Job 13 Study Notes

13:16 If the Lord allowed Job to appear before him, it would be proof of his uprightness.

13:17-19 Job was convinced of his innocence (9:15).

13:20-21 Job contended that if he were not oppressed (hence the appeal, remove your hand from me) or terrified (the typical reaction to being in God’s presence; see Ex 20:18-19; Is 6:1), he might be able to state his case convincingly.

13:22 Job applied the call-answer motif, expressing a desire for help or communion (Ps 102:1-2) in his situation (Jb 9:16; 12:4; 14:15). He longed for renewed fellowship with God either at God’s invitation or Job’s petition.

This root in Akkadian means “die out, waste away.” Balah indicates something is old and worn out, especially clothing (Dt 8:4). Sinners, the heavens, earth’s foundations, and all mankind will wear out like a garment (Jb 13:28; Ps 102:26; Is 50:9; 51:6). People become worn out (Gn 18:12) and bones become brittle (Ps 32:3). Intensive forms take objects: God wears away flesh and skin (Lm 3:4). People spend their days (Jb 21:13) and fully enjoy, or wear out, the work of their hands (Is 65:22). Evildoers oppress others (1Ch 17:9). The related Aramaic bala’ describes an end time king oppressing God’s holy ones (Dn 7:25). Balah shows bodies wasting away in Sheol (Ps 49:14). Baleh (5x) describes worn-out, old, and threadbare items (Jos 9:4-5), and women worn out by adultery (Ezk 23:43).

13:23 Job remained confident that he was suffering innocently (9:21; 10:7).

13:24 Idioms involving God’s face can indicate the Lord’s approval or blessing (Nm 6:24-26; 2Ch 30:9) or his disapproval and judgment (Ps 143:7; Jr 21:10).

13:25 In striking similes Job reminded God of his frailty as a human. Dry straw is often used metaphorically for something easily scattered (Ps 83:13; Is 40:23-24; Jr 13:24) or consumed in God’s fiery judgment (Nah 1:10).

13:26 Job believed that he should not still be paying for the petty iniquities of his youth.

13:27 Job complained about God’s constant scrutiny and mistreatment of him (7:19-20; 9:17-18; 10:4-5). Like an enemy prisoner, he was shackled and guarded, leaving him without freedom of movement.

13:28 Job again reminded God of the brevity of life (7:6; 9:25; 10:20). As rotting food, decaying wood, or a moth-eaten garment becomes useless and worthy only of being destroyed, so Job was wasting away toward his inevitable end. Although the similes are phrased with regard to a person in general, Job clearly intended an application to his specific situation.