‏ Job 9

* Job acknowledges God's justice. (1-13) He is not able to

contend with God. (14-21) Men not to be judged by outward

condition. (22-24) Job complains of troubles. (25-35)

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. 14-21 Job is still righteous in his own eyes, ch. #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. 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. 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.