Today’s reading: Job 11:1-14:22
My selection: Job 13:15
Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.
My reflections: Zophar weighs in last of the three would-be comforters of poor Job. He varies from the first two commentators only in the intensity of what he says. God is punishing Job less than his guilt deserves. On the other hand, if Job will just do the right thing he will experience unimaginable blessing.
Job again pushes back. His friends are not saying anything he doesn’t know already. But he needs better answers. There is something missing in this whole discussion, and that is the wisdom of God.
So Job, in 13:15, knows that God can kill him and that He may kill him. Yet his hope is in the Lord. There is no one else to look to. Nevertheless, he will lay his case before God. Trust in God does not mean we understand all He is doing. Trust in God does not mean we will never cry out to Him for answers. Trust in God means that, even though He slays us, we will not forsake our hope in Him.
There is a parallel here to Peter’s words to Jesus in John 6. After many of Jesus’ former disciples had left Him, He asked the twelve, “do you want to go away as well?” Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
My challenge: Settle it now. Trust Him, hope in Him, though He slay you.
Tomorrow’s reading: Job 15:1-18:21
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