NOTES for Job 13:2-3

Answering his friends, Job tells them directly that they have said nothing to him that he did not already know (vv. 1-2). But he also says that he would like to address not them, but God (v. 3). Indeed, it is completely clear that no one but God could answer the questions Job has asked. Job calls his friends liars who would do better to keep silent; that is where their wisdom would be shown (vv. 4-5). He has clearly understood that all his friends' speeches were prompted not so much by a desire to help as by fear of the questions he had raised. Such deceit, of course, cannot be needed by God, and it would be no surprise if Job's friends were punished by God for insincerity where it has no place and must have no place (vv. 6-13). As for himself, Job says that he is at least no hypocrite, for a double-minded person would hardly dare to demand a meeting with God in the way Job demands it (vv. 14-16). He repeats again what he has already said: he is ready to answer before God, but he demands judgment, not lawless reprisal. He asks God a question as if to an equal, and demands an answer (vv. 18-22).

At first glance, such a position looks at least impious, but Job clearly understands that the only way to obtain any answer from God is to put the question bluntly. Calling God to judgment, Job is, as it were, saying to Him: if You have any concern at all for man, if the righteousness of the righteous person is worth anything in Your eyes, then You must not silently watch what is happening. If I am sinful, Job says, then show me my sins so that I too can see them; otherwise, why do You hide from me and consider me Your enemy (vv. 23-24)? You pursue me, though I am nothing before You, Job says to God, but that is not an answer to my question (vv. 25-28).

Job's words seem daring, but in essence he only wants to cry out until God hears him, to reach the God who, as Job has always been sure, would never leave a righteous person to the mercy of fate. If God is not like that, then there is no one and nothing to hope in; but Job does not believe this. He wants to try every means and use every opportunity to reach the living God, who would answer him instead of simply driving him through the world as the wind drives dry leaves. Job is not frightened by death; he is frightened by a God who has no concern for people. And he is ready even for death, if only he can be convinced that God is not like that.