Job 19:1

The Explanation

Picture a man sitting on the ground outside the town, where people throw their rubbish.

His name is Job. He used to be rich. He had sheep and camels and a big family and a house full of noise. Now everything is gone. His children died. His body hurts all over. His skin is covered in sores, and his bones stick out so far you could count them.

Three friends came to sit with him. At first they said nothing at all. That was good.

But then they started to talk. And they kept talking. They said things like: "Job, you must have done something wrong. God is punishing you. Just admit it."

Ten times they said it. Ten times.

Job sat there and listened. His mouth stayed shut for a long time. Can you imagine sitting still while people say things about you that are not true?

And then comes our verse. Just four words: "Then Job answered."

That is all. But it is like the moment a door swings open. Job is going to speak now, and everything that has been locked up inside him comes pouring out.

What Does This Mean?

Listen to what Job says next. "How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?"

Crush me with words. Words can do that. Job's friends never hit him. They only talked. But their talking felt like heavy stones piled on his chest.

Then Job says something that might surprise you. He does not only complain about his friends. He complains about God. He says God has built a wall around him so he cannot get out. He says God has made his path dark. He says he cries for help, and nobody seems to hear.

Job says all of that out loud, right to God.

And here is the strange, wonderful thing. God does not strike him down for it. God lets Job talk. God is not scared of Job's angry, sad, honest words.

Job is lonely too. His brothers stay away. His wife turns her face from him. Even little children in the street laugh at him when he stands up. So he begs his friends: "Have pity on me. Have pity on me."

Would you have sat down next to Job?

The Common Thread

Now watch closely, because in the middle of all that darkness Job says the biggest thing in the whole book.

He wishes someone would carve his words into a rock with an iron pen, so they would last forever. And then he says it:

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives."

A Redeemer is someone who comes and buys you back. Someone who stands up for you when nobody else will. Someone who says, "This person is mine, and I will not let go."

Job cannot see him. Job is sitting in the ashes with sores on his skin. But he knows: my Redeemer lives. One day he will stand on the earth. And Job says, with his own eyes, he will see God.

Many, many years later, that Redeemer did stand on the earth. His name is Jesus. He was hurt too. He was laughed at too. His friends ran away too. And he came back alive, so that everyone who belongs to him will see God with their own eyes.

Job did not know his name yet. But he knew he was coming.

For You

You can be honest with God. Really honest. If you are sad, tell him. If you are angry, tell him. He can take it. Job did it, and God did not turn away.

And this week, watch your words. Words can crush somebody, like heavy stones. Words can also lift somebody up. If you see a child at school sitting alone, you do not have to fix everything. Just go and sit next to them.

Talk About It

When has someone hurt you with words? What did that feel like?

Job says, "I know that my Redeemer lives." What do you think gave him the courage to say that, sitting in the ashes?

Praying Together

Lord God, thank you that I can tell you everything, even the hard things. Help me to use my words kindly today. Thank you that my Redeemer lives, and that Jesus never lets go of me. Amen.