The conclusion of Job’s interaction with his three friends. A discussion that covers chapters 3-31, lasting perhaps several days, with a growing number of people observing and listening.
Job ends with a series of self-imprecations; “if I have done this, may God curse me.” This is a form of prayer used elsewhere in the OT (e.g: 1 Sam 12.1-4).
The chapter has a small section in parenthesis (v35-37); “Oh, that I had someone to hear me! … like a prince I would approach him.” Job bemoans God’s apparent silence.
And then a comment about crops and weeds.
And then silence.
It is as if Job is interrupted. Perhaps he had more to say but decided not to. ‘I have said enough. Lord, your turn!’
Earlier Job described huge changes in his life. “How I long for months gone by” (29.1) when he was highly respect in his community (29.7-25). His suffering brought unpleasant change – “now they mock me” (30.1) “Now their sons mock me in song” (30.9).
Life can be like that. An abrupt change of direction. Plans altered by an expected event. A new direction but someone else seems to decide that direction for us.
Yet God is in this. He is in the old season. And He is in the new season. Job is clear – everything, whether seemingly good or bad, is from God. If we think that there is another source, a different origin, then that does not help. Who can we pray to if life is simply a series of random events?
Our ultimate confidence is in God who is truly Sovereign.