(13) If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. (14) В¶ How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? (15) Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge. (16) If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. (17) For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. (18) He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. (19) If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? (20) If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. (21) Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
How very striking is this reasoning of Job, and what a spirit of the gospel it breathes. If the proud helpers stoop, what could Job do? GOD will make good every charge. Nay, saith Job, though I were righteous, that is, if my own heart did not reproach me, and I was led thereby to fancy myself righteous, yet would I not venture to trust it were so. Nay, more than this; if I had called, and GOD had answered me, yet even then I would not presumptuously think that this grace was on account of my deserts: oh! no, I would conclude, saith Job, that it was his mercy, not my merit, his free love and grace, not my deservings. Reader! I beseech you, pause over this passage. Is it not pure gospel from beginning to end? Where could Job learn this, but from Him who teacheth not as man teacheth? Was it not the same Almighty Teacher, indeed, that thus teaching and convincing Job of sin, taught and led him also to believe in his kinsman-Redeemer See chap. 19:25. I must not dismiss our view of this precious passage, until I have further begged the Reader to remark with me, one or two beauties more contained in it. Job, though justifying himself with respect to his conduct among men, makes a mighty distinction between this, and his justification before GOD. And in this, he is followed by other holy men of old. David, when unjustly charged by men, carries his cause to GOD: Judge me, O Lord, (said he) according to my righteousness, and according to the integrity that is in me. Psalms 7:8. And the apostle Paul tells the Corinthians that he was not to be judged of men, or of man's judgment. 1 Corinthians 4:3. But when GOD takes up the cause, as it concerns the sinner before GOD, David cries out, Enter not into judgment, with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psalms 143:2. And Paul saith, All the world is become guilty before GOD. Romans 3:19. And Job declares that he would not know his soul: and elsewhere he saith, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes: Job 42:6.