Job 13:22

"withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid."

Key Reflection

In Job 13:22, Job pleads for God to distance Himself, both physically and emotionally, so that He would no longer terrify him. This verse captures the intensity of Job's suffering and his desire for relief from the overwhelming presence and fear that God's involvement in his life has brought. For a modern reader, it highlights the deep anguish Job experiences, contrasting his plea for space with his earlier assertions of trust and faith in God’s justice and wisdom.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Then call thou, and I will answer -Call me to trial; summon me to make my defense. This is language taken from courts of justice, and the idea is, that if God would remove his calamity, and not overawe him, and would then call on him to make a defense, he would be ready to respond to his call. The language means, “be thou plaintiff in the case, and I will enter on my defense.” He speaks now to God not as to a judge but as a party, and is disposed to go to trial. See the notes atJob 9:33-35. Or let me speak, and answer thou me - “Let me be the plaintiff, and commence the cause. In any way, let the cause come to an issue.

More from Job 13

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