Job 31:13-15 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

If I did despise the cause of my man-servant If I used my power over him to overthrow him and his just rights; when they contended with me Either for requiring more work from them than they could perform, or for not providing for them those supports which their nature and necessity required, or for any other plausible cause. I heard them patiently, considered the matters complained of impartially, and did them right even against myself, if through any misinformation, or fancied provocation, I had done them an injury. What then shall I do when God riseth up? Namely, to plead the cause of the oppressed against the oppressor, and to execute judgment. I used my servant like one who knew that I myself also was a servant, and had a master in heaven, to whom I was to give an account of my conduct toward my servant and all men. And when he visiteth That is, when he shall call me to his tribunal, and strictly examine all my actions, and particularly the cause between me and my servant; what shall I answer him? What apology shall I make for myself? Did not he that made me, &c. I considered that, though he was my servant, he was my fellow-creature, made by the same God, and therefore one of God's subjects, whom I could not injure without injustice to the supreme Lord. And did not one fashion us, &c. With a body and soul of the same nature and quality, a rational and immortal creature, and made after God's image no less than myself, to whom therefore I owed some respect for God's sake.