Job 13:6

_HEAR NOW MY REASONING, AND HEARKEN TO THE PLEADINGS OF MY LIPS._ Pleadings of my lips - `reproofs of my lips:' the reproofs which my lips will lay upon you: so Septuagint (Maurer) х_ RIYBOWT_ (H7378)]....

1-12 With self-preference, Job declared that he needed not to be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify themselves, and lower their brethren, more than is fit. When dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Job evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends. They had advanced some truths which nearly concerned Job, but the heart unhumbled before God, never meekly receives the reproofs of men....

Verse Job 13:6. _HEAR NOW MY REASONING_] The speeches in this book are conceived as it delivered in a _court of justice_, different counsellors pleading against each other. Hence most of the terms are _forensic_....

EXPOSITION JOB 13:1, JOB 13:2 The first two verses of Job 13:1. are closely connected with Job 12:1; forming the natural termination to the first section of Job's argument, that all results, whether good or evil, must be referred to God. Job 13:1 is little more than a repetition of Job 12:9 and Job 13:2 of...

HEAR NOW MY REASONING,.... Job entreats his friends that they would be no longer speakers, but hearers; that they would vouchsafe to sit still, and hear what he had to say; though he was greatly afflicted, he had not lost his reason, wisdom was not driven out from him, Job 6:13; he had still with him his reasoning powers, which he was capable of making use of, and even before God, and desires that they would attend to what he had to say on his own behalf: AND HEARKEN TO THE PLEADINGS OF MY LIPS; he was capable of pleading his own cause, and he was desirous of doing it before God as his Judge; and begs the favour of his friends to be silent, and hear him out, and then let judgment be given, not by them, but by God himself....

CHAPTER S 12-14 JOB'S ANSWER TO ZOPHAR _ 1. His sarcasm (Job 12:1)_ 2. He describes God's power (Job 12:7) 3. He denounces his friends (Job 13:1) 4. He appeals to God (Job 13:14) 5. The brevity and trouble of life (Job 14:1) 6. The ray of light through hope of immortality (Job 14:7) Job 12:1. He answers not only Zophar but the others as well. Before this Job had expressed his

Job has shown that he can speak of God's working in the world; the friends, however, offer an apology for God, which He Himself must reject. I am not inferior to you in knowledge, says Job (Job 13:2). But I would speak and reason with God this you do not understand (Job 13:3). The friends had failed to diagnose his case (Job 13:4); his want is a fresh Divine revelation. They are plasterers of lies in their zeal for God. Their best wisdom were silence (Job 13:5) si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses. God, however, will not approve their respect of persons, their partiality in becoming His advocate (Job 13:8)

_hear now my reasoning_ Rather, HEAR NOW MY REBUKE. The reference is not to Job's cause with God, this is not resumed till Job 13:13. He utters a formal indictment against his friends which he commands them to hear. _the pleadings of my lips_ i. e. the _reproofs_of my lips, their pleadings against you, or their controversy with you, cf. Deuteronomy 17:8. These reproofs now follow, Job 13:7....

4. The friends are self-deceived. (Job 13:1-12) TEXT 13:1-12 LO, MINE EYE HATH SEEN ALL _this,_ MINE EAR HATH HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD IT. 2 What ye know, _the same_ DO I KNOW ALSO: I am not inferior unto you. 3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God. 4 But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value. 5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom. 6 Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips. 7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him? 8 Will ye show partiality TO him? WILL YE CONTEND FOR GOD? 9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive HIM? 10 He will surely reprove you,

JOB'S THIRD SPEECH (CONTINUED) 1-12. Job claims to understand as much about God as the friends. He rejects their opinion as to the cause of his troubles, and regards it as an attempt to curry favour with God....