Job 10:17

Thy witnesses] Job's afflictions, which seem to witness to his guilt. Changes and war, etc.] RM 'Host after host is against me.'

18-22. Job begs for a little respite before his death: cp. Psalms 39:13. Observe how appeal follows hard on accusation.

21, 22. Note the dreary, hopeless conception of the dim shadowland of death.

It should be observed that in spite of the rash and despairing utterances to which Job in his misery gives vent in Job 9:10, his position is one of religious perplexity, rather than of reasoned doubt. Calmer and more hopeful views soon appear, and the conviction that God will restore him to His favour and justify him comes out more and more clearly as we read on: cp. Job 14:13; Job 16:19; Job 19:25; Job 27:1. 'Job never entirely gave up bis faith in God, though, like Jacob, he wrestled with Him. And, as in that case, the issue shows that God was not displeased with such an unburdening of the soul that still kept close to the strict line of truth' (Bradley). 'Much of the interest of tins drama of the soul lies in the growth of a consciousness in Job that God's present anger does not represent His inmost self. It is a mood that will pass, a dark cloud eclipsing His truest character. This thought does not, however, emerge as yet' (Peake).