If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
Job 10 stands as part of Job's answer to Bildad within the extended colloquies of Job 3-31 between Job and his three friends concerning the cause and object of human suffering and concerning Job's afflictions. The book in which it stands presents the problems of sin and suffering under God's providence.
In that setting Job is being disciplined through affliction, conscious of his own integrity yet unable to understand God's dealings with him. He judges to some extent from the same standpoint of human wisdom and observation as his friends, though he does not charge God foolishly. The verse reflects their mistaken application that affliction and suffering prove a man is under God's displeasure and marked for iniquity and caused by his sin, whereas Job's afflictions are no proof that he has sinned.
Adversity in fact does not prove divine displeasure, for whom the Lord loves He chastens for profit and holiness. Suffering for His sake glorifies Him and works for the sufferer's best good when God is trusted. God saw the end from the beginning in Job's case to glorify Himself, to bless Job, and to give comfort and hope to thousands of suffering ones afterward.
Job 10 stands as part of Job's answer to Bildad within the extended colloquies of Job 3-31 between Job and his three friends concerning the cause and object of human suffering and concerning Job's afflictions. The book in which it stands presents the problems of sin and suffering under God's providence.
In that setting Job is being disciplined through affliction, conscious of his own integrity yet unable to understand God's dealings with him. He judges to some extent from the same standpoint of human wisdom and observation as his friends, though he does not charge God foolishly. The verse reflects their mistaken application that affliction and suffering prove a man is under God's displeasure and marked for iniquity and caused by his sin, whereas Job's afflictions are no proof that he has sinned.
Adversity in fact does not prove divine displeasure, for whom the Lord loves He chastens for profit and holiness. Suffering for His sake glorifies Him and works for the sufferer's best good when God is trusted. God saw the end from the beginning in Job's case to glorify Himself, to bless Job, and to give comfort and hope to thousands of suffering ones afterward.