Sharper Iron — There Is a Redeemer - Job 13:1-28: Job Asks for His Day in God's Court

Job continues his response to Zophar, saying that he is aware of the things Zophar has said. What Job desires is an audience before God in the heavenly courtroom. Job knows that his friends are speaking falsely for God, attempting to defend God without knowing His will. Job, on the other hand, puts his hope in God even as he wonders if God is his enemy. Crying out in suffering, Job wants to speak with God, and he wants God to speak with him.

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 13:1-28.

To learn more about Glory of Christ Lutheran, visit gloryofchrist.org.

“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Job 13:1-28

Job Continues: Still I Will Hope in God

[1] “Behold, my eye has seen all this,

my ear has heard and understood it.

[2] What you know, I also know;

I am not inferior to you.

[3] But I would speak to the Almighty,

and I desire to argue my case with God.

[4] As for you, you whitewash with lies;

worthless physicians are you all.

[5] Oh that you would keep silent,

and it would be your wisdom!

[6] Hear now my argument

and listen to the pleadings of my lips.

[7] Will you speak falsely for God

and speak deceitfully for him?

[8] Will you show partiality toward him?

Will you plead the case for God?

[9] Will it be well with you when he searches you out?

Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?

[10] He will surely rebuke you

if in secret you show partiality.

[11] Will not his majesty terrify you,

and the dread of him fall upon you?

[12] Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;

your defenses are defenses of clay.

[13] “Let me have silence, and I will speak,

and let come on me what may.

[14] Why should I take my flesh in my teeth

and put my life in my hand?

[15] Though he slay me, I will hope in him;

yet I will argue my ways to his face.

[16] This will be my salvation,

that the godless shall not come before him.

[17] Keep listening to my words,

and let my declaration be in your ears.

[18] Behold, I have prepared my case;

I know that I shall be in the right.

[19] Who is there who will contend with me?

For then I would be silent and die.

[20] Only grant me two things,

then I will not hide myself from your face:

[21] withdraw your hand far from me,

and let not dread of you terrify me.

[22] Then call, and I will answer;

or let me speak, and you reply to me.

[23] How many are my iniquities and my sins?

Make me know my transgression and my sin.

[24] Why do you hide your face

and count me as your enemy?

[25] Will you frighten a driven leaf

and pursue dry chaff?

[26] For you write bitter things against me

and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

[27] You put my feet in the stocks

and watch all my paths;

you set a limit for the soles of my feet.

[28] Man wastes away like a rotten thing,

like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).