Job and his buddies were in agreement about some stuff. As I read Job 31 this morning, out of the gate Job makes a couple of statements that I think his debating cohort would have said, “Yes and Amen!” to.

Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust
and misfortune to evildoers?
Does [God] not see my ways
and number all my steps?

(Job 31:3-4 CSB)

God sees my ways — all of them. God numbers my steps — each of them. Don’t think any one around the table was taking issue with that.

And they probably would have aligned to Job’s first point as well, though they would have been wrong. Disaster doesn’t come only to the unjust. Misfortune isn’t only for evildoers.

And as I noodle on Job’s assertion, I think about how far he’s come (or digressed) in the last 30 chapters. Back in chapter 1 it’s Job who, with torn robe and shaved head, worships and declares, “The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). In chapter 2, even after his mental suffering is compounded with physical suffering, Job is still able to reconcile his personal integrity with God’s painful incursion, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10b).

So, what’s happened over 30 chapters (more accurately, over 7 days of silent suffering and then who knows how many hours of back-and-forth verbal abuse)? What’s happened is that things haven’t gotten any better nor have they started to make any more sense.

What’s happened, I think, is that as Job continues to endure the excruciating “what” of his suffering, his comforters have forced him to also engage the agonizing “why” of his suffering. And if suffering is the just outcome of the sinner, reasons Job, then God’s not just because that ain’t me. And Job’s right . . . at least about the “that ain’t me” part.

As Job runs through his resume of righteousness in Job 31, you know he’s not padding the story to make himself look better than he really is, nor is he merely bragging in order to put himself on a pedestal. Everything that Job claims marked his life is what you’d expect of someone who God Himself has declared repeatedly to the spirit realm, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8 CSB).

So, Job makes his case again before his friends. He rehearses the case he’d make before God if God were “man enough” to meet with him. And if God weren’t ready to step into the courtroom and chime in with His reasons why and His purposes wherefore, then Job says, in effect, I’ll take somebody, anybody who is ready and willing to listen.

If only I had someone to hear my case!
(Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me!)
Let my Opponent compose His indictment.
I would surely carry it on my shoulder
and wear it like a crown.
I would give Him an account of all my steps;
I would approach Him like a prince.

(Job 31:35-37 CSB)

Let’s do it, says Job. Bring Your best case and I will crush it with my most accurate defense. Just tell me what this all about so I can tell You back why I am to be counted among the just. I’m ready. If only I had someone to hear my case!

To be sure, Job crosses the line — again! — when it comes to addressing the Almighty, Holy, Sovereign God of Creation. But I think I can kind of get it. There’s no relief from his suffering in sight. There’s no clarity for the reasons for his suffering in sight. And there’s no respite from the accusations as to why he’s suffering in sight. So, a frustrated Job laments, If only I had someone to hear my case!

Oh, that Job had known what we now know. Oh, that Job might have known who we now know, Jesus! For then, there could be found some rest from his sufferings.

Oh, that Job had known about a heavenly High Priest who “had to be like His brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God” (Heb. 2:17). One who is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” because He too “has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15 CSB). One who could hear my case, because He has Himself experienced my case.

There is Someone. Someone who will hear my case. Someone who will present my side. Someone who will be my advocate. Someone who “is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25 CSB).

Someone who’s grace is sufficient. Someone enabling us to endure for God’s glory.

Amen?