Job 9:13-23

13 God does not hold back his anger. Even Rahab's helpers bow humbly in front of him.
14 "How can I possibly answer God? How can I find the right words [to speak] with him?
15 Even if I were right, I could not answer [him]. I would have to plead for mercy from my judge.
16 If I cried out and he answered me, I do not believe that he would listen to me.
17 He would knock me down with a storm and bruise me without a reason.
18 He would not let me catch my breath. He fills me with bitterness.
19 If it is a matter of strength, then he is the mighty one. If it is about justice, who will charge me with a crime?
20 If I am righteous, my own mouth would condemn me. It would declare that I am corrupt even if I am a man of integrity.
21 If I am a man of integrity, I have no way of knowing it. I hate my life!
22 It is all the same. That is why I say, 'He destroys [both] the man of integrity and the wicked.'
23 When a sudden disaster brings death, he makes fun of the despair of innocent people.

Job 9:13-23 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.

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