5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass, 6 look away from him and leave him alone, that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day.
Job 14:5–6.
Through the Bible: Job 14-16
As a pastor, I’m keenly aware that I never really get to clock out. If there is a need in the church family at midnight, I’m there at midnight. I’m not complaining. It’s the job, and I love my job.
The same is true with our character and integrity as believers. We don’t punch out at the end of the day and give ourselves a weekend pass.
Sometimes, I imagine what it would be like to be a shift worker in a factory. That when the 5:00 whistle blew, I could be like Fred Flintstone, sliding down the back of my dinosaur and Yabba-Dabba-Doo-ing my way into the weekend. The factory supervisor couldn’t care less what I do in my personal time, as long as I show up on time and do my job.
This seems to be what Job is longing for in 14:5-6. He wishes God would leave him alone, like a hired hand who is done with his work at the end of the day. Job isn’t arguing that God is not sovereign. Job knows God determines his days, and appoints limits for him. He just wishes that God would be a little less intrusive. He wishes God wouldn’t bother with the day to day affairs of men.
This is the Deist view of God. Deism is a philosophical and religious belief that emphasizes the existence of a supreme being, specifically a creator who does not intervene in the universe after its creation. Deists believe that this creator set the universe in motion and established natural laws but does not interfere with human affairs or violate these laws through miracles or divine revelations.
Job wishes Deism was true. That God wouldn’t interfere with us because He’s off the clock too. But Job knows deep in his soul that this is wishful thinking. Ironically, the fact that he is suffering is his proof that God is involved with his life. Job doesn’t understand why any of this is happening, but he refuses to accept that things just happen. Job has too much faith in the sovereignty of God.
God hasn’t changed. He still has His hands on the wheel. You can resent that God is involved in human affairs all you want, but your resentment doesn’t change the fact that God does see. He does pay attention to our lives. So instead of begrudging the fact that you are always accountable for your actions and your behaviors, lean into the beautiful truth that the sovereign Lord never clocks out either. You aren’t just a hired hand to Him. You are a son or daughter.
Job longs for God to look away. The gospel reminds us that God’s steadfast gaze is not a threat—but a gift.
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