Job 9:12-22

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.
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.
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.
22 This is all one thing. Therefore I said it: `He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.'

Job 9:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.

Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.