“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25).
This famous testimony of Job has encouraged many. He knew, as we can know, the reality of his living redeemer, and that the redeemer would one day reign over His creation as intended.
A redeemer is one who buys back something which has fallen into the hands of the enemy. Originally, the creation was in the proper hands, but Adam sinned, and to a great extent, the rebellious world and all its inhabitants fell into bondage at the hands of Satan. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). We were the slaves or “servants of sin” (Romans 6:20).
In order to be freed, a slave must be redeemed. Could we as slaves have bought ourselves back? No, we had nothing of worth. Silver and gold would not do it. In fact, nothing short of the blood of a completely innocent sacrifice would suffice to pay the “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23). Only God the Son, by laying aside aspects of His deity and taking on human flesh could be that perfect sacrifice. “And He saw that there was no man [capable of redeeming mankind], and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation” (Isaiah 59:16). “In His love and in His pity He redeemed them” (Isaiah 63:9) by His own blood, buying us out of bondage to sin and Satan.
Notice also that this redemption is not just something we hope for; it is a fact! He has done it, and it will never be undone! “Thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (Isaiah 60:16). “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). JDM
