Read Job 13
13 “My eyes have seen all this,
my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies;
you are worthless physicians, all of you!
5 If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.
6 Hear now my argument;
listen to the pleas of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
Will you speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show him partiality?
Will you argue the case for God?
9 Would it turn out well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
10 He would surely call you to account
if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you?
Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 “Keep silent and let me speak;
then let come to me what may.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
and take my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless person would dare come before him!
17 Listen carefully to what I say;
let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,
I know I will be vindicated.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?
If so, I will be silent and die.
20 “Only grant me these two things, God,
and then I will not hide from you:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me,
and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then summon me and I will answer,
or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
Show me my offense and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face
and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf?
Will you chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write down bitter things against me
and make me reap the sins of my youth.
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;
you keep close watch on all my paths
by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
28 “So man wastes away like something rotten,
like a garment eaten by moths.
Go Deeper
When someone we care about is struggling, we want to help. Often that help comes in the form of a solution.
“Have you tried _______________?”
“You should _____________!”
“If you had done __________, then this would not have happened.”
While problem-solving or offering perspectives can be helpful at times, Job 13 cautions us against this approach as a default response. This is the approach taken by Job’s friends, however, it does not prove helpful. So, what should we do? How can we be helpful in the midst of others’ suffering?
First, we admit humility and avoid prideful advice. In verses 1-2, Job declares that he knows what the friends know, he is not inferior to them. If offering advice, we must do so humbly, refraining from condescension, and turn our efforts to encouragement. We do not have an exclusive deal with God. Prideful advice is a form of judgement, and judgement is not helpful or loving to the suffering. Jesus declared, “For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world,” in John 12:47.
Next, we acknowledge we are not God. This sounds simple, but in our efforts to make earthly sense of situations, we often rely on our human reasoning and proclaim it as truth. In verses, 7-12, Job admonitions the friends for speaking for God, and we must be careful not to do the same. We like to have answers, but we are not God. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God declares “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”
Finally, we sit in the silence. Job declares, in verse 5, “Oh that you would be completely silent, and that it would become your wisdom!” When others suffer, they need sympathy and support, which often sounds like silence. We give them space to grieve, provide permission to be honest, and validate their difficult emotions. We remind them of God’s love through our love.
Job calls us to set aside what we know or think should be done in moments of others’ suffering. He begs us to sit in the quiet moments with others’ pain, acknowledge we don’t have the answers, and simply admit we don’t have any words, but we have His love to share.
Questions
- Recall a time when you went through suffering. What words or actions from others, while good-intentioned, were not helpful?
- When you underwent suffering, what words or actions from others proved helpful and encouraging?
- Who is someone you know going through a time of suffering right now? How can you show God’s love to them today?
Keep Digging
For more information on how to help others in the midst of suffering, read this article titled “When Your Friend is Suffering and Sinking” from The Gospel Coalition.
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10 responses to “Job 13”
“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;…”
Job 13:15
Amazing Worship Song by Shane and Shane with John Piper:
YouTube Video:https://youtu.be/qyUPz6_TciY?si=1RTu0ks3t-IlKVQD
Desiring God Website:https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/though-you-slay-me
Reading Job has helped my thankfulness for Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for me.
BUT GOD being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:4-5.
But also the evil one, satan, the adversary is still out there roaring, seeking whom he may devour. So we have to be on guard at all times!!!! Our attitude of believing God is a threat to the evil one and all his attacks. He is always trying to make us stumble and convince us that God is the source of our suffering and the BIGGEST lie he is trying to convince us of is that God doesn’t love us. But that is a lie and therein lies our battle like Job.
The age old question of “If God is so good, why does He allow suffering in this world?” Well the answer is God does allow suffering, actually he promises it in His word. God is present during trials, promising not to let believers be consumed by their struggles (Isaiah 43:2). He offers comfort to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18-19). The present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the future glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18). There are purposes for all things.
GOD LOVES YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JP’s sermon this past Sunday is a good one. He explains this well.
God thank You. You have blessed me and all who are reading this with ALL spiritual blessings. We as the believers have to believe it with all our hearts!!! God thank You for guiding me to Your word to help me worship You with all that I am. God I give You praise, honor glory and so much thanksgiving for all Your grace and mercy You give me. Thank You for this day, these minutes, that You are my first thoughts. God help me to be Your hands and feet with all I say and do today in these minutes in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes! Amen!
15 “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.“
When we are in relationship with someone where the love, the respect, and intimacy is unquestionable, we can have raw, authentic conversations with that person.
From this passage, I see that Job has a deep relationship with God that allows him to be so transparent to Him.
Agree, Erik!
In response to question 2, in 2003 within 6 months both my parents were called to their eternal home in heaven. It was an excruciatingly debilitating season. Unlike Job’s friends, my friend, Shana, walked this grief journey with me in profound ways. Although she lived 6 hours away, she checked in on me often with texts/phone calls, with no advice but just to show she cared. One day a large box arrived in the mail. Inside were small, individually wrapped gifts that were to be opened one day at a time over the next several weeks. Each one was carefully chosen with a handwritten note and scripture reminding me of who I was in Christ. Then she gave up a week of her personal time to come stay with me. It’s forever etched in my memory of being tenderly cared for.
That’s lovely!
When Advocacy Means More Than Comfort:
Speaking Up for the Suffering
If you haven’t picked up on it by now, I’ve had a lot to say about “what not to say to the suffering.” There’s a reason I keep beating this particular drum.
Over the past several years, my family and I have been through some REALLY hard stuff — along with lots of “good-intentioned” words that were REALLY unhelpful.
Not being the “suffer in silence” types, we’ve shared our story pretty freely — and found people to be equally free with their responses.
And here’s what I have since concluded:
The worst part of suffering, beyond the actual suffering itself, is dealing with the things people have to say to you about it… while you’re right in the middle of it.
Sadly, some of the most hurtful things I’ve heard have come from my fellow Christ-followers.
That’s pretty surprising, right? After all, we’re talking about people (like me!) who mean well and care deeply. People of sincere faith, biblical literacy and dedicated spiritual discipline. Mighty prayer warriors. Passionate lovers of God. People of profound compassion who care tremendously for the body of Christ.
So of COURSE we want to express concern, share wisdom, offer encouragement. I can’t imagine any of us ever mean to hurt someone we’re trying to help.
But sometimes, just like Job’s well-educated, well-meaning friends, we can respond really badly.
The most difficult exchanges I’ve had have been with the following:
THE EXAMINER
“WHAT happened?”
Before they said anything else, the Examiner tried to “process the problem.” Their first instinct was to get “all the details” by asking a lot of very specific questions. And while that may have helped them become better informed, it did NOTHING to make me feel any better.
I felt subjected to a cross-examination — when what I really needed most was compassion.
The Examiner focused on efficiency over empathy.
THE ACCUSER
“HOW did this happen?”
Like some of Job’s friends, The Accuser appeared judgmental — because I made them fearful. It soon became apparent they felt threatened by my suffering: “If this could happen to HER, it could happen to ME.”
So what may have sounded like an innocent question held implicit accusation: “How could you LET this happen?”
While they were truly concerned about my suffering, they were just as concerned with their own safety. So they reacted with “protective theology.” Blame as a barricade.
All this explains how I ended up on Team Job, rooting for him every time he speaks up and pushes back. And whenever he bears witness to the unbearable injury of being assessed and accused, I can point to my own scars.
It’s why I keep taking up his very loud and insistent chant:
“Please hear this now!
I need you to know.
I’m determined to make you understand.
I’m really, REALLY hurting.
And You’re. Not. Helping.
What’s more — you’re making it WORSE.”
Believe it or not, I said as much (just a bit more politely) to the two friends I described in the examples above. And you know what? They actually appreciated my candor. It helped them know how to be truly helpful – which is what they were trying to do all along.
Sometimes the best thing for the sufferer isn’t the “right” response.
It’s protection from the wrong one.
Very helpful. Thank you.
You are most welcome, Erik. I appreciate that more than you know.
This was a tough story to share – because it’s been a really tough story to live!