Job is Asking For a Showdown With God

Job 13:17–28
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Job asks to be heard (v. 17). He declared, with a degree of confidence, that he would be justified (v. 18). He could not conceive of a fair argument resulting in His condemnation (v. 19). Job has two desires (v. 20). His first desire was that God would remove His chastening hand and give him relief. His second desire was that God would come to him in such a way that he would not be frightened (v. 21). Then Job turns his attention to God once more (v. 22). He is ready to speak out to God and take the consequences, even though it might mean death. He then asks God for a list of the specific sins that could have warranted such treatment (v. 23). This reminds me of people who say they have  unanswered prayers. There are no unanswered prayers. God always answers prayer, and many times He answers “no.” As I look back over my life and think of the times He has said “no” to specific requests I have made, I am now very thankful He didn’t give me what I asked for.

Job could not understand God hiding His face and dealing with him as an enemy (v. 24). After all, he was as helpless and worthless as a leaf or straw driven by the wind (v. 25). It seems that Job felt that the time had come to settle the matter, even if it meant losing his own life in the process. He then charged God with having written “bitter things,” not because of what he did as a man, but because of what he had done in the immaturity of his youth (v. 26). He seems to feel that he is just rotting away and cannot see any point to his suffering at all (vv. 27-28). He was upset because God was not giving him any reasons for his suffering. He misinterpreted God’s silence as rejection. It was not his actual suffering that bothered him as much as the apparent rejection. However, if God had given reasons, Job’s faith would not have been stretched and strengthened.

Application

God doesn’t have to give reasons for why He allows certain things to happen in my life because He is God and He knows best. I just need to trust Him and seek to follow Him.