“Where Was God When...” (Job 23:3)

“Where Was God When...” (Job 23:3)

Throughout the Biblical record, man has searched for God amid some terrible situations. For instance, where was God when Eve was busy being seduced by Satan (Genesis 3:1-6)? Where was God when Jesus cried out from the cross about being forsaken (Mark 15:34)?

In the passage under our consideration, Job was crying out for justice. He had been wronged. Over and over, he talked of his innocence (Job 6:10; 9:21; 10:7; 13:15-18; 27:5-6; and Job 31). From Job’s cries that he was being done wrong come the cries of every man, woman, and child who sincerely believes that they too have been done wrong. As soon as an injustice occurs, we want justice.

Some say they want justice, as did Job (Job 9:19). And when they don’t get it, on a future occasion when the name of God comes up, or going to worship is brought up, they think to themselves, as so many of us have, “Where was God when...” Consider the following four points:

1. We all have strong convictions.
2. a. Without the Word of God (what God has said), the Bible teaches that all our convictions (ways that seem right) lead to death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
3. b. Even a good man like Job had some convictions.
4. i. He believed in serving God and staying away from evil (Job 1:1).
5. ii. He believed in being the spiritual head of his family (Job 1:5).
6. Our convictions are challenged in times of trial.
7. In the passage under our consideration, Job wants to “have a little talk with Jesus (God).” Job 23:3-4 (NLT) states: “If only I knew where to find God, I would go to His court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments.”
8. i. Where were you, God, when my children were being killed (Job 1:19)?
9. ii. Where were you when the Sabeans were stealing my oxen and donkeys (Job 1:14)?
10. iii. Where were you when the Chaldeans were stealing the camels (Job 1:17)?
11. iv. Where were you when this dreadful illness came upon me (Job 2:7)?
12. Job began his soliloquy in chapter 23, warning his hearers that he was still bitter (Job 23:2) and full of complaints about God.
13. Our convictions become castles against hurt.
14. a. Job was going through what he once feared (Job 3:25-26). His lack of outward, obvious sin and good moral standing did not save him from disaster.
15. b. Though he was not seeking God prior to his hurt, he now seeks God that he might question Him (Job 23:4).
16. c. When God finally answered Job, He began by asking, “Where were you when...” in Job 38:4. Over 60 questions followed. Job could answer none of them.
17. God tears down what keeps us from growing in our relationship with Him.
18. a. Things that don’t aid in bearing fruit are cut off from our lives (John 15:2).
19. b. God removes barriers that keep people from moving forward (Isaiah 57:14).
20. c. The same God who hurts also heals (Hosea 6:1).
21. d. Job confessed that he didn’t fully understand his own situation, let alone God’s role in it (Job 42:2-6).

“Christ First, Christ Only, Christ Always.”