Understanding Job 10:11

Job 10:11 states, "Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews." This verse captures a profound moment in Job's discourse, reflecting on his creation and physical form as he grapples with his suffering and the nature of his existence.

Context of the Verse

In the midst of his anguish, Job is speaking to God, expressing feelings of despair while seeking to understand the reason behind his suffering. Here, he emphasizes the intricate nature of his bodily existence as a created being, questioning divine justice.

Interpretations from Commentaries

Insights from Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke provide a richer understanding of this verse:

• Matthew Henry:

  Henry highlights that Job acknowledges God as the creator who has intricately formed him. The employment of "fenced me" indicates the sacredness of Job’s structure, a divine creation that should not be harmed. His physical existence serves as a testament to God's power and benevolence.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes suggests that Job is, in a sense, marveling at the careful construction of human life. By emphasizing "skin and flesh," Job also insinuates that his suffering is against the natural order of God's creation, indicating an inherent injustice to his plight.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke elaborates on the idea that Job is appealing to God, reminding Him of the intricate design of the human body as both a source of dignity and a trigger for his current distress. Clarke sees this verse as reflecting Job's deep struggle with the concept of mortality and divine justice.

Theological Insights

This verse emphasizes three key theological themes:

• The Creator-Creation Relationship: Job acknowledges God as the source of his existence, underscoring the significance of the created being in the Creator's plan.
• The Dignity of Human Life: By recognizing the complexity of human anatomy, Job conveys that human life is sacred and valuable.
• The Pain of Existence: Job’s lament reveals a tension between the beauty of creation and the reality of suffering, serving as a profound exploration of the problem of evil.

Cross-References

Job 10:11 connects to several biblical passages that enrich its meaning:

• Psalm 139:13-14: "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
• Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
• Isaiah 43:7: "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."
• Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee."
• Romans 9:20: "Nay but, O man, who art thou that replyest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?"
• Luke 12:7: "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Conclusion

Job 10:11 underscores the intricate relationship between humanity and God, encapsulating themes of creation, dignity, and the agony of human existence. Engaging with this verse invites reflection on one's relationship with the Creator, the value of life, and the questions surrounding suffering and divine justice.