he was going through such situation. He, being a blameless and upright person who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1), was not at all at fault. Although, the situation he was going through did not make any sense to him, he continued to live a righteous life before his God. Even in the midst of when his wife (Job 2:9), friends (Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite [Job 2:11-13; 4:1-22:30]), and others (like, Elihu [Job 32:1-37:24]) questioned his integrity before God and people, he knew his standing before God and before his people (community). He remained faithful to God and did whatever good he could do for the people around him (Job 29:7-25); for instance:

• • Job goes to the gate of the city and took his seat in the public square (v.7)
  • The young men see him and step aside (v.8a)
  • The old men rise to their feet in respect of him (v.8b)
  • In Job’s presence, the chief men refrained from speaking (v.9a)
  • The chief men cover their mouths with their hands before Job (v.9b)
  • In the presence of Job the voices of the nobles were hushed (v.10a)
  • The tongues of the nobles stick to the roof of their mouths before Job (v.10b)
  • Whoever heard Job, spoke well of him (v.11a)
  • Whoever sees Job, commended him for his caring nature (v.11b)
  • Job rescued the poor who cried for help (v.12a)
  • Job helped the fatherless who had none to assist them (v.12b)
  • People those who were dying blessed him with high respect (v.13a)
  • Job made the widow’s heart sing (v.13b)
  • Job put on righteousness as his clothing (v.14a)
  • Job wore Justice as his robe and turban (v.14b)
  • Job was like eyes to the blind (v.15a)
  • Job was like feet to the lame (v.15b)
  • Job became like a father to the needy (v.16a)
  • Job took up the case of the stranger (v.16b)
  • Job broke the fangs of the wicked (v.17a)
  • Job snatched the victims from the teeth of the wicked (v.17b)
  • People listened to Job excitedly and in expectation (v.21a)
  • People were waiting in silence for Job’s counsel (v.21b)
  • After Job speaks, no one speaks any more (v.22a)
  • Job’s words fell gently on people’s ears (v.22b)
  • People waited for Job as for showers (v.23a)
  • People drank in Job’s words as the spring rain (v.23b)
  • When Job smiled at them, they scarcely believed it (v.24a)
  • The light of my face was precious to them (v.24b)
  • Job chose the way for the people and sat as their chief (v.25a)
  • Job dwelt as a king among his troops (v.25b)
  • Job was like one who comforts mourners (v.25c)

However, after the disastrous struck Job, the people who once respected him did not respect him anymore rather they mocked at him (Job 30:9-15), for instance,

• • Now, those young men who respected him mock him in song (v.9a)
  • Job has become like a byword among them (v.9b)
  • They detest me and keep their distance (v.10a)
  • They do not hesitate to spit in my face (v.10b)
  • Now the Lord God has unstrung his bow and afflicted me (v.11a)
  • They throw off restraint in my presence (v.11b)
  • The enemy tribe attacks him now (v.12a)
  • The enemy tribe lay snares in Job’s pathway v.12b)
  • The enemy tribe builds their siege ramps against me (v.12c)
  • The tribe breaks up my road (13a)
  • The tribe succeeds in destroying me (v.13b)
  • The tribe says that no one can help him (v.13c)
  • The tribe advances as through a gaping breach (v.14a)
  • Amid the ruins the tribe comes rolling in (v.14b)
  • Terrors overwhelm Job (v.15a)
  • Job’s dignity is driven away as by the wind (v.15b)
  • Job’s safety vanishes like a cloud (v.15c)

In addition to the above-mentioned group, Job also listed a number of people (Job 19:13-21) who were supposed to be at his side when the disaster struck him but distanced themselves away from him. Job was totally isolated, left alone and in severe pain (perhaps he was like a Corona Virus Disease 2019 patients [aka: COVID-19] during the year 2020 who were absolutely isolated from even closest family members):

• • Job’s family alienated him (v.13a)
  • Job’s acquaintances distanced themselves from him (v.13b)
  • Job’s relatives have gone away from him (v.14a)
  • Job’s closest friends have forgotten him (v.14b)
  • Job’s guests and female servants count him a foreigner (v.15a)
  • Job’s guests and his servants look on him as on a stranger (v.15b)
  • When Job summons his servant, he does not answer (v.16a)
  • Even though Job begs him with his own mouth, he does not answer (v.16b)
  • Job’s breath became offensive to his wife (v.17a)
  • Job became loathsome to his own family (v.17b)
  • Even the little boys scorn him (v.18a)
  • When Job appears, they ridicule him (v.18b)
  • All his intimate friends detest him (v.19a)
  • Those Job loves have turned against him (v.19b)
  • Job felt that he is nothing but skin and bones (v.20a)
  • Job also felt that he has escaped only by the skin of his teeth (v.20b)
  • Job requested his friends to have pity on him (v.21a)
  • Job thought that the hand of God has struck him (v.21b)

In all these, Job did not make any complaints before God, but time to time he poured out his heart before God and let God know what and how he felt through all such life experiences. For instance (Job 16:7-14):

• • God has worn me out (v.7a)
  • God has devastated my entire household (v.7b)
  • God has shriveled me up (v.8)
  • God assails me (v.9a)
  • God tears me in his anger (v.9b)
  • God gnashes his teeth at me (v.9c)
  • God caused people open their mouths to jeer at me (v.10a)
  • God caused the people strike my cheek in scorn (v.10b)
  • God caused people to unite together against me (v.10c)
  • God has turned me over to the ungodly (V.11a)
  • God has thrown me into the clutches of the wicked (v.11b)
  • God shattered me when all was well with me (v.12a)
  • God seized me by the neck and crushed me (v.12b)
  • God has made me his target (v.12c)
  • God’s archers surround me (v.13a)
  • God pierces my kidneys without pity (v.13b)
  • God spills my gall on the ground (v.13c)
  • God bursts upon me again and again (v.14a)
  • God rushes at me like a warrior (v.14b)

Even in the midst of all the sufferings Job was going through, he trusted the Lord God Almighty and put his hope in Him because he already experienced that God is faithful in times of troubles (Psalm 46:1). As one of the Psalmists stated from his very own experience that Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (Psalm 91:3-4). Job was determined to trust in the Lord God Almighty even in the midst of such severe trials and temptations. That is why he said Though He slay me, I will hope in Him … (Job 13:15). He knew that, in such situations, it would be better to fall in the hands of God than anyone else (as king David once said [2 Samuel 24:14]). All these show that Job did not have room for any kind of unbelief rather he believed that his redeemer lives and He will come to his rescue. Also, Job did not give up his hope in the Lord. Job said: I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me (Job 19:25-27).

• • • Job believed for sure that his redeemer lives (v.25a)
    • Job believed that in the end his redeemer will stand on the earth (v.25b)
    • Job believed that even if his skin is destroyed, he will see God in his flesh (v.26)
    • Job believed that he will see his redeemer with his own eyes (v.27a)
    • Job believed that he himself will see his redeemer, and not someone else (v.27b)
    • Job’s heart yearns within him to see his redeemer standing on the earth (v.27c)

Job believed that his Redeemer would at last stand on the earth and then in his flesh he would see the savior and God of his life. At that moment, his only hope was to look forward to the time when he would see his redeemer who would deliver him from the situation he is going through – his suffering and pain, and restore to him an abundant life. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b).

We have briefly examined Job’s life-situation, and we have seen that he had gone through lots of struggles in his life not caused by his faults or failures (Job 2:3). The opening verse of the book of Job itself introduces him as a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1), and later God also testified about Job in the same way (Job 1:8; 2:3). He lived a righteous life before God and people, yet when God conversed with him, he understood his limitations and he confessed his sins before God:

Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:1-6)

Job’s absolute hope was that his Redeemer lives, and his faith was that even if his flesh is destroyed, he will live and in the flesh he will see his redeemer; and his confidence was that he will see his redeemer with his own eyes. When Mary  Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus’ body with the newly prepared spices, she could not find His body in the tomb but she was told by the angels that He is not here, he has risen from the dead (Matthew 28:5-6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:5-6). As the New Testament believers, this is our faith, hope, and confidence that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is resurrected from the dead and we will also be resurrected with Him, as apostle Paul stated in Romans 6:5. Jesus Himself assured that He is the resurrection and life: Jesus said to her [Martha], I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die (John 11:25-26). Just like Job had hope that his redeemer lives and he will see Him in the end with his own eyes, let us trust in the Lord and hope that we will meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face when He returns (1 Corinthians 13:12; 15:52-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). May the Lord God Almighty bless us all! Amen!