An Aching Abyss...A Plea to an Unkind Friend (Job 31:35-37)

Oswald Chambers wrote, “There is only One Being Who can satisfy the last aching abyss of the human heart – and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.” (My Utmost for His Highest, page 212).

An “aching abyss” – such an apt description of the heart of Job in his mournful cry for his lost Friend.

Job has, in this the last chapter of his speeches, enumerated at least 14 specific sins (ranging from lust to the abuse of his land) and made some exceedingly strong if/then curse statements, “If I have committed this sin, then let this curse overtake me.” (At this point Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar probably began to slowly step away from the ash heap – certain that one of God’s lightning bolts was going to strike Job at any moment.)

Job simply wanted to know the reason (any reason) why such tragedy and affliction have befallen him. “Why have I been thrown into this dark and dank dungeon of pain and calamity when I haven’t even had the courtesy of a trial? I’ve been sentenced…but where’s the indictment?” The Comforters Three were certain of the underlying cause, and in their minds a trial was not necessary. To them the root cause of the ruinous storms in chapters 1 and 2 was as plain as the boils on Job’s face – it was SIN. And just to throw a little salt in the wound of their friend they coldly declared, “Your kids got what they deserved!”

For a while now Job has wanted to take his Friend to court. In this chapter in particular the legal setting has become very apparent. We have:

• The Plaintiff: the one who brings suit (action) in a court of law (plaintiff comes from a word meaning “to complain”). What is interesting is that Job thinks the plaintiff is God, when in fact the “Complainer-In-Chief” is Satan!
• The Defendant: Job
• An Affidavit: a declaration in writing made under oath, for use as evidence in court. Job has, in chapter 31, given us his affidavit and signed it (verse 35, “Behold, here is my signature.”)
• The Jury – Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar? From the opening statements they held up signs in the jury box, “GUILTY!”

What Job cries out for in these verses is:

• An Indictment: a formal accusation initiating a criminal case; a charge or written-out formal accusation of a crime.
• A Hearing: the investigation of a matter by a court of law, especially the preliminary inquiry into an indictable crime.
• A Verdict: the finding or answer of a jury given to the court concerning a matter submitted for their judgment; in Latin its “verum dictum” – meaning “true word” or “truly spoken.”

(The above paraphrased definitions are from www.dictionary.com)

How would we feel if we had been thrown into prison but never had a hearing or a trial or even had the charges against us (the indictment) read publicly? In Job’s mind he has been sentenced (and is in a prison of pain) but hasn’t even been formally charged!

31:35 “Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written…”

Let’s read this verse from two other versions of the Bible. From the Amplified Version, “Oh, for a hearing! Oh, for an answer from the Almighty! Let my adversary write out His indictment and put His vague accusations in tangible form in a book!” And from the Message, “Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing! I’ve signed my name to my defense—let the Almighty One answer! I want to see my indictment in writing.”

Job has signed an affidavit declaring his innocence, now he cries out for a hearing, “OH THAT I HAD ONE TO HEAR ME!” Remember these verses from chapter 23, "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.” (vs. 8-9). To quote Hartley, “It is important to observe that Job does not seek the restoration of his wealth or his family. Instead, he addresses his most fundamental need – a right relationship with God (and his neighbors)…” I can’t on this blog, but if I could I would try to convey the depths of Job’s emotional anguish by writing the following in size 72 Arial Bold font:

I WANT, I NEED, A HEARING!!!

Chapter 31 is Job’s affidavit – he has signed it, and if he has falsified any part of it, he is liable to suffer a torrent of divine curses. He feels he has been sentenced – but there has never been a clear indictment nor a verdict rendered!

Notice these words in verse 35 that give us a glimpse of the turmoil in Job’s heart: the Almighty…my adversary. Remember this verse in chapter 29:4? “As I was in the prime of my days, when the friendship of God {was} over my tent.” But now he sees God as his Adversary, his Antagonist, the One Who judicially opposes him. In his mind he is making a plea to an unkind Friend!

“Why?!?!” punctuates this book from beginning to end; all through this saga Job has only been confronted with vague accusations. He simply wants to meet the Plaintiff in a court of law. Trapp writes, “That the Almighty would respond to me…that He would give a reason why He dealt so harshly with me.” He wants to clearly hear the specific charges against him and then make his defense. Job desperately desires that his case be delayed no longer; he wants it immediately moved to first place on that day’s court docket.

Hartley writes, “Legally, he has demanded that Shaddai answer him….(and) since God has not responded, Job, as defendant, has sworn an oath in order to compel God, the Plaintiff, to file His complaint and then substantiate it. If God remains silent, then the entire world will know that the defendant has been falsely accused.”

Did you catch that? The silence of God would in essence be a declaration of “Not Guilty!”

31:36 “Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it to myself like a crown.”

The Message paraphrases verse 36 this way, “Anyone’s welcome to read my defense; I’ll write it on a poster and carry it around town.”

Adam Clark gives some interesting background to what Job is referring to in this verse, “In one case a large, heavy plank, through which there is a hole to pass the head…with the crime written upon it, rests on the criminal’s shoulders; and this he is obliged to carry about for the weeks or months during which the punishment lasts. It is probable that Job alludes to something of this kind…and, far from considering this a disgrace, would clasp it as dearly as he would adjust a crown or diadem to his head.”

Job could not, according to Barnes, express his innocence in any stronger terms; this verse cries out, “I’M INNOCENT!”

Francis I. Anderson writes, “Far from being abashed, Job is belligerent to the last, eager to have his case settled, confident of the outcome.” Whether Job is “belligerent to the last” or not, one thing is for sure – Job demonstrates a Navy Seal Trainee iron-resolve to the very end.

31:37 “I would declare to Him the number of my steps; like a prince I would approach Him.”

Hartley notes, “Although frustrated at God’s apparent hostility, Job has, throughout the dialogue, kept a high view of God in his thinking.” Perhaps Job has become a little bitter (and perhaps a little belligerent), but he hasn’t stopped believing.

When Job writes, “I would declare to Him the number of my steps,” he is saying that not only has he walked uprightly, but his every step can be thoroughly examined.

And when he says, “…like a prince I would approach Him,” I get the feeling that Job may want to rethink his position. I like Job (I admire his character) but methinks he needs a little lowly mindedness. Take a sneak peak if you will at chapters 38-42. A supernatural F5 Tornado shows up at the ash heap and God in essence says to Job, “Ok Wise Guy, put your pants on and start your princely approach!” I don’t know of too many people who have ventured close to a twister and maintained an upright position.

Conclusion: Finishing his commentary on chapter 31 Hartley writes, “In these chapters Job is a model of how the human spirit can struggle against all aspects of suffering…while God remains hidden.”

The aching abyss of Job’s heart cries out for God to “unhide” Himself. Perhaps the words to this song “More of You” express his longing…

(I couldn’t find a YouTube video of this song to attach a link…if you find one let me know :>))

(by Bill and Gloria Gaither, words by Bill Paxson)

Chorus:
More of You, more of You.
I've had it all but what I need, just more of You.
Of things I've had my fill. And yet, I hunger still,
Empty and bare; Lord hear my prayer, For more of You.

I'm not trying to find just some new frame of mind
That will change my old point of view
For I've been through it all, deep inside nothing's changed, I'm not new,
I'm not seeking a gift or emotional lift but one thing I'm longing to do,
Is to lift up my cup and let You fill it up, with just You.

I have searched all around, in the husks that abound,
but I find no nourishment there.
Now my strength’s almost gone and I feel the pull of despair.
But my thirst drives me on, as I stumble along,
over ground so barren and dry.
But the streams just ahead, living water, ‘Lord fill me.’ I cry.