Job 10:3

[Is it] good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

Is it good {H2895} unto thee that thou shouldest oppress {H6231}, that thou shouldest despise {H3988} the work {H3018} of thine hands {H3709}, and shine {H3313} upon the counsel {H6098} of the wicked {H7563}?

Do you gain some advantage from oppressing, from spurning what your own hands made, from shining on the schemes of the wicked?

Does it please You to oppress me, to reject the work of Your hands and favor the schemes of the wicked?

Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, That thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, And shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

Commentary

Context

Job 10:3 is a poignant and challenging question posed by Job directly to God, found within a deeply emotional lament in chapter 10. Having endured immense suffering—loss of family, wealth, and health—and being subjected to the accusations of his friends, Job is in profound distress. In this chapter, he expresses his bewilderment and pain, questioning God's motives and actions towards him. This particular verse encapsulates Job's central complaint: he feels unjustly afflicted by his Creator, perceiving God's actions as oppressive and seemingly contradictory to His nature as a loving Maker.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Job's Bold Accusation and Questioning of Divine Justice: Job's opening rhetorical question, "Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress...?", is a raw and daring challenge to God's character and justice. He is essentially asking if God finds satisfaction in causing suffering, particularly to one who feels undeserving of such severe trials. This highlights the profound human struggle to reconcile the existence of a good and powerful God with the reality of intense, inexplicable suffering. It underscores Job's desperate search for meaning in his pain.
  • The Creator and His Creation: The phrase "despise the work of thine hands" is central to Job's anguish. Job sees himself as God's unique creation, yet he feels God is actively destroying or abandoning him. This raises fundamental questions about the relationship between the Creator and the created, and the value God places on His own handiwork. It's a plea for God to acknowledge and care for what He has made, a theme often explored in Scripture, such as in Psalm 139:14, which celebrates being "fearfully and wonderfully made."
  • The Problem of the Prosperity of the Wicked: Job's final accusation, "and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?", points to the age-old theological dilemma of why the unrighteous often appear to prosper while the righteous suffer. Job perceives a cosmic injustice where God seems to endorse or enable the schemes and plans of the wicked, while simultaneously afflicting the innocent. This concept is a recurring struggle for believers throughout the Bible, notably confronted in Psalm 73, where the psalmist grapples with the apparent success of the wicked.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "oppress" (תִּעֲשֹׁק, tiʿăšōq) often implies a violent, unjust, or wrongful crushing or exploitation. Job uses this strong term to convey his perception of God's actions towards him. The word "despise" (תִּמְאַס, timʾas) signifies rejection, abhorrence, or loathing, intensifying Job's feeling of being cast off and disregarded by his Creator, despite being His own creation.

Practical Application

Job 10:3 offers profound insights for anyone grappling with suffering or questioning God's actions:

  • Permission for Honest Lament: Job's raw, unvarnished questions validate the human experience of expressing intense pain, doubt, and even anger to God. The book of Job demonstrates that God is big enough to handle our deepest laments and most challenging questions.
  • Trust Amidst Mystery: While Job's questions are sharp, the broader narrative of the book of Job ultimately points to God's incomprehensible sovereignty and wisdom. It encourages trust in God's character even when His ways are mysterious and our understanding is limited.
  • Perspective on Justice: This verse invites reflection on the nature of divine justice, reminding us that while immediate circumstances may seem contradictory, God's ultimate righteousness will prevail, and His plans are beyond human comprehension. It encourages a long-term perspective on God's dealings with humanity.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 64:8

    But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

  • Job 14:15

    Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

  • Psalms 138:8

    The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    ¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Jeremiah 12:3

    But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

  • Psalms 69:33

    For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

  • 1 Peter 4:19

    Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
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