Albert Barnes Commentary Job 9:32

Albert Barnes Commentary

Job 9:32

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Job 9:32

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment." — Job 9:32 (ASV)

For he is not a man as I am – He is infinitely superior to me in majesty and power. The idea is that the contest would be unequal, and he might as well surrender without further contest. It is evident that Job's disposition to yield was based more on his recognition of God's superior power than on a conviction that God was right; he felt that if he had the ability to argue his case as well as God could, the matter would not be so heavily against him as it then was.

That there was no little impropriety of feeling in this, no one can doubt; but have we never had feelings like this when we have been afflicted? Have we never submitted to God because we felt that He is Almighty, and that it is vain to contend with Him, rather than because we perceived Him to be right?

True submission is always accompanied by the belief that God is RIGHT – whether we can see Him to be right or not.

And we should come together in judgment – For trial, to have the case adjudicated. That is, that we should meet face to face and have the case tried before a superior judge. (Noyes)