Job is convinced he is innocent, despite the increasingly hostile responses of his "friends." He begins to get an idea. Justice demands a trial. In 9:15, Job states, "Though I am innocent, I cannot answer (God. For He is far too powerful.) I must appeal for mercy to my accuser."

Zophar is the "friend" who is the most blunt. Unlike Eliphaz, he makes no attempt to soften the blow of his words. "God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves." (11:6)

Job is reaching the breaking point. No longer just an idea at the back of his head, the trial -- the opportunity to plead his innocense before God -- now becomes a necessity. Job even is willing to risk life and limb: "See, He will kill me..., but I WILL defend my ways to His face." (13:15)

When bad things happen to good people, when the righteous suffer -- and I see it every day -- we demand justice, we require fairness on God's part. Even two year olds understand the idea of fairness with the cry "It's not fair!" The idea of indescriminate suffering we cannot fathom. So our demand for justice comes out in the form of the "why" question -- Why is this happening, God? The implicit idea beneath the question is that there is some good answer which will make us say, "Oh, now I see." Just as implicit in Job's demand for a trial is the idea that he can successfully defend himself, and make God say "Oh, now I see."

Job will get his face to face with God later in the book. But the result of his "trial" will not be what he expects.