3 If he is pleased to contend with him,
he can’t answer him one time in a thousand. 4 God who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength:
who has hardened himself against him, and prospered? 5 He removes the mountains, and they don’t know it,
when he overturns them in his anger. 6 He shakes the earth out of its place.
Its pillars tremble. 7 He commands the sun, and it doesn’t rise,
and seals up the stars. 8 He alone stretches out the heavens,
and treads on the waves of the sea. 9 He makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades,
and the chambers of the south. 10 He does great things past finding out;
yes, marvelous things without number. 11 Behold, he goes by me, and I don’t see him.
He passes on also, but I don’t perceive him. 12 Behold, he snatches away.
Who can hinder him?
Who will ask him, ‘What are you doing?’ 13 “God will not withdraw his anger.
The helpers of Rahab stoop under him.
14 How much less shall I answer him,
And choose my words to argue with him? 15 Though I were righteous, yet I wouldn’t answer him.
I would make supplication to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me,
yet I wouldn’t believe that he listened to my voice. 17 For he breaks me with a storm,
and multiplies my wounds without cause. 18 He will not allow me to catch my breath,
but fills me with bitterness. 19 If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty!
If of justice, ‘Who,’ says he, ‘will summon me?’ 20 Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me.
Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 9:3-20
Commentary on Job 9:1-13
(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.
Commentary on Job 9:14-21
(Read Job 9:14-21)
Job is still righteous in his own eyes, 1, and this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God, implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is afterwards reproved. Still Job knew so much of himself, that he durst not stand a trial. If we say, We have no sin, we not only deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so, and give the lie to the Scripture. But Job reflected on God's goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause.