Reflections

¹⁸“Behold now, I have prepared my case;
  I know that I will be vindicated.
¹⁹“Who will contend with me?
   For then I would be silent and die.
²⁰“Only two things do not do to me,
   Then I will not hide from Your face:
²¹Remove Your hand from me,
  And let not the dread of You terrify me.
²²“Then call, and I will answer;
  Or let me speak, then reply to me.
²³“How many are my iniquities and sins?
  Make known to me my rebellion and my sin. Job 13: 18-23

Job wants to plead his case before God.  Job does not believe that he has done anything wrong that would cause God to punish him.  Job spends the next several chapters justifying himself and accusing God of turning His anger and wrath toward Job.  Job’s friends argue that Job must have sinned and must repent so that God would restore his health and wealth.  They tell Job that God would not punish an innocent man.  They also tell Job that he cannot condemn God and justify himself.  However, Job continues to claim his innocence and requests to argue his case before God.  If Job has done something wrong, then Job wants to hear it from God directly.  Job tells his friends that they are in no position to judge him or point out his sins.

Job is wrong to believe that God is the cause of all his problems.  He is also wrong in thinking that God is angry with him and that he has lost favor with God.  Job is righteous and innocent but not because of what he has done but because of God.  Deep down Job knows he cannot justify himself before God but still he wants to know why God has turned on him.

Have you ever felt this way?  Have you ever felt like God has forsaken you and you wanted to know what you have done to lose favor with God?  Job never lost favor with God.  God did not forsake Job.  After Job’s lament and his friends’ arguments, God finally answers Job.

Next:  God’s response.