Job 23-24 - "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

LINK: Job 23 & 24

by Katrina

BACKGROUND

Job 23:1-12 - Job wants to talk to God, but he can't seem to find him. He knows that before his suffering began, he was upright before God, keeping His word. And Job knows that "when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job knows he's in the furnace by God's hand, and that he will come out on the other side purified and a better man.

Job 23:13-17 - Job recognizes God's sovereignty and that God can do whatever he wants with Job. So being in the presence of Almighty God is a frightening idea.

Job 24:1-17 - Job says that it seems like God is unjust, because He permits such wrongdoing in this world without punishing the one who is the criminal, abuser, cheater, liar, violent, adulterer, thief, etc.

Job 24:18-24 - Job pronounces a curse, or malediction, on the wicked. May they vanish and be forgotten. May they have no heirs, and may their sense of security and success be destroyed.

Job 24:25 - Job says to his friends, "Now just try to prove me wrong!"

These chapters reflect the frustration Job is feeling. He is confused about his situation and has some real questions. He doesn't understand what God is doing. His suffering might be more bearable if he only knew why he was suffering. He would repent if he knew the charges against him. He is hurt by his friends' condemnation. He tries to make them understand that God, justice, life, etc., aren't all so cut-and-dried as they think they are. He wants to talk with God, yet is afraid to be in God's presence. He wants God to clear his name and explain why all of this has happened to him. He had to be experiencing a great deal of turmoil in his heart and churning in his stomach.

PRAYER

Lord, you know our doubts, and you remind us that you will never leave us or forsake us. You understand our pain, because you suffered greatly. We don't understand your ways, but you assure us they are higher than our own. You know that we are weak, yet it's in our weakness, that your power may dwell. We don't like to be in the refining fire, Lord, but purify us, and when you have tried us, we will come forth as gold. Amen.