Job Chapter 13
1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
3 "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
5 Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
10 He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.
11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, and his dread fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your defences are defences of clay.
13 "Be silent! Leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
15 Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
16 This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
20 "Only don't do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 withdraw your hand far from me, and don't let your terror make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face, and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
27 You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,
28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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Job Chapter 13 Guide
Continuing his answer, Job restated his conviction that his knowledge was not inferior to theirs, and declared that his appeal was to God (1-3). Before making this appeal there is an introductory passage in which he first addressed himself to them in terms of anger (4-12), and then avowed his determination to make his appeal directly to God, and urged two conditions. His contempt for his friends as they are revealed in their attitude toward him knows no bounds. He described them as "forgers of lies," and "physicians of no value"; and proceeded to turn their argument back upon them. They had declared that God is righteous, and visits men according to their deeds. They had been speaking unrighteously for God, and therefore must accept His judgment upon themselves. He finally dismissed all their argument as "proverbs of ashes." Announcing his determination to appeal to God, even though God slay him in this determination, he found some comfort in believing that the godless cannot be heard. He urged two conditions: first, that God withdraw His hand from him; and, second, that He not make him afraid by His terror.
After these preliminary matters, Job's speech becomes a direct appeal to God. He first demanded to know his sins, and why God dealt with him as a leaf, as a moth-eaten garment.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Job Chapter 13 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Job reproves his friends. -- (1-12)
- He professes his confidence in God. -- (13-22)
- Job entreats to know his sins. -- (23-28)
Verses 1-12
With self-preference, Job declared that he needed not to be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify themselves, and lower their brethren, more than is fit. When dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Job evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends. They had advanced some truths which nearly concerned Job, but the heart unhumbled before God, never meekly receives the reproofs of men.
Verses 13-22
Job resolved to cleave to the testimony his own conscience gave of his uprightness. He depended upon God for justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for through Christ. Temporal salvation he little expected, but of his eternal salvation he was very confident; that God would not only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the sight and enjoyment of whom he should be happy. He knew himself not to be a hypocrite, and concluded that he should 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 shall work for good to us, even when all seems to make against us. We must cleave to God, yea, though we cannot for the present find comfort in him. In a dying hour, we must derive from him living comforts; and this is to trust in him, though he slay us.
Verses 23-28
Job begs to have his sins discovered 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, as to 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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.