35 ("Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense-let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
35 "Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing! I've signed my name to my defense - let the Almighty One answer! I want to see my indictment in writing.
35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book!
35 "If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
3 I'm taking my case straight to God Almighty; I've had it with you - I'm going directly to God.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.
(Read Job 13:1-12)
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.
20 "Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
20 Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
20 Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:
20 "Please, God, I have two requests; grant them so I'll know I count with you:
20 "Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You:
20 "OÂ God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you.
(Read Job 13:13-22)
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.
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
21 Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
21 withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
21 First, lay off the afflictions; the terror is too much for me.
21 Withdraw Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You make me afraid.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me, and don't terrify me with your awesome presence.
(Read Job 13:13-22)
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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 31:35
Commentary on Job 31:33-40
(Read Job 31:33-40)
Job clears himself from the charge of hypocrisy. We are loth to confess our faults, willing to excuse them, and to lay the blame upon others. But he that thus covers his sins, shall not prosper, 1 John 1:8. Let us all judge ourselves; wherein we are guilty, let us seek forgiveness in that blood which cleanseth from all sin; and may the Lord have mercy upon us, and write his laws in our hearts!