Job 9:1-2

Then Job spoke out saying:

   Indeed, I know that this is so,

      A mortal cannot prevail in court against God.

(Written 6/1, Posted 6/10)

We leave in a bit to enroll the big kid in classes for college this fall. It will be a drive, but low pressure and plenty of time to talk. I prayed that we would be safe, but also that she will learn a little along the way.

Some translation had “true” in place of “so”, but I have always held this phrase to be better than true, if that were possible.

In several versions, the second stitch is a question. I do not understand how a question can follow this phrase about truth. Indeed, six of my eight sources went this route. I rejected it. Most of the questions revolved around how can a man be just before God, but the declaration was that man could not prevail in court against God. The Hebrew words might translate to something along the lines of the question, but the context Job is arguing, and that he is admitting something to be true, lean hard against this option. The other minor variations pale in comparison, so I forego digging further.

Our Bible study recently discussed how to share the exact fulfillment of history that Jesus was to someone who does not even believe in God. Each of our natures that like to debate walked away recognizing it would be futile to start at the top. You have to start at the bottom. Without God, none of His story makes sense, or matters.

This verse in Job starts with the acknowledgement that God is above all, knows all, and cannot be wrong. Job starts anew his treatise to show that despite what the normal people believe, he has not been punished for his sin, God has allowed him to be in this state for another reason, and he wants to know what it is. He is not saying he knows better than God. He is admitting he does not. But he is saying everyone else does not know better than him, or Him, nor do they know everything about Him.

We cannot know everything about God, but we can know everything God needs us to know for serving Him today. I read a book by a well known Christian author and in it he says that he learned something new reading the scriptures one day in particular. It just reinforced the idea that we are to be in scripture everyday, for each day is a new opportunity to hear from God. God is pleading with us to spend more time with Him. He promises it will be rewarding. I urge you to listen to that call, every day, and experience the blessings.