Go'el
Scripture Reading: Job 19:25
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last, he will stand upon the earth…
When on occasion I hear someone state the reason for their unbelief, it often has to do with their own experiences with suffering and evil in the world. They conclude, that because of their experiences, God is dead, non-existent, a fairy tale for the naïve. What makes Job’s confession astonishing is he makes it amid intense suffering. Job was resolute and unwavering in this confession. He doesn’t hedge his bets. He adds no ifs, no qualifications, and no doubts. He knows.
What does Job know? What he says is more than that he knows God exists, that God is the Creator. What he knows certainly includes that, but it encompasses so much more. He knows his Redeemer lives. There is so much to unpack in that statement.
I love that the ESV and other translations capitalize “Redeemer.” The Hebrew word is Go’el. It has the meaning of “one who restores or puts something back into its original or pristine condition.” It was used for a next of kin who intervened to protect the rights or continuity of the family. In the book of Ruth, Boaz was a kinsman redeemer.
Job knows that a Redeemer lives who will restore and put everything right. It is more than that though. It is not just a Redeemer to Job, but it is his Redeemer. Job knew he had a kinsman who would restore all that had been lost. And he wasn’t thinking about a great uncle. He was thinking about a Redeemer who was somehow more than just a kind relative. He had in mind Someone who was somehow related to him, but more than just a man.
Why do I say that? Because he says this Go’el would “at the last stand upon the earth,” and because this Go’el was in some way going to see to it that Job himself would be resurrected and see God in his flesh.
We know that Job’s fortunes were reversed before his death. His health and wealth were restored. He had many more children. He lived a blessed life on the earth. When Job spoke these words he wasn’t talking about that kind of restoration. He was saying that even if his suffering wasn’t relieved in this life and it ended in death, he still had a Go’el who would act on his behalf. If not here, there.
Josh Garrels’ song “Morning Light” captures this sentiment with these words:
And it may be broken down
All the bridges burned like an old ghost town
But this my son can be made new
It's gonna be alright
Shake it out and let back in the light
And joy will come
Like a bird in the morning sun
And all will be made well
And all will be made well
And all will be made well
Once again
Job was speaking about Jesus. There is a Redeemer. I pray he is your Redeemer.