Job 16:11-12 (& vv. 18-19)
‘God has delivered me!…. I was at ease, but He has broken me asunder!…. Oh Earth, don’t you cover my blood!…. Also now — behold, my witness is in Heaven!…. My record is on high!’ Job 16:11-19.
Job’s previous prayer (14:13-15) for a second life hereafter, was now supported. It is a martyr’s death he thought he should die. This faith sent forth a bright confidence beyond death.
He rose to the assurance that he could not remain unrecognized for ever. His innocent blood would appeal to Heaven with an unceasing cry, till it found a response (16:18).
Even now, he had a Witness Who would testify for him — God Himself as He is in Heaven. And to this Witness, he now made his appeal. In God Himself, Job yet hoped to find a Witness. Even this side of death, Job appealed from God — to God.
Job lifted his face to God — God as He is in truth, and as He must reveal Himself in the future. Job begged that God would uphold his right, as he now felt he was being brought to death.
He beseeched God to give him a pledge then — that, after his death, He would make his vindication apparent. Fate, which Job thought was bringing him to death, could not always prevail.
He would die, but his blood would cry out for reparation — filling Heaven and Earth with its voice, until he be vindicated. He had a Witness in Heaven Who would testify for him. And he appealed to God, to do justice to him. Job would die. But his hope was in the grave, and beyond.
Job reached out his hand to the distinction between the God Who presently pursued him unto death — and the same God of the future, Who would yearn again toward His creature as the work of His Own hands. This God of the future, was God as He truly is.
God would not allow obloquy to overwhelm His creature for ever. Job’s blood would utter a ceaseless cry for reparation. And he had, in Heaven, One Who would witness for him.
Yes, Job’s present afflictions — so he then thought — would bring him to the grave. But he appealed to Heaven for vindication. He cried out for reparation.
If Job’s blood was to cry out for reparation until it found it — there must be Someone to take up the cry and see reparation made. Job was assured he already has such a Witness in Heaven.
‘Even now, behold my Witness is in Heaven — and He Who vouches for me, is on high!’ (Job 16:19). Jesus Christ, my Advocate and my Sponsor (First John 2:1). For ‘the righteous…shall hold on to his way; and he who has clean hands, shall be stronger and stronger (Job 17:9). Yes, God had broken Job asunder. But the Son of God would soon fix him!
