7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.
7 "Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will never again see good.
7 "God, don't forget that I'm only a puff of air! These eyes have had their last look at goodness.
7 Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good.
7 OÂ God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again feel happiness.
11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.
11 Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
11 Somehow, though he moves right in front of me, I don't see him; quietly but surely he's active, and I miss it.
11 If He goes by me, I do not see Him; If He moves past, I do not perceive Him;
11 "Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go.
(Read Job 9:1-13)
In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the justice of God, when he denied himself to be a hypocrite; for how should man be just with God? Before him he pleaded guilty of sins more than could be counted; and if God should contend with him in judgment, he could not justify one out of a thousand, of all the thoughts, words, and actions of his life; therefore he deserved worse than all his present sufferings. When Job mentions the wisdom and power of God, he forgets his complaints. We are unfit to judge of God's proceedings, because we know not what he does, or what he designs. God acts with power which no creature can resist. Those who think they have strength enough to help others, will not be able to help themselves against it.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!
3 If I knew where on earth to find him, I'd go straight to him.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!
3 If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.
(Read Job 23:1-7)
Job appeals from his friends to the just judgement of God. He wants to have his cause tried quickly. Blessed be God, we may know where to find him. He is in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself; and upon a mercy-seat, waiting to be gracious. Thither the sinner may go; and there the believer may order his cause before Him, with arguments taken from his promises, his covenant, and his glory. A patient waiting for death and judgment is our wisdom and duty, and it cannot be without a holy fear and trembling. A passionate wishing for death or judgement is our sin and folly, and ill becomes us, as it did Job.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
8 "But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
8 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him;
8 "I travel East looking for him - I find no one; then West, but not a trace;
8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
8 I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him.
(Read Job 23:8-12)
Job knew that the Lord was every where present; but his mind was in such confusion, that he could get no fixed view of God's merciful presence, so as to find comfort by spreading his case before him. His views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance, and frown upon him. Yet Job expressed his assurance that he should be brought forth, tried, and approved, for he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Here we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or in opposition to him, 2. Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but boldly to assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement of sin, was his error. And he is guilty of a second, when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, wherein the injured find redress, and the evil are visited for their sins.
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
9 I go North, but he's hidden his tracks; then South, but not even a glimpse.
9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
9 I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed.
(Read Job 23:8-12)
Job knew that the Lord was every where present; but his mind was in such confusion, that he could get no fixed view of God's merciful presence, so as to find comfort by spreading his case before him. His views were all gloomy. God seemed to stand at a distance, and frown upon him. Yet Job expressed his assurance that he should be brought forth, tried, and approved, for he had obeyed the precepts of God. He had relished and delighted in the truths and commandments of God. Here we should notice that Job justified himself rather than God, or in opposition to him, 2. Job might feel that he was clear from the charges of his friends, but boldly to assert that, though visited by the hand of God, it was not a chastisement of sin, was his error. And he is guilty of a second, when he denies that there are dealings of Providence with men in this present life, wherein the injured find redress, and the evil are visited for their sins.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 7:7
Commentary on Job 7:7-16
(Read Job 7:7-16)
Plain truths as to the shortness and vanity of man's life, and the certainty of death, do us good, when we think and speak of them with application to ourselves. Dying is done but once, and therefore it had need be well done. An error here is past retrieve. Other clouds arise, but the same cloud never returns: so a new generation of men is raised up, but the former generation vanishes away. Glorified saints shall return no more to the cares and sorrows of their houses; nor condemned sinners to the gaieties and pleasures of their houses. It concerns us to secure a better place when we die. From these reasons Job might have drawn a better conclusion than this, I will complain. When we have but a few breaths to draw, we should spend them in the holy, gracious breathings of faith and prayer; not in the noisome, noxious breathings of sin and corruption. We have much reason to pray, that He who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps, may keep us when we slumber and sleep. Job covets to rest in his grave. Doubtless, this was his infirmity; for though a good man would choose death rather than sin, yet he should be content to live as long as God pleases, because life is our opportunity of glorifying him, and preparing for heaven.