Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Job 42:1 - 42:6

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Job 42:1 - 42:6


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Job's Humble Confession. —

v. 1. Then Job,
now fully overcome by the Lord's arguments, answered the Lord and said,

v. 2. I know that Thou canst do every thing,
the omnipotence, the creative power of God, had been set before him in the most convincing manner, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee, no undertaking, no venture, is forbidden to Him; no matter what He does, His justice cannot be questioned. No matter how hard it is for men to understand, God's ways are always right.

v. 3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?
That was the question which the Lord had addressed to Job at the beginning of His discourse, 38:2, and Job now acknowledges the truth of this verdict. Therefore have I uttered that I understood not, making statements concerning things beyond his comprehension; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not, passing judgment on God's government of human affairs which cannot be fathomed by man's finite mind as long as he is in this world.

v. 4. Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak,
for Job was ready now to make the right answer; I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me, he was ready humbly to ask and to receive instruction.

v. 5. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear,
he had drawn his conclusions from outward and incomplete observation only, which, as he now realizes, was faulty; but now mine eye seeth Thee, he had had his spiritual vision opened to the real essence of God, to an understanding of His attributes.

v. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself,
Job utterly repudiated and rejected all his rash statements, which had cast slurs upon God's justice, and repent in dust and ashes, in the deepest humiliation and mourning. That is the proper attitude to take if one is convinced of any wrong in his past life; not to slur over the matter, but to make a full confession, to come to the Lord with meekness and repentance, asking His forgiveness.