Job 14:15
Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
Original Language Analysis
תִּ֭קְרָא
Thou shalt call
H7121
תִּ֭קְרָא
Thou shalt call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 6
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ךָּ
and I will answer
H6030
אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ךָּ
and I will answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
לְֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
to the work
H4639
לְֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
to the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
4 of 6
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
Cross References
Job 13:22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.Job 10:3Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?Psalms 138:8The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.Job 7:21And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.Job 10:8Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.1 Thessalonians 4:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.1 Peter 4:19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern deities were often portrayed as capricious or indifferent. Job's vision of God longing for His creatures presented a radical alternative—a personal God who desires relationship with His creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God desires us change how we relate to Him in suffering?
- What does it mean that the sovereign Creator longs for the work of His hands?
Analysis & Commentary
'Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.' In this hypothetical resurrection scenario, God will 'call' (תִּקְרָא, tiqra) and Job will 'answer' (אֶעֱנֶה, e'eneh). God will 'desire' (תִּכְסֹף, tikhsof—long for, yearn) 'the work of [His] hands' (מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ, ma'aseh yadekha). This beautiful image portrays God longing for His creatures, desiring restoration of relationship. It echoes the Father running to embrace the prodigal (Luke 15:20) and anticipates God dwelling with redeemed humanity (Revelation 21:3). Job glimpses God's heart—not a stern judge eager to condemn but a loving Creator yearning for His handiwork. The Reformed emphasis on God's electing love undergirds this hope.