withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
Job turns from his three friends and speaks straight to God. He asks for a hearing on two conditions, and those conditions show what he cannot bear: the pain, and the terror of facing God while it lasts.
The two conditions
Job names what he needs before he can face God without hiding. One writer takes his request in two halves:
Leslie M. GrantHe asks, "Only two things do not do to me" (v.20). If so, then Job would not try to hide from God. First, "Withdraw your hand far from me." That is, do not keep up this trying affliction, which Job felt he could not stand. Second, "let not the dread of You make me afraid" (v.21). He did not want to be terrified by the contemplation of the glory of God.
The two requests are not one trouble said twice:
William KellyHe says now, "Only do not two things to me; then I will not hide myself from You. Withdraw your hand far from me" — the outward thing — "and let not dread of You" — the inward — "terrify me: then call, and I will answer" — and so he did — "or let me speak, and You answer me. How many are my iniquities and sins?"
Why the dread was the heavier burden
Job's physical pain was real. One writer says the inner terror cut deeper — and rested on a mistake:
Samuel RidoutHere we reach the part of his sufferings that was probably more intense than the physical side. One thing gave a sharpness to his grief: the sense that God's wrath was upon him, that the dreadful poison of His anger was consuming him. We know this was a mistake. God was chastening His poor servant in this way, and that was only another proof of His love. But he did not know it, and we should not be harsh with one who felt that the Lord was dealing bitterly with him.
A right note, quickly lost
The plea does bring Job to the right question — but he does not stay with it:
Arno Clemens GaebeleinRelieve me from the sufferings, withdraw your hand far from me, which rests upon me; and let not your terror make me afraid. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer me (verses 20-22). Then once more the right note, the note he must sound to the full in his wretched misery — "How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sins." But it lasted only a moment. He breaks out in fresh charges against God.
Commentators read Job's state here with sympathy but not approval. One notes that Job asked only for a break from the pain, and did not yet see what the pain was doing in him:
William KellyHe asked only for a reprieve from suffering, and that His dread should not overwhelm him; he wished to find out all that was wrong in himself, and begged to know why he was driven to and fro like a leaf or dry stubble. He did not yet know the grace that was giving him self-judgment.
What Job was really asking for
Earlier Job had wished for a "daysman" — a go-between who could lay a hand on God and on him at once. One writer sets that wish beside Job's plea here:
J. N. DarbyYou see Job could not answer God, and he is struggling under this: what does he say he wants? "Neither is there any daysman between us that might lay his hand upon both." Oh, I have no daysman! "Let him take his rod away from me and let not his fear terrify me." What Job said he did not have is exactly what we have now in Christ. Was Christ a terror in this world?
The answer Job received
Later in the book a fourth speaker, Elihu, arrives after the three friends fall silent. He opens by granting Job the very terms he had asked for:
Samuel RidoutHe reminds Job of his own desire for such a person: "Oh that someone would plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbour" (Job 16:21). To this desire Elihu now replies: "I am here in God's place, just as you wished; I also am formed out of clay. My terror will not make you afraid, and my hand will not be heavy on you" (Job 33:6-7).
But the answer came with a correction Job had not asked for:
William KellyIt was quite true that Job hid no such wickedness as his friends hinted at. But it was completely false to think God had no reason. He had the wisest reasons for withering self in Job's eyes.
Summary
- Two things. Job asks God for two things: lift the hand that is crushing him, and take away the dread that terrifies him. One is outward, the other inward.
- The dread is worse. The sense that God's anger was against him hurt worse than the physical pain. That sense was wrong: God was chastening him in love.
- The wish behind the wish. What Job lacks is a go-between who can touch God and touch him at once — a hand that is not heavy.
- Right for a moment. In the same breath he asks God to show him his sins. That is the right note. But he drops it and turns to fresh charges against God.
- Granted, and more. Elihu answers on Job's own terms: no terror, no heavy hand. What Job said he did not have, commentators say, we now have in Christ.