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Job is fully convinced that the legal method he initiated in Job 9 is bound to fail. God may simply ignore Job's complaint or, if God chooses to answer, he will probably blow Job away through a tempestuous appearance. Why, then, when these are Job's realities, does he continue to use legal metaphors and invoke legal process, especially in Job 13, 23 and 31? What is it about law that continues to feed Job's hope?

Consider the Alternatives

One ready answer is that Job continues to entertain the legal model because of the poverty of his alternatives. He feels that his friends don't understand him. The variety of emotions that he explores, such as anger, bitterness, resentment and grief, might give a temporary relief or even a surge of energy to him, but they provide no lasting framework to deal with the continuing hurt. I think Job maintains his legal strategy because at least it holds out the possibility of an eventual conversation with God. When push comes to shove, Job wants restored intimacy with God (14:13-17), and the legal method may be the means for establishing the conditions for that restoration. In language derived from the psychobabble of the 1980s, Job just wants to get God talking; he can do the rest.

Returning to Law--Job 13

Job mentions the hopelessness he feels when he considers coming together with God at trial (9:32-33). But, the more he entertains the idea of such a conversation (continuing in 9:34-35), the more he seems to receive energy from that thought. As Clines points out in his commentary, "But, strangely enough, the mere contemplation of a nonexistent possibility has in reality injected a resilience into Job (Job 1-20, p. 244)." That sense of resilience returns in Job 13.

He says to the friends, "But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God (13:3)." Job is aware of the possibilities of divine irrationality, as in chapter 9, and so he says to God, "Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face: withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me (13:20-21)." As long as God establishes the minimum conditions for effective communication, Job will be ready to speak confidently. "Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me (13:22)." Job wants to make it easy for God. 'Pick your method, God,' he says. 'I will speak first and you can answer, or you can speak first and I will respond. I am ever ready at your service, God.'

Winning the Case

But people go into law not simply to talk, though there may be more truth to that statement than I am currenly allowing. They also want to win for their clients and themselves. And so Job states his hope: "I have indeed prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated (13:18)." Law seems to be a calming mechanism for Job, a means by which he can still the raging tumult within and focus on his future. Law provides a proleptic victory for Job, a way to restore his battered crown and his tarnished ego even before he is pronounced right. On his better days, then, law gives him a song in the night.

Fear Returns

In words of tremendous power and evident frustration, Job also realizes the danger of his venture. After all, God is still God, the raging, out-of-control God who caused all this havoc. Thus, he says to the friends, in contemplation of approaching God, "I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand. He may slay me; I am without hope. Yet I will defend my conduct to his face (13:14-15--Clines' translation)." The battle rages within, but law continues to provide a source of comfort and a mode of thinking for Job.