Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 19 NASB, Ch. 20 CEB

Associate Producer

Howie

Podcast Introduction

This is Poetry Thursday. Our reading will be Job 19-20, which should have been the reading last week, but I actually read what should have been today’s reading, Job 21-22 instead. So by reading 19-20 today, we’ll be back on track. Sorry about that. I’m calling the episode, “My Redeemer.”

And it’s December 15th, so we’ll have Christmas Question number 15 today, sent in by Sandra Kim. Of course, our Christmas expert, James Cooper of whychristmas.com has an answer for him.

S132E075Art1400-sunrise over a tree lined country road — Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Tom Henell on Unsplash

Comments on Job 19

The chapter begins with Job responding yet again to his “friends” turned accusers, asking “How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?”.

And he continues by recounting how utterly miserable he has become. Even God seems to have turned his back on him, even persecuting him.

And yet in verses 23 through 27 we see that indeed, Job’s faith in God remains steadfast! He says,”As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives!” Hallelujah!

Let’s take a closer look at the word “redeemer”.

The Hebrew word is “goel”. We see the goel in Joshua 20:7-8 and Numbers 35:12-28, where the cities of refuge were established. In these chapters, goel is translated as the “avenger of blood”. It was almost always the nearest family member who was appointed as goel, and it was It was his responsibility to rightly carry out justice when a family member was murdered.

But it is important to note that Old Testament justice was similar to our justice system: there is criminal law and civil law. The “avenger of blood” dealt with criminal law. On the civil side, the goel is a “redeemer”.

According to G. Campbell Morgan, “The ‘Goel’ stood for another to defend his cause, to avenge wrongs done to him, and so to acquit him of all charges laid against him.”

Steve Lawson put it this way: “A redeemer was a vindicator of one unjustly wronged. He was a defender of the oppressed. A champion of the suffering. An advocate of one unjustly accused. If you were ever wronged, a redeemer would come and stand beside you as your champion and advocate.”

Job was saying that even though he *felt* that God had abandoned him, even though he *felt* that God was wrongly persecuting him, he *knew* that God was his goel, his closest family member, his redeemer, his vindicator. Job *knew* that in the end, God would make things right.

Oh beloved, to have faith like Job! Even in the midst of agony and despair, to know that we do have a Redeemer!

“Remember, too, that it was always considered to be the duty of the goel, not merely to redeem by price, but where that failed, to redeem by power… There are two redemptions, — redemption by price and redemption by power, and both of these Christ hath wrought for us; — by price, by his sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary; and by power, by his Divine Spirit coming into our heart, and renewing our soul.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Jesus is, even now, advocating for you and for me at the throne of God. He *has* redeemed us with His blood. And when the enemy, the accuser brings charges against us, Jesus is there to say, “No! This one is mine, and I have paid the price for this precious one.”

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Transcript

Download .txt file.

Job 19-20: My Redeemer (LSFAB S13E075)

[GRANDDAUGHTER TWO – 0:00]
This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And here’s my grandpa, the OG Godcaster, Steve Webb.

[TEASER – 0:15]
I think that’s the best introduction I’ve ever had on the show. That was my second oldest grandchild. She and her older sister were over at the house last couple of days. We did a lot of Christmas baking and cooking. And then her parents were over last night and we fed the family, and I had a whole lot of fun.

So Bree told you what show this is and who I am. And I’ll tell you that I’m coming to you from Riverside, California. This is a daily podcast and you and I are reading through the entire Bible in a year. I’m glad you’re here. The website is lifespringmedia.com. And this is Poetry Thursday. We’re going to be reading Job 19 and 20 which should have been the reading for last week, but I actually read what should have been today’s reading Job 21 and 22 instead, so by reading 19 and 20 today, we’ll be back on track. Sorry about the mix-up. I’m calling today’s episode “My Redeemer.”

And it’s December 15 so we’ll have Christmas question number 15 sent in by Sandra Kim today. Of course, our Christmas expert James Cooper of whychristmas.com will be answering Sandra in his usual very thorough and informative, and fun way.

But before we read, let’s pray.

[OPENING PRAYER – 1:26]
Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank you so much for your Word. And we thank you for the book of Job which teaches us how we can respond to difficulties that inevitably come into our lives. Teach us today I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Okay, let’s begin.

[JOB 19 (NASB) – 1:43]
Job, chapter 19.

(1) Then Job responded,

(2) “How long will you torment me
And crush me with words?
(3) These ten times you have insulted me;
You are not ashamed to wrong me.
(4) Even if I have truly erred,
My error lodges with me.
(5) If indeed you vaunt yourselves against me
And prove my disgrace to me,
(6) Know then that God has wronged me
And has closed His net around me.

(7) “Behold, I cry, ‘Violence!’ but I get no answer;
I shout for help, but there is no justice.
(8) He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass,
And He has put darkness on my paths.
(9) He has stripped my honor from me
And removed the crown from my head.
(10) He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone;
And He has uprooted my hope like a tree.
(11) He has also kindled His anger against me
And considered me as His enemy.
(12) His troops come together,
And build up their way against me
And camp around my tent.
(13) “He has removed my brothers far from me,
And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
(14) My relatives have failed,
And my intimate friends have forgotten me.
(15) Those who live in my house and my maids consider me a stranger.
I am a foreigner in their sight.
(16) I call to my servant, but he does not answer;
I have to implore him with my mouth.
(17) My breath is offensive to my wife,
And I am loathsome to my own brothers.
(18) Even young children despise me;
I rise up and they speak against me.
(19) All my associates abhor me,
And those I love have turned against me.
(20) My bone clings to my skin and my flesh,
And I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.
(21) Pity me, pity me, O you my friends,
For the hand of God has struck me.
(22) Why do you persecute me as God does,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?

(23) “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
(24) That with an iron stylus and lead
They were engraved in the rock forever!
(25) As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
(26) Even after my skin is destroyed,
Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
(27) Whom I myself ...

S2E075-Job 19-20: My Redeemer