“For he is not a mortal, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand on us both. If he would take his rod away from me
“Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face: withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.” (13:20-22)
He calls God out and implies he’s been convicted by God before his trial: .....��
Job pleads that God allow a member of the Divine Council to be his advocate, to do what is fair and uphold the rights of a mortal:
“Even now, in fact, my witness is in heaven, and he that vouches for me is on high. My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, that he would maintain the right of a mortal with God, as one does for a neighbor. For when a few years have come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.” (16:19-22)
But in this last line we see that it must be done before Job's death. The judgment he demands is in this life before he goes to where he cannot return - “down to Sheol, to sleep with his ancestors” as the biblical idiom goes.
“O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! For I know that my redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth