|
|
Job 19 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The most magnificent phrase in this chapter shines in verses 25-26. It is so surprising and unexpected. Job has lamented for many chapters now, and wished death upon himself. In this chapter, he concludes that all he can really do is speak. He’s lost everything. There is no rational reason for him to have restorative faith.
The big question that has puzzled scholars is, what is Job actually talking about here? Is he prophesying that he will be physically restored when he sees God?… or, is he talking about spiritual restoration in Heaven? Is he even talking of his own restoration?… or, is he speaking to the restoration of Christ one day? Some of the greatest minds have taken different sides of the fence on this one.
No matter what, I believe one fact is certain – Job’s response was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
There is no other explanation. I don’t believe in his flesh that he had this in him. I don’t believe that as he’s gone on and on now for chapters about his torment and suffering that he would be able to muster up such a beautiful, accurate, and hopeful string of verses.
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27 NASB
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. He intercedes according to the will of God. We must believe this! Way back in Chapter 1, I wrote this…
“Can saving faith be broken in those who are God’s children? Satan certainly thinks so, and it was not the first time (leading angels to rebel with him in Revelation 12) and would not be the last (see the disciples being sifted in Luke 22) that he would challenge this thought.”
The truth is, he challenges this thought today. The enemy is challenging Job, but I believe that saving faith cannot be broken in those who are God’s children. The Holy Spirit will not allow it. This doesn’t mean we sit back casually and let the Holy Spirit do His thing. It’s an active call to patient endurance, perseverance, and relentless faith. The Holy Spirit did not abandon Job and He will not abandon true believers. This should give us great hope in being able to face and overcome anything that would seek to destroy us. He intercedes for us according to the will of God. Don’t forget that!