Another Horror When We Consider the Divine (Job 11-14)

With Zopher, we begin to see that we are going to get a bit repetitive. Especially, when we remember that this is just the first of three cycles of discourse from the friends. Zopher is less patient than the two proceeding men. He calls on Job to repent and get it over with. God has clearly been gracefully incomplete in His punishment, and Job can still be restored. 

Job’s response is again to all the friends who have spoken, not just Zopher, and then, again, to God. And it is, again, more of what we have seen. 

What is worth highlighting here are a couple of statements from Job. One, because it is frequently taken out of context and quoted to mean something it does not. And the other because it bears more frequent reference. 

First is the statement of Job in 13:15: 

“Though He slay me, 
I will hope in Him…” 

People often cite this as an inspiring example of faith. “I am going to trust in God, even if He lets me die!” But that is not what Job is saying here. In the final line of the triplet, the intent is clearer: “Nevertheless, I will argue my ways before His presence.” Job is going to give God a piece of his mind. And it might cost him his life. Job is upset that he is suffering despite the fact that he can’t think of what he could have done wrong. And, he wants to let God know that he is mad at God. He is going to argue that he feels unjustly treated! That is hardly the devout thought that people apply to the statement. 

Secondly, is the incredible statement in 13:20,21: 

“Only two things do not do to me, 
Then I will not hide from your face: 
Remove your hand from me, 
And do not let the dread of You terrify me.”

Job’s prayer is two-fold: for God to never take his hand away from Job. He want’s God’s presence with him always. And Job wants to never be overwhelmingly terrified by the awesome dread that God inspires. Fear of the Lord is a characteristic of the people of God throughout the Bible. We like to forget the fact that God is someone who inspires fear. He is awesome, overwhelming, and powerful. He is holy, and just, and incompatible with our sinful rebellion. It is interesting here that Job prays that he will not be terrified by God. Maybe that should become a more regular part of our prayer; that we can maintain the understanding of the “fear of God” without becoming terrified by the implications!