Job 13

Job 13:1-28

Job begins by pointing out that all the “profound wisdom” of his counselors is common knowledge; he knows it as well as they do, and he isn't inferior to them.

In verses 3-12 Job berates his companions, saying they are worthless, and on top of that, they make two other errors. Their first error is that they should consider if they want God's examination of their lives. Second, they have set themselves up as God's defenders. Here is an application for us. We are at times offended and distressed at the disrespectful ways that some people treat God. We become so agitated that we feel we must set these folks right. And in so doing we make ourselves God's defenders or advocates. When we do this, it is easy to become graceless and harsh. We might win the point or the argument but lose the witness or the opportunity to lead people to know God. God doesn't need us to defend Him; instead, He wants us to represent Him. His nature is loving and gracious, and that needs to be the ultimate expression of our lives.

Verse 15 is one of the great passages of the book. In the midst of suffering, we find a great statement of faith. For all that Job gets wrong, he gets this right. Job’s two requests (verse 20) reflect a faith that, even if battered and at times confused, looks in the right direction. Job asks for a reprise from his suffering and that the terrors of God will not overwhelm him. Misguided as he may have been, Job wants to take his case to God. Certainly Job may have overstated his righteousness, and clearly he felt his suffering was disproportionate to any evil he had done. But even though misguided, he still wanted to go toward God. In the midst of brutal suffering, more than a few people have turned away from God. Some will never seek Him or consider Him again. God isn't afraid of our honest heartfelt misery. In the midst of it we must seek Him. 

"Lord, help me to never presume to be your advocate or defender. AMEN"