Job 9
 How can a man be just before God?
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Text
Explanation
The first of a two-chapter speech by Job
 1 ¶ Then Job answered and said,
.2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? 
 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
 4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
  It is so Job agrees with Bildad's arguments, at least in part. See jb0803.
  Just with God? This is an essential question. Job recognizes that God is just but he feels insecure. See ro0326.
  Cannot answer ... one "He (man) would not dare, even if he had a thousand answers in readiness to one question of God's, to utter one of them, from awe of His Majesty." (JFB Commentary)
 5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
.6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
 8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
.9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. 
.10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

  5 - Removeth the mountains There is evidence of great seismic activity at the time of  and after the flood ge0711 and the activity will be again re0614. This may be symbolic but it is also literal.
  6 - Shaketh Job was may have witnessed an earthquake or the Holy Spirit may have impressed him re1618.
  6 - Pillars This would be an apt description of a shaking earth. There is no reason to believe that Job thought the earth was held up by pillars although a misunderstanding here would not be a problem. He described what he had seen and felt. There was no doubt that God was active.
  7 - Sun ... riseth not The One who created these bodies from nothing should have no problem controlling their movement. ha0311, jos1012, 2ki2009.
  10 - Past finding out The human mind cannot match the mind of God. Still we can explore the wonders of God and continue learning what God has made for us and shown us!
 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
.12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? 
 13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
 13 "God will not turn back his anger; beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab" (RSV)
 13 "God will not withdraw His anger, The allies of the proud lie prostrate beneath Him." (NKJV).
  11 - See him not "The image is that of a howling wind (Isa 21:1). Like it when it bursts invisibly upon man, so God is felt in the awful effects of His wrath, but is not seen (Joh 3:8). Therefore, reasons Job, it is impossible to contend with Him." (JFB)
  12 - Who can hinder him See jb1110, jb1213. Job's response to troubles is jb0121.
  13 - Proud helpers Literally as in the RSV. God is in control of more than humans.
 14 ¶ How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
 15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
 16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
.17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
  15 - Not answer "Though I were conscious of no sin, yet I would not dare to say so, but leave it to His judgment and mercy to justify me." (JFB)
 18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
 19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
 20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
 21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
  21 - Though I were perfect ... Literally, "I am perfect, [yet] I do not know myself; I abhor my life." We are responsible to abide in Christ day by day jn1504, is2609. Although we may have assurance of salvation, only Christ is the judge.
.22 ¶ This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
 23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
.24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
  Destroyeth the perfect and the wicked We cannot know a person's character by how God treats him, or allows him to be treated. Assuming to know is judging lu0637.
 25 ¶ Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
 26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. 
 27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
 25 ¶ "Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good.
 26 They pass by like swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey.
 27 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and wear a smile,'
 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
 29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
 30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
.31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
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 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. 
 34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
 35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
  32 - He is not a man God still seemed distant. Today we can understand because of the life and death of Jesus Christ ph0206, he0101. Marvelous gift of life.

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