Job 10:3 - Exposition

Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress? Job assumes that he is oppressed. He has no conception that his sufferings are a purification ( John 15:2 ), intended to lead to the elevation and improvement of his moral character. He therefore asks—Is it worthy of God, is it good in him, is it compatible with his perfect excellence, to be an oppressor? It is a sort of argumentum ad verecundiam , well enough between man and man, but quite out of place between a man and his Maker. That thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands (comp. Psalms 138:8 ). This argument is more legitimate. God may be expected, not to despise, but to care for, the work of his own hands (comp. Isaiah 19:25 ; Isaiah 29:23 ; Isaiah 64:1-12 :21; Isaiah 64:8 ; Ephesians 2:10 ). Every maker of a thing, as Aristotle says, loves his work, and naturally guards it, cares for it, and cherishes it . And shine upon the counsel of the wicked (comp. Job 9:24 ). The prosperity of evil-doers must arise, Job thinks, from God allowing his countenance to shine upon them.