Job 14:15 – “You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In Job 14:15, Job expresses a hopeful longing for God’s attention and care. After wrestling with the idea of death and the finality of life, Job imagines a moment when God will “call” to him, and he will “answer.” Job believes that God, as the Creator, has a deep affection for the work of His hands—human beings. This verse reflects Job’s desire for restoration and reconciliation with God, despite his feelings of abandonment and suffering.
Job is saying that even in death, he hopes for a future where God will not forget him, but will call out to him. There’s a glimmer of faith here—Job trusts that God will not only remember him but will long for a restored relationship with him, because Job is part of God’s creation.
Historical Context
The book of Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible, dealing with timeless questions about suffering, justice, and human mortality. Job, a man of great faith, is suffering from immense loss and pain, and in his despair, he questions why God would allow such hardship. In the ancient world, suffering was often seen as a sign of divine punishment, but Job, a righteous man, challenges this view by maintaining his innocence before God.
At this point in the book, Job is grappling with the nature of life and death, and whether God truly cares for him in his suffering. Job 14 reflects on the brevity of life and the seeming permanence of death, but this verse, Job 14:15, offers a small but significant note of hope. Job acknowledges that as a creation of God, he believes there may be a future moment when God will reach out to him again.
Theological Implications
This verse touches on deep theological truths about God’s relationship with His creation. First, it suggests that God is not indifferent to human beings; rather, He is intimately involved and longs for a connection with His people. Job’s statement that God will “long for the creature your hands have made” reveals a profound truth about God’s love for humanity. God is not distant or detached—He cares deeply for the people He has created.
Second, this verse points to the idea of restoration. Even though Job feels abandoned in his suffering, he still holds onto the hope that God will call him back into relationship. Theologically, this reflects the biblical theme of redemption—no matter how far we may feel from God, He desires to restore us and call us back to Himself.
Literary Analysis
Job 14:15 uses beautiful and intimate language to describe the relationship between God and humanity. The image of God “calling” and Job “answering” is one of communication, care, and connection. The phrase “you will long for the creature your hands have made” conveys a sense of deep affection. It reminds us that God, as the Creator, has a vested interest in the well-being of His creation. The use of the word “long” suggests that God has a personal and emotional investment in restoring His people.
This verse stands out in the midst of Job’s otherwise bleak reflections on life and death. It is a small but hopeful reminder that, despite suffering, God’s care for His creation never fades.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Like Job 14:15, this psalm emphasizes God’s intimate involvement in creating humanity and His ongoing care for His creation.
- Isaiah 43:1: “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’” This verse echoes Job’s longing for God to call him, showing that God indeed calls His people by name.
- John 10:3: “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls His followers by name, fulfilling the hope that Job expresses about God calling and caring for His people.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Job 14:15 offers a message of hope and reassurance. It reminds us that, even in the darkest times of life, God has not forgotten us. He longs for a relationship with us because we are His creation, made by His hands. When we feel abandoned or distant from God, this verse encourages us to hold onto the truth that God will call us back to Him, and we will respond to His voice.
This verse also reminds Christians of God’s personal care for each of us. He knows us intimately because He made us, and He desires to bring us back into fellowship with Him, even when we have wandered away or are facing difficulty.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Job 14:15 speaks directly to the love that God has for His people. Even in Job’s suffering, he recognizes that God is not an indifferent or uncaring being. Instead, Job holds onto the belief that God cares deeply for the people He created. God’s longing for the creature He made shows that His love is enduring, even in the face of human frailty and suffering.
God’s love is also expressed in His desire to restore and redeem His creation. Though Job is in the depths of despair, he clings to the hope that God’s love will not abandon him and that God will one day call him back. This reflects the broader biblical message that God’s love is constant and that He is always working to bring His people back to Himself.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Job’s hope that God will call and remember him finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In Christ, God’s call to humanity becomes clear and personal. Jesus calls each of us by name and offers a restored relationship with God. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). This is the very fulfillment of Job’s longing for God to call and for him to respond.
Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the separation that Job felt from God is healed. Jesus bridges the gap between humanity and God, offering us the opportunity to respond to God’s call and to be restored to Him in a relationship that lasts forever. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This is the ultimate “renewal” that Job was hoping for.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever felt distant from God, like Job? How does this verse encourage you to trust that God hasn’t forgotten you?
- What does it mean to you that God “longs for the creature His hands have made”? How does this affect your understanding of God’s care for you personally?
- In what ways have you experienced God “calling” you back to Him during times of struggle or doubt?
- How does knowing that Jesus is the fulfillment of Job’s hope for renewal and restoration give you comfort and strength?
- How can you respond to God’s call in your own life, knowing that He longs for a relationship with you?