Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Job 13 Devotional

No Lies on God's Behalf

“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.”Job 13:15 (BSB)

Job turns on his friends with a startling charge. They are smearing him with lies, like worthless doctors (13:4). Worse, they are speaking falsely on God's behalf, as if God needed a dishonest defense (13:7-8). Job warns that God himself would rebuke them for it (13:10), and at the end of the book, God does (42:7).

God is not honored by arguments that bend the truth to protect him. Job would rather bring his real case straight to God than accept comfortable lies about him. Even if God takes his life, Job will keep hoping in him and still make his case before him (13:15). He asks God to lift his hand, to call so that Job can answer, and to show him his sins (13:21-23). Then he asks why God hides his face (13:24). The chapter holds hope and bewilderment side by side without resolving either. God does not need us to defend him with half-truths. He can be approached honestly, even with questions we cannot yet answer.

To think about: What honest question have you been avoiding bringing to God because it felt too unsettled?

About Job 13: Job Appeals Directly to God

Job tells his friends their arguments are useless and false, and he warns that God will judge them for defending Him dishonestly. He resolves to keep trusting God even at the cost of his life, and he asks God to stop terrifying him, name his sins, and answer him.

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