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Commentary on Job 10 verses 8–13
In these verses we may observe,
I. How Job eyes God as his Creator and preserver, and describes his dependence upon him as the author and upholder of his being. This is one of the first things we are all concerned to know and consider.
1.That God made us, he, and not our parents, who were only the instruments of his power and providence in our production. He made us, and not we ourselves. His hands have made and fashioned these bodies of ours and every part of them (Job 10:8), and they are fearfully and wonderfully made. The soul also, which animates the body, is his gift. Job takes notice of both here. (1.) The body is made as the clay (v. 9), cast into shape, into this shape, as the clay is formed into a vessel, according to the skill and will of the potter. We are earthen vessels, mean in our original, and soon broken in pieces, made as the clay. Let not therefore the thing formed say unto him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? We must not be proud of our bodies, because the matter is from the earth, yet not dishonour our bodies, because the mould and shape are from the divine wisdom. The formation of human bodies in the womb is described by an elegant similitude (v. 10, Thou hast poured me out like milk, which is coagulated into cheese), and by an induction of some particulars, v. 11. Though we come into the world naked, yet the body is itself both clothed and armed. The skin and flesh are its clothing; the bones and sinews are its armour, not offensive, but defensive. The vital parts, the heart and lungs, are thus clothed, not to be seen - thus fenced, not to be hurt. The admirable structure of human bodies is an illustrious instance of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator. What a pity is it that these bodies should be instruments of unrighteousness which are capable of being temples of the Holy Ghost! (2.) The soul is the life, the soul is the man, and this is the gift of God: Thou hast granted me life, breathed into me the breath of life, without which the body would be but a worthless carcase. God is the Father of spirits: he made us living souls, and endued us with the power of reason; he gave us life and favour, and life is a favour - a great favour, more than meat, more than raiment - a distinguishing favour, a favour that puts us into a capacity of receiving other favours. Now Job was in a better mind than he was when he quarrelled with life as a burden, and asked, Why died I not from the womb? Or by life and favour may be meant life and all the comforts of life, referring to his former prosperity. Time was when he walked in the light of the divine favour, and thought, as David, that through that favour his mountain stood strong.
2.That God maintains us. Having lighted the lamp of life, he does not leave it to burn upon its own stock, but continually supplies it with fresh oil: "Thy visitation has preserved my spirit, kept me alive, protected me from the adversaries of life, the death we are in the midst of and the dangers we are continually exposed to, and blessed me with all the necessary supports of life and the daily supplies it needs and craves."
II. How he pleads this with God, and what use he makes of it. He reminds God of it (Job 10:9): Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me. What then? Why, 1"Thou hast made me, and therefore thou hast a perfect knowledge of me (Psa 139:1-13), and needest not to examine me by scourging, nor to put me upon the rack for the discovery of what is within me." 2. "Thou hast made me, as the clay, by an act of sovereignty; and wilt thou by a like act of sovereignty unmake me again? If so, I must submit." 3. "Wilt thou destroy the work of thy own hands?" It is a plea the saints have often used in prayer, We are the clay and thou our potter, Isa 64:8. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me, Psa 119:73. So here, Thou madest me; and wilt thou destroy me (Job 10:8), wilt thou bring me into dust again? Job 10:9. "Wilt thou not pity me? Wilt thou not spare and help me, and stand by the work of thy own hands? Psa 138:8. Thou madest me, and knowest my strength; wilt thou then suffer me to be pressed above measure? Was I made to be made miserable? Was I preserved only to be reserved for these calamities?" If we plead this with ourselves as an inducement to duty, "God made me and maintains me, and therefore I will serve him and submit to him," we may plead it with God as an argument for mercy: Thou hast made me, new - make me; I am thine, save me. Job knew not how to reconcile God's former favours and his present frowns, but concludes (Job 10:13), "These things hast thou hidden in thy heart. Both are according to the counsel of thy own will, and therefore undoubtedly consistent, however they seem." When God thus strangely changes his way, though we cannot account for it, we are bound to believe there are good reasons for it hidden in his heart, which will be manifested shortly. It is not with us, or in our reach, to assign the cause, but I know that this is with thee. Known unto God are all his works.
Do you see that “the possibility to know God is manifest in creatures,” that our creation was already sufficient to show me the nature of God and his power, without any help from heaven? Indeed the fact that we are so created from a germ, are supported, are not left in perils, is sufficient to show the strength of God and his power, as well as the fact that a sinner is preserved and not punished, whereas a righteous person is punished and chastised.
82. As if it were in plain words; ‘Why do I tremble for myself, who know that Thou dost gather in one even all nations? Which nevertheless Thou ‘hidest in Thine heart,’ in that Thou dost not yet make it known by open revelation, but Thou That ‘rememberest all,’ givest me, doubtless, assurance of pardon.’ But it is to be borne in mind, that in certain deeds we are both made certain of pardon, and after the commission of the sins are strengthened to have confidence of our absolution by subsequent chastisement and penance, yet we are still touched with the remembrance of the wickedness we have committed, and, unwilling and abhorring it, are preyed upon by unlawful thoughts.
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SUMMARY
Job 10:13 encapsulates Job's profound anguish and his perception of God's hidden, predetermined purpose behind his inexplicable suffering. In this poignant declaration, Job confronts God, asserting his conviction that the Almighty has secretly harbored a plan for his affliction, a plan that remains concealed within the divine heart, yet is undeniably unfolding in Job's devastating reality. It reflects Job's desperate attempt to reconcile his understanding of a just God with the overwhelming injustice he experiences, highlighting the deep mystery of divine sovereignty in the face of human pain.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Job 10:13 is situated within Job's second major discourse (chapters 9-10), following the first round of dialogue with his friends. Having just provided a magnificent, albeit ironic, description of God's omnipotence and meticulous creation in Job 9:4-10, Job abruptly pivots to lament his own miserable existence and God's perceived hostility towards him. He recounts how God lovingly formed him in the womb in Job 10:8-12 only, in Job's present experience, to relentlessly pursue and destroy him. This verse serves as a climactic expression of Job's conviction that his suffering is not a random occurrence or a consequence of his sin, as his friends assert, but rather a deliberate, pre-meditated act by God, hidden from human understanding. It underscores the deep chasm between Job's past experience of God as his benevolent Creator and his current perception of God as his relentless adversary.
Historical & Cultural Context: The book of Job is set in the patriarchal period, likely reflecting a time before the Mosaic Law was given, as evidenced by the absence of references to the Law, the tabernacle, or the priesthood. The cultural understanding of suffering in the ancient Near East often linked prosperity to righteousness and calamity to divine punishment for sin. This conventional wisdom, deeply ingrained in Job's friends, is precisely what Job challenges. His insistence that God has "hid in thine heart" a plan for his suffering speaks to the ancient concept of divine counsel or decrees, often unrevealed to humanity, yet determinative of fate. Kings and deities were believed to hold secret intentions, and for Job, this hidden divine will now seems to be directed against him, contrary to the expected justice for a righteous man. This cultural backdrop intensifies Job's theological dilemma.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it highlights the mystery of divine sovereignty and the inscrutability of God's ways. Job acknowledges God's ultimate power and control but interprets it through the lens of his pain, perceiving a secret, arbitrary, and cruel plan. This resonates with the broader biblical theme that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways. Secondly, it deepens the problem of suffering, particularly the suffering of the righteous. Job's unwavering conviction of his innocence, coupled with his intense suffering, directly challenges the traditional retribution theology espoused by his friends, forcing a re-evaluation of the relationship between sin and suffering. Thirdly, it reveals the profound spiritual crisis Job is undergoing, as his perception of God shifts from a benevolent Creator to a hidden, seemingly malevolent adversary. Despite this struggle, Job's continued engagement with God, even in accusation, reflects a tenacious faith, albeit one under extreme duress, foreshadowing his eventual declaration that he will see God for himself.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 10:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Job's profound distress and theological struggle. The primary device is Lament, as Job expresses deep sorrow, complaint, and a visceral sense of injustice directly to God. This lament is infused with Anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics to God by speaking of God having a "heart" where intentions are "hid." This allows Job to grapple with God's actions in human terms, even while acknowledging God's transcendence and inscrutability. There is also a strong element of Irony in Job's declaration, "I know that this is with thee." While Job claims to "know," his entire discourse reveals a profound lack of understanding regarding God's true purposes, highlighting the vast gap between human perception and divine reality. This "knowledge" is born of pain and suspicion, not true insight. Finally, the verse functions as a form of Rhetorical Questioning, implicitly asking God, "Why have you hidden this plan from me? Why this suffering?" even though it is phrased as a statement of certainty, underscoring his desperate plea for answers.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 10:13 stands as a pivotal expression of the tension between divine sovereignty and human suffering, particularly when God's purposes remain shrouded in mystery. It grapples with the profound theological truth that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, yet He remains sovereign over all circumstances, including suffering. While Job perceives God's hidden plan as malevolent, the broader biblical narrative affirms that God's secret counsel is ultimately for His glory and the good of His people, even when it involves trials. This verse compels us to consider how we respond when God's actions seem hidden, challenging us to trust His character even when His plan is obscure, acknowledging that true wisdom often involves recognizing the limits of human understanding in the face of divine infinitude.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 10:13 offers a profound space for reflection for anyone grappling with inexplicable suffering or the perceived silence of God. It validates the raw honesty of Job's lament, reminding us that it is permissible, even necessary, to voice our deepest pain, confusion, and even accusations to God. Our faith journey is not always one of clear understanding; often, it involves wrestling with the mystery of God's ways, acknowledging that His plans and purposes may be "hid in His heart" from our limited perspective. This verse encourages humility in the face of divine wisdom, urging us to recognize the vast chasm between our finite understanding and God's infinite knowledge. Ultimately, Job's journey, beginning with such intense questioning, leads to a deeper, more profound faith where he sees God with new eyes, not just hears about Him. This calls us to cultivate a trust that transcends comprehension, leaning on God's unchanging character and faithfulness even when the reasons for our trials remain elusive, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and our ultimate good, even when we cannot discern the path.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is Job accusing God of being malicious in Job 10:13?
Answer: Job's words in Job 10:13 reflect his profound anguish and his perception of God's actions as hostile. He is not necessarily accusing God of inherent malice, but rather of a hidden, predetermined plan that is causing him immense suffering. In his pain, Job interprets God's sovereignty as a deliberate, concealed intent to afflict him. This is a desperate cry from a man who believes he is righteous yet is being treated as if he were wicked. It's an expression of bewilderment and a challenge to God's justice from Job's limited human perspective, rather than a definitive theological statement about God's character. The book as a whole ultimately reveals that God's purposes, though hidden from Job, were not malicious but part of a larger divine plan that tested and refined Job's faith, leading him to a deeper knowledge of God (Job 42:5).
What does "hid in thine heart" imply about God's character or actions?
Answer: The phrase "hid in thine heart" (Hebrew: tsâphan in lêbâb) suggests that God has a deep, internal, and unrevealed counsel or intention concerning Job's suffering. From Job's perspective, this implies that God's actions are deliberate and pre-meditated, not random or accidental. It speaks to the mystery and inscrutability of God's ways, acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty and control over all events. While Job interprets this hiddenness negatively in his moment of pain, the phrase itself speaks to the profound depth of God's wisdom and His capacity to work out His purposes in ways that are often beyond human comprehension. It highlights that God's plans originate from His very being and are not always immediately evident or explainable to His creation, a concept affirmed in passages like Deuteronomy 29:29).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 10:13, with its desperate cry about God's hidden purposes in suffering, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. For centuries, the "mystery" of God's plan for salvation, His intention to redeem humanity from sin and death, was indeed "hid in His heart" (1 Corinthians 2:7). The Old Testament prophets hinted at it, but the full scope of God's redemptive purpose remained largely concealed until Christ's advent. What Job perceived as a hidden plan for destruction, God revealed in Christ as a hidden plan for ultimate restoration and glory. God's deepest intention, kept secret for ages, was to send His Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, to suffer on the cross, thereby conquering sin and death (Colossians 1:26-27). Through Christ's suffering, God's seemingly hidden and harsh judgment against sin was fully revealed and satisfied, not through the destruction of the righteous, but through the sacrifice of the perfectly righteous One. The mystery of God's will, once obscure to Job, is now unveiled in Christ, demonstrating that even through suffering, God's ultimate purpose is to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10) and to reconcile all things to Himself through the blood of the cross (Colossians 1:20). Thus, what was hidden is now revealed in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, transforming our understanding of suffering and God's sovereign plan.