MY DEFENDING COUNSEL
In my heart I know that my vindicator lives and that he will rise last to speak in court; and I shall discern my witness standing at my side and see my defending counsel, even God himself, whom I shall see with my own eyes, I myself and no other. Job 19:25-27, N.E.B.
There are few places in all of Scripture where one can find such a vivid, confident, and intensely personal portrait of God, wrapped into one sentence, than this expression by Job. All who have, like Job, felt accused, abandoned, and misunderstood will appreciate every nuance of this picture of our Father. It is particularly powerful when seen in contrast to Satan's portrait of God.
Satan has asserted that God relates to His people as an accuser. Being a perfect God who holds high standards, He can respond only with judgment against such obvious sinners as we are. But Job has a special title for Him. He speaks of God as "my vindicator," as one who not only announces forgiveness but who defends Job against all others who would accuse him.
Those who have had a case pending in court remember their apprehension about the summary arguments of the opposition. They worry that if their adversary has "the last word" they will have no chance for rebuttal and will lose the case. Job, however, is confident that his vindicator will have the last word, the final summary statement on his behalf. He knows that his accusers will have nothing more to say when God puts forth His final evidence.
As Job imagines the heavenly courtroom, he does not see himself standing alone and exposed before all the officials. With transparent warmth, he describes his heavenly advocates as "standing at my side." Of all the places God could position Himself, there is a touching message in His choice to show solidarity with His troubled friends.
No wonder, then, that Job could speak of God with the endearing term "my defending counsel." He did not regard God as though He were merely a court-appointed defense, going through the motions required by law in order to "make things proper." Job felt a deep, personal interest on God's part in a happy outcome for himself.
That's why God could speak so highly of Job, seeing him as one that could be counted on not to fail, even under the most trying circumstances. That's what happens to our faith when we know God as He is!
In my heart I know that my vindicator lives and that he will rise last to speak in court; and I shall discern my witness standing at my side and see my defending counsel, even God himself, whom I shall see with my own eyes, I myself and no other. Job 19:25-27, N.E.B.
There are few places in all of Scripture where one can find such a vivid, confident, and intensely personal portrait of God, wrapped into one sentence, than this expression by Job. All who have, like Job, felt accused, abandoned, and misunderstood will appreciate every nuance of this picture of our Father. It is particularly powerful when seen in contrast to Satan's portrait of God.
Satan has asserted that God relates to His people as an accuser. Being a perfect God who holds high standards, He can respond only with judgment against such obvious sinners as we are. But Job has a special title for Him. He speaks of God as "my vindicator," as one who not only announces forgiveness but who defends Job against all others who would accuse him.
Those who have had a case pending in court remember their apprehension about the summary arguments of the opposition. They worry that if their adversary has "the last word" they will have no chance for rebuttal and will lose the case. Job, however, is confident that his vindicator will have the last word, the final summary statement on his behalf. He knows that his accusers will have nothing more to say when God puts forth His final evidence.
As Job imagines the heavenly courtroom, he does not see himself standing alone and exposed before all the officials. With transparent warmth, he describes his heavenly advocates as "standing at my side." Of all the places God could position Himself, there is a touching message in His choice to show solidarity with His troubled friends.
No wonder, then, that Job could speak of God with the endearing term "my defending counsel." He did not regard God as though He were merely a court-appointed defense, going through the motions required by law in order to "make things proper." Job felt a deep, personal interest on God's part in a happy outcome for himself.
That's why God could speak so highly of Job, seeing him as one that could be counted on not to fail, even under the most trying circumstances. That's what happens to our faith when we know God as He is!
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