1. The first article in this creed of Job
1. The first article in this creed of Job
Is, that he had, and knew that he had, an interest in a living Redeemer, I know that my Redeemer liveth; [5292] or, as the words may be literally rendered, I know my living Redeemer; by whom we are not, with some Jewish writers, [5293] to understand any mere man, who was then alive, or should hereafter live, and rise up, and plead the cause of Job, assert his right, and defend his innocence; for, as a learned interpreter observes, [5294] the word Redeemer properly belongs to God, and is scarce ever used in scripture of any other, in any sense of it. Some persons may be said to be redeemers, inasmuch as they have been God’s instruments to deliver his people, such as Samson, Gideon, and others; particularly Moses, is said to be “a ruler and a deliverer, λυτρώτης, a redeemer; ” (Acts 7:35) because he was made use of by God for the redemption of his people Israel from Egypt, and was an eminent type of the Redeemer Jesus. Some [5295] think by the living Redeemer, is meant God the Father; and it must be allowed, that he is often called so in the Old Testament; he being the Rock of Israel, and the high God their Redeemer: but then it may be observed, that all the temporal redemptions and deliverances of God’s people under that dispensation, are easily applicable to the Messiah, the Angel of his presence, who in his love and pity redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old; (Isaiah 63:9) and certain it is, that he was spoken and prophesied of, and promised, under the character of a Redeemer, to the Old Testament saints, and as such they expected him; who being come, has by his blood obtained eternal redemption for his people: I conclude therefore, that he is principally designed in my text. There are several things to be considered in this first article of faith.
First, The character of Christ as a Redeemer.
Secondly, The excellency of him as such, aliving Redeemer.
Thirdly, Job’sinterest in him, my Redeemer.
Fourthly, The knowledge he had of this, I know that my Redeemer liveth.