Albert Barnes Commentary Job 13:25

Albert Barnes Commentary

Job 13:25

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Job 13:25

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?" — Job 13:25 (ASV)

Will you break a leaf driven to and fro? Job here means to say that God's treatment of him was like treading down a leaf driven about by the wind—an insignificant, unsettled, and worthless thing. He asks, “Would you show your power against such an object?” The sense is that it was not worthy of God to pursue one so unimportant and so incapable of offering any resistance in this way.

And will you pursue the dry stubble? Is it worthy of God to contend in this way with the driven straw and stubble of the field? To such a leaf, and to such stubble, he compares himself; and he asks whether God could be employed in a work such as pursuing a flying leaf or driven stubble with a desire to overtake it and wreak His vengeance on it.