Borrowed Breath

The verbal attacks continue against Job, and in chapter 22, Eliphaz viciously assaults him with groundless accusations of his treatment of the less fortunate. Job once again asks for an audience with God in a self-confident manner. “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge” (23.3-7).

Job goes on and gives us another peek into his heart of faith even in the midst of his misery, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job is confident that the Almighty One is familiar with his path, and that his faith will be put to the test and come out stronger than it was in the beginning. The imagery Job uses here is of gold ore being melted down until the dross is consumed so that all that remains is pure gold. And Job goes on to expound upon it later in chapter 28. He speaks of men mining and searching and digging for precious metals and stones, and how wisdom is not found in these mines, nor can it be bought with the bounty found therein. Wisdom, Job says, is to be prized higher than these earthly treasures. In a tone that is echoed in the book of Proverbs, he makes this statement, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (28.28).