(Job 19:25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:The main thing I want to know is: What does it meazn that he shall stand...upon the earth?
Pathway said, " It was Job's conviction that at some later time he will see God and that he will be on his side as a Vindicator or Redeemer. Although I would like to see this passage as referring to the Christ, it seems to me that it is more in keeping with the tenor of the book to think of it as referring to God." I stand corrected! Your example is more likely. Thanks for the input.
There are three questions to be addressed: Who is the Redeemer? What is meant by "the latter day"? What does "stand . . .upon the earth" mean? It is common in the Psalms and Prophets to find God referred to as Israel's Redeemer or Vindicator. Job thinks of God as his accuser and calls Him to witness his innocence. So it is logical to think of God as his Redeemer or Vindicator. The word "day" is not in the Hebrew text so translators have rendered the phrase "at last" or "in the end." The word "earth" can mean "dust" hence one translation renders it: "For I know my Defender exists, and at last will stand over my dust" (The Holy Bible in Modern English). It was Job's conviction that at some later time he will see God and that he will be on his side as a Vindicator or Redeemer. Although I would like to see this passage as referring to the Christ, it seems to me that it is more in keeping with the tenor of the book to think of it as referring to God.
Thanks, I agree. But there are other viewpoints on this. So, I want to make sure that this is the case. :)
“He shall stand upon the earth” is simply a prophecy that the Messiah will do just that – live and walk among us. As for the words, “latter day” we understand the Christian dispensation is indeed the latter day (Heb 1:2). Let’s further examine this in context – remember Job is in dire straits – his friends abhor him, his wife a stranger to him, his children despise him. Yet, while in the depths of despair Job comes up with the keystone prophesy of the Old Testament – that his redeemer lives and he will walk the earth! The whole story of Job is one of God’s ways defeating the evil one. We know now that the redeemer was Jesus Christ and he did indeed walk the earth. In the next verse (v26) Job further prophesies that when he dies he will see God. This is confirmed (and we are assured of salvation) when Paul told the Roman congregation that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom 10:13). We understand this is one of the several steps leading to salvation.