Job 9:21-24 - Homilies By E. Johnson

Rebellion of the conscience against this picture of terror.

A reaction comes; for the clear testimony of consciousness may be obscured for a time, but cannot be denied. In that clear consciousness, it seems that Job will turn against the injustice (as he thinks) of God, and boldly denounce it.

I. A GOOD CONSCIENCE LIFTS THE MIND ABOVE ABJECT FEAR .

II. IT IMPARTS CONTEMPT OF DEATH . (Verse 21.)

III. IT STIMULATES TO BOLDNESS IN PLEADING ONE 'S CAUSE . We must think of Job, according to a leading conception of the book, as within his right in pleading against his (supposed) adversary as in a court. He argues, as again showing that God is merely an absolute Tyrant, that the innocent are punished along with the guilty (verse 22). There are two examples of this:

1 . The scourge, or pest, which quickly sweeps away whole populations, making no discrimination between the good and evil, the hoary sinner and the helpless babe (verse 23).

2 . The dominion of the wicked in the world. Their faces are covered; they do not distinguish between right and wrong. And who else can be the Cause of this but God (verse 24)?—J.