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In these remarkable words Job was not anticipating a mere temporal deliverance from his afflictions, but expressing his confidence in a higher deliverance, connected with another state of being, and involving his immortal happiness.

I. THE GLORIOUS CHARACTER HE CONTEMPLATES. A "Redeemer." The word is used of the Blood Avenger (Goel) of ancient times. The title of "Redeemer" is used by the prophets as an appellation of Jehovah, and with peculiar adaptation it is appropriated to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom, it is stated, we have redemption. With propriety and force the Mediator between God and man is invested with the name of our "Redeemer." The Mediator was unquestionably the revealed and acknowledged object of faith and hope in patriarchal ages. The future Messiah was the being now contemplated by Job when he spoke of a Redeemer.

II. THE IMPORTANT TRUTHS HE STATES. The first refers to the actual state of the Redeemer, — He "liveth," or "is now living." To His being, no commencement, however remote, can be assigned. We conceive that the patriarch was now rendering a specific ascription to Him, as essentially "the living One," and was acknowledging Him in that attribute of absolute eternity which furnishes so immovable a basis for the confidence and joy of the saints throughout every period of the world. The second of these truths refers to the future manifestation of the Redeemer. "He shall stand (arise) at the latter day upon (over) the earth." We consider this a prediction of the last day. The clause means, "He shall arise in triumph over the ruins of mortality." From the certainty of that event, Divine truth derives the appropriateness and the efficacy of its appeals. In what manner, and with what feelings, do you look towards the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ?

III. THE PERSONAL HOPE JOB INDULGES. These remarkable words are strong affirmations of a personal interest in the grace and redemption of Him who at the latter day is to appear in His glory as the Judge; and are an anticipation of eternal happiness then to be awarded and enjoyed. The expressions furnish several remarks.

1. Death must be uniformly suffered before the happiness of true believers can be completed.

2. On the arrival of "the latter day," the bodies of believers will be raised in a state refined and glorified.

3. Believers, in their state of restoration, will enjoy the presence and friendship of God forever.

IV. THE ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE JOB ASSERTS. "I know." These expressions of certainty by the patriarch arose from no equivocal impulse. We who are now numbered among the heirs of promise, tell to the world that we have the same confidence too. "We know in whom we have believed."

(J. Parsons.)

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KJV: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

WEB: But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth.