And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
The verse belongs to Job's defense in his debate with his three friends concerning his afflictions, answering their constant accusations both stated and implied. It stands in the Job 8-27 portion that ends with the friends ceasing to trouble him in the middle of his last reply. He pleads his cause before his friends because he cannot find God to plead it before Him face to face. The passage contrasts oppressors who remove landmarks and violently take away flocks and feed thereof, who drive away the ass of the fatherless, who take the widow's ox for a pledge, and turn the needy out of the way, with his own upright life in dealing with others. He esteemed the words of God's mouth more than necessary food, delivered the poor that cried and the fatherless and him that had none to help him, caused the widow's heart to sing for joy, and was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame and a father to the poor, which works are pure religion and undefiled.
In this the chapter is a most complete justification of self and vindication of his own self-righteousness, for he knew his own integrity but could not understand God's dealings with him. His friends' statements could be false or misapplied, while he did not accuse God foolishly. With this verse he challenges anyone to make him a liar and make his speech nothing worth.
The verse belongs to Job's defense in his debate with his three friends concerning his afflictions, answering their constant accusations both stated and implied. It stands in the Job 8-27 portion that ends with the friends ceasing to trouble him in the middle of his last reply. He pleads his cause before his friends because he cannot find God to plead it before Him face to face. The passage contrasts oppressors who remove landmarks and violently take away flocks and feed thereof, who drive away the ass of the fatherless, who take the widow's ox for a pledge, and turn the needy out of the way, with his own upright life in dealing with others. He esteemed the words of God's mouth more than necessary food, delivered the poor that cried and the fatherless and him that had none to help him, caused the widow's heart to sing for joy, and was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame and a father to the poor, which works are pure religion and undefiled.
In this the chapter is a most complete justification of self and vindication of his own self-righteousness, for he knew his own integrity but could not understand God's dealings with him. His friends' statements could be false or misapplied, while he did not accuse God foolishly. With this verse he challenges anyone to make him a liar and make his speech nothing worth.