Job 13-14
Dear RTB’ers,
Job continues his response to Zophar from yesterday. Job is tired of hearing his friends smear him; he suggests that they will have a difficult time when they themselves appear before God. Even though Job was blaming God yesterday for all his troubles, he maintains his faith. I really appreciate this one verse: Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face. (v. 13:15) He still wants an audience with God. Job is not arguing that he is sinless. But he does not believe that any sin that he committed is worthy of the troubles that he is enduring. He wants God to tell him what he has done wrong: How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. (v. 13:23)
In the next chapter, though it is not totally clear Job seems to be yearning to die. The chapter provides an excellent discourse on the topic of death, especially contrasting nature’s “death” with man’s. He also seems to be accepting the fact that no mediator, no audience with God is possible, so he will simply live out his miserable existence until he dies: All the days of my struggle I will wait until my relief comes. (v. 14:14) As with my earlier close, Job is not a happy man.
Blessings!
See also: