Job 9:35

_THEN WOULD I SPEAK, AND NOT FEAR HIM; BUT IT IS NOT SO WITH ME._ It is not so with me - as it now is, God not taking His rod away, I am not on such a footing of equality as to be able without fear to vindicate myself-literally, 'I (am) not so with myself:' which Maurer explains-`I am not so in my mind (so 'in us,' for in our mind, Job 15:9) that I have any occasion to fear.' I am conscious of no guilt to make me fear. Umbreit explains-`But now I am not in possession of my right mind;' now as it is, not from guilt, but from fear of God's omnipotence, Job has lost self-possession, so as not to be able vindicate himself, (Psalms 50:11, margin.) The English version, as explained above, is much the same in the general sense as Umbreit's view, which is preferable to Maurer's. Remarks: (1) Weak an

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 clothe...

Verse Job 9:35. _BUT_ IT IS _NOT SO WITH ME._] I am not in such circumstances as to plead with my Judge. I believe the sense of these words is nearly as _Coverdale_ has expressed it: - _For as longe_ _as I am in soch fearfulnesse, I can make no answere_. A natural picture of the state of a penitent soul, which needs no additional colouring. ON the names of the constellations mentioned Job 9:9, and again Job 38:31, c., much has been written, and to little effect. I have already, in the notes, expressed my doubts whether any constellation be intended. Dr. _Hales_, however, finds in these names, as he thinks, astronomical data, by which he ascertains the time of Job. I shall give his words:

THEN WOULD I SPEAK, AND NOT FEAR HIM - I should then be able to maintain my cause on equal terms, and with equal advantages. BUT IT IS NOT SO WITH ME - Margin, I am not so with myself. Noyes, “I am not so at heart.” Good, “but not thus could I in my present state.” Literally, “for not thus I with myself.” The Syriac renders it, “for neither am I his adversary.” Very various interpretations have been given of this phrase. The Jews, with Aben Ezra, suppose it means, “for I am not such as you suppose me to be. You take me to be a guilty man; but I am innocent, and if I had a fair opportunity for trial, I could show that I am.” Others suppose it to mean, “I am held to be guilty by the Most High, and am treated accordingly. But I am not so. I am conscious to myself that I am innocent.” It seems to me that Dr. Good has come nearer the true sense than any other interpreter, and certainly his ex...

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

[THEN] WOULD I SPEAK, AND NOT FEAR HIM,.... With a servile fear, though with reverence and godly fear; meaning either at the throne of grace, having liberty of access, boldness of spirit, and freedom of speech through Christ the Mediator, and in the view of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; for when the rod of his law and the terror of his justice are removed, and his grace and favour in Christ shown, a believer can speak boldly and freely to God, and not be afraid before him: but rather Job's sense is, that were the rod of his anger taken off and the dread of his majesty, which so awed him that he could not tell his case as it was, and use the arguments he might to advantage; he should speak without fear, and so as to defend himself, and make his cause to appear to be just; to this the Lord seems to refer in Job 38:3; being bold and daring expressions, which Job blushed when made...

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 again takes up his complaint, but in a quieter tone, so that he is able to imagine after all a way in which he might maintain his cause before God. He complains first of the shortness of his life. His time runs swiftly as a runner, as the light papyrus boats used on the Nile, as an eagle in its flight (Job 9:25 f.). If he should resolve to brighten up and treat his misery as a bad dream, what use? God will again put him on the rack. (We may associate Job's quieter moods with temporary relief from paroxysms of pain, which he knows full well, however, to be only temporary). All purifications are useless (Job 9:30 f.). God and he cannot come together on equal terms. If only there were an umpire between them, who could lay his hand upon both disputants, and enforce his decision upon them ...

THEN WOULD I. Fain would I....

If God would meet Job as a man, removing His afflicting rod and laying aside His awful majesty, Job would speak out his innocence and plead his own cause without fear. _but it is not so with me_ Rather, FOR I AM NOT SO IN MYSELF in my own consciousness I am not so, or such, that I should fear Him. "In myself" is lit. _with myself_, cf. ch. Job 10:13; Job 23:14; Job 27:11, and St Paul's _by_myself, 1 Corinthians 4:4....