December 17, 2021 – “By the Skin of My Teeth” — Job 19:20-27 

“My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! Why do you, like God, pursue me, never satisfied with my flesh? “O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever!  

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” Job 19:20-27 

“By the skin of my teeth:” This unusual phrase obviously has no physiological origin, meaning that our teeth do not have actual skin. But most people will probably be surprised to its origin. The Geneva Bible, first published in 1560, translated Job 19:20 as such, and the idiom’s meaning was used in much the same as it is now. Subsequent English bible translations relate it as either something similar, as in the NRSV translation above, or referencing the gums rather than literally skinned teeth. 

Job of course is reacting to the calamity that has come upon him — he has lost all or most of his property, his help, and his family. A closer reading of the entire book is necessary to truly understand the “game” that seems to be taking place between G-d and “the Accuser” (Satan). But Job, after escaping death by the “skin of his teeth” soon pronounces this profound statement of faith: 

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. 

Job was taught that G-d was as much a “living Redeemer” as G-d was a presence only in the heavens. Job knew to look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come; he comforted himself with the expectation of these. Job was assured, that this Redeemer of sinners was his Redeemer, and to expect salvation through him. And though he had not yet come in the flesh, one day, on the last day, this Redeemer would stand upon the earth and complete the redemption of his people – and if G-d is the G-d of amazing Grace, then we will not make it to heaven just by the “Skin of our Teeth”. 

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, you are the Redeemer, and you will come again in the “end of days”. Give us the peace and solace that takes away our fear and forms our faith. Amen. 

Pastor Dave