Matthew Henry Commentary Job 13
Matthew Henry Commentary
Job 13
Matthew Henry Commentary
Job 13
"Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], Mine ear hath heard and understood it. What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God. But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value. Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom. Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips. Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him? Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God? Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him? He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality. Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you? Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay." — Job 13:1-12 (ASV)
With self-importance, Job declared that he did not need to be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify themselves and belittle their brothers more than is appropriate.
When dismayed or distressed by the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should turn to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects anyone, never prescribes incorrectly, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all created things, without Christ, are physicians of no value.
Job evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends. They had advanced some truths that deeply concerned Job, but the heart unhumbled before God never meekly receives the rebukes of men.
"Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will. Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand? Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him. This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears. Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous. Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost. Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face: Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid. Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me." — Job 13:13-22 (ASV)
Job resolved to cling to the testimony his own conscience gave of his uprightness. He depended on God for justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for through Christ. He expected little temporal salvation, but he was very confident of his eternal salvation: that God would not only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the sight and enjoyment of whom he would be happy. He knew himself not to be a hypocrite and concluded that he would not be rejected.
We should be well pleased with God as a Friend, even when He seems against us as an enemy. We must believe that all things will work for good for us, even when all seems to work against us. We must cling to God—yes, even though we cannot at present find comfort in Him. In a dying hour, we must derive living comforts from Him; and this is to trust in Him, though He slay us.
"How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy? Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth: Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet: Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten." — Job 13:23-28 (ASV)
Job begs to have his sins revealed to him. A true penitent is willing to know the worst of himself; and we should all desire to know what our transgressions are, that we may confess them, and guard against them for the future. Job complains sorrowfully of God's severe dealings with him. Time does not wear out the guilt of sin.
When God writes bitter things against us, his design is to make us bring forgotten sins to mind, and so to bring us to repent of them, and thereby break us off from them. Let young persons beware of indulging in sin. Even in this world they may so possess the sins of their youth, as to have months of sorrow for moments of pleasure.
Their wisdom is to remember their Creator in their early days, that they may have assured hope, and sweet peace of conscience, as the solace of their declining years. Job also complains that his present mistakes are strictly noticed. So far from this, God deals not with us according to our deserts.
This was the language of Job's melancholy views. If God marks our steps, and narrowly examines our paths, in judgment, both body and soul feel his righteous vengeance. This will be the awful case of unbelievers, yet there is salvation devised, provided, and made known in Christ.
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