Job 13:21 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Job 13:21

Comments

First Job asks that God’s hand or power should be removed from him. Let God end his extreme suffering, because this makes it impossible for him to speak to God. He finds it impossible to address the Lord when all he can see is providences that speak to him only of disapproval and anger. Closely related to this is second request: that God would take away the sense of dread that inevitably comes when a mortal man comes into the presence of God. Job anticipates that if the hand of the living God, who is infinite in understanding, whose majesty is high above the heavens, who is holy and separated from all sin to an extent that is beyond our understanding; if the hand of such a God were to be placed upon him without restraint, then is would destroy him. Therefore let God not allow the dread of his being to fall on Job, otherwise all communication between them of the sort that Job wants would be impossible. Job wishes to ask God questions almost as if he is an equal, while at the same time he knows that God is anything but an equal. Given these conditions, Job is confident that he will be able to give a proper answer when God calls on him to make his defence. He will be able to defend his integrity without being overcome by God’s glory. The way he puts it, he believes that it is right to separate the two things as if God’s glory is not necessary to teach us about our righteousness. But God’s glory and the dread that it produces in us is not an accident. It is calculated to help us understand how much greater he is than us and therefore prepares us to evaluate ourselves soberly and with realism.Alternatively, he says, ‘Let me address you with questions and then you respond.’ In spite of his exalted description of God, he fails to anticipate what it will be like to come before the Lord, for when in chapter 38, the Lord finally answers him, his response is very different and he chooses to remain silent.

Application

‘We see that when we desire to be heard by God, it must not be in order to bring excuses as though we were not at fault, and as if we could lessen our offences or rather make them nothing at all: but it must be to enter into the knowledge of them, yes, and in such a way that we may be utterly thrown down, and acknowledge that there is no other remedy for us, but to flee to God’s goodness’ (Calvin – English updated).

Questions

Was it right that Job should ask for this? The problem was that even in asking, he wanted the relationship between himself and God to change, but that great difference between man and God is instructive, for it teaches us to fear God. It is not wrong for man to ask God questions (although he must always be prepared for God to refuse such a request) for the Psalmist also asks questions – ‘Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?’ (Psalm 10:1) – but it certainly matters in what spirit we ask. Our asking may be a thinly veiled complaint, and may carry with it a criticism of the way God treats us. That must never be the case and we must always ask as those who are convinced that God knows best.

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Purpose

Introduction

Job 13:21 Commentary and Bible Study