In the wake of Bildad’s second speech (Job 18)—a terrifying description of the darkness, entrapment, and utter destruction awaiting the wicked—Job lamented. He returned his focus once again to how God had destroyed him in every way. He mourned his lost hope and the feeling of being trapped in his circumstances (Job 19:10,12). He lamented that he was a physical wreck and that all of his household—relatives, guests, servants, and even his own wife—now despised him (vv.13–19,20).
In other words, Job’s extreme suffering continued. But now it was interlaced with crushing social abandonment. Nevertheless, what Job said next stands as a radical alternative to despair:
“But I know that my Redeemer lives” (v.25).
A “redeemer” was a family member who bought back persons or property that had been lost to the family due to poverty. We know the practice well from the selfless action of Boaz, when he redeemed the property of Naomi’s family and married the widowed Ruth. We know of the redemption and deliverance of God’s people Israel from their enslavement in Egypt. And we remember how Isaiah repeatedly called the Lord “God of Israel,” “the Redeemer,” and “the Holy One of Israel.”
Job’s own declaration about God is woven within this same rich tapestry of faith. Having just said that his own relatives, or “kin,” had completely deserted him, Job fully affirmed that his “kinsman-redeemer,” his God, would not fail to rise up to vindicate and buy him back. “But I know” tells us something about Job’s confidence in God—so much so, that he asked that his words be inscribed as a witness for the future (vv.23–24)—and so they were!
Job’s profound vow of hope continues on as he proclaims that he will see his Redeemer:
“Even after my skin has been destroyed,
yet I will see God in my flesh.
I will see him myself;
my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger.
My heart longs within me (vv.26–27).”
Perhaps he was echoing the symbolism of dust from Genesis 3, or maybe he anticipated restoration from his present illness (2:8;7:5). Regardless, his words are telling: he knew God would remain faithful. The bottom line is this: Job affirmed that he would see God. He was clinging to the truth that he knew. Seeing his Redeemer was what Job wanted more than anything else, and indeed he did, as we will read later in the book (ch. 38–41).
The beauty of this beloved passage lies in a paradox. On one hand, we see the ambiguity of never really knowing how or when our pain, suffering, and weariness will end. But on the other, we see Job’s fierce, unwavering hope. Hope compelled him forward, re-anchoring and recentering him to his faith. May we learn to do the same. Let us trust in the name of the Lord, relying on Him alone (Isaiah 50:10).
Elaine A. Phillips received a BA in social psychology from Cornell University, an MDiv from Biblical Theological Seminary, and an MA in Hebrew from the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, where she and her husband, Perry, studied and taught from 1976–79. She holds a PhD in rabbinic literature, and teaches Biblical Studies at Gordon College. She also serves as a historical geography field instructor for Jerusalem University College. She has published a commentary on Esther in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; a devotional book, With God, Nothing Is Impossible; and, most recently, An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts.
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43 thoughts on "Bildad’s Second Speech and Job’s Reply"
For I know that my Redeemer lives! My heart cannot truly grasp the immensity of that truth in this season. It means so much more that I can understand nor see.
Lord i thank you!
How comforting, knowing in the midst of suffering, that my Redeemer lives!
Encouraged by this. At times we suffer and it seems no one understands or they try to fix it. However, we serve a redeemer who fully understands. He knows what it is like to be betrayed, abandoned, doubted and mocked. He felt all these things throughout his time on earth and on his way to the cross. He went so that this life could be redeemed. Job was pointing his finger at God but he still knew that his way was sure and that the present suffering would be redeemed.
Job stating that he knows he redeemer lives is so powerful! He is so sure that he will see God and nobody can tell him otherwise! I feel like Job right now! There’s been a lot going on in the world but I have so much never ending hope. Many people think that I’m being to positive and that this suffering that has been placed upon us is eternal. But I know in my heart that OUR redeemer lives! The Lord will end our suffering I know it. People can write my word down that’s how sure I am. And when this all ends those who have denied me and turned away from God will realize that he always had it taken care of.
Praying for a hope that will re-anchor and re-center faith, especially for my coworker who lost her faith a couple of years ago when her adult son unexpectedly passed. I would truly appreciate any advice on how to continue to walk with her during this time and still trying to redirect her faith to Christ. It’s a blurry line to walk between validating her pain and maintaining the goodness of Gods sovereignty.
This whole study has been uplifting to me, but this particular day of study struck a deep chord. My dad is about to go on trial next week and the last year and a half of his court dates and how all this has affected my family and our lives has been devastating and harsh, at times. I’m thankful for my Redeemer who lives. I don’t know how else I would survive without Him and my sweet husband and friends.
For I know that my redeemer lives…words like water to an already springing garden.. I love You God. And I love all you ladies. I try to read every post and pray over your needs and the comfort of those that have lost loved ones. I’ve experienced a lot of pain- like many of you- but the joy after that pain is unimaginable. Let us stay in faith in trusting God to our fullest – just like Job did. OUR REDEEMER LIVES!!
Trusting in the Lord to do his work requires faith and grace! Thank god for giving both.
My redeemer lives!!! No matter what I face I have the victory from the one who rescued me, from the one who validates me
After reading this devotion and scripture of Bildad and Job`s response. I am comforted by Job`s response, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. ” I am dealing with loosing my job and and rebellious teenager. He was once into going to church and worshipping God. But now he is being influenced by things of world. I am praying for God to touch his heart and bring him back to God.
I am praying for your son and your job situation. Re your son, hang onto the promise from Proverbs: Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Been a few days behind. But after reading Bilada`s second speech an
I am so sorry. . . that question mark was not supposed to be there. I need to just go to my computer and not try to do this on my phone :(
Elaine, thank you for your easays this week. They have all been so well written and helpful.
In the darkest hour Job had yet faced he remembered God and confidently stated that His Redeemer lived. He served a living God who had not abandoned him. His friends and family may reject him. But God remained faithful. He would be rescued and he would see God. What a convicting statement!
Have any of y’all noticed on the comments that some of them say 10 months ago? I also noticed it on some of the other days. So far the message from Job is one of hope in suffering. That Job could say I Know My Redeemer Lives says a lot considering his situation.
Racheal, your comment reminded me of this song: https://youtu.be/xckDgX8xNfg
I had a stillborn baby girl. I also had a miscarriage. I will pray for the families.
My husband may be about to lose his job next week, and we are currently waiting to hear, and I have been sending the lord telling me to hold on. Loving this bible study reminding me that through the storm he is lord of all, and inspiring me to be more like Job in bringing the glory to him.
There is much that I do not understand about this long season of difficulty that I am in. It wearies me to try to analyze all the possible reasons and all the possible scenarios of how it may work out. It is better to use my time recalling what I DO know : God loves me. He sees. He knows. He cares. He is my vindicator. He executes justice. Romans 8:28 is my anchor in this storm.
This this this!!!
I loved the way yousaid that! Acknowledge the truth of the situation and then go to the source for strength?m
V.26-27 really striked me this morning. No matter what this life brings us our fate is to meet God face to face. To know and be known by Him.
As I read daily the study on Job I am encouraged every day. I am encouraged by the devotions of the authors of this SRT. He lived a very hard life, yet remain faithful to God. I know it must’ve been so hard for him. I know it must be hard for those of us facing trying times. I don’t know when my current trying time will end BUT I do know that my hope is in my God, my JesusWho is walking this journey with me. I know that I know that I’m not alone. I trust HIM.
❤️
Thank you Lovelies for your intercession and advice for Emily. We have been seeking both medical and psychological help this week. Please pray we can find a Christian psychologist. Thankful for this community of gracious women. Praying for all of you. Praying for Allison and her family. Praying for you and your family Angie.
Let us lean on our God!
Praying for Emily. May you, LORD God direct their paths to the right therapist and trust Your promptings their hearts.
Job’s speech reminds me of the description of Jesus in Isaiah 53:3 “A man familiar with suffering, rejected by men.” Yet Jesus continued to obey his Father’s will and became the redeemer for any person who believes in him – Jesus is the Redeemer that Job describes.
I love seeing Jesus through out the Old Testament!
I cannot agree more! It’s so powerful and amazing to see how Jesus is very much present even in the Old Testament!
This past week our church buried two of its saintly women. Our pastor’s wife’s niece gave birth to a full-term 11 pound stillborn baby boy. The niece of another couple, a 17 year old girl, is dying of breast cancer after a long, courageous battle. But God. When hope disappears, when reason becomes unreasonable, and faith wavers, God is still God. He sees, knows (best?), and is still on His throne. My hope is built on nothing less than (His Son) Jesus…
Verse 2
When darkness hides His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Verse 3
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
and then verse 4
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
Songwriter(s): Edward Mote, William B. Bradbury
I pray it would be so with us all. Blessings ladies…
We can only lean in on God. Remembering His words and trust who He says He is and who we are to Him. I pray for your hurting church and those precious families that they are comforted by the presence of God and godly friends who can just ‘be’ with them in their grief.
My heart longs for the eternal peace. In this world and life I pray for it, have some kind of sense of it but truly long for more of God. In times of scarcity and fear and longing I feel God the most. Recently I bury myself in His word. And hope it lasts, because I know like someone said the other day, dry seasons will come. Lord we wait. We wait upon you.
❤️
I am sorry to hear of little Mary Elizabeth passing..
Praying for the family, especially Allison and Ryan whose days look bleak right now, but as Job declared… ‘our redeemed lives’ God is with them walking alongside and holding them close. He will never fail them..He promises. He is truly faithful..
Will continue to lift this shattered family up in prayer.. sending love wrapped hugs and prayers…x
May Allison and Ryan look forward to a day when they will again see baby Mary, perfect and whole. May they rest in the knowledge that God created Mary, loves her, and she is with Him. When their arms ache in emptiness, I pray they will find peace and comfort in a Savior who loves both Mary and each of them. Lord and Savior we lift your children to You.
Today we find out the results of my mother-in-law’s petscan for her stage 4 cancer. Is chemo an option or is it too late? And yet, for this god-loving woman, she rests in truth like Job: God is, nothing happens outside of his choice to allow or not. God loves, therefore, we will trust and rest in him. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. A gateway has been opened for His children to come home and spend eternity with Him. We will see Him face to face. The One, the Only, our God.
Thank you to all who have been praying for Allison, Ryan, and baby Mary. Mary passed away yesterday afternoon. We are so thankful that they got to bring her home and be with her for a little while. Please pray for them as they begin to navigate this hard, hard road.
This devotion was so perfect for this time. Hope – it is so important to our well-being. As I was reading this I kept singing the old hymn “The Solid Rock”
“My hope is built on nothing else but Jesus’ love and righteous.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.”
Be blessed today!
Kathy: When our baby son died, this verse gave me comfort: psalm 94:17. “Unless the Lord had given me help, I soon would have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘Mu foot is slipping, your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” This is true. I wasn’t sure God would be enough to get us through, but He was more than enough.
Becky, thank you for this verse. I’m going to share it with Allison and Ryan.
❤️
I will see God. Oh that day! Some days I envision myself dancing around his throne and other days I long for the day I can fall, facedown, before his mighty throne and feel his hand of grace on my head as he leans done acknowledging my sorrow. Like Job, my heart longs for both.