Job 9:26-35

26 My life is going fast, like a ship under full sail, like an eagle plummeting to its prey.
27 Even if I say, 'I'll put all this behind me, I'll look on the bright side and force a smile,'
28 All these troubles would still be like grit in my gut since it's clear you're not going to let up.
29 The verdict has already been handed down - 'Guilty!' - so what's the use of protests or appeals?
30 Even if I scrub myself all over and wash myself with the strongest soap I can find,
31 It wouldn't last - you'd push me into a pigpen, or worse, so nobody could stand me for the stink.
32 "God and I are not equals; I can't bring a case against him. We'll never enter a courtroom as peers.
33 How I wish we had an arbitrator to step in and let me get on with life -
34 To break God's death grip on me, to free me from this terror so I could breathe again.
35 Then I'd speak up and state my case boldly. As things stand, there is no way I can do it.

Job 9:26-35 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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.