Hiding form God’s Power and Wrath - Job 14

 Job 14:13 (ESV)

13 Oh that you would hide me in Sheol,

that you would conceal me until your wrath be past,

that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!

Hiding from God’s Power and Wrath

Job, as we know, is in a tight space.  He is between the proverbial rock and a hard place.  His belief prior to his family, business and health deterioration was the God was approachable.  He knew of the possibility of God’s wrath and knew, somehow, that God would be appeased via offerings and sacrificial worship.  In the beginning of the story of Job we see him worried that his children, after days of feasting, MIGHT have offended the righteousness of God.   Note his reaction to that very thought:

Job 1:5 (ESV)

5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

Job “continually” approached God with offerings.   Yet, now in the midst of his pain and suffering, throughout chapter 14, speaks about finding a place to be spared from God’s wrath and punishment.  In Job’s pain he no longer feels God is approachable.   We will later read, at the end of the story, that God, indeed, is powerful, mighty and above our approach.   God will tell Job this personally (chapters 38-42).  

Job 38:4-7 (ESV)

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

7 when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

In the midst of pain and suffering we can often feel like Job.  We can feel like God is distant and His wrath is real, because we think we are feeling it.   Job does well to be in fear of God.   But, he too is without the story.   God is indeed active in his life.  Not for the reasons Job thinks, or Job’s three friends think.   But, God is active in his life.  God does allow suffering in our lives (even if we are innocent like Job).  Why?  Note the writer of Hebrews thoughts on this:

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

In Job 14:13, Job is looking for relief from the presence of God.  He believes death will give him that.  Job is in a state of deep depression.  He wants his life to end.  He believers that in “Sheol” (the grave) God will leave him alone.    He will later come out of this depression, however.   

Job 23:10 (ESV)

10 But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

This is Job’s life now.  In the midst of pain and suffering he sees no hope (the theme of chapter 14).  Yet, there is hope.   In the end, God knows!!  God is fully in charge.   We do well to fear Him.  But, our fear is that of awe and reverence and not fright and flight.   God is actively engaged in our lives. There is no hiding from Him.  But, we should not try to hide as God has our best interest at heart.   As we go through the suffering and trial we will come out as gold.  

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.