Job 13

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:19

Who is he that will plead with me? Will God himself plead? Or will he depute some one, man or angel? Job is impatient that the pleadings should begin. For now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost . Some translate, "For now shall I hold my peace and give up the ghost," which they explain to mean, "If God does implead me, I shall take refuge in silence, and straightway expire." But this seems an impossible conclusion, when all that Job has been aiming at and striving for since his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:20

Only do not two things unto me . Before beginning his plea, Job has two requests to make of God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:21

Withdraw thine hand far from me ; i.e. "thy afflicting hand." Job views all his physical suffering as coming directly from the hand of God—momentarily caused by him, and therefore removable by him at any moment. He has no thought for secondary causes. And let not thy dread make me afraid . Job speaks here and elsewhere of spiritual terrors—those vague and impalpable fears which suggest themselves inwardly to the soul, and are tar more painful, far more dreadful, than any amount of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:22

Then call thou, and I will answer . "Then"—when I am free from suffering, both mental and bodily—implead me, bring thy charges against me, and I will answer them. As Mr. Fronds observes, "Job himself had been educated in the same creed" as his comforters; "he, too, had been taught to see the hand of God in the outward dispensation". He therefore assumes that God will have a particular charge to make against him, in connection with each of the calamities that have come on him, and he is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:23

How many are mine iniquities and sins? This is scarcely, as Professor Stanley Leathes represents it, "a deep confession of personal sin". It is more in the nature of a remonstrance. "These sins of mine, for which I. am so grievously punished, what are they? Name them. How many are there of them? Let me know exactly what they are; and then I can question my conscience concerning them." Make me to know my transgression and my sin . These words imply that lie does not know them at present. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:23

The knowledge of sin. I. MAKE ME TO KNOW THE REALITY OF SIN , in case I should deny it and be deceived. II. MAKE ME TO KNOW THE POWER OF SIN , lest, being taken unawares, I should become its slave. III. MAKE ME TO KNOW THE HEINOUSNESS OF SIN , lest, making light of it, I should be led to glory in my shame. IV. MAKE ME TO KNOW THE GUILT OF SIN , lest, being indifferent to its danger, I should, fail to seek escape. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:23

Sin revealed by God. Job is in a sad perplexity. His friends accuse him of great sin as the cause of his great trouble, but his conscience does not echo their accusation. Can it be that he has sinned unconsciously, that God is really angry with him for some offence which he has not recognized? I. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SIN UNCONSCIOUSLY . It is not to be supposed that a man could be as guilty as Job's friends assumed the patriarch to be, and yet possess the clean conscience... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:23-28

Self-defence before God: 1. The weak against the Strong. I. THE CRY OF INJURED INNOCENCE . ( Job 13:23 .) He asks that he may have his sins enumerated and brought home to him, and that he may not thus ever be punished without the knowledge of the nature of his guilt. II. SENSE OF THE SILENCE AND WITHDRAWAL OF GOD . ( Job 13:24 ) God does not answer his challenge, and still his suffering continues, as if he were a foe to whom the Almighty deigns not to utter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:24

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy? What is thy reason for withdrawing from me the light of thy countenance, and behaving towards me as though thou weft mine enemy? Job does not believe God to be his enemy. He knows that God will one day be his Salvation (verse 16); but he recognizes a present alienation, and desires to be made acquainted with the cause of it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 13:24

The reasons for sorrow. It has ever been a longing of the suffering heart of man to know why afflictions are permitted. Job is a striking example of the sufferer reduced to questioning. He makes his appeal for the reasons. "Wherefore hidest thou thy face?" Others have urged this inquiry. Even the Exemplar of all patient, submissive, trustful, obedient sufferers cried aloud, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" But the answer comes not to Job with the quickness he may have desired.... read more

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