The Believers hope as seen in the man Job
The English poet Alexander Pope wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blest.” But where does man turn when hope dries up' The director of a medical clinic told of a terminally ill young man who came in for his usual treatment. A new doctor who was on duty said to him casually and cruelly, “You know, don’t you, that you won’t live out the year?” As the young man left, he stopped by the director’s desk and wept. “That man took away my hope,” he blurted out. “I guess he did,” replied the director. “Maybe it’s time to find a new one.”
Commenting on this incident, Lewis Smedes wrote, “Is there a hope when hope is taken away? Is there hope when the situation is hopeless? That question leads us to Christian hope, for in the Bible, hope is no longer a passion for the possible. It becomes a passion for the promise.”
Christians above all people should be people who are filled with this passion for the promise ( Not the possible). One such Biblical character is of course Job who lost everything his wealth, his family, his friends, here was a man who never lost his Christian hope, everything else may of well fell apart around him yet his hope sprang eternal, because it was placed upon promises yet to come which he believed by faith.
As we approach Christmas it’s a reminder to believers of those promises which have been fulfilled and more yet to come, today we are considering our coming of the Saviour our Redeemer! I want us to unpack the believers hope with you as seen through the man Job in the Bible. And if your hope this morning is placed in the possible, I want you to consider , isn’t it’s about time you find a new one, because the possible can often become impossible, like that young man who was terminally ill.
Last week was advent Sunday: comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ means arrival or coming of a Saviour or Messiah. It counts downs the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Advent was first celebrated by Christians in the 4th century, it was viewed not only as a affirmation of Jesus birth his 1st advent looking back. But also filled with anticipation, looking forward to his 2nd advent & of his earthly return & reign.
But we also see from many OT prophecies that God’s people also looked forward to the coming of a Saviour & King ( Isaiah 7:14 , 9:1-2, 6-7, Micah 5:2) & specifically Job, believed to be one of the oldest books chronologically , it is thought he lived around the time of the patriarchs 2000 BC. In Job 19:23-27 we see a believer whose hope springs eternal he was filled with expectancy despite his circumstances, his hope was in the promises of God applied to his heart.
Read together Job 19:23-27 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on[a] lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
25 I know that my redeemer[b] lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[c]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet[d] in[e] my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
1. The believers hope - Jobs affirmation (declaration of truth) . V23 -24. (Objective truth)
Have you ever got something on your chest or heart that you have desired to speak out, but more than that, you have felt it so important you’ve desired it to be written down kept for prosperity, it’s of such importance an affirmation of what’s on your heart to be shared with future generations ( family letters, tress, books) .
Well I believe Job here has got something on his chest, something on his heart, which he can’t keep in any longer, he deeply desires to express his true hope despite all the injustice & false accusations of his so called comforters, he wants his inner thoughts to be expressed in word & written down for prosperity, so that he we can be vindicated at a future point.
Notice he mentions two methods of recording his affirmation
a) to be written down, upon a scroll (portable, shared in a book)
b) or inscribed with an iron tool on lead or engraved in rock forever, (Also public & permanent monument)
He wants his words to remain as a witness as an affirmation to future generations to come to the believers hope, he wants us to know despite all that might happen to the believer, where our hope needs to be placed not in the possible but in the promises of God, which he goes on to express.
“Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on[a] lead, or engraved in rock forever!
The word of God:
Friends Job got his will, his inner heartfelt experiences, were recorded for us, what he hoped for was written down for all prosperity, the affirmation of his heart was recorded in the eternal oracles of God. The book of Job in the Bible is the fulfilment of his wish in a way that both includes jobs original intentions & extends beyond the purposes that Job had in mind. (2Tim 3:16 All scripture is God breathed) (The apostles 2Peter1:16 said we did not follow cleverly invented stories but were eye witnesses of his majesty).
The Word of God is an (affirmation) declaration of truth for the believer - it is full of God’s promises to us – whatever is happening around us whether good or bad. Here is our witness, here is our affirmation, our declaration of truth which bears testimony with the inner witness of the Holy Spirit who applies these scriptures.
• Like Job what we believe here (in our hearts) is shown here in the (Bible) at times though our hearts might shrink and all seems lost, but in reality nothing has changed because our hope is not based upon our circumstances or how were feeling from one day to the next its based on the unchanging oracles of God & His precious promises to us.
2. The believers hope – Jobs assurance of faith ( Subjective experience of faith)
• The believers hope - is in the affirmation of God’s Word applied to our hearts.
Here are the grounds for Jobs wishes that his words would be recorded 25 I know that my redeemer[b] lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[c] 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet[d] in[e] my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him. Job here is filled with Christian assurance that he has a Redeemer to come, who will stand upon the earth, whom he will see & whom lives ‘I know’ .
A Redeemer is the same word used as Kinsmen Redeemer - who had both the rights responsibilities of vindicating a family member (Ruth 4:1-6 Boaz redeems Ruth).
But I think here we are going beyond an earthly kinsman Reedemer, as he speaks about seeing him in the end, not in his lifetime., but after his death; and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[c] 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet[d] in[e] my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him.
In the OT God Himself is often referred to as a Redeemer (Ex 6:6) He will redeem His people from slavery) (Isa 43:14, 44: 6) Also as Israel’s Redeemer, Also as an individual’s redeemer Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O’Lord, my Rock and Redeemer. Here in Job as in the psalm we see the same personal testimony of God himself being his personal Redeemer, I know my Redeemer lives! (25) and his reference to God (26) as the one whom he shall see in his own flesh even though it decays.
The believers hope. Jobs assurance of faith - TWOFOLD
His redemption; Job is looking forward to a time when God would stand upon this earth as is redeemer. 1st Advent time the coming incarnation of the Christ child (Emmanuel God who is with us) this prophetic word from Job has been fulfilled in part. We are approaching that time in the Christian calendar when we remember this fact, the incarnation of the Redeemer. (Job looked forward – we look back).
These prophetic words of Job were fulfilled it became a reality at the birth of Jesus in the 1st Century AD in Palestine: Look at the NT accounts; Luke 1:67-68. 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. Consider Simeon in the temple Luke 2: 30 My eyes have seen your salvation or Anna the prophetess 2:38 she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
To redeem us ? From the slavery of sin. Matthew 1:21 call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins, 1peter 1:18 You were Redeemed not with perishable things ......
The coming of Christ is more than just a nice story about a baby in a manger, Christmas time is more than peace & good will to all , it’s about a Redeemer who would redeem people at the cross of Calvary.
This is what we look back upon this advent time with thankfulness, because of His redemption has been applied to our hearts we come in full assurance of faith . This was Job’s hope as he looked forward in full assurance of faith for his own redemption.
• Are you assured of your own redemption is it signed sealed & delivered?
This is what the early Church believed it gave them great hope & assurance of redemption but more of a 2nd advent too. Titus 2: 11- 14 read. 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
V26 -27 Job also was prophetically looking forward to a 2ND ADVENT is he not. Reference to the last resurrection of the dead (26-27), when Jobs own body although decayed & ours too will be raised (1Cor 15:50-53) and we shall see Him. The 2nd coming when Jesus will come to judge & reign forever a time when the redeemed of God will be raised & vindicated before God Rev 20:5 and resurrected to eternal life & the service of God(remember he had lost everything) Yet he is assured of this blessed hope. That he would see God his redeemer!
How will you see Him on that day? Those who have rejected Him, will be raised at a 2nd resurrection & see him too, but as Judge & face His divine retribution, the 2nd death Rev 20 :11 15 . All flesh will be raised & shall see Him our Great God & Saviour Jesus Christ.
• Isn’t it true everything in life slips through our hands like sand,(demo) God forbid you allow eternity to do the same, it’s in your hands, to change the whole course of your eternal destiny, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ & be saved enter into the believers hope – full assurance of faith. The lesson from job is to no matter what happens in life hold onto Christ not life & the world, you will be vindicated & glorified.
3. The believer hope – anticipation & expectation v27 Spirit groans within us
We see finally job is a believer who is filled with anticipation of the 1st advent of his Redeemer God, who would stand upon this earth but also His 2nd advent as the one who will raise him from death & vindicate Him & make him fit for His divine presence. that he will be changed forever that His own eyes will see God! His heart is pounding with anticipation & expectancy. 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
• Job’s Redeemer has come! Doesn’t your heart yearn for more of Him this Christmas?
a) 1st Advent: Christ has come
Christmas is a heart thumping time isn’t it whether you’re a child or an adult. A time of anticipation & expectation of all that’s to comet; Yet are our hearts yearning for the right reasons? Job yearned for His coming Redeemer, who would stand upon the earth.
Is our anticipation in the right place? I believe there is a danger of Christ being lost in Christmas, people are lost in a winter wonderland, wrapped up in gifts, excessive festivities, family time is the focus of Christmas of course they are all good things & we all indulge in them, but is there a danger of them being at the forefront of our Christmas & Christ being sidelined.
This of course should not be for the child of God - Jesus should be at the centre – of our Christmas - For the believer - He’s right here in the heart – look at Job, ‘How my heart yearns within me!’ Job was waiting looking forward for this 1st Advent & was filled with anticipation, that his redeemer would come, we look back filled with anticipation to of what the Lord has done for us & can still do for others. (Cradle - Cross).
Friends as we remember this advent his coming, do our hearts yearn within for a greater presence of Christ this Christmas in your own life, Does your heart yearn for others to encounter the Christ Child this Christmas. Christ has come!
The Saviour of the World, our Redeemer has come, Emmanuel God is with us, is there anything more wonderful than this , shouldn’t we be crying out Joy to the World the Lord has come!
b) 2nd Advent Christ is coming
But Advent time was not only a time of celebrating the 1st coming of Christ it was a time of looking forward to the 2nd coming of Christ. This what Job is yearning for too. When Christ comes not as a Saviour but as a conquering King. If this isn’t a heart thumping moment, if this doesn’t fill you with Christian hope & anticipation, you need to check your pulse ( are you dead or alive).
Future Glory Rom 8:22-23 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit ( those with faith) , groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
• A time when this body of decay (perishable) will put on t a new glorious body (imperishable), a body of mortality will put on a body of immortality. (1Cor 15:50-53) (40) Earthly bodies will put on heavenly bodies
• A time when we shall behold God in all his Glory, upon this earth . (1cor 13:12) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
• A time when the fall out of all sin will be reversed. (Rev 21:4) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes & death shall be no more, no mourning, no crying, no pain for the former things have passed away.
• A time of new order will come, a new heavens & a new earth (Rev 21:1) Then I saw a new heaven & a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away..
• A time when the triune God shall reign forever in the New Jerusalem (Rev21:11) The Glory of God shall shine it all its radiance.
• A time when God’s people will be vindicated & victorious (28-29) Rev 21:7 He who overcomes will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
• A time when God will bring His rule & Judgement upon all who have rebelled. (Rev20:15) And if anyone name was found written in the book of life , he was thrown into the lake of fire.
A believers hope is found when we affirm the promises of the scriptures that the Christ child came into this world & went from the cradle to the cross in order to redeem a people to himself, a truth which is still open for others to encounter. Our hope is firmly placed not in possibilities but in promises of God which were confirmed by the out play of history in the coming of Christ.
A believers hope & the assurance of faith is through the atoning sacrifice & resurrection of Christ imputed to us his righteousness & faith bestowed to us as a free gift , we have been redeemed (born again) receive the gift of faith to believe with our faculty the objective truths but to inwardly experience them in our hearts.
A believers hope is found when our hearts should yearn within, filled with anticipation , as we centre upon Christ & his 1st & 2nd coming of our redeemer God. (Our hearts cry out Maranatha – come Lord Jesus) in anticipation as we wait for His arrival.
