Job 9:1-4

Job

1 Then Job replied:
2 “Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
3 Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?

Job 9:1-4 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.

Cross References 7

  • 1. S Job 4:17; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:20
  • 2. ver 32; Job 40:5
  • 3. ver 12,14,29,32; Job 10:2; Job 12:14; Job 13:9,14; Job 22:4; Job 23:7,13; Job 37:19; Job 40:2; Psalms 44:21; Isaiah 14:24
  • 4. Job 11:6; Job 28:12,20,23; Job 38:36; Psalms 51:6; Proverbs 2:6; Ecclesiastes 2:26
  • 5. ver 19; S Job 5:9; Job 12:13,16; Job 23:6; Job 24:22; Job 26:12; Job 30:18; Psalms 93:4; Psalms 95:3; Proverbs 8:14; Isaiah 40:26; Isaiah 63:1; Daniel 2:20; Daniel 4:35; Job 36:5
  • 6. Jeremiah 50:24
  • 7. S 2 Chronicles 13:12; S Job 5:13
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