Job:9

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* Verse 1-13 - In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the justice of God , when he denied himself to be a hypocrite ; for how should man be just with God ? Before him he pleaded guilty of sins more than could be counted ; and if God should contend with him in judgment , he could not justify one out of a thousand , of all the thoughts , words , and actions of his life ; therefore he deserved worse than all his present sufferings . When Job mentions the wisdom and power of God , he forgets his complaints . We are unfit to judge of God 's proceedings , because we know not what he does , or what he designs . God acts with power which no creature can resist . Those who think they have strength enough to help others , will not be able to help themselves against it . * Verse 14-21 - Job is still righteous in his own eyes , ch . strkjv @32:1 ,. and this answer , though it sets forth the power and majesty of God , implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of providence , is a question of might , and not of right ; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit . Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God , that he may justify himself , for which he is afterwards reproved . Still Job knew so much of himself , that he durst not stand a trial . If we say , We have no sin , we not only deceive ourselves , but we affront God ; for we sin in saying so , and give the lie to the Scripture . But Job reflected on God 's goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause . * Verse 22-24 - Job touches briefly upon the main point now in dispute . His friends maintained that those who are righteous and good , always prosper in this world , and that none but the wicked are in misery and distress : he said , on the contrary , that it is a common thing for the wicked to prosper , and the righteous to be greatly afflicted . Yet there is too much passion in what Job here says , for God doth not afflict willingly . When the spirit is heated with dispute or with discontent , we have need to set a watch before our lips . * Verse 25-35 - What little need have we of pastimes , and what great need to redeem time , when it runs on so fast towards eternity ! How vain the enjoyments of time , which we may quite lose while yet time continues ! The remembrance of having done our duty will be pleasing afterwards ; so will not the remembrance of having got worldly wealth , when it is all lost and gone . Job 's complaint of God , as one that could not be appeased and would not relent , was the language of his corruption . There is a Mediator , a Daysman , or Umpire , for us , even God 's own beloved Son , who has purchased peace for us with the blood of his cross , who is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God through him . If we trust in his name , our sins will be buried in the depths of the sea , we shall be washed from all our filthiness , and made whiter than snow , so that none can lay any thing to our charge . We shall be clothed with the robes of righteousness and salvation , adorned with the graces of the Holy Spirit , and presented faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy . May we learn the difference between justifying ourselves , and being thus justified by God himself . Let the tempest-tossed soul consider Job , and notice that others have passed this dreadful gulf ; and though they found it hard to believe that God would hear or deliver them , yet he rebuked the storm , and brought them to the desired haven . Resist the devil ; give not place to hard thoughts of God , or desperate conclusions about thyself . Come to Him who invites the weary and heavy laden ; who promises in nowise to cast them out . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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