Job has suffered the loss of almost everything. His friends have tried more than once
now to tell Job that his suffering is due to his disobedience. Yet Job knows that he has
faithfully followed God. This chapter deals with Job’s frustration in believing that he has
done righteous...yet still suffering. Job knows that he can’t argue with God or even ask
God why this is happening. Job doesn’t even know what he would say if God answered
him. Job is in a place he doesn’t understand. However he brings up many good
questions. Who are we to question God? Who are we to even know enough to ask the
right questions to God? Who are we to stop God if he decides to take away...or give?
When we find ourselves in the presence of God, the only thing we can do is to praise
Him and beg for mercy!
JOB 9
[9:1] Then Job answered and said: [2] “Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be
righteous before God? [3] If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him
one time out of a thousand. [4] God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has
hardened himself against Him and prospered? [5] He removes the mountains, and they
do not know When He overturns them in His anger; [6] He shakes the earth out of its
place, And its pillars tremble; [7] He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals
off the stars; [8] He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the
sea; [9] He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south;
[10] He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number. [11] If He
goes by me, I do not see Him; If He moves past, I do not perceive Him; [12] If He takes
away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’ [13] God will
not withdraw His anger, The allies of the proud lie prostrate beneath Him. [14] “How
then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him? [15] For though I
were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge. [16] If I called
and He answered me, I would not believe that He was listening to my voice. [17] For He
crushes me with a tempest, And multiplies my wounds without cause. [18] He will not
allow me to catch my breath, But fills me with bitterness. [19] If it is a matter of strength,
indeed He is strong; And if of justice, who will appoint my day in court? [20] Though I
were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me; Though I were blameless, it would
prove me perverse. [21] “I am blameless, yet I do not know myself; I despise my life.
[22] It is all one thing; Therefore I say, ‘He destroys the blameless and the wicked.’
[23] If the scourge slays suddenly, He laughs at the plight of the innocent. [24] The
earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not
He, who else could it be? [25] “Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away,
they see no good. [26] They pass by like swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its
prey. [27] If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and wear a smile,’
[28] I am afraid of all my sufferings; I know that You will not hold me innocent. [29] If I
am condemned, Why then do I labor in vain? [30] If I wash myself with snow water, And
cleanse my hands with soap, [31] Yet You will plunge me into the pit, And my ownclothes will abhor me. [32] “For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And
that we should go to court together. [33] Nor is there any mediator between us, Who
may lay his hand on us both. [34] Let Him take His rod away from me, And do not let
dread of Him terrify me. [35] Then I would speak and not fear Him, But it is not so with
me.”
