FRAMEWORKS:
Job 10: Job now Prays i.e. directly addresses God
[Preliminary
Comments : In chapter 9, the first half of Job's third
speech, we saw Job acknowledging that arguing with God is a futile
exercise. Now, turning from generally speaking about that, still
in the depths of despair with his suffering, Job turns and addresses
God directly. We see his request for explanations [v.2,3] because
he knows that God is infinitely greater than us and doesn't make
mistakes like humans do [v.4-7]. He recognizes that God has made
him and so wonders what He is now doing with him [v.8-12]. As
the all-seeing Judge, he knows God doesn't make mistakes [v.13-17)
so wonders what is going on. He concludes by wondering what is
happening and pleads for a little light relief before he dies
[v.18-22]. No doubt there is an edge to all of his questioning
but it is not surprising in the light of what he is suffering.
Note in all this he neither mocks God nor accuses Him of wrong-doing.
He just wants to know!]
v.1
Job's starting point
v.1
“I
loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.
v.2
I'd like to know what I've done wrong
v.2
I
say to God: Do not declare me guilty but tell me what charges
you have against me.
v.3
You must have a reason for this while the wicked escape
v.3
Does
it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands,
while you smile on the plans of the wicked?
v.4
Surely your vision is not limited like ours, so you see the truth
[implied]
v.4
Do
you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees?
v.5-7
Spiteful humans nit-pick even when I'm not guilty; surely not
you
v.5
Are
your days like those of a mortal or your years like those of a
strong man,
v.6
that
you must search out my faults and probe after my sin—
v.7
though
you know that I am not guilty and that no one can rescue me from
your hand?
v.8-12
Look, I know you made me and blessed me so why now turn and destroy
me?
v.8
“Your
hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me?
v.9
Remember that
you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?
v.10
Did
you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese,
v.11
clothe
me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews?
v.12
You
gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched
over my spirit.
v.13
As a righteous judge you watched me
v.13
“But
this is what you concealed in your heart, and I know that this
was in your mind:
v.14
So if I sinned you would deal with me, that I understand
v.14
If I sinned,
you would be watching me and would not let my offense go unpunished.
v.15
If I was guilty I know I would be in trouble, but even innocent
it seems I am anyway
v.15
If
I am guilty—woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my
head, for I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction.
v.16
If I lost perspective and became arrogant your power would deal
with me
v.16
If
I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion and again display
your awesome power against me.
v.17
It just seems you provide pointing fingers against me [for no
reason, implied]
v.17
You
bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger toward
me; your forces come against me wave upon wave.
v.18,19
So again I ask, why was I born? I would have been better stillborn
v.18
“Why
then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before
any eye saw me.
v.19
If
only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight
from the womb to the grave!
v.20
I understand I'm facing death, can't I have a moment of light
before darkness
v.20
Are
not my few days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a
moment's joy
v.21
before
I go to the place of no return, to the land of gloom and utter
darkness,
v.22
to
the land of deepest night, of utter darkness and disorder, where
even the light is like darkness.”
[Concluding
Comments: To recap what we've seen:
-
Job still speaks out of his anguish [v.1]
-
he looks for explanations
-
as to his guilt [v.2]
-
why God is acting like this [v.3-7]
-
why he was born for this [v.8-12]
-
how the Judge works [v.13-17]
-
again, why he was born [v.18,19]
-
he requests a moment's respite before death [v.20-22]