Job 9:23

_IF THE SCOURGE SLAY SUDDENLY, HE WILL LAUGH AT THE TRIAL OF THE INNOCENT._ If - `While (His) scourge (Isaiah 28:15) slays suddenly (both the perfect and the wicked, Job 9:22), He laughs at (disregards and treats as though He laughed at) the trial (calamity) of the innocent.' Umbreit (cf my 'Critical Commentary') takes "the wicked" as the object of "slay suddenly;" and in order to make an antithesis to suddenly, translates the Hebrew for "trial" [macaach], 'pining away' [from [maacam, to melt away]. 'Whilst His scourge slays suddenly (the wicked, Job 9:22), He laughs at the (protracted) pining away of the innocent.' But Job 9:23 requires that the

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....

IF THE SCOURGE SLAY SUDDENLY - If calamity comes in a sudden and unexpected manner. Dr. Good, following Reiske, translates this,” if he suddenly slay the oppressor,” understanding the word scourge שׁוט _shôṭ_ as meaning an oppressor, or one whom God employs as a scourge of nations. But this is contrary to all the ancient versions. The word שׁוט _shôṭ_ means properly a whip, a scourge (compare the notes at Job 5:21), and then calamity or affliction sent by God upon men. Such is clearly the case here. HE WILL LAUGH AT THE TRIAL OF THE INNOCENT - That is, he seems to disregard or to be pleased with their trials. He does not interpose to rescue them. He seems to look calmly on, and suffers them to be overwhelmed with others. This is a poetic expression, and can

EXPOSITION JOB 9:1 Job, in answer to Bildad, admits the truth of his arguments, but declines to attempt the justification which can alone entitle him to accept the favourable side of Bildad's alternative. Man cannot absolutely justify himself before God. It is in vain to attempt to do so. The contest is too unequal. On the one side perfect wisdom and absolute strength (verse 4); on the other, weakness, imperfection, ignorance. guilt (verses 17-20). And no "daysman," or umpire, between them; no third party to hold the balance even, and preside authoritatively over the controversy, and see that justice is done (verses 33-35). Were it otherwise, Job would not shrink from the controversy; but he thinks it ill arguing with omnipotent power. What he seems to lack is the absolute conviction expressed by Abraham in the emphatic words'"_ _Shall not the Judge of al

IF THE SCOURGE SLAY SUDDENLY,.... Not Satan, as Jarchi and Bar Tzemach; but any sore calamity which surrounds a man, lashes, cuts, and distresses him, as a whip or scourge; such as any of God's sore judgments, the sword, famine, pestilence, or evil beasts, which sometimes come suddenly, unawares, unthought of, and unexpected; and are sometimes only chastisements in love, the scourgings of a father, though generally in wrath and hot displeasure, and are an overflowing scourge, which carry all before them; and therefore some restrain it to wicked men, as the Septuagint version; and some understand it as if they were more mildly and gently dealt with, by being suddenly and at once slain with such a scourge, in their persons, families, and substance, while others have their afflictions protracted, and linger long under them, as in the next clause: HE WILL LAUGH AT THE TRIAL OF THE INNOCENT;...

CHAPTER S 9-10 JOB ANSWERS BILDAD _ 1. The supremacy and power of God (Job 9:1)_ 2. How then can Job meet Him? (Job 9:11) 3. He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked (Job 9:22) 4. Confession of weakness and the need of a daysman (Job 9:25) 5. Murmuring against God (Job 10:1) 6. Welcoming death (Job 10:18) Job 9:1. The final words of Bildad seemed to have had a momentary soothing

JOB 9:1 is Job's answer to the position taken up by Bildad, viz. that the Almighty cannot judge falsely (Job 8:3). In Job 2 accepts the general principle that God judges according to merit. But of what use is this? Man has no chance of asserting his righteousness before God, of putting in his claim to reward. There is no equality between the Judge and the person judged. If man wishes to maintain an argument with God (Job 9:3 _mg._) God can ask him a thousand questions that will baffle him. God is all-wise and almighty: who can withstand Him? (Job 9:4). He is almighty (Job 9:5 f). There follows a series of

From the operation of this terrible force in the physical world Job passes on to describe its display among creatures, and to shew how it paralyses and crushes them....

2. Arbitrarily God deals with him, no matter what he may do. (Job 9:13-24) TEXT 9:13-24 13 GOD WILL NOT WITHDRAW HIS ANGER; The helpers of Rahab 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 answer; I would make supplication to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice. 17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause. 18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness. 19 If _we speak_ OF STRENGTH, LO, _he is_ MIGHTY! And if of justice, Who, _saith he,_ WILL SUMMON ME? 20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me

9:23 he (a-6) i.e. God....