K² Z¹ 9:1-35. Job's answer to Bildad.
Z¹ A¹ 1-4. Job unable to answer.
B u 5-10. God's power. Works unsearchable. General.
v 11,12. God's dealings. Ways inscrutable. "
A² 13-18. Job unable to answer.
B u 19-24. God's exercise of power. Unequal. Personal.
v 25-31. God's dealing. Unequal. "
A³ 32-35. Job unable to answer.
1656 B.C.
Job 9)
1 Then Job responded and said,
2 "I know it is so of a truth: but how should mortal man be just with GOD? (El. This is the one great question of the book)
3 If he desire contend with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength (cp. 2 Chron. 36:13. Isa. 48:4): who has hardened himself against Him, and has prospered?
5 Which removes the mountains, and they know not: which overturns them in His anger.
6 Which shakes the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7 Which commands the sun, and it rises not; and seals up the stars.
8 Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves of the sea. (The celebrated Mugah Codex [the earliest quoted in the Massorah itself], reads "clouds": i.e. thick cloud.)
9 Which makes Arcturus (a name still connected with "the Great Bear" [the more ancient name being "the greater sheepfold"]. See 38:31,31 and "The Stars also"), Orion (Amos 5:8. A strong one, or the coming prince), and Pleiades (Heb. kimah = the congregation of the judge. A constellation in the neck of Taurus), and the chambers of the south. (I.e. the hidden recesses, or the invisible spaces; on the latitude of Job's residence.)
10 Which does great things past finding out; yes, and wonders without number.
11 Lo, He goes by me, and I see Him not: He passes on also, but I perceive Him not.
12 Behold, He takes away, who can hinder Him? who will say to him, 'What do You do?'
13 If GOD (Eloah is Elohim, Who is to be worshiped. Eloah is God in connection with His will rather than His power. Eloah is essentially "the living God" in contrast to inanimate idols.) will not avert His anger, the proud confederates 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 [dare to] 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 to my voice.
17 For He break me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but fills 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, my 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 myself: I would despise my life.
22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, 'He destroys the perfect and a lawless one.
23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covers the faces of the judges thereof (i.e. so they cannot discern between right and wrong); if not, where, and who is he?
25 Now my days are swifter than a runner (or courier): they flee away, they see no good.
26 They are passed away as the swift ships (vessels of bulrush; vessels of desire, i.e. desiring to reach their haven; vessels of enmity, i.e. pirate vessels; or vessels of the Nile. Others, vessels of Joppa. Perhaps the lat is best): as the eagle that hastes to the prey.
27 If I say, I will forget my complaining, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:'
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that You will not hold me innocent.
29 If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands clean with soap;
31 Yet shall You plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together in judgment.
33 Neither is there any Umpire (or Arbiter, Mediator. In Job's case He was found in Elihu; in ours, in Christ) betwixt us, that might lay His hand upon us both.
34 Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not the fear that He causes startle (or scare) me:
35 Fain would I speak, and not fear Him; but it is not so with me.